Reputed Chicago mobster Frank 'the German' Schweihs dies
Frank "the German" Schweihs, a reputed Chicago Outfit enforcer once described as one of the most feared men in the city, died Wednesday in a North Side hospital after being transferred from the Metropolitan Correction Center, where he was awaiting trial.
Schweihs, 78, was cancer-stricken and too ill to face charges in last year's landmark Family Secrets case, one of the biggest mob trials in Chicago's history. The frail Schweihs was scheduled to go to trial Oct. 28. He appeared at recent hearings in federal court in a wheelchair.
On Wednesday, Schweihs died in Thorek Memorial Hospital, said jail spokesman Vincent Shaw.
Schweihs initially went on the lam after the sweeping indictment came down in 2005, but authorities were able to track him down in an apartment complex in a small town in Kentucky late that year.
Like this story? Get daily updates and alerts of big news events. Enter your e-mail address:
Print
E-mail
Comments
Post new comment
Top Chicago Stories Today
Recent Red Eye Comments
Latest Red Eye Blog Updates
Promote your Chicago web site
Promote your Chicago web site by using the Windy Citizen button, a simple and easy way to encourage your readers to vote up your stories.
"I'm a bit disappointed the man isn't Mike Tyson. ..."
on Man accused of biting off ...