Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Wrigleyville Rooftop Owner Who Hid Profits From Cubs Convicted Of Fraud

By Joe Ward | July 22, 2016 6:07pm | Updated on July 25, 2016 8:21am
 A Wrigleyville rooftop owner has been convicted of defrauding the Cubs and the city by underreporting attendance and revenue figures. 
A Wrigleyville rooftop owner has been convicted of defrauding the Cubs and the city by underreporting attendance and revenue figures. 
View Full Caption
Getty Images/David Banks

LAKEVIEW — A Wrigleyville rooftop owner has been convicted of defrauding the Cubs and the city by underreporting attendance and revenue figures. 

Marc Hamid, of suburban Lincolnwood, was convicted in federal court Friday after he underreported revenue totals to the Cubs and the city by at least $1.5 million, the Department of Justice said in a statement Friday. 

Hamid, 47, is the owner of Skybox on Sheffield, 3627 N. Sheffield Ave., one of the rooftop viewing decks beyond Wrigley Field's right field wall, according to the Department of Justice. 

As part of his deal with the Cubs, Hamid was required to pay 17 percent of his gross annual revenue to the ball club. He was also required to pay an amusement tax on tickets sold to his venue.

From 2008 to 2011, Hamid submitted false royalty statements to the Cubs that underreported attendance at his venue by thousands, the Department of Justice said. He also underreported his gross revenues by at least $1.5 million.

To do this, Hamid directed employees to shift revenue from Skybox on Sheffield to two ticket companies he owns, JustGreatTickets.com and Just Great Seats LLC.

Hamid's accountant, Joseph Gurdak, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of willfully filing a false income tax return for his role in the revenue-shifting scheme, the Department of Justice said.

Hamid was convicted of four counts of mail fraud and five counts of illegally structuring financial transactions, according to the Department of Justice.

His conviction carries a maximum sentence of 105 years in prison, the department said. Hamid will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin on Dec. 6.

The Cubs and Wrigley Field are 95 percent owned by an entity controlled by a trust established for the benefit of the family of Joe Ricketts, owner and CEO of DNAinfo.com. Joe Ricketts has no direct involvement in the management of the iconic team.

For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: