Mob enforcer Mario Rainone faces at least 15 years behind bars after a federal jury Wednesday found him guilty on a gun charge, the Sun-Times is reporting.
The 60-year-old faces a potential life term for what otherwise might have been a relatively minor gun conviction because of his lengthy rap sheet, which earned him Armed Career Criminal status.
Jurors took just two hours to reject Rainone's claims that the stolen .357 Smith & Wesson revolver police found in a nightstand in his Addison home back in February 2009 wasn't his.
Rainone — who served 15 years for a 1991 extortion conviction; allegedly threatened to decapitate a restaurateur's children; and spent time in the federal witness protection program — showed no emotion as Judge Harry Leinenweber announced the verdict Wednesday afternoon.
His attorney, Joe "The Shark" Lopez, unsuccessfully tried to convince jurors that the gun might have been placed in the bedroom by someone else.
Following the verdict, he added that the "feds have a 98 percent conviction rate because federal rules guarantee it."
Rainone is due to be sentenced June 5. He faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:37 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:37:06 GMT
On Friday, the current Chicago Teacher's Union President Karen Lewis announced that she has been re-elected and says she won with 80 percent of the vote.
On Friday, the current Chicago Teacher's Union President Karen Lewis announced that she has been re-elected and says she won with 80 percent of the vote.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:20 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:20:58 GMT
A man who tried to rob three women with a knife in the River North area Thursday night was apprehended by police who spotted him downtown soon after the crimes.
A man who tried to rob three women with a knife in the River North area Thursday night was apprehended by police who spotted him downtown soon after the crimes.
Friday, May 17 2013 2:59 PM EDT2013-05-17 18:59:20 GMT
A 15-year-old boy was killed in a shooting Thursday night in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, authorities said. The shooting happened about 9 p.m. in the 8600 block of South Ashland Avenue, according to
A 15-year-old boy was killed in a shooting Thursday night in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, authorities said.
Friday, May 17 2013 2:44 PM EDT2013-05-17 18:44:24 GMT
Police in northwest suburban Park Ridge say a 63-year-old Chicago man conducted a fictitious business that defrauded people in at least four states and they are now looking for additional victims.
Police in northwest suburban Park Ridge say a 63-year-old Chicago man conducted a fictitious business that defrauded people in at least four states and they are now looking for additional victims.
Friday, May 17 2013 12:51 PM EDT2013-05-17 16:51:42 GMT
Police are warning businesses in the River North area of a spate of burglaries, mainly at night, over the past couple weeks, including one night this week when businesses were targeted.
Police are warning businesses in the River North area of a spate of burglaries, mainly at night, over the past couple weeks, including one night this week when businesses were targeted.
