Chicago Sweepstakes Trial Collapses after Allegations of 'Criminal Organization' Involvement
In a surprising turn of events, a mistrial has been declared in the trial of Gene "Gino" Cassano, owner of a Chicago sweepstakes machine company, and his codefendant Gioacchino "Jack" Galione. The trial, which was held in a federal court, was halted due to the use of the phrase "organized crime" by FBI Special Agent David Patch during his testimony.
The case is linked to a wider investigation into gambling and prostitution rackets allegedly operated by the Chicago Outfit's Elmwood Park Crew. According to federal court records, the case against Cassano and Galione was part of this wider investigation.
The mistrial occurred on June 23, 2025, at 08:06h. Luigi Mucerino, the victim in the case, was assaulted in Galione's garage on August 1, 2016. Mucerino was returning from a business trip on the night he was assaulted.
Mucerino was called by Galione and agreed to meet him, after which he was knocked unconscious. The assault on Mucerino is a key point in the charges against Galione, who is additionally charged with using violence to collect a debt.
Prosecutors claim that Mucerino failed to pay back a $10K loan he had borrowed from Cassano. Lawyers for the defendants admit that Galione roughed up Mucerino, but deny the alleged motive for the assault and Cassano's involvement.
U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman halted proceedings, stating that the use of the phrase "organized crime" would prejudice the jury against the two defendants. Going forward, the government will instruct all witnesses not to use the term 'organized crime' in any context, including to describe their own backgrounds.
A status hearing has been set for Monday to determine the next steps in the case. The trial will have to start over as a result of the mistrial.
As of now, there are no relevant search results available regarding the current status of the Chicago Outfit’s Elmwood Park Crew and Chicago sweepstakes case mistrial related to the mention of organized crime. For specific current status, consulting recent news sources or court records directly would be necessary.
Gene "Gino" Cassano, the owner of a Chicago sweepstakes machine company, and his codefendant Gioacchino "Jack" Galione are facing a trial linked to gambling and prostitution rackets allegedly operated by the Chicago Outfit's Elmwood Park Crew. The mistrial in their case was declared due to the use of the phrase "organized crime" by FBI Special Agent David Patch during his testimony, as it prejudiced the jury against the defendants.
The assault on Luigi Mucerino, a key point in the charges against Galione, occurred in Galione's garage on August 1, 2016, after Mucerino was called by Galione and agreed to meet him following a business trip. The trial will have to start over due to the mistrial, and a status hearing has been set for Monday to determine the next steps.
The broader casino-culture and gambling-trends context of the case has brought it under the scrutiny of general news, with particular focus on crime and justice. Despite the ongoing investigation, there are no recent updates available regarding the current status of the Chicago Outfit’s Elmwood Park Crew and Chicago sweepstakes case mistrial related to the mention of organized crime. To gain more specific information, consulting recent news sources or court records directly would be necessary.
