What to know about gambling ring in Northwest Indiana
Federal prosecutors indicted 22 people in April 2026 for leading a gambling and extortion ring based at two Northwest Indiana restaurants.Summary
On April 29, 2026, federal prosecutors unsealed an 87-page indictment charging 22 individuals with running an illegal gambling and extortion ring known as Operation Porterhouse Parlay. The operation, led by James "Jimmy the Greek" Gerodemos and Dean "Dean Gem" Gialamas, operated out of Gino's Steakhouse in Merrillville and Paragon in Hobart. The indictment details how the Gerodemos Gambling Organization used websites and text messaging to facilitate sports betting across multiple states, often extending lines of credit to bettors without requiring upfront payment. Prosecutors allege the group used intimidation and threats of violence to collect debts, including one instance where an ex-employee left a threatening note at a victim's home. The investigation also uncovered past legal troubles for the Gerodemos family, including a 2013 raid for hiring illegal workers and a 2014 federal prison sentence for James Gerodemos related to illegal fireworks. As of the report, several defendants, including James Gerodemos, have been denied bond.
(Source：Chicago Tribune)