Filippo “Gigi” Rovito, a suburban Chicago restaurateur and social media chef accused of helping enforce debts for an alleged illegal gambling network, is facing renewed scrutiny after statements made in court filings about his church involvement were challenged by parish officials.
Set Free on a $1 Million Bond
Rovito, who owns Capri Ristorante, pleaded not guilty alongside 21 other defendants on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in relation to a federal investigation into illegal sports betting, extortion, and loansharking operations connected to restaurants in the Chicago region.
Federal prosecutors say the operation generated millions of dollars through illegal gambling and debt collection schemes. Authorities allege some members used threats and intimidation to collect unpaid debts.
Investigators claim Rovito was recorded threatening violence against a person who owed money to the organization. According to court documents, he allegedly said he would “knock [the victim’s] lights out” and force the person’s head into a gaming machine…