If you case you missed it on-line or in the newspaper, here's a story concerning reputed Chicago area mob boss Mike Sarno that appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times Wednesday.
What does a reputed Chicago mob boss under house arrest do for holiday dinner?
First, if possible, get a judge to let you outside your house.
Next, don't waste the opportunity and get approval to go to the swanky
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab in downtown Chicago on
Christmas Eve.
That's just what reputed Cicero mob boss Michael "The Large Guy" Sarno did.
A federal magistrate judge recently approved that trip for Sarno, 51,
of Westchester, to have dinner with his extended family at Joe's
Seafood, 60 E. Grand, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday.
Sarno, out on $1 million bond, is typically allowed outside his home
only to go to church, the doctor or court.
Sarno -- described in court documents as a made member of the Chicago
mob -- is awaiting trial next year for allegedly overseeing the bombing
of a Berwyn business that was competing against the mob in the
lucrative video poker business.
Federal officials also believe that Sarno discussed putting out juice
loans with an associate who is a reputed high-ranking member of the
Outlaws motorcycle gang, records show.
In 1995, Sarno was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for his role in
a mob racketeering case.
Sarno, also dubbed "Fat Ass" by some colleagues, has denied any
wrongdoing in the current case. His attorney could not be reached for
comment.
A manager at Joe's Seafood had nothing to say Tuesday about Sarno's
choice of restaurant.
The good news for Sarno is that the restaurant's specialty, stone
crabs, are in season.
Jumbo stone crabs -- three per order -- go for $57.95, according to the
restaurant's on-line menu.
If Sarno's got a taste for steak, the bone-in New York strip will run
him $45.95.
And he can wash it all down with a bottle of Chateau Pavie at $490 a
bottle on the restaurant's reserve wine list.
Federal prosecutors wanted it made clear to Sarno that he could make
no other trips other than to the restaurant on Christmas Eve, and he
could only mix with members of his family, not his alleged crime
family, and the judge agreed.
What is the date of his mug photo?
The photograph is from the 1990s.
I didn't know that Sarno was Nick Nolte's DUI photo for Halloween this year!
Any follow up on the get together Steve?
STEVE WARMBIR REPSONDS: Nothing to report yet, but if there is something, we'll post it on the blog.
Steve, Any word on Family Secrets 2 also, Do you know when Sarno
will be in court next?
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Nothing to report on Family Secrets 2. Sarno's case is up this Thursday at 10:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Ronald Guzman, but Sarno isn't required to attend.