Harvey Man Convicted In Money Scheme Centered Around Strip Club

CHICAGO, IL — A Harvey man has been convicted in federal court for his role in a money scheme involving threats against a suburban strip club known for its prostitution operation run on-site.

Rommell Kellogg, 71, was convicted Monday on all five counts against him, including conspiracy to commit theft and intimidation and causing the use of facilities in interstate commerce to promote theft and intimidation. The jury returned its verdicts after a week-long trial in U.S. District Court in Chicago.

Each count of conviction is punishable by up to five years in federal prison, according to U.S. District Attorney's office. U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman did not immediately set a sentencing date.

Evidence presented at trial showed that Kellogg and co-conspirator Corey Johnson, 68, of Dolton, are cousins whose relatives served in high-ranking positions in Harvey government.

From 2003 to 2018, Kellogg and Johnson conspired to regularly demand and collect payments from a Harvey strip club based on threats that the City of Harvey would potentially interfere with the club’s operations if the payments were not made. In exchange for the payments, the business was allowed to continue to operate, even though the conspirators and others knew that acts of prostitution were occurring on-site.

Johnson served as a bagman in the conspiracy, receiving bi-weekly $3,000 payments from the business and delivering the money to Kellogg. Johnson pleaded guilty to a theft charge prior to trial. He is awaiting sentencing.