Opening Statements Made in Chicago Mob Bombing Trial

Federal prosecutors say an explosion at the building housing a video poker-machine distributor is at the heart of the trial of a reputed mob boss and his alleged cohorts.

In an opening statement Friday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Donovan says Michael "Big Mike" Sarno and his alleged crew wanted to send a message to C&S Coin Operated Amusements not to encroach on Sarno's turf.

Prosecutors say as a result of the 52-year-old Sarno 's orders to bomb the Berwyn offices of the video game distributor in 2003, the company's Berwyn offices were destroyed.

Sarno and four others have pleaded not guilty to federal racketeering charges.

Donovan says he will make the case against Sarno and his four co-defendants with evidence from witnesses, wiretaps and a bug planted in a Cicero pawn shop.

The defense will give opening statements Monday.

Thanks to KWQC

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Potential Juror Scared Off by Mob Nicknames

A potential juror has been dismissed in a reputed mobster's trial in Chicago after expressing unease at the defendants' nicknames.

Jury selection in the racketeering trial of Michael "The Large Guy" Sarno and four others began today with 60 would-be jurors packing a federal courtroom.

No one in court mentioned allegations of mob links. But the excused juror told U.S. District Judge Ronald Guzman he saw nicknames for some defendants on a document that flashed on a courtroom monitor.

The investment banker says the implications of the nicknames would influence his ability to be impartial. Guzman then dismissed him.

Picking 12 jurors and four alternates could take days. The trial is expected to last a month.

Thanks to WGN

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Large Guy Trial Starts

An unusual organized crime case began Wednesday in Chicago federal court. Prosecutors say there was an alliance between the Outfit and the Outlaws. In this Intelligence Report: Why is this considered a "large" case for the government?

The Chicago Outfit has always been an insular organization, top hoodlums usually unwilling to welcome other criminal groups to the fold. So this alliance that federal prosecutors say was forged between the Outfit and the Outlaws motorcycle gang is considered unique in all of mobdom.

The largest part of this five-defendant case walked into the Dirksen Federal Building Wednesday predicting victory. Michael Sarno, 52, known in mob circles as "the Large Guy," is a convicted west suburban rackets boss now on trial for allegedly ordering the 2003 firebombing of a Berwyn business that was competing against the mob's illegal video poker trade.

Standing trial with Sarno are 86-year-old Samuel Volpendesto, his son, Anthony, Mark Polchan, an admitted member of the Outlaws biker gang, and Casey Szaflarski, who allegedly ran illegal gambling operations.

According to the indictment, Sarno oversaw the Outfit-Outlaw joint venture and received a cut of the illegal wagering profits.

"I think that case provides a perfect illustration of why the Outfit is still dangerous and shouldn't be counted out," said T. Marcus Funk, former federal prosecutor. "Forming an alliance like that, being adaptable, being able to change with the circumstances, and also using being able to use violence when necessary. It may not be something done on a daily basis like it was in the 50s, but violence is still a tool for the Outfit."

The case took shape in 2008 when FBI agents raided several Outlaws clubhouses, seizing weapons, bulletproof vests and police badges-- at the same time executing search warrants on Sarno's suburban home.

As a budding hoodlum, Sarno once tipped the scales at about 400 pounds, and at that time went by the nickname "Fat Boy."

Even though he appears to have dropped a few pounds, by whatever mob moniker Wednesday, the issue of nicknames was a factor in jury selection. Several prospective jurors were dismissed after saying mob nicknames might cause them to be prejudiced against the defendants.

Several casino employees were also dismissed. Six jurors were seated to hear the case.

The mob trial will be off Thursday for federal Veterans Day and jury selection resumes on Friday morning. It is expected to last about three weeks.

Thanks to Chuck Goudie and Ann Pistone

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