Putting a 'Hit' on the Mob

By Rachelle Bowden in News on Apr 25, 2005 6:01PM

This morning the FBI started rounding up a bunch of reputed members of Chicago's mob... .just when you thought the Chicago mob was dead...

14 mob members including Joey "The Clown" Lombardo, long known as a top leader in Chicago organized crime were indicted on charges of conspiracy, murder, plotting to commit murder, loansharking and bookmaking dating back to 1970. Also charged were 2 retired law enforcement officers.

This was all the result of a long-standing investigation codenamed "Operation Family Secrets" and is aimed at clearing unsolved mob hits. The indictment included at least 18 murders between 1970 - 1986 in the Chicago area and one in Arizona. It included the murder of one of the Chicago mob's one-time top man in Vegas, Tony (what no nickname?) Spilotro, and his brother Michael. Both were severely beaten and buried alive in a cornfield in Indiana.

For some warm & fuzzy Chicago mobster nonstalgia, check out the online Al Capone Museum or take a Chicago Gangster Tour of the city.