A judge ordered Friday that alleged mob boss Gus Alex be examined by a court-appointed doctor to determine if he is mentally fit to stand trial on federal charges of racketeering and extortion.
Defense attorneys claim Alex, 76, who reportedly has Alzheimer`s disease, cannot understand the proceedings against him, nor can he assist properly in his legal defense.
Alex and Leonard Patrick, two reputed longtime Chicago mob officials, were indicted last December on charges that they ordered business owners threatened and beaten in order to extort hundreds of thousands of dollars.
According to prosecutors, Alex, an alleged associate of reputed Chicago mob boss Anthony Accardo, approved the extortion schemes while Patrick directed the activities of his enforcers.
Patrick, 78, pleaded guilty this week to racketeering charges and agreed to testify against Alex.
The government believes Alex is fit to stand trial, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Chris Gair. Alex is confined to home detention in his Lake Shore Drive condominium pending his trial.
U.S. District Judge James Alesia ordered that Alex be examined Monday by Dr. Richard Rovner, a neurologist. Rovner is to report whether Alex is suffering from a mental disease or defect that would make him mentally incompetent to stand trial. The competency hearing will be April 27.
