The Federal Bureau of Prisons said convicted Chicago mobster Frank Calabrese Sr. has died at the age of 75.
Bureau of Prisons spokesman Ed Ross said Calabrese died Tuesday at the Butner Federal Medical Center in North Carolina. Ross had no information on the cause of death.
Calabrese was one of the main figures in the history of Chicago's organized crime, as one of several reputed mobsters convicted in 2007 Family Secrets case. They were part of a racketeering conspiracy that included 18 decades-old murders.
Calabrese was blamed for 13 of the Chicago Outfit murders. He was serving life behind bars.
He was one of four defendants ordered to pay more than $24 million, including millions in restitution to the families of murder victims.
His son, Frank Calabrese Jr. who risked his life and secretly recorded his father in prison as he bragged about mob murders said Wednesday he had "a lot of emotions" running through him.
"It's very emotional right now because there were two sides to my dad, and I miss the good side," Calabrese Jr. said, a key witness against his father at trial.
"I believe he was taken on Christmas Day for a reason," Calabrese Jr. said. "I hope he made peace. I hope he's up above looking down on us."
"It's always been hard for me that he had to be locked up like that. Then again, I didn't forget a lot of the things that happened," Calabrese Jr. said. Calabrese Sr. was known for not only the terror he inflicted on the streets, but also the violence he visited upon his own family.
"He's not suffering any more. The people on the street aren't suffering any more," Calabrese Jr. said.
The Sun-Times Media Wire and Associated Press contributed to this report.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:32 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:32:45 GMT
A 23-year-old woman was killed and four others were critically injured when two cars crashed into a building in the Far South Side Washington Heights neighborhood early Sunday.
A 23-year-old woman was killed and four others were critically injured when two cars crashed into a building in the Far South Side Washington Heights neighborhood early Sunday.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:21 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:21:16 GMT
One adult and 11 juveniles were arrested Saturday night after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic around North Michigan Avenue on the Gold Coast.
One adult and 11 juveniles were arrested Saturday night after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic around North Michigan Avenue on the Gold Coast.
Sunday, May 19 2013 11:50 AM EDT2013-05-19 15:50:06 GMT
One number in Saturday night's Powerball drawing was the difference for a dozen Illinois players between being $10,000 richer and living the life of a multi-millionaire - whose ticket was purchased in Florida.
One number in Saturday night's Powerball drawing was the difference for a dozen Illinois players between being $10,000 richer and living the life of a multi-millionaire - whose ticket was purchased in Florida.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:52 AM EDT2013-05-19 14:52:09 GMT
Four people have been killed and at least 15 other people wounded -- including a 12-year-old boy left in critical condition -- in shootings around the city since Friday night.
Four people have been killed and at least 15 other people wounded -- including a 12-year-old boy left in critical condition -- in shootings around the city since Friday night.
