Perry Mandera

For years, businessman Perry Mandera ran a topless bar on Chicago's Near North Side, at times with help from reputed organized crime associates, including the late “mob cop” Fred Pascente. These days, Mandera, family members and their businesses are contributing heavily to the campaign fund benefitting Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Mandera’s company and family have donated to another potential mayoral candidate, Ald. Bill Conway (34th), giving $20,000 to his campaign since 2022, records show. Starting in the 1990s, Mandera ran the topless club under several names, from Thee Dollhouse to VIP’s, A Gentlemen’s Club to The Crazy Horse Too.