F. Schweihs, reputed mobster

FRANK SCHWEIHS

CHICAGO - Frank "The German" Schweihs, reputedly one of Chicago's most feared mob enforcers, has died while awaiting trial on charges he took part in a conspiracy that included numerous organized crime killings. He was 78.

Mr. Schweihs, who had cancer, died Wednesday after he was taken to Thorek Memorial Hospital, authorities said. He was in federal custody for more than two years.

Prosecutors said Mr. Schweihs was responsible for killing two people: a Phoenix man who mobsters deemed a potential witness, and a suburban Chicago businessman who had evidence that might have sent a mobster to prison.

A witness testified that Mr. Schweihs came up with the idea of using a submachine gun to kill Tony "The Ant" Spilotro, the Chicago mob's longtime man in Las Vegas.

Federal law enforcement officials said that Mr. Schweihs specialized in beatings and murders and that they had hoped to put him in prison for life. His trial was scheduled to begin on Oct. 28.

Prosecutors had hoped to try Mr. Schweihs along with five others in a landmark mob conspiracy trial last fall, but he was deemed too ill to take part.