Mayor returns campaign cash tied to illegal gambling ring

Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso is sending back donations linked to a man facing federal gambling charges.

Written by the BettingEdgeHub desk, 21 September 2026

The mayor of Burr Ridge in Illinois confirmed he will return financial contributions connected to Filippo Gigi Rovito. Rovito faces federal charges for operating an illegal gambling business and using extortion to collect debts. Federal agents arrested him during coordinated raids in April after a long investigation into unlawful sports betting operations.

The federal investigation

Prosecutors state that the illegal network generated millions of dollars through sports betting, video gambling, and loansharking. Members of the ring allegedly relied on violence and intimidation to collect outstanding debts. Rovito posted a bond of one million dollars and denies the charges against him.

Previous political donations

Mayor Gary Grasso stated he did not know about the source of the funds until local journalists asked about them. His campaign team registered the money with the election board and will give it back. Rovito previously donated five thousand dollars to a past political campaign for the same politician, which was also returned.

Community ties and pasta

Rovito owns two local businesses and runs a popular social media cooking channel. He even named a pasta dish after the Burr Ridge mayor. The politician previously defended him in public writings and criticized local media coverage of Italian Americans, while federal prosecutors continue their case without mentioning the mafia.

What it means for a bet

This case highlights how underground betting rings often mix with local businesses and politics.

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