Deputy marshal charged with aiding mob

John Thomas Ambrose, 38, a federal deputy marshal, was charged Thursday with providing Chicago's organized crime family information on a government informant, according to an AP story published by MSNBC.

Prosecutors say Ambrose offered to swap information about informant Nicholas Calabrese's travel plans in exchange for the location of reputed Outfit bigshot Joseph Lombardo. The deputy marshal allegedly provided information to an associate of reputed mobster John DiFronzo. At the time Lombardo was a fugitive from justice.

Ambrose's defense attorney said his client is "not connected to the mob at all." He said the federal case is based on a Sept. 6 interview with Ambrose that was mischaracterized by an FBI agent.

Ambrose has been on leave from his duties since September. He faces a possible penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

Calabrese and Lombardo are among 15 defendants charged in a sweeping racketeering indictment in Chicago known as "Operation Family Secrets." In 2005, Calabrese provided federal investigators with details relating to the killing of brothers Anthony and Michael Spilotro. Anthony Spilotro was the Outfit's agent in Las Vegas before making too many enemies back home. The Spilotro murders, the historical basis for the movie Casino, are part of the Family Secrets case.


Related MobNews post:

• Chicago commission papers subpoenaed 01-10-07

See also:

• Chicago's Man in Vegas: Anthony Spilotro


• Operation Family Secrets indictments