New sentencing dates for Family Secrets case

Are they using the ceremonial courtroom because they expect a huge crowd?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I'm unsure, but I imagine plenty of family members on both sides will show up for some of the sentencings. And some of the sentencings will attract good-sized crowds, I suspect.

Is next week's Polchan motion hearing actually about the superceding indictment?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: There tend not to be court hearings about superceding indictments. The government just usually announces them.

The court hearing Wednesday is about Mark Polchan asking to be released on bond.

WHAT ABOUT BOND FOR SAM VOLPENDESTO

Steve,

How early would you recommend showing up if you wanted to watch a sentencing?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: If it's one of the better known defendants, like Joseph Lombardo, if you show up an hour early, you'll likely get in. But crowds are hard to predict, and I make no guarantees.

WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME FOR MARK POLCHAN'S BOND IS HE IN OR OUT

STEVE WARMBIR REPSONDS: Mark Polchan is still in jail. His bond request hasn't been heard yet.

Oh frankie you can keep trying to change your sentencing date, but sooner or later it will be your fate to spend the rest of your lonley pathetic life in jail. And I can't wait to be there to see the look on your face when Zagel throws the book at you. See you wendsday...

steve are you going to be in the court room for all of the sentencings? or do you have someone go for you?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I expect to be in the courtroom for all of them. I don't have anyone who goes for me.

Steve,
How long does it take for a judge typically to make a decision for bond? It has been since Dec. 15th, I believe, since Mark Polchan filed for bond.
Also, I heard no one was allowed in the court room during the second bond hearing, why was that?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: A judge typically decides bond issues the same day they are brought before him. The request for bond for Polchan is sealed, which is unusual. I don't know why it's sealed. Also, the judge's decision may wind up being sealed as well.

The federal Bureau of Prison website lists Polchan still as a guest of the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago.

I heard Mark P. and Sam V. were in court today. Any news on what happened today with them in court?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: A trial date was set for April 13.

I see recent news on cicero cops and Mark Polchan. Isn't that area where Polchan ran his pawn shop a shady area also known for prostitution? I remember stings on prostitution there a few years ago but read nothing then about any of these new accusations. Where is the evidence through the unsealed recently released court hearings proving these statements with prostitution? Also, all I read was a cicero cop said the f word several times while referring to plates he ran. Is it that unusual that a business owner asks a cop to run plates for security reasons, especially with that type of business in that area? I heard mark Polchan's grandfather also ran a pawn shop and was MURDERED around Christmas time a long time ago. I would think that would give good enough reason for higher security and plates ran.

STEVE WARMBIR REPLIES: If you're asking if the prosecution gave a detailed description of what they saw and heard in Mark Polchan's business regarding the prostitutes, no, they didn't. They made a statement that it happened and presumably more information will come out at trial. Prosecutors don't have to prove their allegations in court filings. They prove them - or don't - at trial.

The business was under audio and video surveillance. Prosecutors raised the prostitution issue to show his alleged closeness and corrupt relationship with certain police officers. They also raised it to counter Polchan's contention that he was a good family man who would not leave his family and jump bond.

As to your second point: Is it reasonable or customary to have police run license plates of cars that pass a business? I don't know. I imagine there are circumstances that could prompt that.

But you can read the whole prosecution filing next to the Chicago Sun-Times story on-line, and if the government transcripts are accurate, it appears as if the plates were being run to find out if the cars belonged to federal agents, not if the cars were being driven by felons who could rob a pawn shop. Given space restrictions, the story in the Sun-TImes did not quote every transcript contained in the prosecution filing.

At the end of the day, either the prosecutors will prove their allegations at trial – or they won't.

can you tell me the latest update on the Polchan April 13th trial? Any new news?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: The trial has been postponed, while the government works on a superseding indictment, which presumably will add more defendants to the case. The next status hearing in the case is June 24.

I get that the government raised the prostitution issue partially to discredit Mark Polchan's claim of being a good family man who wouldn't jump bond, but I know the family, have seen how great he is with his kids, and how much they adore him too.

I truthfully doubt that if out on bond he could or would take off on his family because for one he is a proud man, and two his family mean the world to him.

Marks guilt or innocence is not for me to judge but anyone who has seen him around his children would realize that they mean way to much to him for him to run even with the amount of time he could be facing.

Hello - what is the current status of Mark's case? There was to be a ststus hearing on June 24th - did it occur?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: It occurred. The case is still pending. The judge took care of a few administrative matters in the case, and the next status date is set for Sept. 2 at 10:30 a.m.

I see that the state has racked up several charges against Mark Polchan. The state seems like they are trying to convict Mark Polchan on whatever charges they can get him on. No one else has charges racked up like Mark does. I was curious about the tax invasion charges. Mark Polchan supposely made his money from stolen/fenced goods. Supposely doing jewerly heist's. Now the state want's Mark to pay taxes to the state on stolen/fence goods? What's up with that? The state is no better!

I hate to say it Mark, but it does not look like your going to get a bond. Right now the state want's you to talk and there going to try to break you down anyway possible.

Hi Steve - can you tell us what, if anything, happened at the Sept. 14th hearing for Mark? Is there an anticipated date for the actual trial?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: No trial date set yet in the case.