Chicago Sweepstakes Machines Trial Sinks as ‘Organized Crime’ Allegations Surface
Chicago Sweepstakes Machines Operator Faces Legal Setback as Organized Crime Allegations Sink Trial
The legal battle surrounding the empire of Gene “Gino” Cassano has taken an unexpected turn, shifting the spotlight onto the controversial industry of sweepstakes machines. Cassano, the proprietor of a Chicago-based company specializing in these devices, saw his case against a victim over an unpaid loan dramatically collapse last week, largely due to the sudden and complicating mention of “organised crime” within the gambling investigation.
Gene Cassano, 55, alongside his co-defendant, Gioacchino “Jack” Galione, aged 47, was charged with conspiring to collect a debt using extortion. Galione was additionally charged with utilising violence to ensure debt collection.
Don’t Mention the Mob
During the proceedings, U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman abruptly halted the trial, proclaiming a mistrial after FBI Agent David Patch revealed that his duties involved investigating matters linking to organized crime. Judge Coleman expressed concerns that such a reference could unduly influence the jury’s perspective against the defendants.
Records in Federal Court indicate that the case is being examined within a larger investigation concerning gambling and prostitution networks allegedly associated with the Chicago Outfit’s Elmwood Park Crew.
In future proceedings, government officials will advise all witnesses that they must refrain from using the term ‘organized crime’ in any context,” stated Coleman in the motion.
Lawyers representing Cassano and Galione have previously articulated concerns that prosecutors were attempting to interject an “organized crime” angle to the case from the outset.
‘Just Business’
The trial witnessed testimony from Luigi Mucerino, who claimed to have been assaulted by Galione in August 2016 due to his failure to repay a $10k loan to Cassano.
Mucerino recounted his distressing experience: he returned home from a business trip only to discover that an intruder was violently attempting entry into his house. After receiving a phone call from Galione, he agreed to meet him, only to be taken to a garage where he was violently assaulted.
Upon waking, bloodied and disoriented on the floor, Mucerino queried Galione on the reasoning behind his attack, to which Galione coldly replied, “It’s just business.”
While the defendants do not contest the fact that Galione assaulted Mucerino, they firmly deny the intentions behind the assault and Cassano’s participation in the event.
With the jury discharged, Judge Coleman is set to hold a status hearing soon to determine the next course of action, which is likely to involve starting the trial anew.
