Blackie's co-owner released on $50,000 bond

Boston Blackie's co-owner Chris Giannis was released from Cook County jail on $50,000 bond Friday while facing charges that he, his father and a restaurant manager engaged in a $1.8 million check-kiting scheme.

Giannis tried to bond out Thursday evening, but the attempt was snarled by incomplete paperwork.

Restaurant manager Andy Bakopoulos remains in custody at Cook County jail. The Cook County State's Attorney's Office is awaiting the extradition of Giannis' father and Boston Blackie's co-owner, Nick Giannis, from Detroit, where he was arrested trying to cross the border into Canada.

All three Chicago men were charged with running a check-kiting scheme that cost Washington Mutual more than $800,000 at the end of 2008 and Charter One Bank more than $1 million at the beginning of 2009.

The San Diego-based company placed in charge of the chain as part of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings insisted Friday that it's business as usual at the chain's six restaurants, including those in Arlington Heights and Naperville, although the Glencoe location will be closing in a decision made before the check-kiting allegations broke this week.

"Neither our staff nor customers will be impacted in any way by the current news - or the bankruptcy proceedings," said Bill Hoffman, president of Trigild, named chief restructuring officer of Boston Blackie's in November. "We will continue to focus on maintaining an efficient operation, offering consistently top-quality fare and service."