Feds indict 22 in ‘Greek’-led gambling ring centered on two Northwest Indiana restaurants
Federal prosecutors have indicted 22 individuals, including members of the Gerodemos family, for running a gambling and extortion ring out of two Northwest Indiana restaurants.Summary
Federal prosecutors have indicted 22 people in a wide-ranging gambling and extortion ring operating out of Gino's Steakhouse in Merrillville and Paragon in Hobart. The indictment, which spans from January 2021 to April 2026, names James "Jimmy the Greek" Gerodemos and Dean "Dean Gem" Gialamas as the leaders of the Gerodemos Gambling Organization. The group used the restaurants to collect gambling proceeds and facilitate sports betting through websites, phone numbers, and text messaging, offering bettors lines of credit without requiring them to put up their own money. The indictment also details the organization's use of threats and violence to collect debts, including attempts to extort victims and their families. Additionally, Athena Gerodemos faces charges for laundering money between her father and victims. Prosecutors are seeking to seize assets, including the restaurants, cars, bank accounts, and homes. The FBI has stated there is no known threat to the public.
(Source：Chicago Tribune)