With reputed mob killer Frank Calabrese Sr., chivalry is not dead
Frank Calabrese Sr. showed a chivalrous side Tuesday.
When asked about one mobster by prosecutor John Scully, Calabrese Sr. said: "When I found out he a bit a woman's breast off and went to jail for it, I lost complete respect for him."
And then there's the matter of mysterious Martha.
Scully asked Calabrese Sr. about what appeared to be a coded reference that Calabrese Sr. made in a secretly recorded conversation.
Calabrese Sr. was telling his son about "a girl with curly hair," an apparent reference to alleged bookmaker Ralph "Curly" Peluso.
It was typical for Calabrese Sr. to refer to men as women in his code.
In testimony, Calabrese Sr., said he was really talking about a woman with curly hair that he had asked his son to look up for him.
What's her last name, the prosecutor asked.
Calabrese Sr. said he didn't want to get Martha involved.
"I would rather not tell you," Calabrese Sr. said.
When the judge compelled him to answer, Calabrese Sr. said: "Your honor, I don't remember her name right now."
There was a reference to another woman in the conversation, Calabrese Sr., said, named Nancy.
"I bet you don't know Nancy's last name either," Scully said.
Calabrese Sr. paused and glared at Scully.
Then Calabrese Sr. said: "Not to my recollection. I can't remember."
Comments
Steve:
I have a question or two.When Frank Calabrese was on the stand complaining about having to pay off the First Ward politicians who was he talking about? Fred Roti? John D'Arco? Pat Marcy?
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Frank Calabrese Sr. didn't say in his testimony, so I'm loathe to speculate.
I would note that Pat Marcy was the true power of the 1st Ward, above the other men you mentioned.
Posted by: Steve Bartin | August 21, 2007 08:22 PM
What mobster did he say bit the woman?
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: It was allegedly Frank Saladino.
Posted by: reader | August 22, 2007 04:17 PM
Steve,
I hope you understand that this guy Frank Sr. is wacko,he has always had a complex about being liked,he never had a crew except for his own family because nobody could stand him and his crybaby acts.
Oh did you know the big juice man and tough guys was arrested for shopplifting a baseball cap,how sharp can he be?
The millions he has spoke of was in his hands,he was to hold it for someone else but they passed,he then did not give it where it was suppose to go.
There is nothing any good about this guy Steve and the more Scully rides him the more he'll stick his self in crap.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 05:01 PM
Was Frank Calabrese ever a high-ranking member of the 26th street crew? Based on one posting, it seems he didn't have many people below him, but it is alleged that he was a made man.
So it's hard for us to understand his identity. He was over Ron Jarrett no doubt, but who else?
And is it true about him being arrested for stealing a baseball cap?
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Law enforcement believes Frank Calabrese Sr. was a crew leader within the 26th Street/Chinatown crew.
He had several people allegedly reporting to him, including his brother and two sons, Jarrett, Frank Furio, Phil Tolomeo and others.
Calabrese Sr. was arrested in 1983 for stealing a $4 golf cap from a Sportmart in Niles.
He had $5,000 cash on him at the time, records show.
Posted by: Frank, | August 24, 2007 02:16 PM
Steve, great work you have done during this trial. Do you know if State Senator James Deleo's name came up, I recall he pled to a lesser charge in the 1980's for being a bagman I was curious if he had any dealing with the gentlemen who are on trial.
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: DeLeo, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor tax crime after a federal jury deadlocked in his felony trial, did come up in the Family Secrets trial, but only briefly.
Ann Spilotro took the stand to testify about the circumstances surrounding the murder of her husband, Michael Spilotro.
She also mentioned she sold her restaurant business after her husband's death to DeLeo and zoning attorney James Banks, the nephew of Ald. William Banks.
Spilotro testified she felt she didn't get the money she deserved and went to reputed mob boss James Marcello to see if he could do anything about it.
DeLeo has said Spilotro's complaints in court were the first he heard of them.
Posted by: Bob Robertson | August 30, 2007 11:19 PM