In the last two days in the Family Secrets trial the Banks family of Chicago, politically powerful, clout heavy, have been mentioned not once but twice.
First came James Banks, a zoning attorney and nephew of Ald. William Banks.
Ann Spilotro, the widow of slain gangster Michael Spilotro, testified that when she sold her business in the late 1980s after her husband's death, she felt she got ripped off by the buyers - James Banks and state lawmaker James DeLeo.
DeLeo said the courtroom testimony was the first he had ever heard of a complaint from Ann Spilotro . Banks did not return a phone message.
Next up is Sam Banks, brother of the alderman.
Sal Romano, a burglar with Outfit ties, said he would bribe cops or judges or both by paying lawyers who would pass on the money.
Romano said one of those attorneys was Sam Banks, although Romano acknowledged he never saw Banks actually pass any money.
Another of the attorneys, Romano said, was Dean "Dean of Corruption" Wolfson, who was later convicted of bribing judges in Operation Greylord.
Sam Banks didn't return a phone message either.
In all, it's not been a great week for the Banks family.
It proves that a lot of Chicago is still the way it was 20-30 years ago.
You can't get things accomplished unless you've performed a few favors--whoever it's for, politicians and whomever.