 | Charles “Chucky” Russell was an imposing figure when the member of the Outfit’s Grand Avenue crew was in his prime. But the fearsome 68-year-old convicted killer is now suffering from terminal prostate cancer and is wasting away. On Dec. 12, Russell was freed on $4,500 bond. His lawyer told the court that he’d live in a condo owned by his girlfriend, Patricia Spilotro. Sources say she’s a relative of Anthony and Michael Spilotro, the legendary Outfit members whose double murder in 1986 was featured in the film, “Casino.” Russell was convicted of murder in 1973 and criminal sexual assault in 1992. He faces federal gun charges after allegedly buying eight guns from an undercover agent. |  Anthony Spilotro |
 | Russell told an informant he planned to target the home of a 70-year-old lawyer who kept cash in a safe. Russell said he might put a blowtorch to the lawyer’s feet to force him to open the safe. But he worried the victim could have a heart attack and die. “Then we have a bad case” he said. He claimed over 400 robberies. The Outfit is still reeling from the FBI’s “Family Secrets” case that led to the conviction of some of its most powerful members, including Grand Avenue crew leader Joey “The Clown” Lombardo, in 2007. In 2014, two of Russell’s Outfit associates, Paul Koroluk and Robert Panozzo Sr., were charged with racketeering. |  |
