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Ex-cop testifies against alleged Cicero mobsterMarch 22, 2002 BY STEVE WARMBIR FEDERAL COURTS REPORTER Former Berwyn police officer Peter Volpe took the stand Thursday against his cousin and patron, alleged Cicero mob boss Michael Spano Sr., to tell jurors how Spano called the shots in a kickback scheme involving a Cicero town contract to check up on police officers. Volpe testified as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. But despite giving damning testimony against two alleged mobsters, sitting feet away in the federal courtroom, he appeared calm on the witness stand, almost bored, as he relayed in a monotone how the scheme started in 1995. Volpe allegedly acted as a front for Spano, who had a hidden share of a private detective agency called Hargraves Secret Services Ltd. The firm got a contract with the town of Cicero to check on whether three officers were living in town as required. The job cost Cicero about $75,000, or $25,000 per officer, as prosecutors have noted. Prosecutors allege former Police Chief Emil Schullo got kickbacks for steering the contract to Spano's firm. And the bills were inflated to jack up profits, authorities say. Also on trial is convicted loan shark James Inendino, who was getting a cut as well for helping put the deal together. Volpe related how he had to get Spano's approval on major decisions. Volpe told jurors he needed Spano's OK to cut checks to the private investigator involved in the scheme, Sam Rovetuso, who was checking up on the officers. Rovetuso was actually cooperating with the government, all the while, secretly recording hours of conversations. When Volpe came up with invoices for work the private detective firm did on the Cicero job, he didn't deliver them to the town but handed them to Spano, who allegedly passed them on to the chief. And when Volpe got paid by the city, he didn't pick up the checks from town hall, but from Spano, who allegedly received them from Schullo. Defense attorneys said Volpe made some decisions and based what he knew about the kickbacks on what Spano told him, rather than having firsthand information. Prosecutors will wrap up their case today, and closing arguments are expected Monday before U.S. District Judge Ruben Castillo. |
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