The Mafia Plot To Kill Dennis Kucinich A Former Cleveland Police Chief Finally Tells The Whole Story By James Renner The meeting went down at Burke Lakefront Airport in 1978. A small prop-engine plane owned by the Maryland State Police was parked on the tarmac. Inside was a sergeant from Maryland and "The Old Man," a professional hitman-turned-rat who was working with Maryland police in sting operations. Cleveland Police detective Ed Kovacic climbed into the plane and sat next to The Old Man. Kovacic showed him a photo spread of suspects. The Old Man pointed to number four, Thomas Sinito....