At the racketeering trial yesterday of reputed Chicago Outfit capo Michael Sarno -- accused with several others of involvement in a gambling and burglary ring -- James Formato "said he frequently worked a bizarre double-shift as a cop and criminal from 2002 to 2004" as reported by Andy Grimm for the Chicago Tribune: "Formato became a valuable resource for the gang, frequently accting as a lookout -- at times even while on duty -- for robbers and burglaries and feeding information to the crew. But after federal investigators confronted him, Formato quit the police force in 2004 and began informing on the crew." Last April Formato pleaded guilty to federal racketeering and obstruction of justice charges for his role. It's a cliche because it's true: organized crime cannot exist without public corruption.
