'Hoax' bomb shakes Family Secrets trial
Device at home of defendant's son
By Jeff Coen
Tribune staff reporter
Published June 20, 2007
A fake explosive device was found outside a suburban home owned by a son of a defendant in the Family Secrets mob conspiracy trial hours after jury selection began Tuesday, prompting a federal investigation, authorities said.
Investigators said a "hoax device" was left on the back porch of a house in Kenilworth and discovered about 1 p.m. A defense lawyer in the case, Joseph Lopez, said the object was found at the home of a son of his client, reputed mob boss Frank Calabrese Sr., on trial for racketeering conspiracy in connection with long-unsolved mob murders.
Public records show the home belongs to one of Calabrese's sons, Kurt, but not the son who is expected to take the witness stand for the government. The son who recorded conversations with his father and is expected to take the witness stand is Frank Calabrese Jr.
In addition, Nicholas Calabrese, Frank Sr.'s brother, is expected to be the government's star witness, naming his own brother in many of the murders.
Kurt Calabrese was sentenced to 2 years in prison in 1997 for helping conceal hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits in connection with his father's loan-sharking activities.
Investigators said the device was not a working explosive. It was too early to know whether it was a prank or some kind of message, but authorities are concerned because of its timing as jury selection began in the trial.
The events followed U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel's decision to keep the identity of the jury anonymous as a safeguard.
Lopez said he was concerned that opening statements, which could begin as soon as Thursday, might have to be delayed.
"It's shocking, and it shouldn't have happened," Lopez said. "My client loves his children."
As jury selection began Tuesday in the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, Frank Calabrese Sr. sat in a powder-blue sport coat talking to Lopez. It marked the first time that the five men facing trial—Calabrese, Joey "the Clown" Lombardo, James Marcello, Paul Schiro and Anthony Doyle—have been in the same courtroom.
They are accused in a sweeping Outfit conspiracy blamed for 18 decades-old gangland killings.
With Zagel handling the questioning, jury selection moved swiftly Tuesday. By the end of the first day, eight people were selected to sit in the trial, which is expected to last at least two months. Eighteen others were interviewed and could be still be picked, lawyers in the case said.
With black-and-white portraits of judges staring down from the walls of the ceremonial courtroom, prospective jurors were questioned about whether they could be fair in a case involving the shadowy work of the Chicago Outfit. Lombardo, in a gray jacket and loose tie, flipped through questionnaires that prospective jurors had filled out before the trial.
Given the anonymity of the jury, Zagel questioned candidates by number only, asking them about their jobs and whether they could be fair. All those questioned Tuesday said they could be impartial. They were warned the trial will feature much evidence on Outfit staples such as gambling and pornography. Lawyers were expected to continue making selections Wednesday for a final panel of 18, six of whom will be alternates.
jcoen@tribune.com
