A Chicago suburb mayor has decided to return $2,000 in campaign contributions from a local restaurateur facing federal gambling charges in Indiana, saying he was unaware of the donations until a local news outlet brought them to his attention.

Donation Discovery and Return

Mayor Gary Grasso of Burr Ridge confirmed the contributions came from Filippo "Gigi" Rovito, who owns Capri Ristorante and the Are We Live nightclub. Grasso's campaign had reported the donations to the Illinois State Board of Elections in September. "Given the pending Indiana case, I have asked my Treasurer to return the donations," Grasso said in a statement.

Interestingly, the move mirrors Grasso's handling of a separate $5,000 contribution from Rovito in 2017, which he returned after a television station questioned it. No explanation came with that earlier return.

The Indiana Gambling Case

Rovito was indicted in April alongside 21 others in a federal case involving an alleged illegal gambling operation in northwest Indiana. Prosecutors charged him with operating an illegal gambling business and conspiracy to collect extensions of credit by extortionate means. The indictment references sports betting and the collection of gambling debts.

Rovito has pleaded not guilty. His attorney has disputed the government's allegations, asserting the indictment does not allege his client collected money, made threats, or directed others to do so. He remains free on a $1 million bond, with recently eased release conditions.

Professional and Personal Ties

Beyond the campaign donations, Grasso and Rovito have had a professional relationship. As an attorney, Grasso has represented Rovito in civil matters. The restaurateur has also named a pasta dish at Capri Ristorante after the mayor: linguini alla Mayor Grasso, featuring fresh tomato sauce, basil, olive oil, and fresh ricotta.

In June, Grasso published an opinion piece in the Chicago Tribune criticizing media coverage he felt unfairly associated Italian Americans with organised crime. Though he didn't name Rovito directly, the timing drew attention to their relationship. "The Outfit still sells, pathetically," Grasso wrote. "It's time that it stops."