Chicago's Handgun Ban and RICO

As Friday's council session began, [Mayor] Byrne feared the vote was too close to call. There was extensive backroom debate to determine if the matter should be brought up. But, Byrne allies, primarily Alderman Fred Roti (1st), Edward Burke (14th) and Wilson Frost (34th), moved through the council chambers, persuading wavering aldermen to back the mayor's proposals.

Still, some of Byrne's staunchest allies, including Alderman Robert Shaw (9th) and Richard Mell (33rd), deserted ranks and voted against the ordinance. Streets and Sanitation Commissioner John Donovan made a last-minute deal with at least three aldermen who threatened to walk out of the meeting to avoid voting for the proposal. Donovan promised to improve city services in their wards.

Roti has placed nearly as many city employees on the payroll as the city personnel department, and many of them are his own family members. This is not a new trend under [Mayor] Byrne, however. Under former Mayors Richard Daley and Michael Bilandic, members of the Roti clan have always had spectacular success gaining public employment. Last fall it was disclosed that Roti family payrollers include his daughter, Rosemary, a press aide to Mayor Byrne at $25,992 a year; and Rosemary's husband, Ronald Marasso, who had been promoted from city painter to $34,000 a year general manager of maintenance at O'Hare International Airport. Fourteen other Roti clan members were on various other city payrolls. Because of his ward number, Roti's name is always called first during council roll calls, and he revels in that privilege. His initial response gives other administration aldermen their cue as to what Roti and, therefore, the mayor wants. It's often said that roll calls could stop after Roti votes-the outcome is already known. Roti, an affable fellow, controls the Chicago City Council with an iron fist.

Fred Roti was convicted of RICO conspiracy, bribery and extortion regarding the fixing of criminal cases in the Circuit Court of Cook County, including murder cases involving organized crime members or associates and was sentenced to 48 months' imprisonment. Roti was released from prison in 1997. As First Ward alderman, Roti was a key political patronage boss and, along with his co-defendant Pat Marcy, a fixer for the Chicago Outfit. Roti has directly participated in interfering with the rights of the members of LIUNA [Labors' International Union of North America] in the selection of their officers and officials in that he has improperly influenced the selection of officers of the CLDC [Chicago Laborers District Council] and has been responsible for the pervasive hiring of LaPietra crew members and associates at the Chicago streets and sanitation department. Roti is a made member of the Chicago Outfit.

"Hanhardt's organization surpasses in duration and sophistication -just about any other jewelry theft ring we've seen in federal law enforcement," said Mr. Lassar. "The defendants would determine the most opportune time to steal jewelry from places such as cars and hotel rooms by surveilling traveling salesmen and by keeping detailed records analyzing their routines, all with the purpose of providing income to themselves from the stolen property," he added.

WHEREAS, Fred B. Roti, a committed public servant, a cherished friend of many and good neighbor to all, will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his many family members, friends and associates....

Eighteen previously unsolved murders and one attempted murder - all between 1970 and 1986 in the Chicago area, except one slaying in Arizona - form the core of a racketeering conspiracy indictment spanning four decades that was unsealed today against 14 defendants. After a lengthy FBI-led investigation code-named Operation Family Secrets, FBI and IRS agents began arresting the defendants this morning in Illinois, Arizona and Florida.