The investigation led to indictments of 14 defendants who were affiliated with the Chicago Outfit, which has been one of the most prolific organized crime enterprises in the United States.
All of the murders and the other crimes charged to the defendants were allegedly committed to further the Outfit's illegal activities, such as loansharking and bookmaking, and protecting the enterprise from law enforcement.
In the letter, Frank Jr. requested a face-to-face meeting in which he planned to give the FBI information about his father's crimes, business activities of the Chicago Outfit street crews, and the murder of John Fecarotta:[5] "This is no game.
He wore a pair of headphones around his neck fit by the FBI with a hidden microphone to record conversations between the father and son.
It was not difficult for Frank Jr. to direct his conversations in the prison courtyard and recreational facilities with his father toward information that would benefit the FBI's rapidly assembling investigation.
[1] For Calabrese Sr., James Marcello, Joseph "The Clown" Lombardo, Paul "The Indian" Schiro, and Anthony "Twan" Doyle, who were the five main defendants, the trial ended on August 30.
Judge Zagel agreed with federal prosecutor Markus Funk presentation that Marcello was also responsible for the D'Andrea murder as well, even though the jury had deadlocked on that count.
[13][14][15] On January 28, 2009, Judge Zagel sentenced Frank Calabrese, then 71, to life in prison for his crimes, calling the acts he had committed "unspeakable".
"[18] Zagel expressed doubts Calabrese will ever truly be a free man again, telling him, "The organization whose existence you testified to will not forgive or relent in their pursuit of you.