FBI Targets Restaurant Owners, 20 Others in Crackdown Against Illegal Gambling

Federal investigators have led a series of raids resulting in the arrests of more than 20 people who are now facing charges as part of a major crackdown on illegal sports gambling. 

Pay Up Or Get a Call from Jimmy

Among the arrested is one James “Jimmy the Greek” Gerodemos and 21 others who are now facing a variety of charges linked to criminal gambling-related activity they were conducting in northwest Indiana, along with charges of violent extortion. 

Multiple agencies assisted the FBI in the raids, which took place at multiple sites, including the homes of the suspects, along with restaurants on Wednesday, April 29. Among the eateries raided are Gino’s Steakhouse in Merrillville and Paragon in Hobart. 

The organization would accept wagers from punters on behalf of the so-called Gerodemos Gambling Organization, which was run by Jimmy the Greek and Dean “Dean Gem” Gialamas.

The raided restaurants are alleged to have been the headquarters of the criminal enterprise. According to investigators, people who gambled with the Gerodemos would end up in trouble over unpaid debt.

Once such debts were accrued, the organization would go to great lengths to harass and threaten the people who owed the money, finding their home addresses and sending threatening voice messages. 

The defendants named in the case were aged from 21 to over 80, and they not only operated in Northwest Indiana specifically, but also ran their criminal enterprises in places such as Chicago, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Sarasota, pointing to a widespread network. 

Family Affair

According to the investigations and prosecutors, the criminal organization has been active since 2021, with the suspects trying to use nicknames to hide their identities, along with fake business expenses to obfuscate the origin of the money and prevent investigators from getting wind of the bookmaking activities. 

Investigators further alleged that employees at the raided restaurants were also tasked with helping facilitate the collection and distribution of gambling revenue from agents, bettors, and bookies, with payments ranging from $100 to $50,000. 

The criminal enterprise is alleged to have earned between $700,000 and $900,000 on the Super Bowl every year. The business also spread to family members, with Athena Gerodemos, daughter of Jimmy the Greek, carrying out at least 200 financial transactions related to illegal gambling proceeds.