Chicago mob’s ‘Large Guy’ guilty of bombing

A mob boss nicknamed The Large Guy has been convicted of bombing a rival video gaming firm in Chicago.

Michael Sarno, 52 — who weighs 21st — ordered the attack by members of his gang. He and four others, also found guilty of racketeering, will not be sentenced until May 23. All but one of the gang will be held in custody until then.

Prosecutors said Sarno ordered two of the four — jeweller Mark Polchan and motorcycle gang member Samuel Volpendesto, the former owner of a Cicero strip club — to bomb the Berwyn offices of C&S Coin Operated Amusement in February 2003.

The bombing, which destroyed the offices, was meant as a message to the company to stop pushgin in on a profitable mob business in Chicago's western suburbs, the court heard.

Prosecutors also said Sarno's gang was responsible for burglaries and thefts, including the armed robbery of a jewellery store that netted nearly $650,000 worth of valuables.

The Chicago mob focuses on running illegal video gaming, with approximately 25,000 machines in bars and restaurants, generating millions of dollars in revenue.