Led out the Hammond federal building by his wife, Gigi Rovito sported a New York Yankees cap and was quietly guided away from our news crew at the hand of a well-muscled escort.
Rovito had just put up $1 million dollars in a suburban bank account that will be forfeited to the government if the Outfit-tied restaurateur vanishes.
“He is certainly not a threat to anyone,” said Rovito’s attorney Tom Breen. “He is not a flight risk. His whole life is here in the area of the Capri restaurant. So he should be released,” said Breen after Rovito was, indeed, released. “He is not involved in any kind of a criminal conspiracy.”
Rovito’s attorney, a legendary Chicago defense lawyer, was brought in for the case and disputed the gambling and extortion allegations and assertions of a threatened violence-asserting that the 52-year old Rovito is a generous employer, upstanding community man, recognized by his church and not a gangster associate.
“I don’t think he’s afraid of for safety at all,” proclaimed Breen. “You know, there’s been much to do about this case. He’s not afraid of anyone because he really isn’t involved with any of these guys. Not as alleged. That’s the best I can tell you,” he said.
We asked attorney Breen if Rovito is cooperating with the FBI and concerned for his well-being?
“Our client has not had any discussions whatsoever with government agents or government prosecutors,” he said.
And with that, Gigi Rovito was whisked away in a darkened Mercedes, wearing an ankle bracelet so authorities can track his movement, allowed to return only to his home here in Burr Ridge, the kitchen of his Capri restaurant and the sanctity of his social media page.
The government dropped its plan to request Gigi Rovito be held without bond and now he’s put up the million dollars for freedom. But the alleged leader of the northwest Indiana illicit sports betting business will be detained after a judge’s ruling on Monday. James “Jimmy the Greek”Gerodemos was held without bond, along with several other defendants in the case.
