Operation Family Secrets: Understanding the Anatomy of USA's Most Extensive Mob Murder Case

Markus Funk (DPhil in Law; former Lecturer at St. Catherine’s College) will discuss his role prosecuting “Operation Family Secrets,” which the FBI describes as the most extensive mob-murder case in the United States and which National Public Radio has characterized as “one of the most important criminal cases in US history.”  

The 3-month, 130 witness trial - which involved more than 30 murders, including those featured in Martin Scorsese movie “Casino” (starring actors Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci) - has been the subject of five books and numerous television specials.  Among other things, the case involved mafia murderer Frank “The Breeze” Calabrese making a well-publicized in-court death threat against Funk.  The aftermath of the landmark case saw the conviction of prominent US Marshall John Ambrose for leaking information to the mob, an unfortunate first for the US Marshall’s Service and the US Federal Witness Protection Program.  

Markus will discuss his role in the case, as well as the legal, strategic, and psychological challenges involved in indicting, and then taking to trial, this high-profile case.