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HAMMOND, Ind. - (Gambling911.com) - The alleged ringleader of a sprawling sports betting business taken down in late April allegedly sent death threats to witnesses from church, according to court documents.
The NBC 5 Chicago investigation reveals that federal investigators claim James "Jimmy the Greek" Gerodemos took video of flaming memorial candles in the back of a church, candles to honor the dead, and then sent the video to degenerate gamblers who owed money to his bookies. Authorities say Gerodemos said on video that he lit the candles for family members, adding, "I say for them to die."
In a new motion, prosecutors said Gerodemos is dangerous and they cite a long history of threatening to hurt or kill people.
The 87-page indictment against Gerodemos and 21 other individuals from January 2021 to April 2026 was unsealed on April 30. Gerodemos was named as the alleged mastermind of the operation.
Dean “Dean Gem” Gialamas was also named as one of the leaders of Gerodemos Gambling Organization, according to the indictment.
The other people listed in the indictment are: Chris Gerodemos, Basam “Donny Brasco” Ibrahim, Sanad “Sanad Taka” Ibrahim, Peter “Pete Goodys” Pavlopoulos, Flippo “Gigi” Rovito, Michael “Michael Way Out” Campbell, Ehab “Eddie” Mustafa, Steve Armenta, Samuel Nuzzo, Alexander “Alex Gyros” Gagianas, Gus “Deans Runner” Kaporis, Rami “Rami Straight Flush” Mansour, Nenad “Butch Hunkee” Radoja, Marcus “Vladimir Ganz” Ganz, Paul “Paulie Scarf” Franze, Athena Gerodemos, Elias Gerodemos, James “Jim Macedonian” Strezovski, Andrew “Caesars Andrew” Nguyen and Giuseppe “Joe Polozzo”’ Manzi.
Nearly all are currently out on bond awaiting trial.
Gerodemos is linked to two Northwest Indiana restaurants, including Paragon Restaurant and Gino’s Steakhouse. Paragon Restaurant is located in Hobart. Gino’s Steakhouse is located in Merrillville. Prosecutors also claim some of the defendants were employed at the restaurants and used those businesses to collect gambling proceeds, pay off winning bettors and transfer gambling proceeds between James and Chris Gerodemos.
On Tuesday September 22 in federal court, U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Rodovich decided the alleged extortion plot did not seem to be a public threat, and agreed James Gerodemo could be released on $5 million home confinement until trial once he surrendered his passport.
"We'll be back in a few days to get Jimmy's release finalized,” said Gerodemos’ attorney after court. “Then we'll get him home, and then we'll wait for the discovery, and we'll fight the case."
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
