A tangled web of alleged illegal gambling and extortion activities in Northwest Indiana is emerging, involving several individuals charged by federal authorities. Andrew Nguyen, among 22 defendants indicted in connection with this case, faces restrictions on gambling as a condition of his release following an alleged gaming operation based in two local restaurants.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, Adam Mildred, unveiled the 28-count indictment during a press conference at the U.S. District Courthouse in Hammond. The charges include conspiracy, extortion, and money laundering.
“Individuals utilized extortionate means to regain debts arising from gambling activities,” Mildred stated.
The indictment cites gambling and extortion from January 2021 to April 2026, naming James Gerodemos from Schererville and Dean Gialamas of Naperville as leaders of the purported Gerodemos Gambling Organization. This operation allegedly ran out of Gino’s Steakhouse in Merrillville and Paragon in Hobart.
Nguyen, through his attorney Vadim Glozman, disclosed as a victim in the extortion scenario tied to the case. A text Nguyen sent to Gerodemos in 2024 referenced earlier bets, depicting Nguyen’s alleged limited involvement in the overall operation.
The case involves coercive collection methods from bettors. Nguyen tried to counter threats from Gerodemos to settle a $7,500 debt by responding with derision, emphasizing Gerodemos’ role as a restaurant owner.
Federal prosecutors consider further charges under RICO laws, especially focused on Gialamas, rumored to possess unexplained assets. Evidence from Gialamas’ iCloud account, federal interviews, recordings, phone data, and wiretaps during Spring 2023 solidify prosecution efforts.
Meanwhile, authorities allege intimidation was employed against victims to collect debts, including instances of misrepresentations involving fictional cartels demanding repayments.
Prosecutors also examined interactions between suspects, victims, and enforcers in attempts to retrieve gambling losses from bettors like Bettor E, who evaded authorities after significant gambling losses.
Complications arose from individuals allegedly connected to the insider sources in federal law enforcement, leading to a suspicion of obstructive tactics.
Gialamas displayed frustrations over the uncollected debts, proposing aggressive collection methods might continue. The case remains under scrutiny by the federal authorities.