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Mob figure indicted in embezzlement

Friday, June 15, 2001

By Mike Robinson
The Associated Press


A reputed mob figure was placed under house arrest Thursday for trying to bribe a building inspector while free on bond in a federal case stemming from alleged corruption in suburban Cicero.

James Inendino, 58, of Darien can leave home only to go to work, visit the doctor, confer with his attorney and go to church under U.S. District Judge Ruben Castillo's order.

Castillo ordered Inendino, who is awaiting trial with four other men on charges of embezzling $75,000 from Cicero's town government, to add $10,000 more to his $100,000 bond.

Federal prosecutors wanted Inendino, who has a string of convictions for extortion and other offenses, locked up, saying he presented a danger to the community if he continued to be at large.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitchell Mars said it was futile to think house arrest would prevent further criminal activity by Inendino if the order also allowed him to leave home for work. He said some of the corruption that allegedly occurred in the Cicero case took place in the currency exchange where Inendino works.

The judge, however, said he wanted Inendino to have as much freedom as possible to meet with his attorney while awaiting trial.

Among those charged with Inendino in the Cicero case is former Cicero police chief Emil Schullo.

The indictment outlines a scheme in which the town hired investigator Sam Rovetuso to find out whether three police officers were residents of Cicero as required by law or whether they lived somewhere else.

It says that Rovetuso's $40-an-hour rate was inflated and left room for kickbacks to the plotters. The checks were allegedly cashed in Inendino's currency exchange. All five defendants have pleaded innocent.

Authorities now say that while awaiting trial Inendino approached a Chicago building inspector and asked him to drop a stop-work order for a construction project. He offered the inspector a $1,000 payoff.

Officials say Inendino later returned with the money wrapped in a newspaper and said: "The story I want you to read is on page 45."

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