Roti cousins split over $1 million

As kids, Michael Roti went to school with his cousin, Samuel Roti.

As adults, Michael Roti, now an attorney, joined his cousin's development company, Markwell Properties, Inc.

Now, Michael Roti says his cousin forced him out -- and owes him more than $1 million.

When Samuel Roti wouldn't pay, Michael Roti sued. He lost, and the Illinois Appellate Court rejected his appeal.

The Roti cousins grew up in Rogers Park, about 10 miles north of the Chinatown neighborhood where their great-grandfather, Bruno Roti Sr., one of Chicago's earliest mob figures, had settled.

As adults, Michael Roti, who's 47 and lives in Lake Forest, also has done other work for Samuel Roti's family. Michael Roti was the attorney for Miffy Co., a trucking company that was in the city's Hired Truck Program. Miffy is owned by his cousin, Mary "Miffy'' Roti -- Samuel Roti's sister.

Samuel Roti's company also owns the Hillside Holiday Inn, which filed for bankruptcy last year, reporting it was unable to repay a $9 million loan.

Earlier this year, Samuel Roti proposed tearing down the vacant Wacker Tower -- former home of the Chicago Motor Club, on South Water Street -- and neighboring Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, to put up a new development.

Their court dispute involved three properties Markwell owned: Wacker Tower; another Loop building, The Heritage at Millennium Park Condominiums, where Mayor Daley once planned to move; and a shopping center in Boca Raton, Fla.

Michael Roti had a 10 percent stake in those properties, court records show. Samuel Roti, 48, of the Gold Coast, valued his cousin's stake at $247,561 -- $1 million less than Michael Roti put it at -- and paid him that amount when they split in 2001.

The lawsuit marks a rare public dispute for a very private family.

"Why would you ever sue one of your family members?" Michael Roti said. "Sometimes, that's what you have to do."