When your nickname is “Jimmy the Greek,” odds are that conjures up the old-time oddsmaker who was known by that moniker.
In the case of James Gerodemos, federal investigators say his nickname “Jimmy the Greek” befits his role as leader of a decades-old illicit gambling business.
Gerodemos and 21 other alleged sports betting bosses and operatives were rounded up last April by federal authorities. “Jimmy the Greek” Gerodemos is the only one still locked up, but he is betting it may not be for long.
“Apparently, according to the government, all Greeks have to be detained when charged with federal crimes…” said Beau Brindley, the Chicago defense attorney for “Jimmy the Greek.”
Brindley was 54,000 miles from Greece when he walked into the Hammond, Indiana, courthouse Tuesday afternoon to fight for the release of his client on bond.
Gerodemos is accused of using his northwest Indiana eateries as fronts for an illegal – and lucrative – sports wagering business that investigators say has been a source of illicit income for him and a roster of associates for at least 20 years.
Federal prosecutors contend “Jimmy the Greek” and his accused henchmen relied on extortion, intimidation and threats of violence – sometimes cleverly delivered in pizza boxes or flower vases. According to court filings, “if released, Gerodemos would represent a present danger to not only his extortion victims and their families, but to the community at large,” prosecutors said.
Authorities also pointed to this government immigration record that they say shows Gerodemos is a skilled global traveler and likely to flee. They also displayed a photo of “Jimmy the Greek” shortly before he was arrested, dining at a festive table in Greece with one of Indiana’s most notorious fugitives, corrupt East Chicago city councilman Frank Kollintzas who fled to Greece in 2005 to avoid prison and a $25 million tab with the city.
But on Tuesday in federal court, Jimmy the Greek had a winning hand. U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Rodovich decided the alleged extortion plot didn’t seem to be a public threat, and after Gerodemos and his family members all surrender their passports, he can be released on $5 million home confinement until trial.
“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.”
Government attorneys are not ready to fold just yet on the question of bond for the accused leader of their big, organized gambling case.
Prosecutors are being given one week to challenge the judge’s leniency for “Jimmy the Greek.” The United States Attorney wants him to remain locked up while awaiting trial, to avoid retaliation against witnesses and victims and, they say, to eliminate the chance that he disappears to a non-extradition nation – as did his old pal in that cozy dinner table photo.
