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Mobster Tossed into Solitary Calabrese held in isolation after alleged threats to prosecutor

By  MATT BARTOSIK

Updated 2:08 PM CDT, Wed, Dec 3, 2008

Related Topics: Frank Calabrese Sr.

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Frank Calabrese Sr., (pictured here in 1983) is still connected to the Chicago Outfit, according to the FBI, which is trying to limit his ability to communicate with the world outside of prison.

 

Convicted mob criminal Frank Calabrese Sr. may be over 70 years old, but the FBI still considers him such a threat, they have placed him under a very strict lockdown.

Since his conviction in last year's "Family Secrets" trial, Calabrese has been part of the general inmate population at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. But just last month, the FBI used "special administrative measures" to cut him off from the outside world. In fact, the isolation measures are so tough, they are usually reserved for terrorism cases.

Calabrese has been cut off from fellow prisoners and can only be visited by three immediate family members. The FBI can now also bug his cell and listen in on all conversations with family and attorneys. His access to mail, media, and religious services are all heavily restricted.

The reputed Chicago mobster's defense attorney, Joseph Lopez, had to sign a form swearing he would not pass on any communications.

"If he has hemorrhoids, I can't tell his wife," Lopez remarked to the Sun-Times.

Federal agents believe Calabrese is still running "the business" from behind bars. Sources say the feds have new information that the influential mobster was recently overheard talking of threats against prosecutor Marcus Funk, whom he had threatened once before in open court. Because he has a habit of speaking in code, the extreme security measures are an attempt to stop Calabrese from communicating any orders to hitmen on the outside.

He is scheduled to be sentenced December 11, but due to recent developments, this could be delayed. He faces life behind bars.

Copyright NBC Local Media / NBC Chicago

Comments (7)

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  • Troccoli Sunday, Dec 21 at 1:03 PM FLAG COMMENT Hey..... Why don't ALL of you guys who continue to post nasty things, put yourself in his shoes!!!!!!!!!! Frank Sr. did what he had to to survive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I bet that if you were placed into certain situations like he was, things wouldn't be SO different now would they????????????? Get a real life, and let him do his time in PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Pat Wednesday, Dec 3 at 1:09 PM FLAG COMMENT Calabrese Sr. is a cowardly punk who has threatened an AUSA on record. And Lopez is a hack, who dresses like a cliche. If anything bad happens to ANY of the federal prosecutors, it would just be further proof of how stupid these crooks are.
  • Capellini Wednesday, Dec 3 at 1:08 PM FLAG COMMENT spitano, it's fugghedabutit!
  • annonomous Wednesday, Dec 3 at 11:06 AM FLAG COMMENT It appears that the picture is indeed that of Frank Calebrese jr. Perhaps whoever should make sure they post the proper picture!
  • Queen Wednesday, Dec 3 at 11:05 AM FLAG COMMENT So what,put him on lockdown!!!! If the law condemned these useless individuals and gave them the chair instead of prison or jail time, we would find less and less of these individuals so ready to commit a crime against humanity!!!!!!

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