There are cooperating witnesses, and then there are cooperating witnesses.
More light was shed Tuesday on the nature of Marcello's cooperation with federal authorities in the case of John Ambrose, the deputy U.S. marshal accused of leaking critical information about a star witness in the Family Secrets case to the Outfit.
While it's clear from a defense filing that Marcello, the half-brother of one-time Chicago Outfit boss James Marcello, has been talking to prosecutors about what he knows about Ambrose, he's not going to willingly take the stand.
Prosecutors in court made clear to the judge that Marcello was going to be giving testimony under a grant of immunity, essentially forcing Marcello to take the stand and testify.
Ambrose is accused of leaking information about mob hitman turned federal witness Nick Calabrese to a friend with mob ties, and the information made its way to the Marcellos.
James Marcello was worried about what Nick Calabrese was telling investigators because both men had taken part in the mob murders of Anthony and Michael Spilotro.
Michael Marcello pleaded guilty in the Family Secrets case, while James Marcello was convicted at trial.
Expect Ambrose's defense attorney, Frank Lipuma, to grill Michael Marcello about what Lipuma has described as conflicting accounts on what Marcello has told investigators.
Steve any start date for this trial yet?
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Starts Monday.
Steve:
Obviously, over the past two years you've had access to a lot of primary sources pertaining to the Outfit. For example: testimony, video & audio surveillance recordings, transcripts, government documents, some of the indicted mobsters' own words, etc. (I suppose the public has access to a lot of this same stuff, too, what with the DOJ website, etc.)
Anyway, can you recommend any books or resources pertaining to the Outfit, that you, personally, have read or that you think provide a fair representation of facts & fair analysis rather than sensationalism for the sake of selling books?
I ask this because John Kass mentioned a few Outfit-focused books that he thinks are worth reading, but the thing is, I don't really care for reading Kass' stuff all that much. Too flippant**, maybe. I don't know, I guess I just think I'd find it interesting to know what someone like yourself--who's been living & breathing this stuff for a few years now--has read & might recommend.
Thanks.
(**That's not a shot a Kass. It's just that his tone isn't really my thing.)
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: For a straightforward look at the trial, you can check out Tribune reporter Jeff Coen's book on the trial, entitled "Family Secrets." And there's Ovid Demaris' "Captive City," which is still probably the best history out there on the Chicago Outfit, even though it's nearly 40 years old. You can still find copies in used book stores and some public libraries here.
Steve- Do you know if Ambrose or Blago might get the big courtroom on 25? I guess Blago has a better shot given more defendants.
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Ambrose won't be going to trial in the large ceremonial courtroom. The judge hasn't even set a trial date for Blagojevich yet, but given the likely crowds, the ceremonial courtroom would make sense.
Student -
You should check out Supermob by Gus Russo. It doesn't focus nearly as much on the "street" side of The Outfit, but more of the financial side and just how influential they were. Basically, how The Outfit washed their money through and starting up legitimate business.
Also, Frank Cullota just wrote a book through Dennis Griffin. Quick reads, but worth it. Dennis Griffin also wrote another book about Las Vegas.
I read on "The Chicago Syndicate" dot com that Ambrose's trial starts Monday with Judge Grady. Do you which court room that is or does one just have to go the federal building and look on the directory Steve?
Love your blog!
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Sorry for the delay in answering this question. The trial is not in Judge Grady's usual courtroom but in Courtroom 1719 at the Dirksen Federal Building.