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All 22 defendants charged in a federal gambling and extortion investigation pleaded not guilty during arraignments in Hammond federal court on Thursday
Board of Elections campaign finance records dating back to 2022 show Lake County, Indiana Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. spent more than $72,000 on fundraisers at a restaurant owned by the alleged ring leader of the operation
Martinez Jr. is not new to controversies
Lake County, Indiana’s top law enforcement official, Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr., spent extensive time at restaurants owned by defendants implicated in a sweeping sports betting case.
All 22 defendants charged in a federal gambling and extortion investigation pleaded not guilty during arraignments in Hammond federal court on Thursday. Only a handful of the defendants have been released on bond.
Board of Elections campaign finance records dating back to 2022 show Martinez spent more than $72,000 on fundraisers, food, and events at Gino’s Steakhouse in Merrillville, a restaurant owned by alleged sports betting ring leader James “Jimmy the Greek” Gerodemos.
The State Board of Accounts audited his office and reported Martinez misspent public funds from the sheriff’s commissary account, including $3,300 paid to Gino’s to feed employees working at the Lake County fairgrounds.
While the optics aren't good, Martinez, who is term limited, is not accused of any wrongdoing.
"You have to figure out, did he know what was going on? Did he know what type of illegal activities were being conducted by the owner of these restaurants, of these businesses? And unless there's evidence to show that he did and was overlooking it, or potentially taking money to allow it to operate, then that becomes a whole different story…," retired FBI agent Ross Rice said. "I can assure you, if there's evidence showing that the sheriff knew about this and was looking the other way or protecting it, that will come out."
Investigators allege the group used threats and intimidation against bettors who fell behind on gambling debts.
The group's alleged enforcer, Michael Campbell, can be seen in photos posted to social media in recent weeks, posing in political and social settings with top Region elected officials, a Region police chief as well as top labor officials.
Past Controversies Involving the Lake County Sheriff
In 2022, Martinez was indicted on felony resisting law enforcement and misdemeanor reckless driving charges after Crown Point police alleged he fled a traffic stop while driving an unmarked police SUV at a high speed. Martinez denied wrongdoing and called the case a “political witch hunt.” He later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless driving in 2024, while the felony charge was dropped.
In January, a state audit accused Martinez’s office of improperly spending nearly $300,000 from jail commissary funds on items including hotel rooms, restaurants, golf outings, alcohol, travel expenses, and donations allegedly unrelated to allowable jail purposes.
Martinez has publicly pushed back against the audit findings through his attorneys and allies in regard to the audit findings.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
