Convicted mobster Giuseppe “Little Joe” Manzi faces fresh legal trouble after federal prosecutors said he violated the terms of pretrial release in his Indiana gambling case, while Rhode Island authorities accused him and Genovese crime family associates of rigging Bally’s slot machines.
According to NBC Chicago, prosecutors said Manzi broke the release conditions by stealing from a casino. Manzi, 51, must appear on a violation of the conditions of pretrial release a week from Thursday, and his bond bars gambling of any kind.
The Rhode Island charges allege that the casino’s slot activity amounted to “an ocean of illicit wagers.” Investigators say Manzi and several Genovese associates used more than 100 frequent-gambler accounts to funnel rewards and other benefits, manipulating winning hits and generating about $1.16 million in crooked jackpot payouts.
Those Rhode Island money-laundering charges complicate Manzi’s federal case in Hammond, Indiana, where he is charged in an Outfit-linked bookmaking and extortion ring. NBC Chicago reported that he is among 22 people accused of operating a gambling network headquartered in several restaurants.
Gigi Rovito is also charged in the gambling and extortion case. Federal authorities have tied him to the Chicago mob in previous cases, and his Capri Ristorante in Burr Ridge was the site of several Outfit-connected meetings.
Former assistant U.S. attorney Ron Safer said revoking release would mean Manzi is locked up until trial. He also said Manzi’s previous convictions, prison time and connections to New York, Boston and Chicago crime families weaken any bid to remain free on bond. Manzi is due back in court next week on the release-violation matter.
