Charles (Chuckie) Russell a reputed soldier in the Chicago mafia was captured on undercover recordings bragging about a plan to rob an elderly suburban lawyer according to prosecutors.
The 67-year-old wiseguy was formerly arrested on gun charges after he allegedly showed up to purchase eight guns from an undercover federal agent at a South Loop deli according to Chicago tribune report. Russel is an alleged member of the infamous Grand Avenue crew of the Chicago Outfit currently led by his brother-n-law Albert Vena who also serves as Cosa Nostra families street boss. The widely feared mafia crew has been led in past by mafia heavyweights such as Joey (The Clown) Lombardo but has fallen on hard times of late losing multiple members in recent cases.
“Charles (Chuckie) Russell”
According to the report, a confidential informant tipped off the A.T.F. about Russell bragging that he was a high-ranking member of the Chicago mob. He told the informant during a meeting at a coffeehouse that he was the leader of a prolific burglary gang called the “Bishop boys” that was responsible for lots of burglaries and home invasions. In December the informant set up a meeting with Russell and an undercover agent who secretly recorded Russell talking about his plans for the upcoming robbery of the lawyer. He believed that there could have been as much as $750,000 in cash in the lawyers home safe and that he had been casing the house for years along with an ex-girl who was on the inside and knew the location of the safe and other valuables.
In court filing, Russell was quoted as telling the informant “Nothing gets my juices flowing like putting a gun to someone’s head, taking their stuff, and making it mine, It will be a great Christmas, I’m telling you.” He also was quoted as telling the informant and undercover during their meeting “If he doesn’t open it, we’re gonna make him open it,” Russell said, according to the complaint. “They always open for me, believe me. I bring my butane torch, put it on the bottom of their feet, they open it.” Russell wanted the two men to help with the robbery telling them his crew would be equipped with the proper tools to avoid detection including police scanners.
Russell then talked to the undercover agent about a plan to purchase firearms from him. A second meeting was set up between the three men at an Inn in Jefferson Park where the alleged mobster gave the agent a list of guns he was looking for that included AK-47’s and Uzi’s. He also handed the agent a driver’s license of a man then showed him a cell phone photo of a bullet-riddled car which Russell said was “some decent work” of his saying the guy was “no longer with us.” He went on to say “All (expletive) blood and brain all over the (expletive) seat, Went right through his head and out that side. Take (the car) and drop it off in the black community, and someone else gets caught with it” according to the complaint. Chicago PD would later confirm the man depicted on the license was indeed killed in November.
The recording also captured Russell saying “The fun for me is the score, That’s how I get my adrenaline. … You know how long it takes to come to down for me? I counted money one night for so long my hands were filthy.” He has a long criminal past including an aggravated criminal sexual assault conviction back in 1992 that landed him a 35-year prison sentence. He beat an attempted murder charge in that same case and was let out on parole back in 2011. Russell’s arrest is the latest blow to the mafia crew but may not be the last as rumors continue to swirl about potential indictments which may involve Vena who has been in the feds crosshairs for some time now.
They just keep creeping closer and closer to Vena. Wouldn’t be shocked if they have him indicted by the end of the year. Don’t think he has to worry about Chuckie ratting him out but the feds seem to be oh so close already with informants here and there around that crew and the outfit in general. This guy is def no cupcake and I am sure the feds are glad to have him off the streets again but no doubt Vena is their big fish of late.
No, definitely no cupcake! Lol. Nothing gets his juices flowing like putting a gun to somebody ‘s head and making their stuff his! One of the best lines I’ve ever heard! What a character. Holy shit! Smh. I don’t think anybody has to worry him flipping.
Some of these are definitely characters to say the least.
This is a made guy and he’s talking about burglaries? I thought that was associate-level stuff. And I can’t believe these people are still being busted by undercovers. This recent bust definitely makes the Chicago Outfit look small time. Also, it seems like Chuckie admitted to killing a guy just last month. Will he now be facing murder charges?
Would imagine if they can find any more evidence linking him to that murder he probably will be charged with that too although I am sure his lawyers will likely use the old he was just blabbing to up his street cred defense and he didn’t “really” do it, so feds will prob need some added evidence. Was def not a smart move talking about anything like that with a new face around and def doesn’t look good on the outfit or the grand ave crew, can’t imagine the higher ups are very happy with Chuckie about now.
I agree. Why is a 69 year old high ranking member still doing home invasions? Maybe because he truly does love the thrill, a true criminal. Or maybe, he’s not as big as he says, but rather using brother in law to his advantage. Sounds like the latter. Seemed to be constantly talking about how badass he was to this undercover. Sounds pathetic. I can’t imagine tony accardo would ever be in this position, or his closest allies. Dumbing down of America. Even the mafia isn’t immune. Lately I feel like I’m watching idiocracy mafia version. Some of these modern guys have the iq of a common house plant.
I’m starting to think the outfit is more of a street gang these days. Even Verna as street boss, he doesn’t seem very bright.
They have definitely downsized from the good old days but this latest administration seems to have them back on at least a slight upswing and I think Vena is more capable then he seems but his crew and the guys that insulate him have def taken some hits of late.
This is definitely not the same Chicago Outfit that I read about in that book by Gus Russo.
the la cosa nostra used to be full of the cream of the crop, the wiseguys with intelligence. it is not surprise after the last 20 yrs the iq has dropped. but i honestly believe some of the most powerful families in usa has some smart wiseguys at the top, frank cali of gambinos is an example. as of chicago this will be a lesson learned for vena.
As I’ve stated before, Bellomo, Cali, and Crea are clearly old school. Smart, low key, insulated nicely. But I’m amazed at how many absolute morons get made these days.
Their farm system has dried up! Guys nowadays chase broads, play Nintendo and jump over dollars to make quarters..
Bellomo and crea were surrounded by powerful and talented criminals… Cali amazingly was post gotti… But he had the connection to Sicily.. And I’m sure he’s going to use this connection like an American corporation… Outsource! Is it too late? We’ll see…
True. The Gambinos upper echelon is mostly Sicilian. And yes, deep Sicilian mafia ties.
bellomo and crea have done wonderful jobs thus far. I also think the genovese in particular vet members very well, thus few rats. They’ve maintained their ranks over the years because of few informants, hell even the Feds don’t know whose in charge for sure. Thus, they’ve never had to replenish with lesser quality. The others have, especially Bonanno’s. Seems they’ll let anyone become made.
Chuckie Russell is an associate, not a made member from my sources. Yes, it seems like he loves the thrill of doing burglaries and torturing/ killing people. The Chicago outfit members and associates have dwindled as of late, what with all the arrests and deaths but they still do a steady business. The bosses must have thought Vena is a supremely street smart guy or he wouldn’t have been promoted to such a high rank last year.
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