02041992 - News Article - New guidelines delay sentencing 3rd time

New guidelines delay sentencing 3rd time
Post-Tribune (IN)
February 4, 1992
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The sentencing of six members of the Northwest Indiana crime syndicate has been continued for a third time because of the complexity of new federal sentencing guidelines.

U.S. District Judge James T. Moody rescheduled the sentencings for Feb. 27. The six had been set for sentencing Friday.

The defendants are Dominick "Tootsie" Palermo of Orland Park, Ill.; Nicholas "Jumbo" Guzzino of Chicago Heights, Ill.; Bernard "Snooky" Morgano of Valparaiso; Sam "Frog" Glorioso of Gary; Peter "Cadillac Pete" Petros, formerly of Gary and LaPorte; and Sam Nuzzo Jr. of Merrillville.

The six were convicted in August on racketeering and illegal gambling charges in connection with the collection of a "street tax" from illegal gambling operations in Northwest Indiana. Each is being held pending sentencing.

One of the reasons for the continuances is the effort of Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Thill to have Moody increase the maximum potential sentence each defendant faces.

Thill, in earlier hearings, argued that the new federal sentencing guidelines don't take into account crimes committed by members of the crime syndicate. The guidelines took affect Nov. 1, 1987.

Because of the complex nature of the guidelines and relative lack of legal precedent, Moody said he wanted to carefully weigh the arguments before making a decision.

Defendants serve about 85 percent of their sentences under the new guidelines. Under the old federal code, a defendant usually served about one- third of a sentence.

The potential sentences would increase by five years and as much as 15 years if Thill's motions are approved.