Michael Sarno
Encyclopedia
Michael Sarno is a Chicago mobster who has been identified as the alleged, current leader of the Grand Avenue
street crew, in the Chicago Outfit
criminal organization.
leaders Harry Aleman
and Rocco Infelice.
Sarno was identified in the indictment as being a mob money collector of extortion payments and juice loans and as the owner of a tavern in Cicero, Illinois
. During hearings on whether to give Sarno bond, he also was reported by federal investigators to have severely beaten a rival and acquaintance, Michael Giamarusti, whom Sarno had caught sleeping in Sarno's fiancee's apartment, in May 1989. An FBI
agent testified that Giamarusti had required several stitches and dental work after Sarno beat him.
On February 15, 1990, Sarno was ordered held without bond. On May 15, 1990, however, Sarno was one of four defendants in the trial who was permitted by then-United States District Judge Ann Claire Williams
to go free on bond. In January 1992, Sarno was convicted on charges of racketeering and running an illegal gambling operation, and on August 18, 1993, Sarno was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for those crimes.
On January 22, 1993, Sarno was one of seven individuals indicted by federal officials in a separate indictment on additional extortion charges. Sarno was permitted to remain free pending a $100,000 cash and real estate bond posted in May 1990. Sarno was convicted of those charges and in 1996 was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison—18 months of which were to be served concurrently with his earlier sentence.
Sarno was released from federal prison on October 20, 1999.
to be the leader of a mob street crew once led by Frank Calabrese, Sr.
, an assertion that Sarno's attorney deemed "a joke." In September 2007, after the convictions of a slew of Chicago-area mobsters in the Family Secrets trial, Sarno was identified by law enforcement sources in the Chicago Sun-Times
as being a powerful reputed mobster in the Chicago Outfit, along with Joseph Andriacchi
, Al Tornabene
, Frank "Toots" Caruso, Marco D'Amico
and John DiFronzo
.
was among the locations raided by federal agents investigating a February 23, 2003 pipe-bombing incident outside of a Berwyn, Illinois
video and vending machine business. Sources told the Chicago Tribune
that Sarno was the target of the search, and that a large amount of cash was recovered during the search. Sarno was referred to in the indictment of two men, Samuel Volpendesto and Mark Polchan, in connection with the crime as "Outfit Member A." Sarno also was referred to by Volpendesto on undercover tapes that federal investigators had made as "the Large Guy" -- a reference to Sarno's large size.
In September 2008, Chicago Sun-Times
federal courts reporter Steve Warmbir wrote that "this (investigation) appears to be possibly be building toward a reputed high-level mobster, Mike Sarno."
On May 28, 2009, Sarno was indicted by the federal government and accused of leading an illegal gambling ring and playing a key role in the 2003 pipe-bombing incident. Six others, including 85-year-old Volpendesto, also were charged with racketeering conspiracy. The ring was alleged to have pulled off jewelry heists, stolen cars, committed arson, intimidated witnesses, and bombed a competitor's video poker business. Sarno allegedly oversaw nine robberies and thefts that yielded more than $1.8 million. In addition to Volpendesto and Polchan, the others charged were Dino Vitalo, a Cicero, Illinois police officer who was alleged to have tipped the group off to police activity; James Formato, a former Berwyn, Illinois police officer, Mark Hay, and Volpendesto's 46-year-old son, Anthony Volpendesto.
Federal investigators have referred to Sarno as "Outfit Member A" in court filings related to the pipe bombing. He also has been referred to as "Big Mike," "Large" and "The Large Guy."
On December 22, 2010, Sarno was convicted on racketeering charges related to his running the illegal gambling ring and playing a role in the 2003 pipe bombing. Sarno is scheduled to be sentenced in November 2011.
Grand Avenue (Chicago)
Grand Avenue is a major east-west arterial surface street in the city of Chicago and nearby DuPage County, although it deviates somewhat from Chicago's grid system, as it is diagonal west of Western Avenue. The street runs from the Kingery Highway Grand Avenue is a major east-west arterial surface...
street crew, in the Chicago Outfit
Chicago Outfit
The Chicago Outfit, also known as the Chicago Syndicate or Chicago Mob and sometimes shortened to simply the Outfit, is a crime syndicate based in Chicago, Illinois, USA...
criminal organization.
Indictments and imprisonment
On February 7, 1990, Sarno was one of 20 Chicago mobsters named in a 42-count indictment alleging racketeering. Sarno was jailed immediately but in an unusual move, was furloughed for several hours the following weekend in order to get married. Among the other defendants charged with various crimes in the same indictment were Chicago OutfitChicago Outfit
The Chicago Outfit, also known as the Chicago Syndicate or Chicago Mob and sometimes shortened to simply the Outfit, is a crime syndicate based in Chicago, Illinois, USA...
leaders Harry Aleman
Harry Aleman
Harry "The Hook" Aleman was a Chicago mobster who was one of most feared enforcers for the Chicago Outfit during the 1970s. Aleman got the nickname "Hook" from his boxing career in high school.-Early life:...
and Rocco Infelice.
Sarno was identified in the indictment as being a mob money collector of extortion payments and juice loans and as the owner of a tavern in Cicero, Illinois
Cicero, Illinois
Cicero is an incorporated town in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 83,891 at the 2010 census. Cicero is named for the town of Cicero, New York, which in turn was named for Marcus Tullius Cicero, the Roman statesman and orator....
. During hearings on whether to give Sarno bond, he also was reported by federal investigators to have severely beaten a rival and acquaintance, Michael Giamarusti, whom Sarno had caught sleeping in Sarno's fiancee's apartment, in May 1989. An FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
agent testified that Giamarusti had required several stitches and dental work after Sarno beat him.
On February 15, 1990, Sarno was ordered held without bond. On May 15, 1990, however, Sarno was one of four defendants in the trial who was permitted by then-United States District Judge Ann Claire Williams
Ann Claire Williams
Ann Claire Williams is a United States Circuit Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.- Early life and education :Born in Detroit, Williams earned a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University in 1970...
to go free on bond. In January 1992, Sarno was convicted on charges of racketeering and running an illegal gambling operation, and on August 18, 1993, Sarno was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for those crimes.
On January 22, 1993, Sarno was one of seven individuals indicted by federal officials in a separate indictment on additional extortion charges. Sarno was permitted to remain free pending a $100,000 cash and real estate bond posted in May 1990. Sarno was convicted of those charges and in 1996 was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison—18 months of which were to be served concurrently with his earlier sentence.
Sarno was released from federal prison on October 20, 1999.
After prison
In September 2004, Sarno was reported in the Chicago Sun-TimesChicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
to be the leader of a mob street crew once led by Frank Calabrese, Sr.
Frank Calabrese, Sr.
Frank Calabrese, Sr. , also known as "Frankie Breeze," is a made man and a caporegime who ran major loansharking and illegal gambling operations for the Chicago Outfit. He is best known as a central figure in Operation Family Secrets and the subsequent Federal trial.-Early life:Frank Calabrese, Sr...
, an assertion that Sarno's attorney deemed "a joke." In September 2007, after the convictions of a slew of Chicago-area mobsters in the Family Secrets trial, Sarno was identified by law enforcement sources in the Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
as being a powerful reputed mobster in the Chicago Outfit, along with Joseph Andriacchi
Joseph Andriacchi
Joseph "The Builder" Andriacchi has been reported by Chicago newspapers to be a high-ranking member of the Chicago Outfit criminal organization.-Chicago Outfit career:...
, Al Tornabene
Al Tornabene
Alfonso "Al the Pizza Man" Tornabene was a Chicago-area resident who was reported by several newspapers to have been a high-ranking member of the Chicago Outfit crime organization.- Career as a pizzeria owner :...
, Frank "Toots" Caruso, Marco D'Amico
Marco D'Amico
Marco D'Amico is a Chicago mobster and a high-ranking member of the Chicago Outfit crime organization. He admitted his role in the Chicago Outfit in federal court in 1995.- Chicago Outfit career :...
and John DiFronzo
John DiFronzo
John "No Nose, Bananas, Johnny Bananas" DiFronzo is a Chicago mobster and the reputed boss of the Chicago Outfit.A former enforcer and caporegime, DiFronzo was convicted along with then-current Chicago boss Samuel "Black Sam" Carlisi on federal racketeering charges in 1993, however, the conviction...
.
Berwyn, Illinois pipe bombing
In the summer of 2008, Sarno's house in Westchester, IllinoisWestchester, Illinois
Westchester is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is a western suburb of Chicago. The population was 16,824 at the 2000 census. The current Village President is Sam D...
was among the locations raided by federal agents investigating a February 23, 2003 pipe-bombing incident outside of a Berwyn, Illinois
Berwyn, Illinois
Berwyn is a city in Cook County, Illinois, co-existent with Berwyn Township, which was formed in 1908 after breaking off from Cicero Township. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 54,016.-Demographics:...
video and vending machine business. Sources told the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
that Sarno was the target of the search, and that a large amount of cash was recovered during the search. Sarno was referred to in the indictment of two men, Samuel Volpendesto and Mark Polchan, in connection with the crime as "Outfit Member A." Sarno also was referred to by Volpendesto on undercover tapes that federal investigators had made as "the Large Guy" -- a reference to Sarno's large size.
In September 2008, Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
federal courts reporter Steve Warmbir wrote that "this (investigation) appears to be possibly be building toward a reputed high-level mobster, Mike Sarno."
On May 28, 2009, Sarno was indicted by the federal government and accused of leading an illegal gambling ring and playing a key role in the 2003 pipe-bombing incident. Six others, including 85-year-old Volpendesto, also were charged with racketeering conspiracy. The ring was alleged to have pulled off jewelry heists, stolen cars, committed arson, intimidated witnesses, and bombed a competitor's video poker business. Sarno allegedly oversaw nine robberies and thefts that yielded more than $1.8 million. In addition to Volpendesto and Polchan, the others charged were Dino Vitalo, a Cicero, Illinois police officer who was alleged to have tipped the group off to police activity; James Formato, a former Berwyn, Illinois police officer, Mark Hay, and Volpendesto's 46-year-old son, Anthony Volpendesto.
Federal investigators have referred to Sarno as "Outfit Member A" in court filings related to the pipe bombing. He also has been referred to as "Big Mike," "Large" and "The Large Guy."
On December 22, 2010, Sarno was convicted on racketeering charges related to his running the illegal gambling ring and playing a role in the 2003 pipe bombing. Sarno is scheduled to be sentenced in November 2011.