Former Cop Denies Role In Bridgeview Dome Purchase
Accusations By One Of Dome's Previous Owners Challenged

POSTED: 2:37 pm CST March 9, 2004
UPDATED: 3:27 pm CST March 9, 2004

CHICAGO -- A former Chicago police detective talked to NBC5's Anna Davlantes after a Unit 5 report aired that contatined accusations made against him in connection with a controversial domed property that ended up in the hands of the village of Bridgeview.

Davlantes reported last week that town leaders wanted the domed property to help lure a pro-sports team to town. The village wanted to use the dome as an indoor practice field for the Chicago Fire soccer team, Davlantes said.

March 4: Feds Investigate Allegations Surrounding Bridgeview Dome

After the Unit 5 report aired last week, Freddy Pascente (pictured, left), the former Chicago police detective accused of "muscling" one of the previous owners into giving up his half of the property, went on camera with Davlantes to deny the charges.

Pascente told Davlantes he never "muscled" anyone, never intimidated anyone, never threatened anyone.

"Everything was out of respect," Pascente recalled. "We needed him to sign. We needed him to agree."

Davlantes said Pascente in the past served federal time for an insurance fraud scheme, but he told her that was in the past. The Nevada Gaming Commission banned him from Las Vegas casinos, citing alleged ties to the mob. But Pascente denied any links to organized crime.

Pascente denied telling John LaFlamboy, the half-owner of the dome who claimed he was forced to give it up, that "he'd better sign."

"If I'd have had my car title, I would have signed him over the car, too," LaFlamboy told Davlantes, describing the pressure he said he felt. "You don't know that position until you sit in it."

LaFlamboy said he was pressured out of the property by Pascente and a village contractor, Steve Reynolds. Both Pascente and Reynolds were captured together on a security camera outside the dome, taking a picture of LaFlamboy that was on the wall.

"I wanted to see who I'm dealing with," Pascente said to Davlantes, explaining the picture-taking.

LaFlamboy claimed Pascente pressured him to get the dome for the village. Within two months of the men's picture-taking visit, he said, the village announced it bought the dome and the deal with the soccer team was complete.

But Pascente told Davlantes he knew nothing about the soccer deal and was just trying to get the property for himself.

"It was never mentioned to me that this (soccer deal) was -- if it was a goal -- a long-term goal," Pascente said.

Then why was Pascente working side-by-side with Reynolds, Davlantes asked, when Reynolds was being paid to work on the Fire stadium project and reported directly to the Bridgeview mayor, Steve Landek.

"He (Reynolds) knew the town," Pascente said. "Perfect guy to take with you."

But Reynolds, through his attorney, told Davlantes he has no connections to Pascente.

"What does the lawyer know?" Pascente said. "I talked to Steve (Reynolds) today. I just want to say this to John (LaFlamboy), through you, that he knows that I didn't put any pressure or muscle on him. I really and truly mean that. Nice guy, John (is)."

Davlantes said that after the Unit 5 report aired last Thursday, the FBI contacted Pascente, and Pascente expected to meet with agents.

LaFlamboy, in the meantime, says he's never been paid a "dime" for his half of the dome.

Village contractor Steve Reynolds no longer works for Bridgeview, Davlantes said. Reynolds' attorney told her that Reynolds also denies coercing anyone to sell their property.

"This is a story we'll continue to follow," Davlantes said.

Source: NBC5.com