Judge to sentence reputed mobster 'The Large Guy'

CHICAGO (AP) – A reputed mob boss known by his wide girth and reputation for violence is set to be sentenced in Chicago.

Michael "The Large Guy" Sarno could receive 25 years in prison during a hearing today.

A jury convicted the 52-year-old and four co-defendants in December of racketeering and other charges.

Government attorneys say Sarno and his crew wanted to send a message to C&S Coin Operated Amusements not to encroach on their video-poker turf in Chicago's South Side and suburbs.

To make his point, federal prosecutors say Sarno ordered the game distributor's Berwyn offices bombed in 2003.

Experts say Sarno's background as an enforcer wouldn't normally have translated into a top mob job. But with aging kingpins behind bars or dying, a weakened Outfit offered positions to men like Sarno.