The Brief
- All 22 defendants charged in a federal gambling and extortion investigation pleaded not guilty during arraignments in Hammond federal court.
- Prosecutors said the illegal sports betting operation ran for years out of two northwest Indiana restaurants and accepted wagers nationwide.
- Investigators also allege the group used threats and intimidation against bettors who fell behind on gambling debts.
HAMMOND, Ind. – All 22 defendants charged in a sweeping federal gambling and extortion case tied to northwest Indiana restaurants pleaded not guilty Thursday during arraignments in federal court in Hammond.
The backstory:
The case, dubbed “Operation Porterhouse Parlay,” centers on an alleged illegal sports betting network that federal prosecutors say operated for years out of Gino’s Steakhouse in Merrillville and Paragon Restaurant in Hobart.…