Federal prosecutors say Miske killed himself in prison to prevent the government from seizing his $20 million estate. The trust’s lawyer is pushing back on that.

The convicted crime boss died of a fentanyl overdose in federal prison in December 2024, before he had been sentenced.

Recent court filings in the civil asset forfeiture case suggest that a criminal investigation may still be alive.

The convicted crime boss died in 2024 while awaiting sentencing. The nature of his death remains unresolved.

Judge: “I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say he terrorized this city and this county to a greater extent than anyone I can remember.”

The deal to settle over millions of dollars in assets is an indication that the government is seeking to avoid another long, complex and expensive trial in the case.

The mother of convicted racketeering boss Mike Miske, who died last year, had been seeking guardianship of his granddaughter.

In amending his revocable living trust shortly before he died, Michael J. Miske confirmed his granddaughter is the primary beneficiary. It is the first time the provisions of Miske’s trust have been made public.

The judge also denied a request for a “non-custodial” sentence that would allow Delia Fabro-Miske to continue raising her daughter.

The organized crime leader’s death in federal detention upended his criminal case, but prosecutors are still trying to claim his assets through a civil proceeding.