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.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Tuesday, February 5 2013 3:09 PM EST2013-02-05 20:09:54 GMT
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl, and including our friends serving overseas. Thousands of Chicago-style pizzas were sent overseas Tuesday.
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl, and including our friends serving overseas. Thousands of Chicago-style pizzas were sent overseas Tuesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:55 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:55:34 GMT
As the country looks at the relief efforts in Oklahoma, Illinois is training for the same kind of disaster. The Illinois National Guard prepares every year for disaster events.
As the country looks at the relief efforts in Oklahoma, Illinois is training for the same kind of disaster. The Illinois National Guard prepares every year for disaster events.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:40:45 GMT
Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.
Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:32 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:32:17 GMT
A couple accused of murdering a 1-month-old boy and allegedly dumping the body in the Des Plaines River pleaded not guilty to the crime during a Thursday court hearing in Maywood.
A couple accused of murdering a 1-month-old boy and allegedly dumping the body in the Des Plaines River pleaded not guilty to the crime during a Thursday court hearing in Maywood.
