Guilty plea in Mundelein drug, gambling sting

Another defendant in the Fuel Bar & Grill undercover sting pleaded guilty Tuesday in Lake County Circuit Court.

The bar, formerly at 330 Townline Road in Mundelein, surrendered its liquor license about a month after the two-month undercover operation was unveiled. It is now closed.

On March 13, owner Nick Asiuras of Addison and six other people were arrested on a variety of charges after an investigation by the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group investigation revealed open gambling and drug sales at the bar, said Assistant State's Attorney Brett Henne.

On Tuesday, Thomas Korshak, 25, of 2501 Kristina Court in Round Lake, pleaded guilty to delivery of cocaine. He admitted that on Feb. 13 he gave 1 gram of the drug to Justin Denton, a customer of the bar.

Circuit Judge George Bridges placed Korshak on probation for two years and fined him $1,550.

Denton, 24, of 029 Lakeview Ave. in Mundelein, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine on Monday and also received a two-year probationary sentence.

Bartender Dana Dove, 38, of 6 Manchester Lane in Vernon Hills, was placed on probation for one year on June 13 when he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

Asiuras and manager Nick Apostopoulos of Bloomingdale, both 35, are charged with keeping a gambling place and are due in court again July 9.

They each face up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine if convicted.

Patron Reynaldo Maldonado, 46, of 316 Pleasure Drive in Mundelein, and bartender Michael Alexander, 24, of 1244 Christine Court in Vernon Hills, are both charged with possession of cocaine on Feb. 5. They are due in court again June 30.

Both could be sentenced to up to five years in prison if convicted, but would also be eligible for probation.