2001 Gambling and Corruption Case, NW Chicago Burbs

[PolackTony]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.chicag ... y,amp.html

Posting because I haven't seen these names in Outfit discussions. Robert Cechini busted for joker poker and money laundering operation, and for paying off officials in Stone Park, Northlake, Franklin Park. Co-defendant Lawrence Scialabba. Anyone have the scoop on these guys? Seems they were working under Tony Centracchio. While awaiting sentencing for this they were also banned from entering casino boats by the state of IL due to OC ties. Scialabba passed in 2007, seemed like Cechini is still alive and free man.

[Wiseguy]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.chicag ... y,amp.html

Posting because I haven't seen these names in Outfit discussions. Robert Cechini busted for joker poker and money laundering operation, and for paying off officials in Stone Park, Northlake, Franklin Park. Co-defendant Lawrence Scialabba. Anyone have the scoop on these guys? Seems they were working under Tony Centracchio. While awaiting sentencing for this they were also banned from entering casino boats by the state of IL due to OC ties. Scialabba passed in 2007, seemed like Cechini is still alive and free man.

If I'm not mistaken, there were superseding charges to that initial case that got Centracchio, as well as Thomas Tucker, Robert Urbinati, and Robert Natale. Besides video poker machines and bribery, charges also included shaking down several adult businesses.

[Peppermint]

What the hell is “joker poker” lmao

[PolackTony]

What the hell is “joker poker” lmao

Video poker machine racket. Is the term joker poker just a Chicago thing? That's what we always called it lol.

[Peppermint]

What the hell is “joker poker” lmao

Video poker machine racket. Is the term joker poker just a Chicago thing? That's what we always called it lol.

I don’t know, could just be a midwestern or a gambling community thing in general. I’m sure that phrase is thrown around in Vegas, maybe even New Orleans or Atlantic City. I also don’t gamble, never have gambled other than the occasional 1 - 2$ lotto scratchers every now and then when I got a spare couple dollars to blow on nothing, so that’s probably why I never heard of it.

I’d imagine others here are probably more familiar with the saying than I am, not trying to imply everyone here are degenerate gamblers LOL. But half the time I can’t even remember proper hands in Texas hold’em. I just thought it was a funny phrase “joker poker”

[gohnjotti]

What the hell is “joker poker” lmao

Video poker machine racket. Is the term joker poker just a Chicago thing? That's what we always called it lol.

It’s huge in NY, the Colombos control vast swathes of Joker Poker territory in Brooklyn and Long Island, the Bonannos have historically had lots of Joker Poker activities in the Bronx and Queens. I’m sure other posters can elaborate on the scope of the Bonanno operations with DeFilippo in the Bronx and the Grimaldis and Co. in Queens, but with the Colombos I can firmly say that Joker Poker (video gambling) is one of their strongest family-wide rackets.

John Azzarelli, an associate, was kicking up $1000 a month for the right to operate Joker Poker under the Colombo family, and he was just one example of the Joker Poker proprietors and distributors. According to his 2008 indictment as well as court testimony from Dino Calabro and others, Gioeli’s Joker-Poker empire spanned from the 1980s up until his arrest, and he handled various machines across the metropolitan area.
Sonny Franzese is somebody I believe to be a Joker Poker kingpin, or at least his crew was. I can’t think of why I recall that, but I know that Franzese’s connection to restaurateur Angelo Giangrande was through him placing Joker Poker machines in his store, and it’s also the way John Floridia became associated with the Colombo family. Colombo associate Richie Cappa began placing his machines in the store.
Angelo Spata is another one with significant clout in the Joker Poker industry, mainly because he controls various feasts across New York where Joker Poker and other carnival games are played, including another mob favourite - Razzle Dazzle. You can read up about Angelo Spata’s rise until 2011 on my website at thecolombomafia.com/angelo-spata.

[PolackTony]

Yeah from why I'm told there still a lot of under the table joker poker and slots in Chicago. I have family in Chicago who are still addicted to that garbage, and specifically do not patronize the legit machines but are always going to the backroom spots because the payouts are better and I think frankly the clandestine nature is a big part of the thrill for them, as they're well aware that they're supporting the mob by patronizing that crap lol.