Prosecutors: Wiretaps show mobster still dangerous

[July 28, 2009]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Even at age 85, reputed mobster Sam Volpendesto clearly has a soft spot for the days when Al Capone was boss in Chicago's ruthless mob scene. In wiretap recordings released by federal prosecutors Monday, he seems to delight in telling how he lived among "very dangerous people" and watched one mobster put a human body through a meat grinder.

Prosecutors argued that Volpendesto is still a dangerous man, and only six years ago set off a pipe bomb that demolished a video poker company in Chicago's suburban Berwyn. No one was injured, but prosecutors said it was a warning to stay away from the mob's gambling monopoly in the area.

The recordings made by a confidential informant in May 2005 are part of a sweeping federal racketeering case. Volpendesto, diminutive and white bearded, is among seven men accused of plotting to carry out burglaries, robberies, arsons and other crimes dating back to 2001.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Sidney Schenkier seemed to agree with prosecutors and on Monday denied bail for Volpendesto, who has pleaded not guilty to racketeering and other charges. He has sought bail several times since his arrest last summer.

In 80 pages of recording transcript, Volpendesto speaks of knowing mob boss Sam Giancana and sadistic loan shark Sam DeStefano. Sometimes known as "Mad Sam," DeStefano was one of the most feared men in the "underworld" of organized crime until he was fatally shot in 1973.

Volpendesto is recorded as he tells the informant of visiting DeStefano in his basement.

"Come on down, Goomba," Volpendesto quotes DeStefano as saying before finding the mobster grinding up a human body.

"Oh, he was totally insane," Volpendesto tells the informant, adding during another recording: "The guys that I knew then were like this with Al and with all the guys, the old timers."

Volpendesto's attorney, Nathan Diamond-Falk, did not immediately return a message left with his office's answering service for comment about the recordings.

In other tapes, Volpendesto seems to reminisce about the old days.

"There was a whole bunch of guys who were very dangerous people," he said in the recordings.

"But they aimed it in the right direction," he added. "Like they used to say in the old days, 'Make sure you get the right guy.'"

He speaks fondly of John "Johnny Apes" Monteleone, the one-time boss of the Chicago mob's 26th Street crew. He claims he used to hang out at a service station that was a gathering place for Monteleone, Giancana and other mobsters.

Although he didn't directly for Capone, Volpendesto said, he knew people who were close to him. He suggests to the informant that they pay tribute to the mob boss.

"Let's see Al. You wanna go see Al's grave?" he asked in the recordings.

Volpendesto was being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago. His next court date is Aug. 5, though his trial has not been scheduled.

[Associated Press; By MIKE ROBINSON]

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