Frank 'The German' Schweihs - "A Killer, That's All, A Killer of a Girl"

Diane Pappas learned that Chicago isn't Camelot a lifetime ago when a tugboat captain found her sister's murdered body in the Chicago River. Eugenia "Becca" Pappas was only 18.

So last week, 46 years after Becca's death, when Diane heard the German was dead, she knew what to do: Drive out to the cemetery, to Becca's grave in the shade of a giant Norwegian pine, and talk to her little sister. "I'm going to the cemetery right now," Diane said. "I've got to be there. Now I want to tell Becca. The big, tough man. The big killer. The murderer of my sister. The German. The murderer of a girl."

If Frank "The German" Schweihs ever wondered about hell, he's not wondering now. He died last week, at 78, of cancer, waiting to stand federal trial in the Family Secrets case.

The FBI considers him the Babe Ruth of Outfit hit men, with dozens of Outfit victims, mobsters from New York to Los Angeles, murderous bosses and their turncoat business associates. Other hit men were terrified to be near him, even when he was sleeping. A glimpse of the German in Los Angeles, a chance sighting in a car window, frightened Jimmy "The Weasel" Frattiano so much that the mobster ran shrieking into the federal witness protection program.

Schweihs the enforcer was the reason those frail, old men could run things without worrying about ambitious underlings. He's the reason they made fortunes, and a president and mayors and judges.

The list of the German's dead is a history of organized crime in America. Except for Becca Pappas, a beauty, tall, slim, black eyes, black hair. "I know he killed her. I just know. She was in his car. She was driving his car the last time anyone saw her. His car disappeared. Then it was auctioned a month later, totally stripped clean, washed down," Diane said.

Becca's murder was investigated by corrupt Chicago lawman Richard Cain. This being Chicago, Schweihs was released without charges. Still, I agree with Diane that Schweihs killed her sister.

Why? Because, as explained to me by mob-watchers and former FBI agents, no man in Chicago, or anywhere else, would have dared approach the German's girlfriend. Not even to say hello. They wouldn't have allowed their brains to think of it. Not one. Schweihs would have skinned them alive with a paring knife.

The German is said to have later shotgunned Cain at Rose's Sandwich Shop. And killed Jimmy "the Bomber" Catuara. Teamsters lawyer Allan Dorfman died in a parking lot, shot in the head with a .22. Joe Testa was blown up in his car. Sam DeStefano's arms were shotgunned off in his garage. Patsy Riccardi, Chucky Nicoletti, the list continues.

The Chicago Outfit's flamboyant Hollywood connection, Johnny Rosselli, was found stuffed into an oil drum, floating at sea. Angelo Boscarino was shotgunned, though his son was later given a piece of the failed Rosemont casino deal.

If I've missed a few names, Schweihs didn't miss.

In the late 1980s, he was held in the federal Metropolitan Correctional Center at the same time as Outfit member-turned-federal informant Gerald Scarpelli. The official story is Scarpelli committed suicide. He must have seen the German in the day room and then decided to tie his own feet and hands and choke himself to death with a plastic bag in the shower. The German is also credited with torturing and killing several burglars who dared rob the home of Anthony Accardo.

"He never informed. He killed who they told him to kill. And if he was involved in the killing of that young woman—it sheds an entirely new light on his personality," said FBI Special Agent John Mallul, a supervisor of the Organized Crime Unit. "No criminal ever wanted to see this guy around. Even if they knew that Frank was coming around and knew why, they were still terrified."

Law enforcement says that just about his only friend was Chicago political figure Peter Schivarelli, currently the manager of the rock group Chicago and the former 43rd Ward supervisor of Streets and San. Schivarelli is reputed to have been around Outfit types all his life and is the nephew of late mobster Johnny "The Bug" Varelli.

One night, Schweihs was arrested after fighting with police. "Schivarelli came down to the station trying to get him out, throwing his political clout around, and all hell broke loose," former FBI agent Jack O'Rourke recalled a while back. "It was a madhouse."

"That's not my recollection," Schivarelli said when I tracked him down. He talked on the phone as if I held a subpoena. "But I'd rather not debate it. I'll respectfully decline to comment."

Too bad. I was waiting to hear that the German was kind to tiny children and animals and helped old women cross the street. None of it matters to Becca Pappas' sister. "Schweihs still lived 46 years when he shouldn't have. And people glorify him, and they glorify the mob with their movies and TV shows. But all he was, was a killer. That's all. A killer of a girl."

Thanks to John Kass

Tweet

Kingman Wong, Former Supervisor within the FBI's Organized Crime Section, Named SAC of Special Operations of New York Division

Kingman Wong has been named Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of Special Operations for the FBI’s New York Division. Director Robert S. Mueller, III appointed him to this position to replace former SAC Todd P. Letcher, who recently retired from FBI service. In this position, Mr. Wong will direct the special agent, support, and task force personnel who provide strategic operational, investigative, and infrastructure support for the New York Division.

Mr. Wong joined the FBI as a special agent in March 1988. He was assigned to the Violent Crime and Major Offenders Program in the San Francisco Division, where he investigated kidnapping, extortion, and other violent criminal offenses. In 1989, he was assigned to the Organized Crime Program to investigate transnational and domestic criminal syndicates. He was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent of the San Francisco Division’s Asian Organized Crime and Drug Squad in 1995.

Mr. Wong was transferred to the Organized Crime Section at FBI Headquarters in 1998, where he served as a supervisor and program manager for Asian organized crime and drug investigations. He was promoted to Unit Chief of the Asian/African Criminal Enterprise Unit at FBI Headquarters in 1999. In 2000, he was promoted to serve as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Division. He was responsible for the Organized Crime, Drug, Violent Crime and Major Offenders, Undercover, Special Operations, Crisis Management, U.S./Mexico Border Liaison, Special Weapons and Tactics Team, and Asset Forfeiture Programs. He served as the On-Scene Commander for all San Diego Division tactical operations, and supervised the San Diego Command Center and crisis management personnel following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Mr. Wong served as the Field Staff Inspector/On-Scene Commander during the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2002. In 2003, he became the Legal Attaché for the FBI in Hong Kong. While there, he managed and coordinated investigations, arrests, extraditions, and training related to all FBI investigative programs. In March 2007, he was promoted to FBI Headquarters as Section Chief of the International Operations Section, Office of International Operations.

Mr. Wong was the recipient of the FBI Director’s Award for Outstanding Criminal Investigation; the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement; and a California State Assembly Resolution recognizing him for a narcoterrorism investigation. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice and a Master of Public Administration degree.

Tweet

Whitey Bulger is 2nd Most-Wanted Man on FBI Top 10 List

James "Whitey" Bulger has been on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list since 1999. According to the FBI, Bulger is their second most-wanted man, second only to Usama bin Laden. They say Bulger is wanted for 19 murders, as well as for money laundering, extortion, and drug dealing. The FBI is offering a $1 million reward for information that leads to his arrest.

Now a septuagenarian, cops say Bulger ruled Boston's Irish mafia with an iron fist from the early 1970s to the mid 1990s. In 1995, shortly after he was indicted on federal racketeering charges, cops say Bulger went into hiding with his long-time girlfriend, Teresa Stanley. After a month on the run, Teresa asked Bulger to bring her back home to Boston. Bulger did, then hit the road again -- this time with another girlfriend, Catherine Greig, and this time for good.

There have been several confirmed sightings of Bulger and Greig; the last was in 2002, near London's Piccadilly Circus. In April 2007, a tourist on vacation in Sicily shot 18 seconds of video of a couple who bore a striking resemblance to Bulger and Greig. The FBI, thinking the video could very well have been of Bulger and Greig, launched an immediate investigation to identify the couple.

According to Gail Marcinkiewicz, a spokeswoman for the FBI, the couple was questioned and fingerprinted, but they are not Bulger and Greig.

In June 1956, he was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for robbing banks. He ended up serving nine years in Atlanta, Alcatraz, and Leavenworth.

Whitey's Life Of Crime Begins

One of his brothers, Billy Bulger, was the president of the Massachusetts State Senate for nearly 20 years, then served as the president of the University of Massachusetts.

James Bulger, however, took a different path. He joined the Air Force when he was about 20 years old; despite spending time in the brig for several assaults, he received an honorable discharge in 1952.

Soon after returning to Boston, police say he embarked on a life of crime. In June 1956, he was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for robbing banks. He ended up serving nine years in Atlanta, Alcatraz, and Leavenworth.

The Rise Of A Mafia Star

After his time behind bars, Bulger returned to Boston and resumed his criminal activities. In 1979, when Howie Winter -- the head of the infamous Winter Hill Gang -- was sent to prison for fixing horse races, Bulger assumed the gang's leadership.

Over the next 16 years, using both his formidable mind and his considerable muscle, cops say Bulger consolidated his power, and came to control a significant portion of Boston's drug dealing, bookmaking, and loan sharking operations.

He was also, unbeknownst to even his closest associates, an FBI informant. In fact, federal sources say it was his FBI handler, Special Agent John Connelly, who tipped Bulger off to the 1995 indictment, allowing Bulger to get away before he was arrested.

The FBI says Bulger should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. He uses cash for everything, and enjoys visiting libraries and historic sites. He also loves dogs, and often goes to animal shelters.

Bulger got his nickname, Whitey, from the platinum blonde hair he had as a child, but he's now almost completely bald, and it's believed he's taking a heart medication called Atenolol.

If you think you've spotted James J. "Whitey" Bulger or his girlfriend, Catherine Greig, call the America's Most Wanted hotline right now at 1-800-CRIME-TV.

Tweet

Reward for bin Laden Raised to $50 MILLION!

America's Most Wanted: Usama bin Laden
The reward for information that will lead to Usama bin Laden has risen to $50 million. After more than a decade of directing terror around the globe, the search for bin Laden continues. He's the world's most-wanted man, and authorities say there's nothing that they won't do to find him. Let's catch this son-of-bitch and bring him to justice!

Tweet

FBI's Chicago Field Office to Celebrate 100th Anniversary of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

Saturday, July 26th, will mark the 100th anniversary of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Established in 1908 as the Bureau of Investigation (BOI) with just 34 Special Agents, it was officially renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1935. Since then, the FBI has grown to over 30,000 employees, including more than 12,000 Special Agents and nearly 18,000 professional support employees in 56 field offices and 70 legal attache' offices worldwide.

The Chicago Office, along with New York City, is one of the two oldest in the FBI, having opened shortly after the establishment of the BOI. Today, the Chicago office is the fourth largest with over 800 employees occupying a new stand-alone building in the Illinois Medical District and satellite offices in Lisle, Orland Park, Rockford, Rolling Meadows, and at both O’Hare and Midway airports.

Given the notable record of accomplishments and the storied past associated with the Chicago office, this milestone will be recognized on Friday, July 25th, with an anniversary celebration at Navy Pier. The event will be held on the Lakeview Rooftop Terrace and will feature remarks by FBI Executive Director Stephen Tidwell; U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald; David Grange, President of the McCormick Foundation; Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and Documentary Host and Producer Bill Kurtis. WLS Radio talk show host Roe Conn will serve as Master of Ceremonies, with live entertainment provided by the Ides of March, often referred to as “ Chicago’s Band”.

The event will be open to local media outlets. Doors open at 5:00 PM and the official ceremony and remarks are scheduled to begin at 6:45 PM. The Lakeview Rooftop Terrace is located on the third level of Navy Pier adjacent to the Grand Ballroom. Entrance to the venue can be gained through the “Lobby 3 – Festival Hall” entrance. Proper media accreditation will be required.

Tweet