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Thursday, July 2, 2026
I think he should have gotten more than one year, much more
Chicago marijuana mogul gets year in prison for laundering cash used to book jets for cocaine trafficker
David Berger, a co-founder of Ivy Hall cannabis dispensaries in Chicago and across Illinois, was convicted of “structuring” $253,000 in cash deposits from a Mexican drug organization to skirt bank reporting rules.
David Berger leaves the Dirksen Federal Courthouse Wednesday after he was sentenced to a year in prison for money laundering and illegally structuring financial transactions. He’s the co-founder of Ivy Hall cannabis dispensaries. But he was convicted in an unrelated scheme to book private jets for a Mexican drug trafficker.
The co-founder of a major Illinois cannabis company who was convicted in a scheme to lease jets for a Mexican cocaine trafficker was sentenced Wednesday to one year in federal prison.
Last year, a jury found David Berger guilty of money laundering and illegally structuring cash transactions. He was accused of converting cash from a drug operation into private jet charters for Oswaldo Espinosa, who’s charged with importing thousands of kilograms of cocaine into Illinois and surrounding states in trucks and those planes.
In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso ordered Berger to pay $253,000 to the government — money he was accused of “structuring” into deposits of less than $10,000 to try to foil federal bank reporting requirements. He also must pay a $10,000 fine. He reports to prison Oct. 5.
Berger told the judge he was ashamed for getting involved in the money laundering scheme, adding, “Illegal drugs cause real harm and that is not something I want to be indifferent to.”
Prosecutors said Espinosa’s operatives dropped off grocery bags full of cocaine cash to Berger at his home in Ukrainian Village. Over about six months starting in late 2020, Berger booked 18 jets. He deposited the drug money into ATMs and paid for the flights with his American Express card. His cut was $54,000 — $3,000 per flight, authorities said.
Berger’s lawyer, Patrick Blegen, asked the judge to sentence him to probation, arguing he didn’t have any contact with Espinosa or other high-level players in the cocaine trafficking operation. He said a sentence of probation would allow Berger to help his wife — a doctor who treats Polish-speaking patients — care for their two small children.
Blegen said Berger’s longtime friend, Dmitri “Dean” Katamanin, was the one connected with Espinosa and simply asked Berger to help him book the flights. Katamanin owned a Miami-based jet charter company.
Blegen pointed out that Katamanin was never charged with a crime and argued that Berger was unfairly bearing the responsibility for structuring the jet money.
Katamanin died last year. Espinosa is considered a fugitive.
The judge scoffed at the notion that Berger was simply helping a pal and said he knew he was handling illegal proceeds.
“The motive is his greed,” Alonso said.
Berger presented the court with about 50 letters of support from family members, friends and people in the cannabis industry. He co-founded Ivy Hall, whose first social-equity dispensary opened in Bucktown in 2022 with Gov. JB Pritzker at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The company operates 10 cannabis dispensaries in Chicago and other cities in Illinois — the state maximum. Berger, 42, held an 18% ownership stake in the company, his lawyer said.
Berger resigned from Ivy Hall in March in order to allow an employee stock ownership program to move forward, Blegen said.
Berger’s state cannabis operator license also has been terminated, records show.
“Even after David’s sentence is complete, he faces what potentially amounts to a permanent ban from the industry in which he made his career,” Blegen wrote in a court filing. “That is not merely the loss of a job; it is the loss of a profession.”
The exterior of Ivy Hall, 1720 N. Damen Ave., one of the dispensaries David Berger ran.
David Berger, a co-founder of Ivy Hall cannabis dispensaries in Chicago and across Illinois, was convicted of “structuring” $253,000 in cash deposits from a Mexican drug organization to skirt bank reporting rules.
David Berger leaves the Dirksen Federal Courthouse Wednesday after he was sentenced to a year in prison for money laundering and illegally structuring financial transactions. He’s the co-founder of Ivy Hall cannabis dispensaries. But he was convicted in an unrelated scheme to book private jets for a Mexican drug trafficker.
The co-founder of a major Illinois cannabis company who was convicted in a scheme to lease jets for a Mexican cocaine trafficker was sentenced Wednesday to one year in federal prison.
Last year, a jury found David Berger guilty of money laundering and illegally structuring cash transactions. He was accused of converting cash from a drug operation into private jet charters for Oswaldo Espinosa, who’s charged with importing thousands of kilograms of cocaine into Illinois and surrounding states in trucks and those planes.
In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso ordered Berger to pay $253,000 to the government — money he was accused of “structuring” into deposits of less than $10,000 to try to foil federal bank reporting requirements. He also must pay a $10,000 fine. He reports to prison Oct. 5.
Berger told the judge he was ashamed for getting involved in the money laundering scheme, adding, “Illegal drugs cause real harm and that is not something I want to be indifferent to.”
Prosecutors said Espinosa’s operatives dropped off grocery bags full of cocaine cash to Berger at his home in Ukrainian Village. Over about six months starting in late 2020, Berger booked 18 jets. He deposited the drug money into ATMs and paid for the flights with his American Express card. His cut was $54,000 — $3,000 per flight, authorities said.
Berger’s lawyer, Patrick Blegen, asked the judge to sentence him to probation, arguing he didn’t have any contact with Espinosa or other high-level players in the cocaine trafficking operation. He said a sentence of probation would allow Berger to help his wife — a doctor who treats Polish-speaking patients — care for their two small children.
Blegen said Berger’s longtime friend, Dmitri “Dean” Katamanin, was the one connected with Espinosa and simply asked Berger to help him book the flights. Katamanin owned a Miami-based jet charter company.
Blegen pointed out that Katamanin was never charged with a crime and argued that Berger was unfairly bearing the responsibility for structuring the jet money.
Katamanin died last year. Espinosa is considered a fugitive.
The judge scoffed at the notion that Berger was simply helping a pal and said he knew he was handling illegal proceeds.
“The motive is his greed,” Alonso said.
Berger presented the court with about 50 letters of support from family members, friends and people in the cannabis industry. He co-founded Ivy Hall, whose first social-equity dispensary opened in Bucktown in 2022 with Gov. JB Pritzker at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The company operates 10 cannabis dispensaries in Chicago and other cities in Illinois — the state maximum. Berger, 42, held an 18% ownership stake in the company, his lawyer said.
Berger resigned from Ivy Hall in March in order to allow an employee stock ownership program to move forward, Blegen said.
Berger’s state cannabis operator license also has been terminated, records show.
“Even after David’s sentence is complete, he faces what potentially amounts to a permanent ban from the industry in which he made his career,” Blegen wrote in a court filing. “That is not merely the loss of a job; it is the loss of a profession.”
The exterior of Ivy Hall, 1720 N. Damen Ave., one of the dispensaries David Berger ran.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Chicago's Loss
Chicago's top cop Larry Snelling announces retirement
Snelling made the announcement Wednesday, just a day after he announced broad changes to his command staff and installed a new second-in-command.
Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling sits inside his office at CPD headquarters on the South Side in October 2023.
Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling announced Wednesday that he’s retiring, just a day after he announced broad changes to his command staff and installed a new second-in-command.
Snelling made the announcement Wednesday, just a day after he announced broad changes to his command staff and installed a new second-in-command.
Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling sits inside his office at CPD headquarters on the South Side in October 2023.
Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling announced Wednesday that he’s retiring, just a day after he announced broad changes to his command staff and installed a new second-in-command.
Socialist / Communist Candidates Continue Rampage Against Regular Democrats!
Socialist Democrats secure upset wins in Colorado, Melat Kiros among winners in latest primaries
Your complete guide to the most important contests between now and November.
The midterm primary rush continued in Colorado, where progressive candidates from the party's left flank defeated more moderate Democrats.
The results came a week after progressive candidates in New York City pulled off a stunning sweep in their state's House primaries, knocking out two incumbent Democrats and defeating the party establishment's preferred candidate in a third race.
Your complete guide to the most important contests between now and November.
The midterm primary rush continued in Colorado, where progressive candidates from the party's left flank defeated more moderate Democrats.
The results came a week after progressive candidates in New York City pulled off a stunning sweep in their state's House primaries, knocking out two incumbent Democrats and defeating the party establishment's preferred candidate in a third race.
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Beetlejuice is back in a strange, conflicted way
was it was always just about the money?
Bally’s has hired former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s law firm to help potentially sue Chicago for violating the casino host agreement that she negotiated as mayor — a suit that would be based on the city’s decision to legalize video gambling terminals.
“We are pleased to have built an excellent and knowledgeable team here in
Monday, June 29, 2026
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Democrats = Socialist AKA Communist
Panic Sets In: Dems Tailspin As They Realize The Hostile Socialist Takeover Already Started
"Why aren’t people in the party standing up to these folks?"
Jun 27, 2026
Less than a week after Democratic socialists swept several races in New York’s primaries, the memo appears to have gone out to the more moderate Democrats: the socialists aren’t just coming, they’re already here — and the threat is coming from inside the house.
Three candidates backed by New York City’s Democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani won their respective primaries on Tuesday — and two of them defeated incumbent Democrats to do it — but the one raising the most eyebrows is Darializa Avila Chevalier.
"Why aren’t people in the party standing up to these folks?"
Jun 27, 2026
Less than a week after Democratic socialists swept several races in New York’s primaries, the memo appears to have gone out to the more moderate Democrats: the socialists aren’t just coming, they’re already here — and the threat is coming from inside the house.
Three candidates backed by New York City’s Democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani won their respective primaries on Tuesday — and two of them defeated incumbent Democrats to do it — but the one raising the most eyebrows is Darializa Avila Chevalier.
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Less than good
I just ate lunch at a local Wendy's and I have to say "never again". The hamburgers, which used to be among the best, shrunk about 25% since the last time I was there. It wasn't fresh either, as I thought the bun had been frozen and was stale. They need to bring back Dave.
Friday, June 26, 2026
He bumped into him
Killer of Northern Trust bank executive convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2023 Mag Mile attack
“Failure to treat, failure to protect” follow-up: Cook County Circuit Judge Charles Burns rejected a first-degree murder conviction Thursday for Henry Graham because of longstanding Illinois court rulings that attackers in one-punch deaths aren’t presumed to know their actions could result in a killing.
By Frank Main
Jun 25, 2026, 3:21pm CDT
Henry Graham was convicted of involuntary manslaughter Thursday in a 2023 attack that was among a series of unprovoked attacks in the Loop involving suspects who had cycled in and out of jail, prison and he mental health system.
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