09292017 - Former Portage Mayor Olga Velazquez accepted three campaign contributions - in 2011 - from someone who had previously been federally convicted in Chicago Outfit gambling/extortion racket


I am often asked why no one was ever held accountable for the unlawful police entry into my home and the deaths of my beloved furbabies, Abbi and Bailey ...




My response: The unlawful police entry and deaths of Abbi and Bailey occurred in the same town, where the mayor at that time - Olga Velazquez - accepted three contributions to her re-election campaign from Ned Pujo, who had previously been convicted along with 14 others in a gambling and extortion racket run for the Chicago Outfit. So, par for the course, eh.

And, Olga's police chief - Mark Becker, who was formerly with the FBI, and took part in the NW Indiana investigation of the Chicago Outfit, which resulted resulted in indictments against 15 people - which included Ned and Yolande Pujo's  federal indictments - well you'd have thought he might have said something to Olga about accepting contributions from Pujo, eh.



10212011--Olga-Velazquez--Campaign-Finance-Form--Olga-For-Mayor-Committee--PDF--Google-Drive



10212011--Olga-Velazquez--Campaign-Finance-Form--Olga-For-Mayor-Committee--PDF--Google-Drive










15 indicted in 1990 in Northwest Indiana Chicago Outfit gambling and extortion racket


Sam M. "Frog" Glorioso 

Sam M. "Frog" Glorioso - [12141990] Indicted: one count racketeering; one count racketeering conspiracy; and five counts of extortion; and one count participating in an illegal gambling business - [08171991] found guilty of one count of racketeering, one count of racketeering conspiracy, five counts of extortion and one count of participating in an illegal gambling business - [04241992] Sentenced to 10 years in prison





Nicholas Albert "Nicky" Guzzino 

Nicholas Albert "Nicky" Guzzino - [12141990] Indicted: one count of racketeering; one count of racketeering conspiracy; one count of extortion; two counts conducting and operating an illegal gambling business; and nine counts of interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises - [08171991] found guilty of one count of racketeering, one count of racketeering conspiracy, one count of extortion, two counts conducting and operating an illegal gambling business and eight counts of interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises - [03261992] Sentenced to 39 years and 6 months in prison; fined $185,000






Jennifer Kaufman 

Jennifer Kaufman - [12141990] Indicted: one count conducting an illegal gambling business - [07161991] Pleaded guilty to a charge of conducting and aiding and abetting an illegal gambling operation  - [09271991] Sentenced to 1 year in prison and 500 hours of community service upon release






Anthony Leone 
Anthony Leone - [June 1989] Entered the witness protection program - [12141990] Indicted: one count racketeering; one count racketeering conspiracy; and two counts extortion - Cooperated with government; was a key government witness in the 1991 prosecution of Sam M. "Frog" Glorioso; Nicholas Albert "Nicky" Guzzino; Bernard J. "Snooky" Morgano; Sam Nuzzo Jr. ; Dominick "Tootsie" Palermo; and Peter "Cadillac Pete" Petros of the Chicago Outfit - [12131991] Sentenced to three years probation






Bernard J. "Snooky" Morgano 

Bernard J. "Snooky" Morgano - [12141990] Indicted: one count racketeering, one count racketeering conspiracy; three counts of extortion; two counts conducting and operating an illegal gambling business and eight counts of interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises - [01191991] Additional charges under the RICO act - [08171991] found guilty of one count of racketeering, one count of racketeering conspiracy, three counts of extortion, two counts of conducting and operating an illegal gambling business and eight counts of interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises - [03261992] Sentenced to 16 years and 3 months in prison; fined $177,000






Sandra Mynes 

Sandra Mynes - [12141990] Indicted: one count of conducting an illegal gambling business - [07161991] Pleaded guilty to a charge of conducting and aiding and abetting an illegal gambling operation  - [09271991] Sentenced to 1 year in prison and 500 hours of community service upon release





Arthur A. Nuzzo 

Arthur A. Nuzzo - [12141990] Indicted: one count conducting an illegal gambling business - [07161991] Pleaded guilty to a charge of conducting and aiding and abetting an illegal gambling operation  - [09251991] Sentenced  to 18 months in prison; Fined $10,000 





Sam Nuzzo Jr. 

Sam Nuzzo Jr. - [12141990] Indicted: one count racketeering; one count racketeering conspiracy; two counts extortion; and one count conducting and operating an illegal gambling business - [08171991] found guilty of one count of racketeering, one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of extortion and one count of conducting and operating an illegal gambling business - [05011992] Sentenced to 11 years in prison; Fined $60,000






Sam Nuzzo Sr. 

Sam Nuzzo Sr. - [12141990] Indicted: one count of conducting an illegal gambling business -  [07161991] Pleaded guilty to a charge of conducting and aiding and abetting an illegal gambling operation  [09251991] Sentenced  to 18 months in prison;  Fined $30,000






Anthony J. Ottomanelli 

Anthony J. Ottomanelli - [12141990] Indicted: one count of conducting an illegal gambling business - [07161991] Pleaded guilty to a charge of conducting and aiding and abetting an illegal gambling operation  - Cooperated with the investigation - [09261991] Sentenced to to six months in a work-release center; Fined $2,000






Dominick "Tootsie" Palermo 

Dominick "Tootsie" Palermo - Identified as the godfather suspect in the 1986 murders of Anthony Spilotro and Michael Spilotro - [12141990] Indicted: one count racketeering; one count racketeering conspiracy; two counts conducting and operating an illegal gambling business; and four counts of interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises - [01191991] Additional charges under the RICO act -  [08171991] found guilty of one count racketeering, one count racketeering conspiracy, two counts conducting and operating an illegal gambling business and four counts of interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises - [03261992] Sentenced to 32 years and 3 months in prison; fined $250,000






Peter "Cadillac Pete" Petros 
Peter "Cadillac Pete" Petros - [12141990] Indicted: one count racketeering; one count racketeering conspiracy; and four counts extortion - [01191991] Additional charges under the RICO act - [08171991] found guilty of one count of racketeering, one count of racketeering conspiracy and four counts of extortion - [04241992] Sentenced to 9 years and 9 months in prison





Ned Pujo 
Ned Pujo - Owner of Beer Barrel tavern in Merrillville, with his wife/Yolande Pujo - [12141990] Indicted: one count of conducting an illegal gambling business - [September 1991] - Ned Pujo pleaded guilty to operating an illegal gambling business; In exchange for his plea, the U.S. attorney's office dismissed gambling charges against his wife, Yolande Pujo - [04241992] Sentenced to 18 months in prison; fined $30,000







Yolande Pujo 
Yolande Pujo - Owner of Beer Barrel tavern in Merrillville, with her husband/Ned Pujo -  [12141990] Indicted: one count of conducting an illegal gambling business - [September 1991] - Ned Pujo pleaded guilty to operating an illegal gambling business; In exchange for his plea, the U.S. attorney's office dismissed gambling charges against Yolande Pujo





Steve Sfouris 
Steve Sfouris - [12141990] Indicted: one count racketeering conspiracy; one count operating an illegal gambling business and one count of interstate travel in aid of racketeering - [01191991] Additional charges under the RICO act - FUGITIVE











15 indicted in 1990 in Northwest Indiana Chicago Outfit gambling and extortion racket - News Articles


12191990 - News Article - Feds bust mob racket


12191990 - News Article - Alleged mobsters in bust ran the gamut from top chieftains to low level soldiers


12191990 - News Article - Indictment Names Reputed Mob Boss 15 From Suburbs, Indiana Charged


12191990 - News Article - 15 indicted in mob gambling, extortion


12191990 - News Article - 29-count indictment lists area names


 12201990 - News Article - Feds closing in on indicted fugitives


12201990 - News Article - Steve Sfouris flees to Greece - Gambler was just indicted


12211990 - News Article - "Cadillac Pete" surrenders, seeks court appointed attorney


12291990 - News Article - Court covers defense costs - Petros faces varied charges


12291990 - News Article - Alleged mob members file innocent please - Three face gambling


 01051991 - News Article - 9 plead not guilty to gambling charges


01051991 - News Article - Seven more plead innocent to mob-related charges


01151991 - News Article - 15 alleged gamblers set for trial March 4


01191991 - News Article - Alleged mobsters slapped with more charges


02061991 - News Article - James Richmond: A tough act to follow


02161991 - News Article - More prison time for Kinkade


03121991 - News Article - Alleged mob boss' lawyer asked to withdraw from case


03161991 - News Article - Defense lawyer's conflict of interest decision


03161991 - News Article - Judge to rule on defense attorney's status - Former Government prosecutor wants to defend alleged crime syndicate members


03191991 - News Article - Judge to rule on attorney's status - Ex-prosecutor hired in racketeering case


03281991 - News Article - Competency hearing set for alleged mob figure


04051991 - News Article - Judge allows lawyer to continue defense of Palermo


04061991 - News Article - Prosecution's motion denied - Ex-Assistant U.S. Attorney can continue in 'street tax' case


04121991 - News Article - Reputed syndicate members ordered to remain in custody


04121991 - News Article - Alleged mob figures must stay in jail until trial


 05021991 - News Article - Feds rearrest four in mob rackets case


05031991 - News Article - Bond denied in mob probe - Trio held until trial on illegal


05031991 - News Article - Judge revokes Nuzzo bonds - 4 were free in betting case


05071991 - News Article - Judge revokes Merrillville woman's bond in mob case


05261991 - News Article - Franchising crime - Mob muscle spreads fear


05261991 - News Article - Franchising crime - The Outfit's grip extends from Chicago to Northwest Indiana


 05271991 - News Article - Franchising crime - Mob leadership baffles experts


05271991 - News Article - Franchising crime - Most Outfit murders remain unsolved


05281991 - News Article - Franchising crime - Officer got behind mob scene


05281991 - News Article - Franchising crime - "Mobology" unveils organized crime


06121991 - News Articles - Judge splits mob-gambling cases - First trial set to start in July 


 06181991 - News Article - Outfit underlings won't be tried with bosses 


07161991 - News Article - Leone talks of 'Sheriff', hints Stiglich in on gambling


07171991 - News Article - Five plead guilty to running sports betting operation


07211991 - News Article - Money, not honor, drove "goodfellas"


07211991 - News Article - Crime syndicate trial to begin - Six linked with illegal gambling racket


07231991 - News Article - Attorney make opening bids - Syndicate gambling trial begins today


07231991 - News Article - Organized crime trial starts today


07241991 - News Article - 'Outfit' trial opens on differing note


 07241991 - News Article - Tape of bugging - Pledged 'street tax' trial opens


07251991 - News Article - Kinkade testifies in 'street tax' trial - Says he paid 'Cadillac Pete'


07251991 - News Article - Janowsky wanted to pay 'right people'


07261991 - News Article - Poker vendors say they were forced to pay for protection


07261991 - News Article - Local notables testify, admit gambling with Nuzzo ring


07271991 - News Article - Ex-county insurer implicated in trial


 07271991 - News Article - Ex-cop outlines role in gambling scheme


07301991 - News Article - Pipe shop is gambling front - Under immunity, Dunk says he is continuing operations


07301991 - News Article - Restaurateur, tobacco shop owner testify of shakedowns for street tax


07311991 - News Article - Gambler, bookmakers testify of payments to alleged


07311991 - News Article - Graczyk stole to pay off bets - Lost $100,000 in gambling operations


 08011991 - News Article - Court hears tapes in gambling trial


08011991 - News Article - Jury listens to government's secret tapes of alleged


08021991 - News Article - Reputed mobster payoff on tape


08021991 - News Article - $2,000 payoffs alleged in tapes - Ex-Sheriff called 'cheap'


08031991 - News Article - Video poker issue on tapes - Focus is on Morgano


08031991 - News Article - FBI tapes suggest mob influence on political hiring


08041991 - News Article - IHSAA's bylaws unclear in cases of officials, gambling


08061991 - News Article - Mob gambling trial - Jury hears tapes, telephone conversations used code words, revealed little


08061991 - News Article - Tapes show local gambling caught Detroit's interest


08071991 - News Article - FBI offers gambling evidence


08081991 - News Article - Mobster is painted as bungling - Friends say Glorioso owed gambling debts


08081991 - News Article - Tapes paint Matonovich as heavy bettor


08091991 - News Article - 'Crooked' cops come clean - Former officers posed to gather bribe information


08091991 - News Article - Ex-sheriff, Mafia named at trial - Tapes portray payoffs and street taxes


08131991 - News Article - Defense hurries to get prepared in 'Outfit' trial


08131991 - News Article - Star witness says sheriff met with Morgano


08141991 - News Article - Palermo couldn't get Sfouris to pay rent on bar - Co-owner takes stand


08141991 - News Article - 'Street tax' collection impossible, wife testifies


08151991 - News Article - Prosecutors, defense wrap up "Outfit"


08151991 - News Article - 'Mob' defense attacks - Scorn for prosecution in racketeering trials


08161991 - News Article - 'Mob' trial goes to jury - Quick verdict not expected


08161991 - News Article - Gambling trial in hands of federal jury


08171991 - News Article - Six mobsters found guilty - Courtroom overcome with sobs


08171991 - News Article - Six mobsters found guilty


08171991 - News Article - Six mobsters found guilty - The verdicts


08171991 - News Article - 6 Convicted In Indiana Mob Scam


08171991 - News Article - Guilty verdicts for 6 defendants in gambling trial


09261991 - News Article - Bookie receives 1 1/2 years - Judge criticizes Nuzzo for way he raised kids


09261991 - News Article - Two Nuzzo family members sentenced to 18 months in prison


09281991 - News Article - Odds catch Nuzzo's 2 daughters - Each sentenced to one year in prison and 500 hours of community service


09281991 - News Article - Sisters get 12 months on gambling charges


10111991 - News Article - Sentencing delayed for crime figures guilty of racketeering


12111991 - News Article - Sentencing of 6 crime syndicate members stalled - Government seeks longer prison terms


12141991 - News Article - Leone sheds federal cover - Love for his children cited


12151991 - News Article - Former government witness gives up witness protection


01021992 - News Article - Mob weaker, but alive after convictions


01081992 - News Article - Crime boss sentences could skyrocket - Guidelines affect Palermo, Guzzino


01081992 - News Article - Alleged mob chief's sentencing delayed


01091992 - News Article - U.S. argues for tougher sentences in gambling case


01101992 - News Article - Sentencing is delayed for study of guidelines


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


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


 02281992 - News Article - Syndicate sentencing delayed


 03271992 - News Article - Suburban Mob Boss Sentenced


03271992 - News Article - 3 crime syndicate members receive hefty sentences - A former Valpo resident who cooperated with the government and was sentenced to probation is called "a snake" by one of the convicted


 03271992 - News Article - Mobsters handed stiff terms


04251992 - News Article - 2 Mob Underlings Get 10-year Prison Terms


04251992 - News Article - Gamblers receive prison terms


04261992 - News Article - Three mobsters given prison sentences


05021992 - News Article - Gambler gets 11-year term


05021992 - News Article - Nuzzo Jr. receives 11-year sentence


05031992 - News Article - Nuzzo gets 11 years in gambling conviction


01271993 - News Article - Hail, Hail! The gang's still here


01281993 - News Article - Lawman: Chicago Mob still wields power in region


05252001 - News Article - More than just suds - Beer Barrel Restaurant & Lounge has a little of everything, including tasty weekend specials


02252005 - News Article - Bar nudity draws charges - HOBART: Women arrested, bar cited after fashion show


01072008 - News Article - Federal colleagues will miss longtime leader


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09242017 - News Article - MARC CHASE: Snyder should get used to turned backs



MARC CHASE: Snyder should get used to turned backs
NWI Times
September 24, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/opinion/columnists/marc-chase/marc-chase-snyder-should-get-used-to-turned-backs/article_f74ebdc3-578d-5934-95be-11952e61c3a4.html

Portage Mayor James Snyder seems to believe some leaders in his county aren't taking his plans — or even his stature as mayor — seriously.

He undoubtedly knows why but has yet to face the truth of the matter.

Three letters — FBI — sum it all up.

Few Region political leaders will say this outright, but the reason is clear:

Snyder is ensnared in the web of a felony bribery indictment spun by federal prosecutors, FBI agents and perhaps Snyder's own behavior — a jury must decide that last point — and is unlikely to be taken seriously by anyone.

Conventional wisdom dictates that folks don't forge alliances with those under the shadow of a federal criminal indictment. By now, most of us know Snyder faces felony charges in Hammond federal court for allegedly taking bribes to arrange for favorable towing contracts.

Indeed, he's presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Time and again, in the political corruption vortex that is Northwest Indiana, we've all seen how such federal indictments have ended.

Region federal prosecutors have a perfect record of conviction in the government corruption sphere, with more than 70 public officials or politically connected vendors being convicted of felonies against taxpayers since the 1980s.

But Snyder still seems to question why some folks won’t embrace his proposals.

In a public statement that ran as a guest commentary Friday in The Times, Snyder decried Porter County commissioners for turning their backs on his city's proposal to build a new county government annex building in downtown Portage.

He pointed to a study he says bolsters his city's position that a brand new downtown facility would be cheaper than renovating the county's existing Portage annex on Willowcreek Road south of U.S. 6 and would spur economic development.

"Instead of reading and debating the study, commissioners chose to call it names, threaten its author, refer to my federal indictment and disparage all Portage elected leadership," Snyder wrote.

The problem is the blame-game here can stop with Snyder.

Sure, commissioners have their own plan — a sensible one from what I can tell. They want to renovate the existing annex building, which has a sound, usable structure but needs to be modernized, including expanded courtroom space.

Good government dictates maintenance of viable buildings already within the holdings of a government unit. Commissioners have conducted their own study and dispute that a new building could be constructed, with all features they desire or need, more cheaply than a renovation of the existing structure.

The commissioners also have something else going for them.

Credibility.

None of the three commissioners — Jeff Good, Laura Blaney and Jim Biggs — are under federal indictment.

Snyder is.

So even if his study's numbers are correct, no legitimate government leaders are going to want to work with him or forge allegiances.

The smart ones won't want to be seen with him or associate with him, even if there's merit to the policies or plans he seeks.

Right or wrong, this is the reality Snyder refuses to face.

It's why several of my past columns and Times editorials have implored him to resign rather than dragging his city through the embarrassment and uncertainty of a mayoral felony indictment.

Snyder has made a conscious decision to remain in office pending trial, and that's his right.

But then he shouldn't act astonished when seeking dialogue with other government leaders who show him nothing but their backs.

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09242007 - News Article Links - Terror in Porter County Divorce Court - 1990's - Magistrate James Johnson and Judge Thomas Webber at the helm


Court orders / directives from Magistrate James Johnson, for police to enter homes, isn't anything new...

Women were terrified of the Porter County divorce court system in the 1990's. Under orders from Magistrate Johnson and Judge Webber, police were arriving at homes and removing children from mothers who were caught up in divorces.

Adding to the terror, was Guardian Ad Litem Beatrice Lightfoot - a wealthy land owner, who made large contributions to the campaigns of Porter County judges, and a large contribution to the county's  Guardian Ad Litem fund.

In October 1995, Lightfoot co-founded with Judge Webber, the Children/Parent visitation Center - which would attempt to divert county funding from the Family House visitation Center.

The mess created by Johnson, Webber, and Lightfoot would take the intervention of US Representative Pete Visclosky and State Senator William Alexas; establishment of the Family Court Bill; and additional Porter County Local Court Rules setting the qualifications of Guardian Ad Litems.






































































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09242017 - News Article Links - Disparity of justice: Comparison of Magistrate James Johnson's and Judge Joan Kouros' judicial investigations - Backlog of court cases

Lake County Judge Joan Kouros had the book thrown at her by the Indiana Judiciary Commission and the Indiana Supreme Court, for her backlog of court cases

On the other hand, during Porter County Magistrate James Johnson's  investigation - for the same offense -  he was treated as if he had merely been caught jay-walking by the Indiana Judiciary Commission.

How can you call it justice, when there is so much disparity, for the same offense?





Lake County Judge Joan Kouros - Indiana Judiciary Commission investigation - Backlog of court cases



































































































































































































Porter County Magistrate James Johnson - Indiana Judiciary Commission investigation - Backlog of court cases



























































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08132023 - News Article - Former Portage Mayor James Snyder asks US Supreme Court to consider his case

  Former Portage Mayor James Snyder asks US Supreme Court to consider his case Chicago Tribune  Aug 13, 2023 https://www.chicagotribune.com/...