FBI tapes suggest mob influence on political hiring
NWI Times
Aug 3, 1991
nwitimes.com/uncategorized/fbi-tapes-suggest-mob-influence-on-political-hiring/article_de55f30a-be2b-54de-b147-5d9809c87b87.html
HAMMOND - The man who allegedly controlled the crime syndicate's illegal activities in Northwest Indiana also apparently tried to command some influence on political hiring.
References about the mob's influence on Lake County government were reinforced Friday by tape recordings of telephone conversations of Bernard "Snooky" Morgano, one of six defendants on trial for extorting for the Chicago "Outfit" thousands of dollars from illegal gambling businesses in Lake and LaPorte counties.
Earlier references on tapes played this week included payoffs of $1,000 a month to the "sheriff" and other various payments to "coppers."
During a March 11, 1987, telephone conversation between Morgano and Sophie Geras, chief deputy of the Lake County auditor, Morgano is recorded as saying: "Well, you've got to get something, 'cause I want to get that job for that what's her name."
Geras responds: "I know."
Morgano: "That's all. What should I tell her?"
Geras: "Well, he's just got to have to wait. We went for money, and we got refused. There's no money."
Later in the same conversation Morgano says: "I hate to push you, but I've got to push you."
Geras: "I know."
Morgano: "Tell Annie I'm pushing, too."
Morgano does not say whether he is referring to Lake County Auditor Anna Anton.
The conversation with Geras was one of more than 70 recordings made from wire taps placed on Morgano's phone in 1987. Most of the conversations played Friday for the jury, involved Morgano and two of the defendants, Sam "Frog" Glorioso and Anthony Leone, who both allegedly collected for Morgano a "street tax" from illegal gambling businesses.
Leone has pleaded guilty and will testify against Morgano, Glorioso and the other defendants, including reputed southern territorial Outfit boss Dominick Palermo, 73, of Orland Park and his alleged underboss, Nicholas "Nicky" Guzzino of Chicago Heights; Sam Nuzzo Jr. of Merrillville, who allegedly controlled most of Northwest Indiana's illegal gambling; and Peter "Cadillac Pete" Petros of Chicago.
The tapes show almost daily contact and several meetings at area restaurants between Morgano and Leone and Glorioso.
The three would meet frequently at the Paragon Restaurant in Hobart, owned by Louis Geredomos, who testified earlier that he was shaken down by Morgano for $1,000 to hold gambling parties at his other restaurant, Mr. G's in Lakes of the Four Seasons.
The three men were very cautious on the phone, not using any names, referring to "the guy" or "the thing" and sometimes saying they could not talk on the phone. Morgano is heard telling Leone to "use a pay phone" and that the two would arrange over the phone the location where they would meet to talk.
The tapes also include references to "taking care of that guy" and to meetings the three men planned to have with other unnamed people.
There are also numerous references to card games, horse betting and gambling. Morgano and Glorioso are heard discussing "action" and arranging partners to play cards.
Defense lawyers for Glorioso, Morgano and Nuzzo have argued that their clients are gamblers and nothing more.
No comments:
Post a Comment