Federal prosecutors responded with a bit of snark Wednesday to a request by Arthur "The Genius" Rachel that he be allowed out of his house arrest for several hours a week to do his laundry and buy groceries.

"If defendant Rachel truly has 'close ties' to multiple siblings that all live 'nearby,' as he earlier represented to the Court, the very least he can do is arrange for the delivery of food and clean clothes to his house," writes federal prosecutor Amarjeet S. Bhachu.

"If his ties to his family are so insubstantial that he cannot make these simple arrangements, the government can arrange for a suitable place where this career criminal can stay and receive food and linen service, all free of charge."

In other words, jail.

Arthur "The Genius" Rachel, fresh from his release from jail, needs a little leeway while he's under house arrest.

A bachelor, he needs time to do his laundry and get groceries.

Rachel, 72, is one of three men charged with planning the robbery of an armored car outside a LaGrange bank. He was previously convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison for the 1980 theft of the 45-carat Marlborough diamond in London.

His attorney, Terence Gillespie, will ask a federal judge next week to allow Rachel four to six hours a week to do his laundry and get groceries.

"Mr. Rachel cannot live without food, and also needs clean clothes," Gillespie writes.

Right now, under the conditions of his $10,000 bond, Rachel can leave home only to attend church, see his lawyer or go to court.

Prosecutors worked vigorously to keep Rachel behind bars, arguing he was a danger to the community and likely to flee since he effectively faces life in prison if convicted in the case. They noted he was arrested while allegedly planning the break-in of the home of a late top mob boss, Angelo LaPietra.

But the federal appellate court, in a ruling last week, upheld the decisions by two lower court judges that Rachel could be released under house arrest.

In case you missed it, here is a story on four people's perspectives on a man they knew, hated or feared -- late mob killer Harry Aleman. It ran in the Chicago Sun-Times on Sunday.

Above is the unmarked gravesite of Aleman at Waldheim Cemetery in Forest Park, as it appeared on Friday. Aleman is buried next to his wife. A headstone hasn't been placed yet.