Anthony "Tough Tony" Calabrese
Reputed Chicago mob hitman Anthony "Tough Tony" Calabrese isn't all rough edges.
Sure, he's the main suspect in the Outfit's last known murder, the 2001 shooting of Anthony "The Hatch" Chiaramonti.
True, he's also the chief suspect in the attempted murder of a Naperville woman in 1997.
And yes, he faces the rest of his life in prison after he was convicted in February in federal court in Chicago of taking part in three suburban armed robberies in the suburbs.
The jury convicted Calabrese after hearing a harrowing tape of him beating up an undercover informant in the case.
But take a look at some of the classes Calabrese has taken while spending time in federal prison on another violent crime and you'll see a different side of Tough Tony.
For instance, Calabrese took a ceramics class, another class called "mindfulness meditation," and one focusing on "a purpose driven life" — with the purpose being, presumably, not shooting or beating people up.
Calabrese has taken a number of Bible classes, plus he's logged hundreds of miles in a walking club.
Since he's away from home, Calabrese has brushed up on his domestic skills, including a "Great Dads Seminar," a "Nutritional Class" and "Parenting Skills."
The list of classes Calabrese completed were introduced into the court record to show that Calabrese has made good use of his time in prison, in hopes he doesn't get the book thrown at him at his upcoming sentencing.
Calabrese has also taken a few classes with unusual titles, including "Managing Animals in Disaster," which should not be confused with "Managing Livestock in Disaster" nor "Animals in Disaster, Awareness and Preparedness," which Calabrese has also taken.
so what he takes a few classes and now he wants us to go easyon him. did he go easy on the people he robbed? why should we go easy on him?
How about "managing humans when faced with gunpoint" or "kicking the man in the face until he knows you're serious"?
Any news on what the defendants of the Family secrets trial have been up to? any progress with their appeal? Any news on part 2 of the secrets trial with new defendants that weren't included in the first trial? Great work Steve, keep it up!
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: They haven't filed any appeals yet because all of their post-trial motions have been ruled on.
The five men are in federal jail, awaiting their sentencings, which haven't been scheduled.
No news on the heavily rumored Part 2, but as soon as we hear anything here at the Outfit Blog, our dedicated readers will be the first to know.
i love this blog ,chicago you are the best,keep on keeping it real ,the outfit tried to keep it quiet for along time ,but as they say what happens in the dark will come to lite, i will visit chitown,and i want to visit their hang outs,walk on grand ave
Gimme a break!
This guy is a tool box! He came into this world a man and will leave it a fruitcake!
Great blog Steve!!!
I'm glad it's still up.
Give me a freakin' break. I'm a corrections officer. These guys only take classes for 2 reasons. 1) to pass the time, and 2) to try and impress the sentencing judge, in this case Judge St. Eve.
He didn't seem to show any leniency when he gunned down my father. May Calabrese rot forever. I plan on being at his sentencing so I can look him in his eyes when he cries like a baby at his 55 year mandatory.