Mob-Linked ‘Celebrity Chef’ Faked Church Attendance in Gambling Case, Parish Claims

• Chef Filippo “Gigi” Rovito under scrutiny over $1 million bond claims in gambling case
• Church disputes Rovito’s claims about parish involvement made in bond filing
• Mob-linked gambling probe alleges threats, intimidation, and debt collection violence

A Mob-linked social media chef accused of enforcing debts for an alleged illegal gambling network in the Chicago suburbs could be even deeper in the soup after allegedly lying to a judge about his church attendance.

Filippo “Gigi” Rovito, the owner of Capri Ristorante in Burr Ridge, Ill., was one of 22 defendants who pleaded not guilty Thursday to gambling and extortion charges in connection with the operation, allegedly centered around a network of Chicagoland restaurants.

Rovito, who was recorded explaining he would “knock [the victim’s] lights out and shove his head into a [gaming] machine” when tasked with collecting a debt for the network, was released on a $1 million secured bond on May 4. He remains on home detention with electronic monitoring pending trial.

‘Man of the Year’ Overstatement

As part of his bond motion, Rovito claimed to be an active member of Our Lady of Pompeii Church, where he was named “Man of the Year,” according to the filing, which included an image of the chef hanging out with the pastor.

After his release, his lawyers filed a new motion asking that their client be allowed out for three hours every Sunday to attend mass.

“Mr. Rovito is a practicing Catholic and a longtime member of his parish community,” claimed the filing. “The regular practice of his faith, including attendance at Sunday Mass, is a central part of his life and is important to his spiritual well-being.”

However, according to the Our Lady of Pompeii Church, Rovito’s attendance is spotty at best. As parish staff told NBC: “He never comes to church. He’s never seen in church.”

Lying or materially misleading the court in a pretrial release filing can carry serious consequences, including possible revocation of bond, stricter release conditions, and even additional criminal charges in serious cases.

Unlike the Our Lady of Pompeii Church, Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso is standing by the chef, describing him to NBC 5 Chicago as “a stellar corporate and residential citizen.” It may help that Rovito created a dish in his honor – “Linguini alla Mayor Grasso” is on the menu at Capri Ristorante, along with “Wise Guy meatballs.”

‘Porterhouse Parlay’

The 22 defendants were arrested by federal agents on April 29, marking the culmination of a long-running investigation known as “Operation Porterhouse Parlay.”

Prosecutors allege the operation was led by James “Jimmy the Greek” Gerodemos and Dean “Gem” Gialamas, who allegedly used businesses such as Gino’s Steak House in Merrillville and Paragon restaurant in Hobart as meeting places and operational centers.

Rovito was referenced in a separate Mob-related federal case more than a decade ago involving an alleged plot to break the legs of a suburban car dealer over a $300,000 debt. Prosecutors said the beating never occurred, and Rovito was never charged.

The defendant also previously served prison time for a sexual assault-related conviction stemming from his teenage years.