Giuseppe “Little Joe” Manzi was already free while awaiting trial in a 22-defendant federal gambling case when a separate casino investigation created a new threat to his pretrial release.
Rhode Island authorities accuse the 51-year-old Massachusetts man of using casino rewards accounts connected to other identities during a high-stakes slot operation at Bally’s Lincoln.
He now faces five felony charges, including money laundering, obtaining money or property under false pretenses, using a computer to commit fraud, cheating at casino gambling and conspiracy, according to Fox 32 Chicago.
The new case prompted a federal judge in Indiana to reconsider whether Manzi should remain free before trial. Fox 32 reported that he posted a $15,000 bond in the Rhode Island case and was released while the state charges remain pending.
More Than 100 Rewards Accounts Were Tied to the Casino Case
Investigators say Manzi and five other men used more than 100 Bally’s rewards accounts registered under identities that did not belong to them. The group allegedly moved among high-stakes slot machines while using the different cards.
Over 116 days, Manzi reportedly placed approximately $630,000 into the machines and collected $1,156,105. One casino official reportedly described Manzi’s consistent results as statistically impossible without some form of manipulation or advantage.
Defense attorneys have challenged the accusation that the men cheated. They argued that the players identified an advantage in the casino’s system and remained within the rules of the games.
Five New Charges Put His Release Back in Question
The Rhode Island case concerns conduct connected to an April 24 incident, according to court records cited by Fox 32. Manzi faces more charges than any of the five other men named with him in the conspiracy count.
Salvatore Fusco, Claudio Cardaropoli, Alfonso Lalli and Franco Fusco face charges involving false pretenses, computer fraud, casino cheating and conspiracy. Antonio Capua faces conspiracy and separate accusations involving a false document and trespassing.
Manzi’s charges also include money laundering. Rhode Island authorities have not released a public transaction-by-transaction account explaining which portion of the casino money supports that count.
Operation Porterhouse Parlay Already Restricted His Travel and Gambling
A federal grand jury in Indiana previously charged Manzi as one of 22 defendants in Operation Porterhouse Parlay. The 28-count indictment alleges that an illegal gambling organization operated in Northwest Indiana and elsewhere from January 2021 through April 2026.
Federal prosecutors say the operation accepted wagers online and in person through Gino’s Steakhouse in Merrillville and Paragon Restaurant in Hobart. The Justice Department also alleges that members laundered proceeds and used threats or intimidation to collect gambling debts.
All 22 defendants pleaded not guilty during federal arraignments in May. Manzi was granted pretrial release with restrictions limiting his travel to Northwest Indiana and Massachusetts. He was also prohibited from entering casinos and other gambling establishments.
Protect Rewards Accounts From Identity Misuse
Casino and other customer-loyalty accounts should not be shared, sold or opened for another person. Customers should use unique passwords, enable additional account security when available and regularly review their rewards balances and activity for visits or transactions they do not recognize.
Anyone who discovers that a casino account was created or used in their name should contact the casino’s security or fraud department and request a record of the associated activity. Relevant emails, account statements, rewards cards and messages should be preserved.
Suspected identity misuse can be reported through IdentityTheft.gov, which provides a recovery plan and documents for disputing fraudulent activity. Casino-related criminal conduct should also be reported to the casino’s security department and the appropriate state gaming regulator or law enforcement agency.