Outfit guy busted

[Wiseguy]

According to several articles over the past 10 or 15 years, illegal gambling is the primary racket for the scaled down, streamlined modern day Outfit. I suppose if you combine the bookmaking and video poker cases, one could see that. New England and Philadelphia are the same way in that regard.

[funkster]

That would make a lot of sense. It's interesting, aside from me following OC stuff here and in NY I don't know a lot of street types. However, buddy of mine has season tickets for the Cubs and I went with him to one of the playoff games. He's probably ten or fifteen years older than me...and he mentioned he went to the game the night before and that afterwards he went to meet up with one of his buddies at a store that he runs a book out of. Said the was making a bunch off the betting going on for the MLB playoffs. Kind of put it in perspective...cause I would never even know who to talk to in order to make those types of bets...and here he knows multiple people in the bookmaking game.

[TommyNoto]

Yes . I'm not from the area but it's clear the Outfit has chosen to have very little dependence on bookmaking compared to NY / NJ crews where it is and has always been a core racket .

Chicago busts and operations seem to be robbery , kidnapping , video poker and loan sharking related .

Seems odd so it has to be for security purposes . Chicago appears to want a small family , foregoing a profitable racket like bookmaking that requires 10-100+ workers for the 8-9 digit book . Even stranger is historically Outfit guys really rely on and are expert loan sharks and these 2 rackets are directly linked, making it even stranger on how the sharks function, especially today where anyone can get a credit card ( except of course degenerate gamblers ) .Someone at some point had to of made that operational decision to not get involved in higher exposure bookmaking activities . A local here has to know something

[Pete]

Yes . I'm not from the area but it's clear the Outfit has chosen to have very little dependence on bookmaking compared to NY / NJ crews where it is and has always been a core racket .

Chicago busts and operations seem to be robbery , kidnapping , video poker and loan sharking related .

Seems odd so it has to be for security purposes . Chicago appears to want a small family , foregoing a profitable racket like bookmaking that requires 10-100+ workers for the 8-9 digit book . Even stranger is historically Outfit guys really rely on and are expert loan sharks and these 2 rackets are directly linked, making it even stranger on how the sharks function, especially today where anyone can get a credit card ( except of course degenerate gamblers ) .Someone at some point had to of made that operational decision to not get involved in higher exposure bookmaking activities . A local here has to know something

A few of us have already told you that they are still into gambling more so than anything else and you keep ignoring that, stating your position again that they are not involved, and asking for someone else's opinion. But one last time YES they ARE involved heavily in gambling and always will be

[OlBlueEyesClub]

Man , this guy was dumb for sharing all that stuff. And this is like the second time I've read something about the Outfit dealing with modern Chicago Street Gangs. Wonder how that dynamic came about.

[TommyNoto]

We will agree to disagree Pete

Not ONCE did I say they weren't involved in gambling . I said they don't appear to rely on sports bookmaking compared to the NY / NJ crews . Sports brings in a lot of cash but is also easy to bust up and get some good info on the org .

[OlBlueEyesClub]

But , guys have shown you some links , whether it was two years ago or whatever, that proves that the Outfit still relies heavily on sports betting and bookmaking, and you keep coming back trying to dispute those kinds of things based on your own personal opinion.

[Pete]

But , guys have shown you some links , whether it was two years ago or whatever, that proves that the Outfit still relies heavily on sports betting and bookmaking, and you keep coming back trying to dispute those kinds of things based on your own personal opinion.

Exactly. Just to add a bit more what's left of the elmwood park crew their number 1 illegal money maker is gambling no doubt. Same goes for Chinatown and Cicero. Grand avenue seems to be bigger on burglary and robbery which they were always known for. Gambling is and most likely always will be the outfits biggest moneymaker

[TommyNoto]

seriously ?

That bust was nearly 8 years ago and did $400k in 4-5 year period

That's averages $700 in action a day

I am very familiar with the workings and operation of a sports book and if that meets your definition then that crew is sevicing 5-6 gamblers at most

It takes dozens of guys to run a just a small $10m sports book and they get popped every few years , doesn't amount to shit except sending everyone their new account info , website and bail guys out , but it's a very active business requiring numerous weekly meets , phone calls , texts , $ exchange etc. There's not even a whiff of a crew handling a meaningful size sports book for many years now . Happy to see info to change my mind as that's what I'm asking for but I have yet to see anything . Respectfully please post such info

[Wiseguy]

Here's what I have for Outfit gambling cases. You do see bookmaking cases that, in terms of frequency, are somewhat comparable to other small families in New England or Philadelphia, for example. But you're right that the money involved in these busts, at least when the figures are available, are relatively small. Certainly nowhere near some of the huge figures we see out of New York. Video poker cases seem to have been just as common and appear to be just as important, if not more so, than bookmaking to the Outfit. I also added some cases involving the Outfit attempting to infiltrate (or at least profit indirectly from) legal gaming via hidden investments, vendor contracts, etc.


In a superseding indictment in April 2000, following an original indictment in January 1999, Chicago LCN crew boss Anthony Centracchio and associates Thomas Tucker, Robert Urbinati, and Robert Natale (a former police chief and mayor), were indicted in Chicago, IL on charges of racketeering, conspiracy, obstruction of justice (bribes to local police to protect gambling operations), distributing video poker machines, and the extortion of several adult businesses such as the Galaxy, Crossroads, Odyssey, Ogden, and Satellite Video porn shops and the Admiral Theater strip club.

April 2000 - 7 people including Chicago LCN associates Anthony Dote, Carl Dote, and Donald Scalise (a former police officer), were indicted in Chicago, IL on charges of racketeering and illegal gambling involving a sports bookmaking operation that netted $2 million over 3 years.

In September 2000, Chicago LCN associates Robert Cechini and Lawrence Scialabba were banned from the Grand Victoria riverboat casino in Elgin, IL.

In articles in December 2000 and August 2002, it was reported that, whereas it was once "impressively diversified," the modern day Chicago LCN relied heavily on a single source of income - illegal gambling, specifically sports bookmaking and video poker machines.

In March 2001, Illinois state regulators denied a license to Emerald Casino Inc. to operate a gambling boat in Rosemont, IL, citing the company's connections to Chicago LCN associate Nicholas Boscarino and relatives of late Chicago LCN figure William "Potatoes" Daddano. In June 2005, it was reported that Boscarino and Vito Salamone (who was a close associate of Chicago LCN members and associates like Marco D'Amico and Frank Rappa) were investors in the Emerald Casino.

In January 2001, 7 people, including Philip A. Webb (ASAP Vending & Games Inc), were indicted in McHenry County, IL on charges of syndicated gambling, keeping a gambling place, and obstruction of justice involving distributing video poker machines in 3 local towns - Harvard, McHenry, and Woodstock. It was reported Webb had kicked back 10% of all proceeds to LCN associates. In July 2015, it was reported that the Illinois Gaming Board had issued video gambling licenses to convicted felons and illegal operators including Webb (who then ran RAW Vending & Games Inc) which continued to supply video gambling machines to local bars.

In August 2001, it was reported that the Menominee Indian tribe pulled out of a Kenosha casino deal because one of it's major investors was Morgan Murphy Jr., a former Chicago congressman who had ties to a Chicago LCN-connected labor official.

In February 2002, 8 people including Chicago LCN associate William "Billy D" DiDomenico, were indicted in Chicago, IL on charges of running a sports bookmaking operation over a 10 year period.

In April 2002, 10 people including Phillip Cozzo (son of Chicago LCN crew boss James "Jimmy" Cozzo and former technical advisor for the Illinois Department of Transporation), were indicted in Chicago, IL on charges of racketeering, conspiracy, operating an illegal gambling business, and money laundering involving the skimming of over $3.2 million from bingo games at the Grand Palace bingo hall.

In July 2002, Joel Glickman was arrested and pled guilty to collecting over $500,000 in sports bets. 2 years earlier, in July 2000, it was reported that Bryan Harlan (a Chicago Bears executive) had placed bets with Glickman. In July 2007, Glickman was taken into custody after he refused to testify about paying over $400,000 in street tax in a 25 year period to Chicago LCN soldier Frank "Frankie Breeze" Calabrese, during the "Family Secrets" trial. In March 2003, 4 of Glickman's partners (Frank DiCostanzo, Joseph Galiano, Vincent Saviano, and Marvin Topel) were indicted in Chicago, IL on charges of running a sports bookmaking operation from 1989 to 1999.

In April 2003, the Grand Victoria riverboat casino agreed to pay a $3.2 million fine for giving a $300,000 air handling contract to a company (Pure Air Werks) owned by Joseph and Jamie Bastone, the sons of late Chicago LCN figure Carmen Bastone.

In August 2003, Chicago LCN associate Joseph "Pooch" Pascucci and Mary Daddano (daughter of late Chicago LCN associate William "Potatoes" Daddano) were indicted in Chicago, IL on charges of running a sports bookmaking operation. In June 2004, 5 people including Pascucchi and Demitri "Jimmy" Stavropolous, were indicted in Chicago, IL on charges of running a sports bookmaking operation that grossed $3 million over 3 years.

In February 2005, it was reported that a tribal casino boat (Lac du Flambeau) off the coast of Cancun, Mexico had Chicago LCN associates Steve Panzarella, Mark Montana, and Chicago attorney Alexandar Salerno (who had represented Chicago LCN figures such as Harry Aleman and Michael Spano Sr.) as investors. In July 2007, it was reported the gambling boat sat in disrepair despite $3 million in tribe money spent.

In April 2005, 14 people including Chicago LCN acting boss James "Jimmy the Man" Marcello, crew boss Joseph "Joey the Clown" Lombardo, and soldiers Frank "Frankie Breeze" Calabrese and Nicholas Calabrese, were indicted in Chicago on charges of racketeering, conspiracy, running a sports bookmaking operation, distributing video poker machines (through M&M Amusements), extorting a street tax from a restaurant and 2 porn shops, tax evasion, and multiple murder counts.

In articles in May 2005, September 2007 and June 2011, it was reported that the smaller Outfit still offered gambling through dozens of bookies and had found video poker machines to be a steady source of income.

In September 2005, Chicago LCN associate Michael Posner was reported to be operating the Excelsior casino (formerly the Grand Hotel casino) in the Holiday Inn Resort in Aruba.

In February 2006, 9 people including Chicago LCN associate Frank "Gumba" Saladino, as well as Joseph Saladino and John "Tiger" Frisella, were indicted in Rockford, IL on charges of running a sports bookmaking operation that netted over $500,000.

In February 2009, 30 Chicago LCN-connected video poker machines were seized from 10 businesses on Chicago's South Side.

In May 2009, 8 people including Chicago LCN acting boss Michael "The Large Guy" Sarno (who was later reported to own a glass manufacturing company in Las Vegas with Grand Ave crew boss Albert Vena), associate Casey Szaflarski (relative of Chicago LCN member Frank "Toots" Caruso and owner of Amusements Inc.), Chicago police officers Dino Vitalo and James Formato, and Outlaw Motorcycle Gang member Mark Polchan, were indicted in Chicago, IL on charges of racketeering, conspiracy, 9 jewelry robberies worth over $1.8 million, transportation and fencing of stolen cigarettes, distributing video poker machines, arson of a rival video poker business (C&S Coin Amusements), obstruction of a criminal investigation, wire fraud, and tax evasion.

In December 2009, 12 locations on Chicago's South Side were raided for video poker machines, which were tied to late Chicago LCN associate Joseph "Shorty" LaMantia.

In February 2010, Howard "Moose" Amdusky and Ronald Freedman, who had past ties to the Chicago LCN, were indicted on charges of running a sports bookmaking operation that serviced 25 bettors who wagered on average $300 per sports event over the past 5 years.

In February 2012, Anthony Buttitta and Dominick Buttitta were indicted in Chicago on charges of conspiracy to commit tax fraud and illegal gambling. The Buttittas operated a strip club (BlackJacks) in Elgin, IL through Elgin Enterprises Inc. and had received approximately $3.7 million in kickbacks from dancers. They also operated a sports bookmaking operation through 3 internet websites which took in $1 million in bets between 2005 and 2009 and netted approximately $400,000. The Buttittas had also placed their betting agents on the payroll of another company to show legitimate income, from which they received kickbacks, and diverted taxes of $1.3 million.

In October 2014, it was reported that the Chicago Crime Commission released a new informational book called "The Nightmare of Sweepstakes Video Gaming" to local sheriffs and state's attorney in the state, stating that the "sweepstakes" or "coupon" machines (which were especially prevalent in Cook County) and sometimes overseen by organized crime. In May 2016, the CCC expressed concern over legislation being advanced in Springfield, IL to legalize and regulate the fantasy sports betting industry and the potentional involvement of organized crime.



There are also these cases though I'm not sure of the exact mob connection.

In July 2002, 4 people, including Peter "Cuz" Demondo (a printing products salesman), Richard Demondo, and Frank "Knuckles" Mattelli, were indicted in Chicago, IL with running a sports bookmaking business that took bets ranging from $50 to $2,000 and utilized a dozen cell phones. The operation reportedly took in $300,000 in profit from 1996 and 1999.

In March 2003, Frank DiCostanzo, Joseph Galiano, Vincent Saviano, and Marvin Topel were indicted in Chicago on charges of running a sports bookmaking operation from November 1989 through September 1999.

[TommyNoto]

Thanks Wiseguy as this was the info I was looking for

I agree with your statement

Chicago certainly has the capability to run a big sports book . I wonder if at some point they determined they would just tax where they can , get some cash and keep a lower profile? The Feds are far less likely to put in the resources to bust a book if they can't thrown any wiseguys in the indictment and in the meantime they can use their misclento tax . The busts can usually tell at least some of the story

[TommyNoto]

And I agree video poker appears to be a big focus for the outfit which is very telling as it is less contact with people and requires far less people to run , just muscle into a bar / restaurant and collect every week or 2 and also you usually have a legit front in the making of these machines to launder the $ . Seems to be a strategic decision to lay off the sports bookmaking as if they wanted to these crews could probably run big tens of millions book but theirs a downside to that with the busts, heat , rats and headlines that could lead LE to other areas and jam up crews . Tons of $ tho which is why the easy coast guys are knee deep in it and no way IMO could leadership even try to limit this activity .

[TommyNoto]

But , guys have shown you some links , whether it was two years ago or whatever, that proves that the Outfit still relies heavily on sports betting and bookmaking, and you keep coming back trying to dispute those kinds of things based on your own personal opinion.

MB fights are pointless and useless so I'm not going there but the above statement shows your personal opinion rather than mine. I was simply looking for info to guess on what the strategy might be. I'm still not sure what your attacks were all about as I never said gambling but rather sports bookmaking (big difference) and I never said they weren't involved in it but rather sports bookmaking didn't appear to be their core racket (big difference), why is that and what does it infer.

[OlBlueEyesClub]

What attacks? As I said before, guys showed you through links that sports betting (bookmaking) were the core rackets for the Outfit when it came to specific crews. And you would dispute those things (criminal indictments, etc) based on your own opinion. Simple. Who attacked you?

[TommyNoto]

True my bad , misread a post where I thought I was being called dumb

No problem we just agree to disagree