* NBC 5…
The current Republican candidate for DuPage County board president Gary Grasso and long-time mayor of west suburban Burr Ridge is standing up for his town’s quasi-celebrity chef Gigi Rovito.
Grasso is describing Rovito as a stand-up guy; a solid community leader and prominent businessman. His praise comes even though federal law enforcement describes Rovito as an enforcer for an illegal gambling/extortion ring, and an Outfit operative currently free on $1 million bond.
Rovito is on home confinement in Burr Ridge and on Thursday returned to social media. On his video you can’t see the electronic bracelet adorning his ankle, but the feds are monitoring it to make sure Rovito doesn’t vamoose.
“Everybody knows him. I think he’s got a YouTube following of a quarter of a million people or something like that,” said Burr Ridge mayor Gary Grasso. “He’s been a stellar corporate and residential citizen. He also lives in Burr Ridge. So, we’re standing with Capri and Gigi now.”
* The SAFE-T Act strikes again! Um, no, wait. This is federal, not state. And it’s in Indiana, not Illinois…
Federal prosecutors had previously argued that Rovito should remain detained, citing allegations that the criminal enterprise used threats and intimidation to collect debts. A judge initially agreed, ordering him held without bond.
That decision was reversed after defense attorneys emphasized his community ties and business obligations. Prosecutors ultimately agreed to the negotiated release terms.
* More…
[Rovito’s attorney Thomas Breen] also said Rovito has personally delivered checks to the families of officers shot in the line of duty. And Rovito caters the Chicago Police Department’s Christmas party every year and donates Thanksgiving turkeys to the Burr Ridge Police Department, the lawyer said. […]
Rovito was charged with operating an illegal gambling business and conspiring to collect extensions of credit by extortionate means.
At a Florida casino in 2024, Rovito looked for a man who owed a $30,000 gambling debt on behalf of the ring’s alleged leader, James “Jimmy the Greek” Gerodemos, prosecutors said.
During a simultaneous meeting at Capri Ristorante, Gerodemos told the others that Rovito stated he would “knock” the victim’s “lights out and shove his head into a machine,” prosecutors said.
* NBC 5…
Text messages between Rovito and the bosses supplied in court documents allege that Rovito was searching for a wayward gambler in a Florida casino and willing to knock the debtor’s “lights out” and then “shove his head into a machine.”
The full indictment is here. And click here for the defense’s response.
That mail is gonna write itself.
- LiveWire - Friday, May 8, 26 @ 1:11 pm:
Isn’t Debra Conroy the DuPage County Chairperson?
- Thomas Paine - Friday, May 8, 26 @ 1:12 pm:
Thomas Breen represented Jason VanDyke’s co-defendant officer Joe Walsh.
Walsh gave statements that were clearly contradicted by the police dash cams used to justify the shooting, claiming Laquan was the aggressor.
He got his acquittal.
But man, if I was a prosecutor I would want a list of every police officer that the defendant has delivered money to.
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Friday, May 8, 26 @ 1:12 pm:
The shoving the head into a machine thing seems a bit less than good neighborly.
- LiveWire - Friday, May 8, 26 @ 1:12 pm:
Sorry, I missed the candidate part.
- Think Again - Friday, May 8, 26 @ 1:26 pm:
=The full indictment is here=
If you need an explanation of how strip card betting works, the state provides very clear instructions
- Iron Duke - Friday, May 8, 26 @ 1:37 pm:
Gigi would need a step ladder to shove anyone in a washing machine.
The bond was 1 million dollars and he isn’t under home confinement.
He can go to his restaurants.
Not typical for mobsters to have a quarter of a million YouTube followers. They are supposed to be under the radar.
I think being a convicted sex offender of a juvenile is far more of a problem as far as association than being charged with illegal gambling operation.
- fs - Friday, May 8, 26 @ 1:38 pm:
“One night, Bobby Vinton sent us champagne. There was nothing like it. I didn’t think there was anything strange in any of this. You know, a 21-year-old kid with such connections. He was an exciting guy. He was really nice. He introduced me to everybody. Everybody wanted to be nice to him. And he knew how to handle it.”
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 8, 26 @ 1:40 pm:
===They are supposed to be under the radar===
John Gotti would like a word.
Fascinating defense tho. Thanks for allowing us this insight.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 8, 26 @ 1:41 pm:
===shove anyone in a washing machine===
Pretty sure they meant gaming machine.
- Iron Duke - Friday, May 8, 26 @ 1:47 pm:
Unlike his peers the Dapper Don John Gotti was known for his expensive clothes and outspoken personality in front of a camera.
He certainly did not keep a low profile which was a big reason why he was targeted so fiercely.
He was then known as the Teflon Don after 3 high profile acquittals before his underboss Sammy the Bull Gravano turned on him and he was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of 5 murders and other charges.
Not defending Gigi in anyway Rich or anyone associating with him.
- Candy Dogood - Friday, May 8, 26 @ 1:55 pm:
===Rovito has personally delivered checks to the families of officers shot in the line of duty. And Rovito caters the Chicago Police Department’s Christmas party every year and donates Thanksgiving turkeys to the Burr Ridge Police Department===
This could be a voice over from the Goodfellas.
- Demoralized - Friday, May 8, 26 @ 1:57 pm:
==quarter of a million YouTube followers==
What does his YouTube following have to do with anything? That’s just a wild part of any defense of him. But I’ll note the excuses that Republicans are making for him the next time they whine about crime.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 8, 26 @ 2:05 pm:
===Not defending Gigi in anyway===
You did make excuses, though. Noted.