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Local man who sued women over dating reviews convicted of tax fraud involving mob-connected business

Published

9 months ago

January 20, 2024

Local man who sued women over dating reviews convicted of tax fraud involving mob-connected business

Chicago-area native Nikko D’Ambrosio made a national media splash earlier this month when he filed a lawsuit against dozens of women who allegedly bad-mouthed him on a tell-all Facebook dating page, describing him as “clingy,” a ghoster and a show-off with money.

Turns out D’Ambrosio’s dating reviews were the least of his worries.

On Friday, D’Ambrosio, 32, of Des Plaines, was convicted in the same federal courthouse where his lawsuit is pending of tax fraud counts alleging he vastly underreported income he’d made distributing “sweepstakes” gaming machines for a company with ties to Chicago mob figures.

After a four-day trial, the jury deliberated less than 90 minutes before convicting D’Ambrosio on two counts of filing a false tax return, which each carry a maximum prison term of up to three years.

Dressed in a dark suit, D’Ambrosio sat up straight in his chair but showed no reaction as the verdict was read. U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin set sentencing for May 28.

D’Ambrosio was a small fish ensnared in the same overall investigation into the shady world of sweepstakes kiosks, an ongoing probe that already has brought down James Weiss, son-in-law of former Cook County Democratic boss Joe Berrios, as well as then-Illinois state Rep. Luis Arroyo, in a scheme to bribe a state senator to support sweepstakes legislation.

In August, prosecutors charged Weiss’ brother, Joseph, with lying to federal investigators about his brother’s reputed mob ties, including his previous contacts with infamous Outfit hit man Frank “The German” Schweihs and another, unnamed mob associate.

According to trial testimony, D’Ambrosio’s boss was Anthony DeMarco, of River Grove, who owns a company called Mac-T LLC specializing in sweepstakes machines, the quasi-legal gaming kiosks that critics say are designed skirt city laws banning video poker.

Image of Nikko D’Ambrosio, 32, of Des Plaines, from his federal defamation lawsuit filed in January 2024. D’Ambrosio went on trial days later on tax fraud charges. (U.S. District Court records)

The Tribune has previously reported that Mac-T also has ties to Weiss’ sweepstakes firm, as well as to Robert “Bobby” Dominic, a reputed Chicago Outfit associate with long-standing connections to the mob’s Grand Avenue crew. Records obtained by the Tribune last year show Dominic was a target of the investigation, though he has not been charged.

The jury in D’Ambrosio’s case, however, did not hear any testimony about the Chicago mob or D’Ambrosio’s bizarre lawsuit, which was filed just days before he went on trial and named Facebook and more than two dozen women as defendants.

Instead, the case focused on D’Ambrosio’s 2019 and 2020 tax returns, where he claimed as little as $4,000 in taxable income, even though he made more than $300,000 in one year alone from his cut of the sweepstakes machines profits.

To reduce his taxable income, D’Ambrosio reported he’d spent hundreds of thousands of dollars taking liquor store and gas stations owners out to dinner in an effort to get them to place Mac-T’s sweepstakes kiosks in their businesses, according to trial testimony.

D’Ambrosio also falsely claimed on the tax filings that he drove thousands of miles on business-related trips he never took, and donated more than $70,000 to a local Catholic church when in fact he’d donated not a penny and wasn’t even a parishioner, according to testimony.

In all, D’Ambrosio skipped out on paying about $119,000 income taxes over the two years, according to testimony.

Testifying in his own defense Thursday, D’Ambrosio admitted on the witness stand that the returns were bogus, but claimed to be terrible at math and said he placed all his trust in his cousin, a tax professional who prepared and submitted the documents to the IRS.

To help bolster their point, D’Ambrosio’s attorneys, Christopher Grohman and Ralph Meczyk, submitted their client’s rather lackluster high school and community college grades as evidence. In his closing argument Friday, Grohman told the jury the case was not about greed, “It’s about stupidity.”

“I don’t mean this to disparage Nikko in any way, but as you can see from his educational records, he is not the most sophisticated human being,” Grohman told the jury. “Somebody with his skill set is not doing his own taxes, and nor should he be, frankly. You go to a professional. And the professional he relied upon was his cousin.”

In rebuttal, however, Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Rothblatt said D’Ambrosio was the only one who had the incentive to file a false return, and that “sometimes in life, things are as simple as they seem.”

“This a whodunit without the mystery,” Rothblatt said. “This isn’t ‘The Usual Suspects’ with Keyser Soze and a dropped mug. … The defendant had 119,000 reasons to lie.”

The Tribune has previously reported that Mac-T LLC, was organized by DeMarco in 2014 and was registered to the same address on Sibley Boulevard in Dolton where Weiss also listed some of his businesses.

DeMarco originally incorporated Mac-T using an address of 723 W. Grand Ave. in Chicago, which is a single-room occupancy hotel in the same building that houses the Italian restaurant La Scarola and Richard’s Bar, which on paper is owned by Dominic’s sister.

According to FBI and Chicago records, Dominic ran pornography and gambling interests for the Grand Avenue crew, which was headed by legendary mobster Joseph “The Clown” Lombardo.

While D’Ambrosio’s criminal case flew largely under the radar, the lawsuit he filed Jan. 8 made news in outlets around the country.

When his case went to trial on Tuesday, jurors were asked if they had seen any of the stories, and two raised their hands, including one who was ultimately selected to sit on the panel.

The suit, which seeks class-action status, alleges D’Ambrosio was defamed and his privacy rights were violated after his name and photo were posted in 2023 in the Chicago chapter of a private Facebook group called “Are We Dating the Same Guy?”

An image from text messages from a lawsuit filed by Nikko D’Ambrosio alleging women defamed him by bad-mouthing him on a Facebook dating site. (U.S. District Court records)

The group gives women a platform to “to discuss and disparage men in their local communities with which they have had allegedly unsatisfactory dating experiences,” according to the lawsuit.

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“The group pontificates to the world that they are doing ‘the Lord’s work’ by maintaining a platform to permit women to anonymously dox defame and attack the moral character of men they met online,” the suit states.

D’Ambrosio alleged he’d met the woman who first posted about him at an event in Chicago last year. They had consensual sex that same night and later went on “a handful” of “unremarkable” dates, but “never engaged in an exclusive dating relationship.”

In November, the woman, using her own name, posted D’Ambrosio’s photo with “red flag” warning for other women, saying, “We met organically in Chicago two and a half years ago. Very clingy very fast,” according to the suit.

“Flaunted money very awkwardly and kept talking about how I don’t want to see his bad side, especially when he was on business calls,” the woman stated, according to the suit, which included a screen shot of the alleged comments.

The posting led to a series of comments from other women claiming similarly negative experiences with D’Ambrosio, the suit alleged.

“I went out with him a few times just over a year ago — he told me what I wanted to hear until I slept with him and then he ghosted. … I’d steer clear,” one woman commented, according to a screenshot included in the filing.

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Why Malia Obama Received Major Criticism Over A Secret Facebook Page Dissing Trump

Published

7 months ago

February 26, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

Why Malia Obama Received Major Criticism Over A Secret Facebook Page Dissing Trump

Given the divisive nature of both the Obama and Trump administrations, it’s unsurprising that reactions to Malia Obama’s alleged secret Facebook account would be emotional. Many online users were quick to jump to former President Donald Trump’s defense, with one user writing: “Dear Malia: Do you really think that anyone cares whether you and/or your family likes your father’s successor? We’re all trying to forget you and your family.”

Others pointed out the double standard held by those who condemn Trump for hateful rhetoric but praise people like Malia who speak out against her father’s successor in what they believe to be hateful rhetoric. Some users seemed bent on criticizing Malia simply because they don’t like her or her father, proving that the eldest Obama daughter couldn’t win for losing regarding the public’s perception of her or her online presence.

The secret Facebook situation is not all that dissimilar to critics who went after Malia for her professional name at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. In this instance, people ironically accused Malia of using her family’s name to get into the competitive festival while also condemning her for opting not to use her surname, going by Malia Ann instead.

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Best Practices for Data Center Decommissioning and IT Asset Disposition

Published

7 months ago

February 26, 2024

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Best Practices for Data Center Decommissioning and IT Asset Disposition

Data center decommissioning is a complicated process that requires careful planning and experienced professionals.

If you’re considering shutting down or moving your data center, here are some best practices to keep in mind:

Decommissioning a Data Center is More than Just Taking Down Physical Equipment

Decommissioning_a_Data_Center_is_More_than_Just_Taking_Down_Physical_Equipment.jpg

Decommissioning a data center is more than just taking down physical equipment. It involves properly disposing of data center assets, including servers and other IT assets that can contain sensitive information. The process also requires a team with the right skills and experience to ensure that all data has been properly wiped from storage media before they’re disposed of.

Data Centers Can be Decommissioned in Phases, Which Allows For More Flexibility

When you begin your data center decommissioning process, it’s important to understand that it’s not an event. Instead, it’s a process that takes place over time and in phases. This flexibility allows you to adapt as circumstances change and make adjustments based on your unique situation. For example:

You may start by shutting down parts of the facility (or all) while keeping others running until they are no longer needed or cost-effective to keep running.
When you’re ready for full shutdown, there could be some equipment still in use at other locations within the company (such as remote offices). These can be moved back into storage until needed again.

Data Center Decommissioning is Subject to Compliance Guidelines

Data center decommissioning is subject to compliance guidelines. Compliance guidelines may change, but they are always in place to ensure that your organization is following industry standards and best practices.

Local, state and federal regulations: You should check local ordinances regarding the disposal of any hazardous materials that were used in your data center (such as lead-based paint), as well as any other applicable laws related to environmental impact or safety issues. If you’re unsure about how these might affect your plans for a decommissioned facility, consult an attorney who specializes in this area of law before proceeding with any activities related to IT asset disposition or building demolition.
Industry standards: There are many industry associations dedicated specifically toward helping businesses stay compliant with legal requirements when moving forward with projects such as data center decommissioning.
Internal policies & procedures: Make sure everyone on staff understands how important it is not just from a regulatory standpoint but also from an ethical one; nobody wants their name associated with anything inappropriate!

Companies Should Consider Safety and Security During the Decommissioning Process

Data center decommissioning is a complex process that involves several steps. Companies need to consider the risks associated with each step of the process, and they should have a plan in place to mitigate these risks. The first step of data center decommissioning is identifying all assets and determining which ones will be reused or repurposed. At this point, you should also determine how long it will take for each asset to be repurposed or recycled so that you can estimate how much money it will cost for this part of your project (this can be done through an estimate based on previous experience).

The second step involves removing any hazardous materials from electronic equipment before it’s sent off site for recycling; this includes chemicals used in manufacturing processes like lead-free solder paste adhesives used on circuit boards made from tin-based alloys containing up 80% pure tin ingots stamped out into flat sheets called “pucks”. Once these chemicals have been removed from whatever device needs them taken off their surfaces then those devices can safely go through any other necessary processes such as grinding away excess plastic housing material using high pressure water jets until only its bare frame remains intact without any cracks where moisture might collect inside later causing corrosion damage over time due too much moisture exposure.

With Proper Planning and an Effective Team, You’ll Help Protect Your Company’s Future

Data center decommissioning is a complex process that should be handled by a team of experts with extensive experience in the field. With proper planning, you can ensure a smooth transition from your current data center environment to the next one.

The first step toward a successful data center decommissioning project is to create a plan for removing hardware and software assets from the building, as well as documenting how these assets were originally installed in the facility. This will allow you or another team member who may inherit some of these assets later on down the line to easily find out where they need to go when it’s time for them to be moved again (or disposed).

Use Professional Data Center Decommissioning Companies

In order to ensure that you get the most out of your data center decommissioning project, it’s important to use a professional data center decommissioning company. A professional data center decommissioning company has experience with IT asset disposition and can help you avoid mistakes in the process. They also have the tools and expertise needed to efficiently perform all aspects of your project, from pre-planning through finalizing documentation.

Proper Planning Will Help Minimize the Risks of Data Center Decommissioning

Proper_Planning_Will_Help_Minimize_the_Risks_of_Data_Center_Decommissioning.jpg

Proper planning is the key to success when it comes to the data center decommissioning process. It’s important that you don’t wait until the last minute and rush through this process, as it can lead to mistakes and wasted time. Proper planning will help minimize any risks associated with shutting down or moving a data center, keeping your company safe from harm and ensuring that all necessary steps are taken before shutdown takes place.

To Sum Up

The key to a successful ITAD program is planning ahead. The best way to avoid unexpected costs and delays is to plan your ITAD project carefully before you start. The best practices described in this article will help you understand what it takes to decommission an entire data center or other large facility, as well as how to dispose of their assets in an environmentally responsible manner.

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Massive Volatility Reported – Google Search Ranking Algorithm Update

Published

8 months ago

February 25, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

I am seeing some massive volatility being reported today after seeing a spike in chatter within the SEO community on Friday. I have not seen the third-party Google tracking tools show this much volatility in a long time. I will say the tracking tools are way more heated than the chatter I am seeing, so something might be off here.

Again, I saw some initial chatter from within the SEO forums and on this site starting on Friday. I decided not to cover it on Friday because the chatter was not at the levels that would warrant me posting something. Plus, while some of the tools started to show a lift in volatility, most of the tools did not yet.

To be clear, Google has not confirmed any update is officially going on.

Well, that changed today, and the tools are all superheated today.

Google Tracking Tools:

Let’s start with what the tools are showing:

Advanced Web Rankings:

So most of these tools are incredibly heated, signaling that they are showing massive changes in the search result positions in the past couple of days.

SEO Chatter

Here is some of the chatter from various comments on this site and on WebmasterWorld since Friday:

Speaking of, is anyone seeing some major shuffling going on in the SERPs today? It’s a Friday so of course Google is playing around again.

Something is going on.

Pages are still randomly dropping out of the index for 8-36h at a time. Extremely annoying.

Speaking of, is anyone seeing some major shuffling going on in the SERPs today? It’s a Friday so of course Google is playing around again

In SerpRobot I’m seeing a steady increase in positions in February, for UK desktop and mobile, reaching almost the ranks from the end of Sep 2023. Ahrefs shows a slight increase in overall keywords and ranks.

In the real world, nothing seems to happen.

yep, traffic has nearly come to a stop. But exactly the same situation happened to us last Friday as well.

USA traffic continues to be whacked…starting -70% today.

In my case, US traffic is almost zero (15 % from 80%) and the rest is kind of the same I guess. Traffic has dropped from 4K a day to barely scrapping 1K now. But a lot is just bots since payment-wise, the real traffic seems to be about 400-500. And … that’s how a 90% reduction looks like.