Feds oppose journey request for alleged boss in Indiana playing ring

New submitting in alleged Indiana playing ring

We have new data tonight on the alleged unlawful playing ring in Indiana.
The investigation is named Operation Porterhouse Parlay.
Today federal prosecutors made it clear they don’t want one of many primary suspects out free and so they’re making an attempt to revoke his bond.

HAMMOND, Ind. – Federal prosecutors are pushing again towards a request from one of many prime suspects within the federal probe often known as  “Operation Porterhouse Parlay.”

What we all know:

On Friday, a 66-page movement was launched that describes Dean Gialamas, also called “Dean Gem,” as a “flight risk and danger to the community.” 

However, his attorneys are asking the courtroom to permit him to journey throughout the United States and Puerto Rico for enterprise functions whereas he stays free on bond.

Fox Chicago spoke with former FBI agent Ross Rice, who has been following the case. Rice stated prosecutors are particularly involved with Gialamas’ funds and worldwide ties.

“One, are his extensive financial holdings based on his years of operating this illegal gambling business,” Rice stated. “And second is the fact that he’s of Greek ancestry, which means he has dual citizenship, both in the United States and Greece.”

Rice added that extraditing Greek residents from Greece to the United States could be troublesome, which prosecutors consider will increase the chance that Gialamas might go away the nation to keep away from prosecution. The submitting additionally states prosecutors consider Gialamas has intensive worldwide contacts based mostly on his journey historical past. Rice additionally stated that prosecutors level to a number of examples within the submitting that they consider exhibit that Gialamas is a hazard to the group — together with allegations involving a Super Bowl playing dispute with James Gerodemos, also called “Jimmy the Greek.”

In the brand new courtroom submitting, the Gerodemos playing group allegedly dealt with high-stakes betting and Super Bowl “squares” swimming pools. Prosecutors say that in 2025, Gialamas received a $250,000 Super Bowl line pool card obtained from Gerodemos. But by July, prosecutors allege Gerodemos had not totally paid Gialamas his winnings. Court paperwork say Gialamas turned livid over the unpaid cash.

“Gialamas, according to the government, was extremely upset over that,” Rice stated. “He was talking to several of his associates and co-defendants about the fact and made several references to possibly using violence or threats of violence to induce payment.”

The submitting additionally references that Gialamas allegedly had inside contacts with native and federal legislation enforcement. Rice stated investigators are anticipated to aggressively study whether or not members of the playing group had relationships with legislation enforcement officers.

“That obviously is going to be a big concern to the investigators,” Rice stated. “They’re going to pursue that quite aggressively.”

The submitting particularly references connections involving the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and a Hammond restaurant allegedly frequented by Gerodemos.

Prosecutors additionally referenced a gathering involving Gialamas and an affiliate within the car parking zone of a Portillo’s restaurant close to Route 59 and Interstate 88 associated to an alleged debt assortment effort.

The backstory:

Twenty-two males have been indicted within the playing and extortion investigation, the place all of them pleaded not responsible in Hammond federal courtroom. 

It’s a probe into an alleged unlawful sports activities playing community that federal prosecutors stated operated for years out of Gino’s Steakhouse in Merrillville and Paragon Restaurant in Hobart. Authorities allege the operation accepted bets each on-line and in particular person by playing web sites, cellphone calls and textual content messages, with bettors situated throughout the nation. 

Federal prosecutors recognized Gerodemos, and Gialamas because the leaders of the operation. The group can also be accused of cash laundering and utilizing threats and intimidation to gather playing money owed.

Organized crime transfer references

The authorities reportedly cited scenes from the film ‘Goodfellas’ throughout the submitting, particularly referencing the Air France theft sequence, as a part of its argument about intimidation techniques. Rice stated prosecutors look like utilizing these examples to painting the group as organized and threatening.

“They were trying to use that to show this victim that they were connected, they were serious, and that if this person didn’t make good on their losses and make payment, that something was gonna happen to them,” Rice stated.

Earlier this week, Fox Chicago reported Alexander Gagianis, who is among the males indicted on this case, is recognized as a bookie, however volunteered to turn into an enforcer. Prosecutors allege he provided to “paint houses” for the operation. The doc explains that phrase was taken from the 2019 Netflix film, “The Irishman”: “Paint houses” is meant to be a reference to killing folks, and “carpentry” means disposing of the our bodies, in line with the federal government. Investigators say Gerodemos texted the film clip to Gagianis.

In the film, Al Pacino portrays Jimmy Hoffa. On the cellphone, he says to Robert De Niro, enjoying a hitman, “I heard you paint houses.” De Niro replies, “Yes, I do. I also do my own carpentry.”

Gagianis allegedly replied with a laughing emoji.

But the federal government additionally stated Gagianis is a flight danger, and a menace to witnesses and the general public.

What’s subsequent:

Gialamas’ attorneys filed a movement requesting further time to answer the federal government’s effort to revoke his bond. A decide has given the protection till May 29 to file its response. 

The courtroom will then determine whether or not Gialamas will stay free on bond or be detained whereas awaiting trial within the ongoing federal playing case.