Report:Protected mobster died in 2004

CHICAGO, June 8 (UPI) -- Ken Eto, a Chicago mob figure who later testified against the mob, had reportedly died in 2004 at age 84, while under a federal protection program.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Thursday the gambling kingpin, also called "Tokyo Joe," became a prosecution witness after surviving three gunshots to the head. The report said he spent his last days peacefully near Atlanta prior to his death on Jan. 23, 2004, following surgery.

The report said Eto had lived under the fake name of Joe Tanaka and a fake Social Security number. Until 1983, he had been a loyal mob member running gambling operations in Chicago's North Side, says the report.

But after his conviction on gambling charges, Eto reportedly was ordered killed by the mob, which became concerned Eto might cooperate with the federal agents.

But the killing was botched by two hit men, who were later found dead in a car trunk.

The Chicago Tribune quoted federal prosecutor Gary Shapiro, who once headed the Justice Department's Chicago Organized Crime Strike Force, as saying he knew of Eto's death, but he did not know when he had died.