Calabrese references 'Godfather' on stand
A combative Frank Calabrese Sr. continued his testimony on the stand Monday in the Family Secrets mob case, comparing his brother to "Fredo" of the "Godfather" movies.
"My brother (Nick Calabrese) was like Fredo in 'The Godfather.' If he wasn't running things and screwing them up, he wasn't happy," Calabrese Sr. said to his attorney, Joe Lopez.
That comparison will probably not be lost on prosecutors, who may point out that in "The Godfather," Fredo's brother was a mob boss, something Calabrese Sr. has steadfastly denied.
The comment came as the two were reviewing tapes Calabrese's son, Frank Calabrese Jr., had made of his father while both were in prison. Calabrese Sr. admitted in court that on the tapes, he was discussing with his son the murder of John Fecarotta by Nick Calabrese. But Calabrese Sr. maintained he wasn't involved in the killing, but that he heard about it afterward.
On the tape, Frank Calabrese Jr. often tells his father of comments Nick Calabrese allegedly made about him.
To one of the comments, Frank Sr. tells Frank Jr., "I'm glad that he said that, because it made me realize that kiss that he gave me for Christmas was a Judas kiss."
In fact it was. Nick Calabrese, confronted with DNA evidence linking him to the Fecarotta murder, turned on Frank Calabrese Sr. and testified for the feds.
Calabrese Sr. denied he committed murders and tried to explain away references he made to bodies being buried as just bluffing to try to appear to his son that he knew what others were up to.
"That's not true," said Calabrese Sr. "I told him (Calabrese Jr.) that to humor him.
At another point in court, Judge James Zagel chastised Calabrese Sr. after one exchange in which he answered a question even though there was an objection pending from prosecutors.
"Mr. Calabrese, you have to testify in accordance with the law," said Zagel after ordering the jury from the courtroom.
"Some of the things you think are relevant and true are neither relevant nor can they be proven in this court. If you violate this rule, if you speak after you hear an objection … then I will hold you in contempt of court."
The scolding took place after Calabrese Sr. tried to testify that his son and Nick Calabrese had conspired to steal from him $2 million as well as several antique cars.
While Frank Calabrese Jr. has already testified he stole cash from his father, he did not admit to the cars, and that testimony is not admissible.
Calabrese Sr.'s son and brother are the chief witnesses against him. Nick Calabrese testified Frank Sr. took part in more than a dozen murders. Frank Jr. wore a wire to record his father talking about those murders and the ritual by which he was inducted into the mob.
Frank Sr. complained to Zagel he was not being allowed to defend himself, but Zagel essentially told him he was using the same rules for both sides.
"There is a substantial amount … that the government would love to have admitted into evidence (that the court rejected)," he said. "You will not question my rulings in the presence of the jury."
Calabrese also frustrated the judge with frequent meanderings into family history and mob trivia not relevant to the case -- such as describing how his son was distraught in prison when he learned his wife was cheating on him -- prompting Zagel to shorten the "family saga" testimony.
He did sometimes stay on point, denying that he extorted money from a DuPage County auto dealer. He also denied ever running a bookmaking operation with Nick Ferriola, who has already pleaded guilty to such conduct. Calabrese Sr. has admitted to making illegal "juice" loans.
Prosecutors are expected to cross-examine Calabrese Sr. today.