Order of Protection: The Family Feud That Turned Into a Courtroom Drama
A brother-in-law, a barrage of threats, and an Order of Protection naming Ronald Onesti as the aggressor.
Based on DuPage County Circuit Court case: Edward Rohn v. Ronald Onesti, Case No. 20110P001802
He’s known for reviving the golden age of Italian-American showbiz—but in one DuPage County courtroom, Ronald Onesti was cast in a much darker role: alleged stalker, intimidator, and violent threat.
In December 2011, Onesti’s former brother-in-law, Edward Rohn, filed for an Emergency Order of Protection, claiming that Onesti had subjected him to harassment, stalking, and physical threats amid a bitter family divorce.
The filing, stamped and accepted by the DuPage County Clerk, tells a story more akin to a gangster film than a family dispute.
“You’re a Dead Man.”
According to Rohn’s sworn affidavit, Onesti:
Verbally threatened him in his home
Followed him into a parking lot, blocked his car, and challenged him to a fight
Sent multiple threatening text messages, including warnings to “stay away from his relatives”
Claimed Rohn should “consider this a formal warning”
In one incident dated December 4, 2011, Onesti allegedly chased Rohn on foot, gesturing to fight and invoking his supposed “connections,” according to the filing.
Rohn wrote that Onesti’s behavior made him fear for his safety and that of his children.
Gangster Posturing, or Genuine Danger?
The filing includes this chilling line:
“The family is full-blooded Italian and both brothers [Onesti and another sibling] are enamored with stereotypical gangster/organized crime behavior shown in movies and TV… They have personal, business, and family connections that would allow them to follow through on any of their threats and have it not be traced to them.”
The document also referenced prior court disputes involving Onesti’s sister, Rohn’s then-estranged wife, suggesting a coordinated intimidation campaign during a contentious divorce.
Rohn requested the court order Onesti to:
Stay at least 1,000 feet away
Avoid all contact with him and his children
Surrender any firearms
Be barred from attending their shared family events, schools, and sports facilities
A Family Divided
The court documents reveal an escalation of hostilities that had simmered over months. Rohn claimed that Onesti had inserted himself into legal disputes he had no formal role in—appearing at child custody drop-offs, menacing Rohn at public events, and even interfering with his parenting time.
The filing stated that Onesti's conduct went “beyond a protective brother” and into dangerous territory.
The outcome of the protection order is not public, but the court found Rohn’s petition sufficient to schedule an emergency hearing—suggesting that the claims met a threshold for immediate concern.
“The Mobster Persona Isn't Just for Marketing”
For years, Onesti has cultivated a public image steeped in 1950s glam and underworld mythology—complete with Rat Pack tributes, gangster-themed shows, and a bravado-rich social media presence.
But this case suggests the persona may spill offstage, at least according to those close to him.
And while it's one thing to build a brand around old-school charisma, it's quite another to be accused of using real-life intimidation to resolve personal grievances.
📑 Court Records Cited:
Edward Rohn v. Ronald Onesti, Case No. 20110P001802, DuPage County Circuit Court
Verified Emergency Order of Protection petition, filed Dec. 27, 2011
Attached incident descriptions, including dates and statements made under oath