Police, officials bribed by mob

Monday, April 26, 1999 | 12:34 p.m.

CHICAGO -- Indictments unsealed Friday accuse four men of participating in mob-controlled video gambling businesses at suburban Chicago bars and restaurants.

Federal prosecutors claim millions of dollars in profits were earned from the machines and that since 1980 some of the proceeds were used to pay off police and public officials to look the other way, the Chicago Tribune reported.

According to the charges and law-enforcement sources, one reputed high-ranking mobster and three alleged associates controlled 400 to 500 gambling machines in 72 businesses.

Charged in the newly unsealed indictments are Nicholas "Buddy" Ciotti, 55, president of All Games Amusement; Rocco "Rocky' Circelli, 50, an employee of All Games; Robert Cechini, 51, owner of OK Amusement and Lawrence Scialabba, 50, an employee.

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