Mob Informant Pleads Guilty

The star witness in the government's case against a dozen alleged chicago mob figures pleaded guilty to taking part in a conspiracy that included 18 murders. James Marcello and Joseph Lombardo are both reputed to be major mob bosses in the Chicago area. They are among the 12 defendants. They, of course, have pleaded not guilty and are being held in custody pending trial. The star witness is being kept under heavy security and admitted that he took part in planning and carrying out 14 of the murders. He expected to be the key witness against his brother and other major mob figures charged in the government's Operation Family Secrets investigation. This investigation was aimed at clearing up old, unsolved gangland killings and bringing down chicago's organized crime family.