Reward Offered in Search for Mob Fugitives

Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced today that a reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information leading to the location and arrest of suspected "Chicago Outfit" members JOSEPH "The Clown" LOMBARDO and FRANK "The German" SCHWEIHS.

Joey "The Clown" Lombardo and Frank "The German" Schweihs

Both LOMBARDO and SCHWEIHS have been the subject of an international manhunt since April 25th of this year, after being charged along with 12 other individuals by a Federal Grand Jury in Chicago with numerous violations of federal criminal law, including involvement in as many as 18 previously unsolved murders.

LOMBARDO, whose last known address was on Chicago's near west side, is described as a white/male, 76 years of age, 5'7" tall, 185 pounds, medium build, with black hair and brown eyes with glasses.

SCHWEIHS, whose last known address was in Dania, Florida, is described as a white/male, 75 years of age, 6' tall, 180 pounds, medium build, with gray hair and brown eyes and walks with a slight limp.

In announcing this reward, Mr. Grant said " In many of the investigations that the FBI conducts, we rely heavily on the assistance of the public. We're hoping that by offering a reward the public's attention will once again be focused on this investigation and will generate tips that could lead to the arrest of one or both of these fugitives."

Both men should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone having any information as to the whereabouts of either LOMBARDO or SCHWEIHS is asked to call the Chicago FBI at (312) 431-1333 or their local police department.

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Prison Inmate, Charles Miceli, Says He Has Information on Mob Crimes

Yet another unsolicited, handwritten letter relating to a major mob case has been sent to U.S. District Judge James Zagel.

This time, Florida inmate Charles Miceli is the author, and he complains the feds have ignored his overtures to provide information about reputed organized crime figures. Miceli -- who said he has no reason to lie because he's going to be released from prison in a few years even without his cooperation -- indicated that reputed mob boss Joey "The Clown" Lombardo is innocent of a murder he's been accused of. And Miceli suggests other reputed hoodlums, including John DiFronzo, should be investigated.

Miceli said in the letter, a copy of which also was mailed to the Chicago Sun-Times and U.S. attorney's office, that FBI agents have refused to interview him despite his claims to have valuable knowledge of mob activities. "It's not right to arrest Mr. Lombardo for things that other people did and it's equally wrong to let really guilty people go free and laugh at the system," Miceli wrote.

Lombardo and other alleged mob figures were charged in a sweeping federal indictment this spring that aims to solve 18 mob hits. Lombardo is on the lam but previously wrote Zagel, who's handling the case, in an unsuccessful attempt to set conditions for coming in from hiding. Miceli reportedly is serving time in Florida on state theft charges.

As the letter came to light, questions surfaced over Miceli's reliability, with sources saying federal investigators have grave concerns about Miceli sending agents on wild goose chases.

However, Chicago ATF agent John N. Rotunno once wrote a letter on Miceli's behalf to Judge Mark Shames in Clearwater, Fla., asking for "Any consideration you could afford him" in another, unrelated court matter.

Rotunno wrote that Miceli had been on the mark in detailing violent crime incidents and had intimate contacts with high-ranking individuals in organized crime. But in 2001, Miceli took ATF agents on a fruitless search for murder victims or weapons in wooded areas near River Grove and River Forest. He's given other unreliable tips to other agencies as well, sources said.

Miceli sent similar letters and additional correspondence to Lombardo's attorney, Rick Halprin, who plans to turn over the information in a court hearing before Zagel today. Halprin will ask the court to appoint a federal public defender to represent Miceli.

Thanks to Natasha Korecki and Carol Marin.

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