Mafia Gardening 101

An elderly Italian man lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual vegetable garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was rock hard. His only son, Vincent, who used to help him in the garden, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament: Dear Vincent, I am feeling pretty sad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up the garden plot, my back won't take it anymore. I know if you were here my troubles would be over, as you loved the garden as much as I. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days, but you're not here, so guess the garden will just peter out, just like me. Love, Papa

A few days later he received a letter from his son: Dear Papa, Don't dig up that garden. That's where the bodies are buried. Love, Vinnie

At 4 a.m. The next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived, swarmed over the entire house and grounds and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left.

That same day the old man received another letter from his son: Dear Papa, Go ahead and plant the garden now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances. Love, Vinnie

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Feds Turn Profit on Auction of Mob Money

An unusual government auction of some cash once held by a Chicago mob boss is over.

In this Intelligence Report: Dozens of $500 and $1,000 bills owned by Frank Calabrese Sr. have fetched a small fortune.

It is rare to get money from the Outfit without having to pay it back -- plus some sizable interest. That's what they call a juice loan. Federal authorities, though, not only took some mob money found hidden in the walls of a home where boss Frank "the Breeze" Calabrese lived, they have sold it all at auction for a profit.

Three-quarters of a million dollars in cash was found stashed inside a basement wall, behind a Calabrese family montage at the Oak Brook home where Frank "the Breeze" once lived.
The money was seized as part of the famed Operation Family Secrets case, during which Calabrese was convicted of numerous gangland killings and is now serving a life sentence.

Over the past two weeks, an auction site has conducted online bidding for 125 of the bills, rare denominations of $500 and $1,000.

Federal officials say the U.S. Marshals service sold all 82 $500 bills and 43 $1,000 bills for more than face value. That means the government made at least $84,000 from the sale and likely hauled in more than $100,000.

On the open market today, such rare bills often sell for more than the face value, and a spokesman for the U.S. attorney said some of Calabrese's currency went for considerably more than the $500 or $1,000 face value denomination.

Authorities now have four days to confirm bids and two weeks to file a court notice of exactly how much was made in gross sales, which minus auction expenses, will be used to reduce Calabrese's hefty court-imposed fines and restitution.

Other Calabrese property seized from his home, including 1,000 pieces of diamond jewelry, is to be auctioned as well.

The feds say they hope to have all the final figures from the cash auction tallied by Labor Day. It is unclear where Frank Calabrese obtained the exotic bills.

Calabrese and the other bosses convicted in Family Secrets still have appeals pending in federal court.

Thanks to Chuck Goudie

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"Gangland" Fan Charged with Offering Police $100,000 Bribe

An Eau Claire, Wisc. motorist who allegedly had drugs, a loaded gun and thousands of dollars of cash on him when he was pulled over early Wednesday on the South Side was charged with offering police $100,000 to let him go, police said.

Christopher Parker, 24, of Fall Street in Eau Claire, was charged with felony attempted bribery, felony unlawful use of a weapon, possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia and traffic offenses, according to Gresham District police Lt. John Francis. Parker was expected in court Thursday

Parker allegedly offered officers $100,000 to let him go but was arrested instead, the lieutenant said.

Parker was behind the wheel of a 2002 Ford Explorer that was pulled over by police about 1 a.m. Wednesday in the 7800 block of South Lowe Avenue because the SUV only had one headlight, the lieutenant said.

The lieutenant said Parker claimed to be a History channel fan who watches a show called “Gangland.’’

According to the History channel’s website, Gangland is a series examining notorious street gangs in America.

Parker had the loaded Smith & Wesson .38 caliber semi automatic handgun, cannabis and $3,000 cash inside the SUV, according to the lieutenant.

According to the arrest report, Parker allegedly said, “I’m a dumb-a---- white boy from Wisconsin, I watch ‘Gangland’ and I came to the South Side of Chicago to act like a big baller.’’

The lieutenant said Parker told arresting officers he borrowed the gun for protection because he was “scared” to be driving on the South Side.

Calumet Area detectives are investigating.

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Beverly Bandits Search Continues

Robert D. Grant, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), was joined today by Garry F. McCarthy, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department (CPD), in asking for the public’s help in identifying the individuals depicted in the below wanted flyer, who are responsible for the armed robbery of the First American Bank branch, located at 11821 South Western Avenue, on Tuesday morning.

The robbery took place just before 10:00 a.m., when two men, both brandishing handguns, entered the bank. One of the robbers stood guard over bank employees and customers from the lobby, while the second robber vaulted the teller counter. After removing money from an open teller drawer, he then forced an employee to open the vault, from which he took an undisclosed amount of cash, placing the money into a black plastic garbage bag that he brought with him.

The robbers then fled the bank and were seen entering a waiting automobile, described as an older model Chevrolet Monte Carlo, grey or silver in color, which was believed to be driven by a confederate. A partial license plate of K 9947 was observed by at least one witness.

As the vehicle was speeding from the area, a security dye pack inadvertently taken by one of the robbers, apparently activated. The robbers then began tossing dye stained money from the moving car. A few moments later, the get-away vehicle struck a City of Chicago refuse truck near the intersection of 116th Street and Oakley Street. Although the vehicle sustained extensive body damage, it was still drivable and continued to flee the area. No injuries were reported during the robbery or the subsequent auto accident.

The two robbers are described as black/males, 25-30 years of age, 5’7”-5’11” tall, medium build, with black hair and brown eyes. Both robbers were wearing what witnesses described as fake beards, black clothing, dark colored caps and gloves.

This case is being investigated by the Chicago FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) which is comprised of FBI Special Agents, Detectives from the Chicago Police Department and Investigators from the Cook County Sheriff’s Police.

Anyone recognizing these individuals or having any information about this robbery is asked to call the Chicago FBI at (312) 421-6700 or any law enforcement agency.

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Legendary Blues Musicians Jazz it Up in the Windy City

Blues music has been streaming its way throughout the United States for over a century and has progressed into a genre that incorporates so many forms of soulful music. With roots originating in the Deep South and traveling all the way to the Windy City , it’s no wonder legendary blues musicians are flocking to the first annual Illinois Central Music Festival, a Chicago blues festival that is sure to blow you away.

On Saturday, August 20th, come out to the West Loop and spend your summer day listening to the sweet sound of some of the most celebrated and talented blues artists in the country. Little Ray Neal Blues Band and their traditional blues music come all the way from Baton Rouge to share their power and soulfulness with the Midwest . Chicago native Billy Branch will also be on hand and filling the air with the sounds of his harmonica. A full schedule of performers is below:

Des Plaines – 1:00 p.m.
Little Ray Neal – 2:15 p.m.
Billy Branch – 3:00 p.m.
Big James – 4:45 p.m.
Sugar Blue – 6:15 p.m.
Larry McCray – 9:30 p.m.
Pro Jam – 9:30 p.m.

The Illinois Central Music Festival will take place from 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at the intersection of Madison St. and May St. in Chicago ’s West Loop . Authentic Southern-inspired food will be provided courtesy of The CrossRoads Bar & Grill and will include comfort food favorites such as BBQ ribs, mac n’ cheese and pulled pork sliders. Beverage sponsors will provide fantastic libations for the adults in attendance and for those who want to make it a family affair, kids’ games such as a Moonwalk, Waterslide and Face-Painting will be on-site courtesy of The Fun Ones Co.

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