Chicago, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Three federal grand jury indictments were unsealed July 24 charging a total of nine defendants with allegedly collecting debts through the use of intimidation, fear, and, in one instance, physical violence. The indictments, which were returned Tuesday, were unsealed July 24 following arrests made by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The arrests and charges were announced today by Cory B. Nelson, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI, and Gary S. Shapiro, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
One of the indictments contains one count each of conspiracy to commit extortion and attempted extortion against a single defendant, PAUL CARPARELLI, 44, of Itasca, Illinois. According to the indictment, Carparelli collaborated with others to collect business debts from three business owners in Nevada, Wisconsin, and New Jersey. The indictment alleges that the debts were owed to a Carol Stream company or an affiliate of the company; that Carparelli, or others directed by Carparelli, met with business owners; and that threatening demands for payment of those debts were made to the business owners. This indictment also seeks forfeiture in the amount of $26,500 from Carparelli.
The second indictment also contains one count each of conspiracy to commit extortion and attempted extortion against four individuals: LUIGI SARDONE, 51, of Franklin Park, Illinois; NAVNEET CHAWLA, aka “Guru,” 48, of Naperville, Illinois; VITO IOZZO, 41, of Lombard, Illinois; and PATRICK WHITE, 46, of Aurora, Illinois. This indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to collect a purported debt owed by an individual to Chawla, who in turn owed a debt to Sardone. According to the indictment, in addition to verbal demands for payment, White and another person struck and kicked the individual from whom the defendants sought the payment.
The third indictment contains one count of conspiracy to commit extortion and three counts of attempted extortion against MARK DZIUBAN, 52, of Saint Charles, Illinois (four counts); FRANK ORLANDO, 47, of Schaumburg, Illinois (one count); GEORGE BROWN, 50, of Lombard, Illinois (four counts); VITO IOZZO (three counts in addition to the two counts described in the preceding paragraph); and ROBERT McMANUS, 43, of Cicero, Illinois (two counts). This indictment alleges that the defendants attempted to extort business owners in Nevada, Wisconsin and New Jersey who owed business debts to a Carol Stream company or an affiliate of that company. The indictment seeks forfeiture from all of the defendants in the amount of $26,500.
Carparelli appeared July 24 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan E. Cox and was ordered held in federal custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for Friday, July 26, at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman. Sardone, Chawla, Iozzo and White appeared July 24 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheila Finnegan. Sardone was ordered held pending his next court appearance, which is set to take place at 2:15 p.m. today before Judge Finnegan. Chawla, Iozzo and White were released from custody. Orlando, Iozzo and McManus also appeared in court July 24, going before U.S. District Court Judge Edmond E. Chang. Orlando and Iozzo were released, while McManus was ordered held. He will next appear in court before Judge Chang on Monday, July 29, at 10:30 a.m.
Each count against the defendants carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
