Federal prosecutors in the Northern District of Indiana unsealed a 28-count indictment on April 29, 2026, charging 22 defendants in a case dubbed Operation Porterhouse Parlay — an alleged illegal gambling conspiracy tied to northwest Indiana restaurants and spanning online and in-person betting, extortionate debt collection, and money laundering.
U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred said the grand jury in Hammond, Indiana, returned the indictment after investigators executed search and arrest warrants. The government alleges the enterprise operated from approximately January 2021 through April 2026.
What the indictment alleges
According to the Department of Justice announcement, defendants including James L. Gerodemos (also known as "Jimmy the Greek"), Dean Gialamos ("Dean Gem"), Chris L. Gerodemos, and 19 others ran an organization that:
- Accepted sports wagers online, by phone, by text, and in person
- Operated out of Gino's Steakhouse in Merrillville and Paragon Restaurant in Hobart
- Extended credit to some bettors in ways legal sportsbooks cannot
- Used threats and intimidation to collect gambling debts, including against family members in some instances
- Laundered proceeds to obscure their source
All defendants are presumed innocent. In May 2026, news reports indicated the defendants pleaded not guilty at arraignment; the case remained pending with a complex trial schedule anticipated.
Why the case matters beyond Indiana
Operation Porterhouse Parlay shows illegal gambling still anchored in physical hospitality — steakhouse settings, undercover agents, extortion allegations — while using websites and messaging apps familiar to legal market customers. Prosecutors signaled the investigation was continuing and asked potential victims to contact the FBI.