"Operation Family Secrets" Mob Trial In Chicago

The mafia, or mob, was the subject entertainment on the acclaimed HBO Cable TV Series "The Sopranos". Viewers watched the trials and tribulations of fictional New Jersey mob boss, Tony Soprano. Tony Soprano ran the New Jersey mob, while living a middle class lifestyle in the rich suburbs of New Jersey.

There were gruesome murders, "Hits", blood and gore. To me, though, some of the creepiest scenes were when one of the mobsters would be doing a normal middle class chore, such as pumping gas, while blending in with the landscape of families around him. These scenes showed us how things are often not how they seem. The people around us who appear to be normal, everyday citizens could be psychopathic, sociopathic killers.

Overactive imagination, you say? Not if you live in the Chicago area.

Maybe the days of notorious gangsters Al Capone and John Dillinger are behind us, but the Chicago mob is very much alive.The modern generation of mobsters often blend in with the mainstream of society: lawyers, businessmen, bankers, and land developers are allegedly represented in the new class of mob.

The Chicago mob has been the focus of news lately as the Chicago Mob Trial; gets underway this week. The trial stems from the FBI "Operation Family Secrets investigation" of 18 long un-solved mob murders. The mobsters were charged in April, 2005, by U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald. When he announced the charges he was quoted as saying "This unprecedented indictment puts a hit on the mob. It is remarkable for both the breadth of the murders charged and for naming the entire Chicago Outfit as a criminal enterprise under the anti-racketeering law." (breitbart.com),.

Charges were brought against reputed top mob bosses, James Marcello, Frank Calabrese Sr., and "Joseph "Joey the Clown" Lombardo.

Witness, Nicholas Calabrese is the brother of Frank Calabrese, Sr. Nicholas Calabrese knows more than four decades of mob history form the inside. Nicholas Calabrese pleaded guilty to several counts in May. He admitted to taking part in 14 mob murders. One of the murders was that of Tony "The Ant" Spilotro, who was known as the Chicago Outfit's man in Las Vegas. Spilotro inspired the character played by Joe Pesci in the move "Casino". The real life gangster and his brother were beaten to death and buried in an Indiana cornfield in 1986.

Frank Calabrese's oldest son, Frank Calabrese, will also be against his father in the "Family Secrets" trial Reportedly, Frank Calabrese Jr. made secrets of his father when the two were in prison together.

On the day the "Family Secrets Trial" began, package appearing to be a bomb was placed on the steps of the the Kenilworth home of Nicolas Calabrese. Kurt Calabrese is the son of Frank Calabrese Sr.. The black plastic bag placed on the steps contained a digital clock, wires and what appeared to be three sticks of dynamite. Even though the device looked deadly, it turned out to be a fake. Ironically, Kurt Calabrese has nothing to do with the trial, is not cooperating with authorities and has been estranged from his father for years.

Frank Cullotta is a mob hit man turned government witness. Cullota is expected to make a rare trip to Chicago from Las Vegas to testify in the Operation Family Secrets Trial. Cullota has admitted to more that 300 burglaries, 200 thefts, 26 arson's and two murders.

Although the large mob bust is expected to hurt the Chicago outfit, experts say that the crime syndicate is so deeply entrenched that even if the government gets a clean sweep of convictions the mob won't be decapitated.

The trial is expected to take four months. Security precautions are in place to keep the jurors' names secret. Prosecutors say they have nine potential witnesses whose names have been kept secret.

The HBO Cable television series, "The Sopranos' may provide entertainment, but the real life stories of mob activities showing up in news reports are no laughing matter.

Resources:
breitbart.com: "Chicago Mob Trial Getting Under Way", by Mike Robinson, Associated Press writer
Chicago Sun Times: " Bomb Threat as Mob Trial Begins, Family Secrets, Son of reputed hit man finds fake explosive outside his home" by Steve Warmbir
Chicago Sun Times: "Thug, thief killer, but now the man may put key mob figures away. Cullota to testify about his inside knowledge about the mob." by Carol Marin and Don Moseley.