UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
EASTERN DIVISION
JUDGE
GETTLEMAN
MAGISTRATE JUDGE DENLOW
UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA . 99CR325
v.
Violations: Title 18,
ANTHONY T.
CENTRACCHIO, United
States Code,
THOMAS
R. TUCKER, Sections
2, 922 (g) , 1511,
ROBERT
S. URBINATI, and 1251,
1955, and 1962 (d)
ROBERT
D . NATALE
COUNT
ONE
The
SPECIAL JANUARY 1999-1 GRAND JURY charges:
I. THE ENTERPRISE
1. At all times material to this indictment,
Louis "the Mooch" Eboli, ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO, and THOMAS R. TUCKER, were members and associates of an
"enterprise" as that term is defined in Title 18, United States Code,
Section 1961(4), that is, a group of individuals associated in fact, which
enterprise was engaged in and the activities of which affected interstate
commerce. This enterprise, consisting of the aforementioned individuals and
others, is hereby referred to for purposes of this count as the
"Eboli-Centracchio Enterprise." The Eboli-Centracchio Enterprise was part
of a larger criminal organization known to the public as "the mob,"
and to its members and associates as "The Outfit."
2. Defendants ROBERT S. URBINATI and ROBERT
D. NATALE were employed by and associated with the Eboli-Centracchio
Enterprise.
3. The
Eboli-Centracchio Enterprise existed primarily to provide income to its members
and associates through illegal activities. The illegal activities of the
enterprise included: conducting, and aiding and abetting the conduct of,
illegal gambling operations, including a video gambling machine business;
making, soliciting, and receiving bribes for the protection of, and assistance
in, the operation of illegal gambling operations and other interests, including
adult entertainment businesses, in Franklin Park, Melrose Park, Northlake,
Stone Park, and elsewhere in the State of Illinois; and collecting "street
tax," that is, extortion payments required as a cost of operating various
businesses including the operation of adult entertainment businesses.
4. In order to
carry out its activities, the Eboli-Centracchio Enterprise maintained a structure and chain of
command, which consisted of a leader or "boss, 11 agents, and associates,
all of whom were compensated from its activities:
a. Louis "the Mooch" Eboli was the leader or boss of the Eboli-Centracchio Enterprise until his death on about September 26, 1987. In this capacity, he supervised the (1) collection of money including the payment of "street tax," and (2) distribution of sums of money for the payment of bribes to law enforcement and public officials in Franklin Park and Stone Park, Illinois, for the protection of the operation of illegal gambling activities and assistance in the conduct of adult entertainment businesses.
2
b. Defendant ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO became the leader or boss of the Eboli-Centracchio Enterprise sometime subsequent to the death of Louis "the Mooch" Eboli. In this capacity, as had Louis "the Mooch" Eboli, he supervised the (1) collection of money including the payment of "street tax," and (2) distribution of sums of money for the payment of bribes to law enforcement and public officials in Franklin Park, Melrose Park, Northlake, Stone Park, and elsewhere in the State of Illinois, for the protection of the operation of video gambling machines and assistance in the conduct of adult entertainment businesses in those areas.
c. Defendant THOMAS R. TUCKER, also known as
"Tommy,' was the second-in-command of the Eboli-Centracchio Enterprise.
TUCKER was a former lieutenant with the Village of Stone Park (Illinois) Police
Department. TUCKER relayed orders and messages from ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO to members and associates of the Eboli-Centracchio Enterprise, and
distributed money from ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and Louis "the Mooch"
Eboli to members and associates of the Eboli-Centracchio Enterprise.
d. Defendant ROBERT S. URBINATI, also known as
"Bobby," was employed as a police officer by the Village of Franklin
Park (Illinois) Police Department between approximately 1968 and 1995. URBINATI
received cash bribe payments from TUCKER on an approximately monthly basis for
the purpose of URBINATI's protection of the operation of video gambling
machines in Franklin Park, Illinois.
3
e. Defendant ROBERT D. NATALE, was employed as a
police officer by the Village of Stone Park (Illinois) Police Department
between approximately 1971 and 1989. Between approximately 1984 and April 24,
1989, he served as the Stone Park Deputy Chief of Police. Between approximately
April 24, 1989 and the time of this indictment, he served as the Mayor of Stone
Park, Illinois. NATALE received cash bribe payments from TUCKER on an
approximately monthly basis for the purpose of NATALE's protection of the
operation of video gambling machines in Stone Park, Illinois, and assistance in the establishment and operation of adult entertainment
businesses.
f. Seymour Sapoznik was employed by the
Village of Stone Park (Illinois) Police Department from about 1966 to 1990. He
was a police lieutenant from 1976 to 1984, and the Chief of Police from 1984 to
about November of 1990. On about November 4, 1990, Sapoznik resigned as Stone
Park Chief of Police in order to take the job of Chief of Police in the Village
of Northlake, Illinois. Sapoznik was the Northlake Chief of Police through
December of 1994. Sapoznik received cash bribe payments from TUCKER on an
approximately monthly basis for the purpose of his protection of the operation
of video gambling machines, first in Stone Park and then in Northlake,
Illinois.
II.
THE RACKETEERING CONSPIRACY
7. Beginning in or about 1978, the exact
date being to the Grand Jury unknown, and continuing thereafter up to and
including
4
about February of 1999, in the
Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, and elsewhere,
ANTHONY T.
CENTRACCHIO,
THOMAS R. TUCKER,
ROBERT S. URBINATI, and
ROBERT D. NATALE,
defendants herein, along with
persons both known and unknown to the Grand Jury, including, but not limited
to, Robert T. Cechini, Nicholas J. Ciotti, Rocco R. Circelli, Lawrence
Scialabba, Louis "the Mooch" Eboli, and Seymour Sapoznik and other
law enforcement officers, being persons employed by and associated with the
Eboli-Centracchio Enterprise, which enterprise engaged in and the activities of
which affected interstate commerce, conspired to violate Title 18, United
States Code, Section 1962(c), that is, to conduct and participate, directly and
indirectly, in the conduct of the affairs of the enterprise through a pattern
of racketeering activity, consisting of multiple acts involving violations
chargeable under the following laws of the State of Illinois and multiple acts
indictable under the following laws of the United States:
a. 18 U.S.C. H 1955 and 2 (relating to
the prohibition of illegal gambling businesses);
b. Illinois Revised Statutes, Chapter
38, Sections 8-2 and 33-1 (which later became 720 ILCS 5/8-2 and 331) (an act
involving bribery);
c. Illinois Revised Statutes, Chapter
38, Sections 8-2 and 33-3 (which later became 720 ILCS 5/8-2 and 333) (an act
involving bribery);
5
d. 18 U.S.C. § 1511 (relating to the
obstruction of State or local law enforcement); and
e.
18 U.S.C. § 1951 (relating to interference with
commerce by robbery or extortion).
8. It was a part of the conspiracy that the
defendants agreed that at least two acts of racketeering would be committed by
a conspirator in the conduct of the affairs of the enterprise.
III. PURPOSE,
METHOD, AND MEANS OF THE CONSPIRACY
9. The form and substance of the conspiracy
was as follows:
a. The Operation of an Illegal
Gambling Business
It was further a
part of the conspiracy that defendants ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO, THOMAS R.
TUCKER, ROBERT S. URBINATI, ROBERT D. NATALE, and co-conspirators Robert T.
Cechini, Nicholas J. Ciotti, Rocco R. Circelli, Lawrence Scialabba, and Seymour
Sapoznik and other law enforcement officers, and others, known and unknown to
the grand jury, conducted illegal gambling through the use of video gambling
machines and devices. Co-conspirators Cechini, Ciotti, Circelli, and Scialabba
conducted the gambling business by operating video gambling machine companies
under names including OK Amusement and All Games Amusement, and through these
companies distributing video gambling machines to bars and restaurants in
communities including, but not limited to, Stone Park, Melrose Park, Northlake,
and Franklin Park, Illinois. Coconspirators CENTRACCHIO, TUCKER, URBINATI, and
NATALE conducted the gambling business through the payment and receipt of
bribes to
6
law enforcement
and public officials in order to protect the operation of the gambling
business.
(1) To activate these video gambling machines and devices, which included, but were not limited to, games known as "Cherry Master," "Bingo," "Joker Poker," and "Magical Odds," players had to insert coins or currency into the coin or paper money receptacles.
(2) Some of
these machines and devices dealt images such as five playing cards, simulating
the card game called "draw poker." Players earned rewards based upon
the rank of the resulting poker hand. Pay-outs to winning players were based on
the total of points accumulated. These video gambling machines and devices
could be adjusted by the co-conspirators to either raise or lower the amount of
winning pay-outs.
(3) Another kind of video gambling machine and device was similar to a slot
machine. To activate these machines and devices, players had to insert the
money into the coin or paper money receptacles on the machines and devices. The
players then pulled a handle or pressed a button to spin the mechanical reels
or electronic facsimiles of reels that had various symbols. The players won
when the symbols on the reels appeared in a certain number or order.
(4) Typical
"slot" machines and devices used electronic systems that guaranteed
that the operator retained a portion (percentage) of the wagers as profits.
From a player's standpoint, the operation of the machine and device was
essentially
7
random. As such, players had no control over what combination of symbols would appear, and no element of skill was involved in the game. Players received immediate notice of the amount they had won or lost, and the reward schedules were imprinted on the glass screens on the machines and devices.
(5) The
machines and devices electronically accumulated "credits," and
players were paid based upon the number of accumulated credits. After a winning
player had been paid, the video gambling machines and devices had a "knock
off" device (normally a button or combination of buttons) that could be pushed to clear the accumulated credits. Also, the video gambling
machines and devices had separate electronic counters inside the machines and
devices that recorded both the total number of plays on the machine, and the
total of winning credits won on and cleared
off the machines and devices.
(6) Certain
co-conspirators placed and caused the placement of these video gambling
machines and devices at various locations, such as taverns, fraternal clubs,
and restaurants in Franklin Park, Melrose Park, Northlake, Stone Park, and
elsewhere, in the State of Illinois, and co-conspirator owners, managers and
representatives of the taverns, fraternal clubs, and restaurants accepted
placement of these gambling machines and devices in return for a portion of the
profits from the machines and devices.
(7) Certain
co-conspirators instructed and caused the instruction of owners, managers and
representatives of the taverns, fraternal clubs, and restaurants, at which the
video
8
gambling
machines and devices were placed, on such topics as how to set up the machines
and devices; how to properly pay off the winners on the machines and devices;
how to "clear" or "knock off" the accumulated credits from
the machines and devices after the player had been paid off; and other topics necessary
to the maintenance of the illegal gambling business.
(8) Certain
co-conspirators entered into agreements regarding the operation of the video
gambling machines and devices. These agreements included, but were not limited
to, agreements regarding the distribution of the proceeds from the video
gambling machines and devices.
(9) Certain
co-conspirators, including Louis "the Mooch" Eboli, told certain
owners, managers and representatives of the taverns and restaurants, at which
the video gambling machines and devices
were placed, that a portion
of the proceeds from the video gambling machines and devices were used to bribe
public and law enforcement officials to allow the unhindered illegal operation
of the video gambling machines and devices.
(10) Certain
co-conspirators told owners, managers and representatives of the taverns and
restaurants at which the video gambling machines and devices were placed, that
if they or employees of establishments were arrested for conducting illegal
gambling on the video gambling machines, that attorneys would be provided for
their representation at no cost to those arrested.
(11) When law
enforcement officers who did not receive bribes arrested owners, managers and
representatives of the
9
taverns and
restaurants at which the video gambling machines and devices were placed,
certain co-conspirators arranged and paid for their representation on the
criminal charges by attorneys chosen by co-conspirators.
(12) Certain
co-conspirators would and did visit the taverns,
fraternal clubs, and
restaurants, in which the video gambling machines and devices were placed on a
regular basis (normally weekly), to collect proceeds from the machines. During
these regular visits, co-conspirators would and did determine the amount of
money played on the machines (known as
the "ins), and the amount of money paid to winning customers on the machines
(known as the "outs"). The collector would and did open the machines
and devices and read the electronic counters inside the machines that recorded
both the total number of plays on the machines and the total number of winning
credits won, and clear off the machines since the last collection in order to
determine the amount of profit on the machines. The collector would and did
then confer with the representative of each location and review the accounting.
Owners, managers and representatives of the taverns, fraternal clubs, and
restaurants were credited for the amount of money paid to winning customers
(the "outs"), and the resulting cash proceeds from the machines were
split between the collectors and the owners, managers and representatives of
the taverns, fraternal clubs, and restaurants.
(13) Certain co-conspirators would and did warn the owners, managers and
representatives of the taverns, fraternal
10
clubs, and
restaurants to be careful to whom they paid money on the video gambling
machines and devices because of possible law enforcement investigations. In
particular, they warned the owners, managers and representatives to only pay
money to winning customers whom they knew well, and to beware of law
enforcement efforts. Those customers who were not known were to be told
that the video gambling machines were for amusement only.
(14) Certain
co-conspirators, including Louis "the Mooch" Eboli, and defendants
ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS R. TUCKER,
made monthly bribe payments to certain public and law enforcement officials including
defendants ROBERT S. URBINATI and ROBERT D. NATALE, and Seymour Sapoznik and
other law enforcement officers, to assure the unhindered illegal operation of
the video gambling machines and devices.
b. State Bribery
It was further a
part of the conspiracy that to protect the operation of these video gambling
machines, certain coconspirators, including ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS
R. TUCKER, defendants herein, promised and tendered cash payments to other
co-conspirators, including ROBERT S. URBINATI and ROBERT D. NATALE, defendants
herein, and co-conspirators Seymour Sapoznik and other law enforcement officers,
who were public officers and employees, to influence them not to enforce laws
relating to the operation of video gambling machines and to assist them in the
establishment and operation of adult entertainment businesses.
11
Some of these
cash payments were made monthly, normally within the first few days of each
month.
c. State Bribery (Official
Misconduct)
It was further a
part of the conspiracy that certain coconspirators who were public officers
and employees, including ROBERT S. URBINATI and
ROBERT D. NATALE, defendants herein, and coconspirators Seymour Sapoznik and
other law enforcement officers, received, retained, and agreed to receive cash
payments from certain co-conspirators, including ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and
THOMAS R. TUCKER, knowing that the payment of this cash was for the purpose of
influencing them not to enforce laws relating to the operation of video
gambling machines. These cash payments were received monthly, normally within
the first few days of each month.
d. Obstructing State and
Local Law Enforcement
It was further a
part, of the conspiracy that, as set forth more fully in Count Three, ANTHONY
T. CENTRACCHIO, THOMAS R. TUCKER, ROBERT S. URBINATI, and ROBERT D. NATALE,
defendants herein, and co-conspirators Seymour Sapoznik and other law
enforcement officers, and others, known and unknown to the Grand Jury;
conspired to obstruct the enforcement of the criminal laws of the State of
Illinois and political subdivision thereof, in particular, Illinois Revised
Statutes, Chapter 38, Sections 8-2, 28-1, and 28-3, with the intent to
facilitate an illegal gambling business; one or more of such persons (1) having
done an act to effect the object of such conspiracy; (2) being an official and
employee, elected, and appointed, of the State of Illinois and
12
political
subdivision; and (3) having conducted, financed, managed, supervised, directed,
or owned all or part of an illegal gambling business.
e. Extortion
It was further a
part of the conspiracy that to generate income, defendant ANTHONY T.
CENTRACCHIO and co-conspirator Louis "the Mooch" Eboli committed and
attempted to commit extortion, which would and did affect commerce, by
collecting and attempting to collect property, namely money, in the form of
"street tax" from adult entertainment businesses, the consent of the
owners and operators of these adult entertainment businesses having been
induced by the wrongful use of actual and threatened force, violence, and fear.
Such collection of "street tax" included, but was not limited to,
collections from such businesses as the Galaxy Bookstore, Stone Park, Illinois; Crossroads Bookstore, Bristol, Wisconsin; Odyssey
Bookstore and Satellite News and Video, Bristol, Wisconsin; Ogden Bookstore,
Downers Grove, Illinois; the Admiral Theater, Chicago, Illinois; and other
adult entertainment businesses.
10. It was
further a part of the conspiracy that the conspirators would and did
misrepresent, conceal and hide, and cause to be misrepresented, concealed, and
hidden the purposes of, and acts done in furtherance of, the conspiracy.
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962 (d) .
13
COUNT
TWO
The SPECIAL
JANUARY 1999-1 GRAND JURY further charges:
From in or about
1980 and continuing through at least December of 1994, in the Northern District
of Illinois, Eastern Division, and elsewhere,
ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO,
THOMAS R. TUCKER,
ROBERT S. URBINATI, and
ROBERT D. NATALE,
defendants herein, together with Robert T. Cechini, Nicholas J. Ciotti, Rocco R. Circelli, and Lawrence Scialabba, and other persons known and unknown to the Grand Jury, knowingly conducted all or part of an illegal gambling business, that is, a business involving the use of video gambling machines and devices in the western Chicago suburbs and surrounding areas, which business was in substantially continuous operation for a period in excess of thirty (30) days, which involved five or more persons who conducted, financed, managed, supervised, directed, and owned all or part of the business, and which was a violation of the following laws of the State of Illinois: Illinois Revised Statutes, Chapter 38, Sections 8-2, 28-1(a)(1), (3), and (5) and 28-3, which later became 720 ILCS 5/8-2, 5/28-1(1), (3), and (5), and 5/28-3.
In violation of
Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1955 and 2.
14
COUNT
THREE
The SPECIAL
JANUARY 1999-1 GRAND JURY further charges:
1. From in or
about 1978 and continuing through at least December of 1994, in the Northern
District of Illinois, Eastern Division, and elsewhere,
ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO,
THOMAS R. TUCKER,
ROBERT S. URBINATI, and
ROBERT D. NATALE,
defendants herein, conspired together and with Seymour Sapoznik and other law enforcement officers, and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to obstruct the enforcement of the criminal laws of the State of Illinois, that is Illinois Revised Statutes, Chapter 38, Sections 8-2, 28-1 and 28-3 (effective January 1, 1993, the designation of these sections was changed to 720 ILCS §§ 5/8-2, 5/28-1, and 5/28-3), with intent to facilitate an illegal gambling business.
2. At all times
during the course of the conspiracy, defendant ROBERT S. URBINATI was an official
and employee of the village of Franklin Park, Illinois, that is, a police
officer, and defendant ROBERT D. NATALE was an official and employee of the
Village of Stone Park, Illinois, that is, a police officer and then the mayor.
3. Between in or about 1980 and November of
1990, Seymour
Sapoznik
was an official and employee of the Village of Stone Park, Illinois, that is, a
police officer, and between in or about November of 1990 and December of 1994,
he was an official and
15
employee of the Village of Northlake, Illinois, that is, a police officer.
4. At all times
during the course of the conspiracy, one or more of the co-conspirators
conducted all or part of an illegal gambling business, which business included
the maintenance and operation of video gambling machines, all in violation of
the aforesaid laws of the State of Illinois.
5. At all times
during the course of the conspiracy, the said illegal gambling business
involved five or more persons who conducted
financed, managed, supervised, directed, and owned all or part of said business and said business remained in
substantially continuous operation for a period in excess of thirty days.
OVERT
ACTS
6. In
furtherance of said conspiracy and to effect the object thereof, the defendants
and their co-conspirators did the following acts among others:
a. On or about October 2, 1992, defendants ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS R. TUCKER met at the Paddlewheel Restaurant, River Forest, Illinois.
b. On or about December 2, 1992, defendants ANTHONY
T. CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS R. TUCKER met in the parking lot of the Paddlewheel
Restaurant, River Forest, Illinois.
c. On or about January 5, 1993, defendants ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS R. TUCKER met in the parking lot of the Paddlewheel Restaurant, River Forest, Illinois.
16
d.
On or about February 2, 1993, defendants
ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS R. TUCKER met in the parking lot of the
Paddlewheel Restaurant, River Forest, Illinois. After this meeting, defendant
TUCKER counted a quantity of United States Currency. Later that same day,
defendant TUCKER met with defendant ROBERT S. URBINATI and also drove to and
entered the Stone Park Police Station.
e.
On or about March 2, 1993, defendants
ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS R. TUCKER met in the parking lot of the Paddlewheel Restaurant, River Forest, Illinois. At this
meeting defendant CENTRACCHIO handed defendant TUCKER an envelope that
defendant TUCKER put inside his coat. Later that same day, defendant TUCKER
drove to and entered the Stone Park Police Station. Defendant TUCKER
subsequently drove to the Northlake Municipal Building where he picked up
Seymour Sapoznik.
f.
On or about April 2, 1993, defendant
THOMAS R. TUCKER drove to and entered A.C.T. Medical Center, an established
owned and operated by defendant ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO. Later that same day,
defendant TUCKER drove to the Stone Park Police Department and then drove to
the Northlake Municipal Building parking lot where he placed a telephone call
to the office of Seymour Sapoznik.
g. On or about May 3, 1993, defendant THOMAS R.
TUCKER drove to and entered A.C.T. Medical Center.
h
On or about June 2 , 1993, defendant
THOMAS R . TUCKER drove to and entered A.C.T. Medical Center.
17
i.
On or about July 2, 1993, defendants
ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS R. TUCKER met at the Paddlewheel Restaurant,
River Forest, Illinois. When defendant TUCKER left the meeting with defendant
CENTRACCHIO, he had in his pocket a white envelope. Thereafter, defendant
TUCKER met with Seymour Sapoznik.
j.
On or about August 3, 1993, defendants
ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS R. TUCKER met at the Paddlewheel Restaurant,
River Forest, Illinois.
k.
On or about September 2, 1993,
defendants ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and
THOMAS R. TUCKER met at the parking lot of the Paddlewheel Restaurant, River
Forest, Illinois. During this meeting defendant CENTRACCHIO passed defendant
TUCKER an envelope. Defendant TUCKER subsequently went to Grandma Sally's
Restaurant, Stone Park, Illinois, and met with individuals including defendant ROBERT S. URBINATI and a Melrose
Park law enforcement officer.
Later, that same day, defendant TUCKER drove to the Stone Park Police
Department where a Stone Park law enforcement officer entered defendant
TUCKER's car.
1. On or about November 2, 1993, defendant THOMAS R. TUCKER drove to and entered Riviera Carpets. Shortly after defendant TUCKER left Riviera Carpets, defendant ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO also left. After leaving Riviera Carpets, defendant TUCKER met with defendant ROBERT S. URBINATI and a co-conspirator.
m.
On or about December 2, 1993, defendants
ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS R. TUCKER met outside Floors and Walls
Unlimited, 9606 Franklin Avenue, Franklin Park, Illinois.
18
Defendant
TUCKER subsequently met with a Melrose Park law enforcement officer at Grandma
Sally's Restaurant, Stone Park, Illinois. Later that same day, defendant CENTRACCHIO
met with defendant ROBERT S. URBINATI outside the Paddlewheel Restaurant, River
Forest, Illinois, and handed defendant URBINATI a white envelope.
n.
On or about January 5, 1994, defendants
ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS R. TUCKER met at the Paddlewheel Restaurant,
River Forest, Illinois, and defendant TUCKER placed an envelope in his pocket.
Defendants TUCKER and CENTRACCHIO were subsequently joined by defendant ROBERT
S. URBINATI. Defendants TUCKER and URBINATI subsequently left the Paddlewheel
Restaurant and drove to Grandma Sally's Restaurant, Stone Park, Illinois, where
they entered and met with a Melrose Park law enforcement officer.
o.
On or about February 2, 1994, defendant
THOMAS R. TUCKER drove to and entered A.C.T. Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
Later that same day, defendant TUCKER met with defendant ROBERT S. URBINATI and
a Melrose Park law enforcement officer.
p.
On or about March 2, 1994, defendant
ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO collected a street tax payment of United States Currency
from Individual A at Riviera Carpets.
q.
On or about March 3, 1994, defendants
ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS R. TUCKER met in the parking lot of the
Paddlewheel Restaurant, River Forest, Illinois, and defendant CENTRACCHIO
handed defendant TUCKER an envelope. Defendants
19
CENTRACCHIO,
TUCKER, and ROBERT S. URBINATI then met inside the Paddlewheel Restaurant.
r.
On or about March 3, 1994, defendant
ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO collected a street tax payment of United States Currency
from Individual B at A.C.T. Medical Center.
s.
On or about March 5, 1994, defendant
ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO had a conversation with Individual B during which he
showed the individual a piece of paper and explained the figures thereon to the
individual.
t.
On or about April 1, 1994, defendants
THOMAS R. TUCKER and ROBERT S . URBINATI met inside defendant TUCKER' s car and
TUCKER and defendant URBINATI had a conversation about the $500 a month
defendant ROBERT D. NATALE was getting for not bothering the machines.
Defendant TUCKER told defendant URBINATI that if he (TUCKER) was mayor, they
would not get him so cheap. Defendant TUCKER further told defendant URBINATI
how he would split the proceeds from the video gambling machines if he were the
mayor.
u.
On or about April 2, 1994, defendants
THOMAS R. TUCKER and ROBERT S. URBINATI met and had a discussion regarding
defendant ROBERT D. NATALE receiving $500 a month for the machines and
defendant ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO having given defendant TUCKER $5,000 to give to
defendant NATALE when an adult entertainment business in Stone Park, Illinois
opened.
v.
On or about April 2, 1994,
defendants ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO, THOMAS R. TUCKER, and ROBERT S. URBINATI met
at A.C.T. Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, and defendant CENTRACCHIO tossed
20
defendant URBINATI a white envelope. After leaving A.C.T. Medical Center, defendants TUCKER AND URBINATI had a conversation about the "24" that should be there, and defendant TUCKER said that defendant CENTRACCHIO never makes a mistake except "one time he made a mistake the other way" but defendant TUCKER said he caught defendant CENTRACCHIO. Defendant URBINATI also asked defendant TUCKER whether defendant TUCKER wanted defendant URBINATI to take 775. Defendant TUCKER also asked defendant URBINATI whether defendant URBINATI had "change for some C-notes?"
w. On or about April 5, 1994, defendants THOMAS R. TUCKER and Seymour Sapoznik met inside defendant TUCKER's car in front of the Northlake Police Department.
x.
On or about May 3, 1994, defendant
ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO collected a street tax payment of United States Currency
from Individual B at A.C.T. Medical Center.
y.
On or about May 4, 1994, defendants
ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO, THOMAS R. TUCKER, and ROBERT D. NATALE met at Kappy's
Restaurant, Villa Park, Illinois. Soon thereafter, that same day, defendant
TUCKER counted a quantity of United States Currency and met with defendant
ROBERT S. URBINATI at the parking lot of Grandma Sally's, Stone Park, Illinois.
Later that same day, defendant TUCKER met with a Stone Park law enforcement
officer.
z.
On or about May 5, 1994, defendant
THOMAS R. TUCKER and Seymour Sapoznik met in defendant TUCKER's car parked
behind the Northlake Municipal Building.
21
aa. On or about May 12, 1994, defendant ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO possessed the piece of paper he had shown to Individual B on March 5, 1994 (see paragraph "s" above). This piece of paper listed the figure "10175" as well as the initials"R,11 1' FP," "NL," "CL," "SP," and "M" with numbers written next to the initials.
bb.
On or about May 2 0 , 19 94 ,
defendant THOMAS R . TUCKER had a telephone conversation with a Stone Park law
enforcement officer regarding an adult entertainment business.
cc
On or about July 6, 1994, defendants
ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS R. TUCKER met in the parking lot of Dapper's
Restaurant, River Grove, Illinois. Later that same day, defendant TUCKER met
with ROBERT S. URBINATI and Seymour Sapoznik.
dd.
On or about August 3, 1994,
defendants ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS R. TUCKER met at the Paddlewheel
Restaurant, River Forest, Illinois, and after leaving his meeting with
defendant CENTRACCHIO, TUCKER counted a quantity of United States currency. After
leaving the meeting, defendant TUCKER drove to the Stone Park Police
Department. Defendant TUCKER subsequently called Seymour Sapoznik and arranged
a meeting the next day.
ee.
On or about August 4, 1994, defendant
THOMAS R. TUCKER and Seymour Sapoznik met at Grandma Sally's Restaurant, Stone
Park, Illinois and defendant TUCKER gave Sapoznik an envelope.
ff.
On or about September 1, 1994, defendants
THOMAS R. TUCKER and ROBERT D. NATALE met inside TUCKER's car and had a
conversation regarding an adult entertainment ordinance.
22
gg. On or about September 2 , 1994 , defendants ANTHONY T . CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS R. TUCKER met in the parking lot of the Midwest Bank, Melrose Park, Illinois. Shortly thereafter, defendant TUCKER met with defendant ROBERT S. URBINATI in front of Gran Inc., Melrose Park, Illinois and then drove to the Stone Park Municipal Building.
hh. On or about October 4, 1994, defendants ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS R. TUCKER met at Gramma Sally's Restaurant, River Forest, Illinois. Later that same day, defendant TUCKER met with defendant ROBERT S. URBINATI at Danny's Deli, Melrose Park, Illinois.
ii. On or about October 5, 1994, defendant THOMAS R. TUCKER had a meeting with a Melrose Park law enforcement officer and gave him an envelope.
jj. On or about November 3, 1994, defendant THOMAS R. TUCKER had a meeting with defendant ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO at CENTRACCHIO's residence, 2 Kimberly Circle, Oak Brook, Illinois. After meeting with defendant CENTRACCHIO, defendant TUCKER counted a quantity of United States Currency. At one point, defendant TUCKER counted to "775" and said that this would be "Bobby's." defendant TUCKER subsequently met with Seymour Sapoznik at Grandma Sally's Restaurant, Stone Park, Illinois, and sometime after that, a Melrose Park law enforcement officer.
kk. On or about December 2, 1994, defendants ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO and THOMAS R. TUCKER met at Centracchio's residence, 2 Kimberly Circle, Oak Brook, Illinois. After leaving Centracchio's
23
residence, defendant TUCKER counted a quantity of United States Currency. Later that same day, defendant TUCKER met with defendant ROBERT D. NATALE, ROBERT S. URBINATI, and a Melrose Park law enforcement officer at Grandma Sally's Restaurant, Stone Park, Illinois. At Grandma Sally's Restaurant, defendants TUCKER and NATALE met together.
ll. On or about December 2, 1994, defendant THOMAS R. TUCKER possessed 1) a white legal sized envelope marked "Franklin Park" containing a large amount of United States Currency banded together in two separate amounts totaling $1,000 and $775; 2) a sealed, unmarked white envelope containing $500 in United States Currency; 3) a sealed unmarked brown envelope containing $500 in United States Currency; and 4) $500 in United States Currency in his right front pants pocket.
mm.
On or about December 2, 1994,
defendant ROBERT D. NATALE possessed $1,000 in United States Currency wrapped
together by a white band of paper which had the handwritten figure of
"1000" on it.
nn. On or about December 3, 1994, defendant THOMAS
R. TUCKER met and had a conversation with Seymour Sapoznik.
In
violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1511.
24
COUNT
FOUR
The
SPECIAL JANUARY 1999-1 GRAND JURY further charges:
1. At all times material to this Count,
ROBERT D. NATALE was the Mayor of the Village of Stone Park, Illinois.
2.
On or about December 2, 1994, in Stone Park, in the Northern District of
Illinois, Eastern Division,
ROBERT D.
NATALE,
defendant
herein, committed and attempted to commit extortion, which would and did affect
commerce, by knowingly obtaining and attempting
to obtain property, namely, money from Anthony T. Centracchio, that is $1,000,
with his consent having been induced under color of official right.
In
violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1951.
25
The SPECIAL JANUARY
1999-1 GRAND JURY further charges: On or about May 12, 1994, at 5714 West
Division Street, Chicago, in the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern
Division, ANTHONY T. CENTRACCHIO, defendant herein, having been convicted of a
crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, knowingly
possessed a firearm and ammunition, namely:
one 9mm Luger (9x19) Smith and
Wesson pistol, model 439, and fifteen 9mm
Lugar cartridges, of which the possession of the 9mm Luger Smith and
Wesson pistol, and its ammunition, were in and affecting commerce in that they
had previously been transported in interstate commerce; In violation of Title
18, United States Code, Section 922(g).
A
TRUE BILL:
26