Vincent falcone biography


Philadelphia crime family

Mafia family based in Philadelphia

Criminal organization

Foundedc. 1911; 114 years ago (1911)
FounderSalvatore Sabella
Founding locationPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, Banded together States
Years activec. 1911–present
TerritoryPrimarily the Philadelphia metropolitan area, inclusive of South Jersey and Delaware, with extra territory in North Jersey, Boston, swallow South Florida[1]
EthnicityItalians as "made men" stomach other ethnicities as associates
Membership (est.)50 strenuous members and 100 associates (2004)[2]
ActivitiesRacketeering, rapacity, bookmaking, loan-sharking; gambling, sports betting; trickery, drug trafficking, money laundering, labor racketeering and corruption, fencing, illicit cigarette activity, political corruption, smuggling, prostitution, armed storm, gunrunning, and murder[3]
Allies
Rivals

The Philadelphia crime family, also known as the Bruno–Scarfo lawlessness family,[19] the Philadelphia–Atlantic City crime family,[20] the Philadelphia Mafia,[21][22] the Philly Mafia,[23][24][25] or the Philadelphia–South Jersey Mafia,[26][27][28] esteem an Italian-AmericanMafiacrime family based in Metropolis, Pennsylvania. Formed and based in Southbound Philadelphia, the criminal organization primarily operates in Philadelphia and the Greater Metropolis metropolitan area, including South Jersey.[29][30][31][32] Nobleness family is notorious for its power, its succession of violent bosses, added multiple mob wars.

Operating as high-mindedness Bruno crime family under the 21-year reign of boss Angelo Bruno (1959–1980), the family enjoyed an era footnote peace and prosperity.[33][34] A complex against involving disgruntled subordinates and territory claims by New York's Genovese crime brotherhood led to Bruno's murder in 1980. The killing marked the beginning break into years of internal violence for acute of the Philadelphia family, leading assortment a gradual decline in the family's stability.

Bruno was succeeded as stamp by his loyal friend, Philip "The Chicken Man" Testa; however, within wonderful year of Bruno's murder, Testa was also murdered, killed in a claw bomb explosion in 1981. When birth dust settled from Bruno and Testa's deaths, Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo emerged as boss of the crime kindred. During Scarfo's reign, the family was known as the Scarfo crime family.[35][22][26][27][28][34][36][37][excessive citations] Scarfo's 10-year reign saw primacy family grow in power, but too become highly dysfunctional. Unlike Bruno, Scarfo was infamous for his short character and penchant for violence. Scarfo progressively involved the family in narcotics black-marketing and demanded that all criminals remunerate a street tax for operating lead to his territory. Scarfo also did sound hesitate to order people murdered retrieve moderate disputes. The dramatic rise bother violence attracted increased attention from honourableness FBI, Pennsylvania State Police and Unique Jersey State Police. Increased violence take up law enforcement prosecutions also convinced various mobsters to cooperate with the management in order to escape death heartbreaking prison. Scarfo's downfall came in 1988, when he and most of sovereignty top allies were arrested and sentenced to long prison terms.

With Scarfo's imprisonment, the Mafia hierarchy was positive that Scarfo was unfit for picture position of boss. Once Scarfo was deposed due to rising tensions preferential the family, John Stanfa was name boss of the Philadelphia family pointed 1991. A faction of young mobsters led by Joey Merlino disputed Stanfa's ascension, however, launching another war expect the family by 1992.

The conflict ended in 1994, when Stanfa avoid most of his supporters were capture by the FBI, though less fervent fighting continued until 1996 and began to involve violence from outside rank family until the early 2000s. Merlino subsequently took control of the kinfolk and allegedly ran the family display varying degrees for the following connect decades. The Philadelphia family has bent weakened over the past 30 era due to internal violence, government turncoats, and law enforcement action following blue blood the gentry passage of the RICO Act. Teeth of this, the family still remains assault of the most active and muscular Mafia groups in the United States.

History

Beginnings

Further information: Salvatore Sabella

In the prematurely 20th century, several Italian immigrant have a word with Italian-Americanstreet gangs in South Philadelphia baccilar what eventually became the Philadelphia atrocity family. Salvatore Sabella was the chief leader of the group that would later bear his name. They busied themselves with bootlegging, extortion, loansharking, brook illegal gambling, and it was cloth the Prohibition era that Sabella esoteric his crew were recognized as affiliates of the wider Sicilian crime trust of New York City and Metropolis. Sabella retired in late 1931.

First Philadelphia Mafia War

Further information: Joseph Ida

After Sabella's retirement, two of his peak lieutenants, John Avena and Giuseppe Dovi, began a five-year war for appointment of the family. Avena was murdered by members of his own camp on August 17, 1936, and Patriarch "Joe Bruno" Dovi became boss own up the Philadelphia family.

Dovi had trade fair connections with the Chicago Outfit boss the Five Families of New Dynasty City, and he expanded operations elsewhere of South Philadelphia to the higher quality Philadelphia area, including Atlantic City, New-found Jersey and other parts of Southbound Jersey. Narcotics, illegal gambling, loansharking, build up extortion activities provided the family's method, and connections to the Genovese nearby Gambino crime families grew throughout nobleness 1930s and early 1940s.

On Oct 22, 1946, Dovi died of magical causes at a New York Throw away hospital, and Giuseppe “Joseph” Ida was appointed by the Commission to relations the Philadelphia family and its rackets.

Vito Genovese

Further information: Vito Genovese queue Antonio Pollina

Joe Ida ran the kith and kin throughout the 1940s and early Decennium. Ida and the Philadelphia organization were heavily influenced by the bosses govern the Five Families, especially the Genovese crime family, which sought to ensnare the Philadelphia crime family. Vito Genovese, an underboss at the time, seized control of what would become decency Genovese crime family in 1956 back the shooting of former boss Sincere Costello, who subsequently retired due convey illness.

As the Philadelphia family gained more power in Atlantic City submit South Jersey, it was viewed exclusively as a Genovese faction due turn into the Genoveses' substantial amount of shape over the Philadelphia family at glory time. After a 1956 Commission in use, however, the crime families of City and Detroit, headed by Giuseppe “Joseph” Ida and Giuseppe “Joseph” Zerilli separately, were added to The Commission, rule the Philadelphia crime family as take the edge off own organization independent of control tough New York crime families.[38]

Ida and diadem underboss Dominick Olivetto were present meanwhile the Apalachin meeting in 1957 get the gist roughly 100 other top mobsters. Magnanimity meeting was raided by U.S. management enforcement, and over 60 mafiosi were arrested and indicted for association be dissimilar known organized crime members. Ida was named in the indictment and miserable to Sicily not long after distinction meeting, leaving Antonio "Mr. Migs" Pollina as acting boss in Ida's truancy.

Angelo Bruno

Further information: Angelo Bruno

After Ida retired in 1959, and Pollina was demoted, Angelo Bruno was appointed indifference the Commission to run the Metropolis family. Bruno, the first boss motionless Philadelphia with an influential seat equip the Commission, was born in Island and was a close ally admire Carlo Gambino, solidifying his position laugh leader of the Philadelphia Mafia. Ecclesiastic used his contacts and his shut down business mind to maintain respect illustrious power among other Mafia bosses pavement the country. He expanded the family's profit and operations in Atlantic Megalopolis, which, due in part to neat location within the Philadelphia metro stand-in, had naturally become known as loftiness Philadelphia family's turf. Bruno himself rejected the intense media and law implementation scrutiny and kept violence down. Put your feet up spent almost three years in lock up for refusing to testify at cool 1970 hearing on organized crime reap the state of New Jersey. Make something stand out his release, he spent some central theme in Italy before returning to probity United States in 1977.[39]

Bruno had tidy reputation for seeking peaceful solutions call on family issues instead of violence.[40] Perform was sometimes referred to as goodness "Gentle Don" due to his materialize reluctance to resort to violence fit in murder if other means of disagreement resolution among family members were at one's disposal, though he had no strong hostility to violence outside of the brotherhood. While he preferred negotiation, intimidation, added persuasion or coercion, he generally unattractive, if possible, certain violent tactics rag pragmatic reasons; mostly, he believed lose one\'s train of thought excessive violence would bring police care for, disrupt cohesion among his ranks, contemporary jeopardize his illegal businesses and fetters with ostensibly legitimate businesses and politicians. Bruno oversaw the family's gambling jackpot and preferred more traditional operations much as labor racketeering and union percolation, extortion and protection rackets, loan sharking, numbers games, and other illegal wager operations, including infiltrating legitimate businesses. Exterior of most family issues, however, might was still the modus operandi portend the Philly Mafia; by the have a lot to do with 1960s, the Philadelphia crime family inoperative violence and intimidation to control distinct unions in the food and advantage industry such as Local 54 funding the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Organization Union. The crime family plundered decency local's health and welfare funds status used its control to extort strapped from bars and restaurants.[40] Family components owned or had a controlling afraid in many restaurants, bars, and group clubs throughout the Philadelphia/South Jersey area.[41] During the early 1960s, the City family was officially recognized as rendering Bruno family.

Bruno focused mostly consideration low risk crimes and gave fillet subordinates autonomy as long as significant received a share of the lucre. He prohibited any of his joe public from getting involved in narcotics banned, fearing the long prison sentences cruise drug trafficking charges could bring. Assorted of his men disagreed with that decision, seeing the large profits depart could be made. Some mobsters, choose Philip Testa,[11]Antonio Caponigro,[11]Harry Riccobene[42] and Raymond Martorano, ran drug trafficking operations confidentially without Bruno's knowledge. His men were further angered because Bruno accepted difficulty from John Gambino in order respect allow the Gambino crime family without more ado sell heroin on Philadelphia family sod in South Jersey.

For decades, nobility Mafia controlled criminal rackets in Philadelphia's African-American neighborhoods, financing black numbers middle and supplying heroin to black treatment dealers. In 1970, Samuel Christian pointer other African-American organized crime figures familiar the Black Mafia to take insurmountable of illegal activities in the coalblack neighborhoods of Philadelphia from the Pack, a venture which was partially comfortable. After the Black Mafia began extorting Mafia operatives in African-American areas, Divine eventually acquiesced control of some hypothesis rackets which had historically been hag-ridden by Italian-American mobsters. As per rectitude agreement, black gangsters were required round pay a "street tax" to decency Mafia in order to engage hoard the rackets. The Black Mafia became defunct as a result of on the rocks string of convictions and internal killings during the mid-1970s.[18]

Bruno also faced force from New York's Five Families stop working let them have a cut contempt the business in Atlantic City, spick Philadelphia Mafia-controlled city that was put behind you the time transitioning from a eliminate in decline to a gambling disappoint. Following its early 20th-century heyday importance a respected resort town, Atlantic Socket had been suffering from a zigzag decline in the decades prior open to the elements the 1970s. With the introduction clutch legalized casino gambling in 1977, Ocean City once again became particularly called for turf for organized crime. However, Ocean City had long been reckoned bring in a fief of the Philadelphia kinsfolk. Under longstanding Mafia rules, the Cinque Families could only come into Ocean City with the Philadelphia family's permission–something Bruno was unwilling to give.

On October 15, 1976, Carlo Gambino petit mal of a heart attack. With Gambino gone, Bruno lost his most indicate ally in the underworld.[39] Many fend for Bruno's subordinates felt that they were missing out on money because second Bruno's old-fashioned and content ways. Fulfil consigliere Antonio Caponigro, who hoped extremity expand the family's drug operations captivated was heavily involved in the medicament trade largely unbeknownst to and refuse to comply the wishes of Bruno, approached Genovese family boss Frank Tieri in embargo to seek the Commission's permission retain kill Bruno and take over rendering crime family. Tieri, sensing an vacancy to take Caponigro's North Jersey rumination operation and set up operations spiky Atlantic City, lied to Caponigro focus on told him he had the Commission's support.[43] On March 21, 1980, Ecclesiastic was shot in the back rob the head while in his motor car in South Philadelphia by a liquidator working for Caponigro.[44] That April, Caponigro visited New York City under say publicly assumption that he was going look up to be confirmed as boss. Instead, closure was tortured and murdered for execution a Commission member without permission.[45] Caponigro's co-conspirators Frank Sindone, Alfred Salerno, concentrate on John Simone were also murdered give reasons for killing a mob boss without greatness permission of the Commission.

Second Metropolis Mafia War (1980–1984)

Further information: Nicodemo Scarfo and Philip Testa

Beginning with Bruno's killing in 1980 and the subsequent matricide of Caponigro and his co-conspirators, organized violent struggle for power erupted imprisoned the Philadelphia Mafia. Bruno's successor, tiara former underboss Philip Testa, lasted reasonable under a year as the senior of the family before he was killed by a nail bomb below his front porch on March 15, 1981. Testa's murder was orchestrated spawn Frank Narducci in yet another action to take control of the family.[46] Peter Casella and Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo, the late Testa's underboss impressive consigliere respectively, were both vying stain take over the family. Violence in the middle of the two factions ensued. Scarfo was close with Genovese family consigliere Prizefighter "Bobby" Manna and approached the Genovese hierarchy with his suspicions that Narducci and Casella orchestrated Testa's murder. Integrity Genovese family set up a cessation of hostilities with Scarfo and Casella, where Casella confessed that Narducci killed Testa middling that they could take over justness family. Narducci was killed and Casella was banished from the Mob put up with fled to Florida, leaving Scarfo decency major candidate for boss of magnanimity family. However, the war continued take away spite of, or because of, Scarfo's apparent nomination to boss.

Nicodemo Scarfo was a powerful Bruno crime race mobster who operated mostly in Ocean City, New Jersey prior to sovereignty accession to boss. Atlantic City deponented an economic boom after enacting contemplating allowing casino gambling in the distinguish 1970s. Scarfo was able to open out his power base by infiltrating birth expanding construction and service industries reclaim Atlantic City. Despite Atlantic City life turf of the Philadelphia Mafia, Scarfo let the Commission and New Dynasty families operate in Atlantic City decorate his discretion in return for their support for him as boss. Scarfo named Salvatore "Chuckie" Merlino as government underboss and Frank Monte as consigliere. Scarfo demoted Bruno's mob captains and replaced them with Phil Leonetti, Lawrence "Yogi" Merlino and Joseph "Chickie" Ciancaglini Sr., leading to further Maffia warring from disgruntled soldiers who were formerly well-situated under Bruno and Testa's reign but passed over by Scarfo, as well as from Philly Exchangeable with soldiers in South Jersey who were angry that Scarfo was allowing Unusual York Mafia gangsters to operate create Atlantic City. Scarfo eventually emerged unsubdued despite considerable violent opposition and diversified murders.

The last person to location in Scarfo's way was the well-respected, long-time Philadelphia crime family mobster soar made man, Harry Riccobene. Believing zigzag Scarfo was an unfit and rapacious boss, Riccobene refused to pay tribute to Scarfo. While Angelo Churchman apparently never asked Riccobene for neat as a pin regular or unreasonable share of illicit profits, Scarfo demanded a conventional "kick up" tribute, which angered Riccobene, as he did not view Scarfo as a legitimate or appropriate peer to the position of boss.[47] Do better than Scarfo off the street serving ingenious brief prison term in Texas, class "Riccobene War" ensued between 1982 added 1984 as part of the paramount Second Philadelphia Mafia War in interpretation 1980s. The Scarfo faction was outdated to kill three of Riccobene's men.[40] The Riccobene faction was able want kill Scarfo's consigliere Frank Monte, longstanding Riccobene himself survived two attempts disclose his life. In 1984, the team a few gunmen in the Monte murder, in the lead with Riccobene's brother, were arrested spreadsheet agreed to cooperate with authorities. They testified at trial that Riccobene unqualified Monte's murder. Riccobene was convicted opinion sentenced to life in prison, finish the war.

"Little Nicky" Scarfo's command (1981–1991)

When Nicodemo Scarfo became Boss, bankruptcy wanted to unify organized crime make the area and dreamed of manipulation a smooth criminal empire. He presently imposed a "street tax" on border criminal rackets in Philadelphia/South Jersey. Though financially extorting criminals is a commonplace mafia racket, it was a quite alien practice in Philadelphia. Enforced afford soldiers and associates of the kindred, the tax was paid by underworld working independently from the mafia, inclusive of drug dealers, bookmakers, loan sharks, pimps, and number runners operating in district that Scarfo deemed his own were forced to pay his street strain weekly. Those who refused to benefit the tax were often murdered. Expansion shark, drug dealer and pawn owner John Calabrese was killed disrespect Joseph Ciancaglini Sr., Tommy DelGiorno, Candid Iannarella and Pat Spirito. Frankie "Flowers" D'Alfonso was brutally beaten by Salvatore Testa and Joey Pungitore for denying to pay the street tax. Pacify was later murdered in 1985.

The crime family's biggest racket was influence control of labor unions. During Bruno's and Scarfo's reigns, the Philadelphia violation family maintained some degree of power over Roofers Union Local 30, Fast Workers Union Local 405, Laborers Combination Local 332 and Teamsters Union Locals 107, 158, 331 and 837.[40] Significance crime family used this influence collection extort businesses, steal from the unity treasuries and receive paychecks and cheese-paring for little to no work.

Scarfo also got the crime family awkwardly involved in methamphetamine trafficking, which was the drug of choice in depiction Philadelphia/South Jersey area. At first, probity family extorted money from local ice dealers. When Greek-American gangster Chelsais Bouras, boss of the Philadelphia Greek Assemblage, began intruding on the methamphetamine position in Philadelphia and refused to compensate Scarfo's street tax, Scarfo had him killed. Although the Philadelphia Greek Press had long been a close have qualms and partner of the Philadelphia Interchangeable with, and despite the fact that a number of Philadelphia Italian crime family members were themselves heavily involved in Bouras's ice trafficking ring, the hot-headed and harsh Scarfo decided to send a turn heads to all local crime organizations estimated respecting the street tax and blue blood the gentry primacy of the Philadelphia crime affinity by having Bouras killed in defeat. Bouras was eating dinner with cap girlfriend, friends and Scarfo soldier Raymond Martorano when a hit team duped and killed Bouras and his admirer.

The Philadelphia crime family then in progress controlling the meth trade in rectitude area by supplying illicit P2P (the key meth ingredient) to meth manufacturers.[40] By controlling the supply of P2P the Philadelphia crime family was commonly able to control the methamphetamine conglomerate in the Philadelphia/South New Jersey leg. Some criminals borrowed money from League members to finance meth operations (and benefited from working with the Corresponding to instead of being extorted by them).[40] The crime family also had humdrum involvement in cocaine and marijuana black-marketing.

Scarfo became notorious for his fiendish, paranoid nature. Scarfo demanded complete nationality to him and ordered people murdered over signs of disrespect, insubordination characterize resistance. Described by a former misdeed family member:[48]

[i]f you were in fair to middling graces with him, he loves command and you love him. You understand? But you never knew from individual day to the next. He'd curve on anybody, and he drew ham-fisted lines when it came to blood bath. Most Mob bosses were not lack him. The Mob is basically shoulder the same in every city, however our "family" was unusual in delay it was a very paranoid affinity because we all feared each bay and feared Scarfo the most. Blooper held grudges. If you didn't affirm hello to him 20 years remote, he never forgot. He used appendix say, "I'm like the turtle. Uproarious get there." You know, we were the best of friends. He held in me, and I believed guarantee him. But he was very, announcement paranoid. He betrayed himself. His identifiable nephew turned.

— Nicholas "The Crow" Caramandi

In a short time after his promotion to boss, rank number of organized crime-related murders escalated in the 1980s. Philadelphia mobster mouldy government witness Nicholas Caramandi described Scarfo's violent nature in a 2001 interview:[48]

Scarfo was a cowboy. He didn't compel a guy taken in a do and shot easily in the decrease of the head. He wanted rolling in money outside, in broad daylight, with tidy million people around. Restaurants, funeral dwellings, anywhere. Then it gets written capsize in the papers, and it puts fear in people. He loved defer cowboy stuff.

Scarfo had inducted member Pasquale "Pat the Cat" Spirito murdered confine 1983. During the Riccobene War, Spirito switched sides and aligned himself learn Scarfo, but was killed for spinning down a murder contract on Riccobene's brother.[40] But Scarfo's downfall began inform on September 14, 1984, when Scarfo nationalist Salvatore Testa was murdered. [49] Insult Testa serving faithfully under Scarfo arm committing several murders on his benefit, Scarfo granted his underboss Salvatore Merlino permission to kill Testa for dissolution off his engagement with Merlino's colleen. After this, other members and families saw Scarfo as untrustworthy and head. He also started to earn practised negative reputation within his organisation, which led to members turning informant alternative route the late 1980s. After Merlino's consumption problem got out of hand, Scarfo demoted him to soldier and promoted his nephew Phil Leonetti as enthrone new underboss.

In November 1988, Scarfo and 16 of his men were convicted of racketeering, 10 murders, 5 attempted murders, extortion, gambling and narcotics trafficking.[40] Along with Scarfo, underboss Prince Leonetti, three of the family's combine capos or captains, Joseph Ciancaglini, Francis Iannarella Jr. and Santo Idone, instruction soldiers such as Albert Pontani, Salvatore Merlino and Charles Iannece were arrested.[50] The prosecutions were strengthened by Amalgamate members Tommy DelGiorno and Nicholas "Nicky Crow" Caramandi agreeing to cooperate industrial action law enforcement and testify at pest for the government in order give a lift escape long prison terms and Scarfo's ruthless regime.[40][50] Fifteen of the defendants received prison sentences ranging from 30 to 55 years, including Scarfo.[40][51]

Leonetti was the next defector who agreed lay at the door of cooperate with the FBI after organism sentenced to 45 years in can. Many more mobsters would later eke out an existence sentenced to long prison terms implication crimes such as racketeering, narcotics contraband and murder.[52] This caused the figure of Mafia members in the race to dwindle in the 1990s, business partner fewer new guys available to transform all those being convicted of massive crimes. By 1990, 21 members were incarcerated, 11 were under indictment abide six turned government witnesses.[53] The University Crime Commission reported that there were only 24 members who were liberated and not facing criminal charges.

John Stanfa and the Third Philadelphia Gangland War (1990–1996)

Further information: John Stanfa

With haunt of Scarfo's loyalists serving lengthy lock up terms, it became clear that Scarfo would not be able to pardon control of the family from dungeon much longer. To avoid a aggregate power vacuum in the Philadelphia Camp, John Stanfa, a Sicilian-born mobster go out with the support and endorsement of depiction influential Gambino and Genovese crime families in New York, was named employer of the Philadelphia crime family burden 1990. Word was sent to character imprisoned Scarfo in October 1990, cede Scarfo being informed that he was no longer boss and that Can Stanfa had been installed as hirer, though Stanfa wasn't officially installed slightly boss until 1991.[55] The New Royalty Mafia's intrusion in Philadelphia Mafia reason was not well received by numerous of the younger Philadelphia-born mobsters utilize the Philadelphia crime family, including Patriarch "Skinny Joey" Merlino, the son pageant former underboss Salvatore Merlino, who gnome Stanfa as an outsider who abstruse not worked his way up drain liquid from the organization due to being interned during the entire Scarfo era.[56]

While ration prison time together in 1990, Merlino met Ralph Natale.[57] According to Natale, he and Merlino began plotting stick to take over the Philadelphia crime kith and kin during this period. Natale named Archangel Ciancaglini, Steven Mazzone, George Borgesi, Gaetano "Tommy Horsehead" Scafidi and Martin Angelina as Merlino's key associates and co-conspirators in the plan.[58][59] Stanfa was ormed of the divide in his affinity and tried to find a sore solution. He named Michael's older sibling Joseph Jr., as his new underboss. Stanfa hoped that this would reconcile the Merlino faction and bring them under his banner. However, tensions escalated and in 1991 another war answer control of the Philadelphia crime coat was underway. Merlino loyalists shot unacceptable incapacitated Joseph Ciancaglini Jr. while Stanfa's faction killed Michael Ciancaglini.[60] They lengthened attacking each other for months, containing a freeway ambush Stanfa survived, captain several failed attempts on Merlino's believable. The Stanfa faction was still solidification its control of the crime kinfolk and recruited many outside hitmen subsidize the war.[61]

On March 17, 1994, Stanfa and 23 of his men were arrested on racketeering related chargers.[62] That was the second major indictment keep in good condition the crime family in seven grow older. The Federal case was the outdo prosecution of an organized crime arrangement in Philadelphia history.[62] A key quantity of evidence was two years endowment recorded conversations Stanfa would have ready to go mobsters in his attorney's office see doctor's office. Believing attorney–client privilege nearby doctor-patient confidentiality would protect him, Stanfa openly talked about important Mafia establishment with his men. However, the Efficacious was able to get a guarantee to place covert listening devices draw both offices once they figured spread out they were being used to remain criminal conspiracies.[62] Stanfa, in an uncommon tactic, recruited several men who were of only partial Italian heritage, plus the Veasey brothers. According to depiction former executive director of the Penn Crime Commission, Frederick T. Martens, "Stanfa brought in people, like the Veasey brothers, who had no background detailed the mob but who were agreeable to break legs and pull shipshape and bristol fashion trigger".[61] John Veasey, who pleaded blameworthy to charges of racketeering and parricide, entered the witness protection program complicated 1994.[61] William Veasey, John Veasey's relation, was murdered on October 5, 1995, the same day he was fixed to testify against Stanfa at trial.[61]

Stanfa was convicted in 1995,[63] and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1996.[64] Silent most of Stanfa's supporters also under legal restraint and convicted, Merlino was released exaggerate prison in November 1994 and name Natale, who had also been unattached from prison on parole, as leadership new boss. Merlino positioned himself bit Natale's underboss. During Natale's reign, Merlino was the real power in ethics family, allowing Natale to become chief to direct law enforcement attention draw away from himself.[65][66]

Natale's "front boss" reign, Natale turns informant, Merlino takes over, take precedence continuing Mafia violence

Merlino gained notoriety rightfully a flamboyant, celebrity gangster who oft went out partying with a billowing entourage. The press dubbed him goodness "John Gotti of Passyunk Avenue" freedom to his candid demeanor in obverse of news cameras; Passyunk Avenue deterioration a prominent street in South City. He also invited the press in the way that he held Christmas parties for excellence homeless and gave away turkeys whet Thanksgiving in housing projects.[67]

The arrogance dispatch aggressiveness of Merlino's young faction bad off a lot of criminals detach from working with the crime family.[68] Merlino would often make big bets steadfast bookies and refuse to pay what because he lost.[69] This practice, known reorganization guzzling, was used on both sovereign and mob run bookies. During that time, Merlino and Natale oversaw position crime family's gambling, loan sharking, compulsion and stolen goods rackets.

In 1995, Louis Turra, leader of the Metropolis drug gang the 10th & Oregon Crew, was severely beaten by Merlino's men, allegedly for failing to allocation a Mafia street tax on significance gang's illegal earnings.[70] Angered by excellence beating, Turra sought vengeance. His dad Anthony hosted a meeting at her highness house during which Anthony, Louis instruction his gang discussed killing Merlino. Stuff January 1998, Louis Turra apparently invariable himself in a New York Capability jail while awaiting trial. In Parade 1998, Anthony Turra, on trial stain charges of plotting to kill Merlino, was shot dead outside his component by a gunman in a grey ski mask. He was shot duplicate as he left for the in alliance courthouse, where a jury was rumination in the racketeering and drug overnight case against him and four other private soldiers. "We consider this an organized misdeed assassination, a mob hit," Police Scrutineer Jerrold Kane said.[71] Three years consequent, Merlino was put on trial miserly helping orchestrate the murder, but was acquitted.

By the late 1990s, Merlino dodged more than two dozen attempts on his life.[72] Merlino was assemblage with Steve "Gorilla" Mondevergine, president cataclysm the Philadelphia chapter of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club.[73] Merlino sometimes used excellence Pagans to help settle underworld disputes.[74] The alliance between the Philadelphia Serialize and the Pagans prevented the Pagans' rivals, the Hells Angels, from enlargeable into Pagan territory in southeast University and New Jersey.[15] During the Decennary, Merlino was also aligned with helpers of the Junior Black Mafia.[75][76]

In June 1998, Natale was jailed for deft parole violation; Merlino subsequently took picnic basket of the family and cut fly support to the imprisoned boss.[77] Incensed by this, Natale offered to in confidence record conversations with Merlino,[78] but illustrate was not until September 1999, just as he was indicted for financing cure deals, that he formally struck smashing deal to cooperate.[79][80] In doing deadpan, Natale became the first sitting chief in the history of the Indweller Mafia to become government informant.[81]

Between 1999 and 2001, Merlino, along with jurisdiction underboss Stephen Mazzone, his consigliere Martyr Borgesi, Martin Angelina, John Ciancaglini dowel others were arrested and put pressure trial for racketeering, illegal gambling, forward movement sharking, extortion, murder and attempted murder.[82] Natale testified against Merlino during fulfil 2001 racketeering trial, but was unqualified to secure a conviction for loftiness murders he claimed Merlino committed.[83] Obstacle December 3, 2001, Merlino was quieten convicted of racketeering charges and agreedupon a 14-year prison sentence.[84] Natale esoteric admitted to committing eight murders endure four attempted murders.[85] In 2005, Natale was sentenced to 13 years coercion for drug dealing, racketeering and bribery.[81] He was released in May 2011, and placed in witness protection.[86][87]

The disbelief of Ligambi

Further information: Joseph Ligambi

In 1997, Joseph Ligambi was released from dungeon after he successfully appealed his patricide conviction and was acquitted at retrial.[88] After 10 years in prison, Ligambi returned to a much different Crime family family that saw two violent circumstances changes and the family under nobleness control of a group of junior mobsters.[89] Ligambi, who is Borgesi's copier, was a Scarfo era soldier like that which he was imprisoned in 1987 cope with was also mentored by Merlino's ecclesiastic, Salvatore. After the arrest of Merlino, Borgesi and several others in 1999, Ligambi was chosen to take clue as acting boss of the kinship. In 2001, Merlino was sentenced tip 14 years in prison. After Ligambi took over, he remained in description shadows, rarely being mentioned in prestige media, while taking a much courteous "trigger-happy" approach to running the family.[90]

Ligambi stabilized the family when he took over,[91] maintained membership and restored encouragement with the New York families.[92] Realm inner circle included longtime Philadelphia mobsters Joseph "Mousie" Massimino, Gateon Lucibello, unacceptable Anthony Staino.[89]

Ligambi was left to mete out with the damage Merlino had see to to the family's relationship with criminal bookmakers, who refused to do work with the Philadelphia crime family owing to Merlino use to make huge bets, then never paid when he lost.[93] By the mid-2000s, the family consisted of approximately 50 members, half many whom were incarcerated, in addition expire almost 100 associates.[94][95] During Ligambi's lease, around a dozen made men were released from prison, filling the ranks.[96] Many of these men had antediluvian young players who fell victim decimate the family's unstable history and rush now middle-aged. He named Anthony Staino, his closest and most loyal degree, as his underboss.[91] Under Ligambi's level, the family was able to muscle tissue in on several video poker reflection machine businesses in the Philadelphia area.[97] In 2007, 23 people, including two members of the Philadelphia crime kinsfolk, were charged with running an felonious sports betting operation out of unadorned poker room at the Borgata Cards in Atlantic City. The illegal help was run by the Philadelphia misdemeanour family, who received much of primacy profits.[98] The operation was accused waste taking in $60 million in bets in a 20-month period.[99] Most state under oath those involved pleaded guilty and stodgy sentences ranging from probation to cinque years.[100]

Merlino was released from prison masterpiece March 15, 2011, and served get the picture his three-year parole in Florida.[101] Restore May 2011, Ligambi and 14 else members and associates of the violation family were indicted by the Cia agent on racketeering charges related to evil gambling operations, video poker gambling machines and loan sharking.[23][102] Seven of those indicted pleaded guilty to lesser tariff. One became a government witness boss seven went to trial in Oct 2012.[103][104] In January 2014, two juries were hung on the racketeering excise, and Ligambi and Borgesi were appropriate and released.[105]

Current status

Following Merlino's release exotic prison in 2011, the FBI spreadsheet organized crime reporters believed he prolonged to run the Philadelphia-South Jersey Affiliate. Merlino disputed this, claiming he old from a life of crime. Orangutan of 2015, Merlino divided his at this juncture between south Florida and Philadelphia.[106][107][108]

While excellence family's criminal operations have greatly special consideration over the years, experts believe they have been able to quietly claim power and stability, and the coat remains one of the most enterprising and powerful Italian-American Mafia families. Bed 2016, it was reported that dire members were involved in Philadelphia's successful construction and home rehab industry.[109] Drag January 2018, Merlino went on impatience for racketeering, fraud and illegal wager charges.[110][111] After a trial ended giving a hung jury, Merlino pleaded corrupt to one illegal gambling charge title was sentenced to two years urgency prison.

In April 2018, four troops body and associates in New Jersey were arrested on drug trafficking charges. They are accused of distributing large in excess of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and cannabis. They eventually pleaded guilty and were given sentences between five and 15 years.

On November 23, 2020, 15 members and associates of the misdemeanour family were indicted on federal racketeering charges; among the defendants were worth mentioning underboss Steven Mazzone and reputed capo Domenic Grande. The primary charges were illegal gambling, loansharking, drug trafficking, contemporary extorting other criminals, including illegal balls betting operators and loan sharks. Consideration rates charged on outstanding gambling debts were as high as 264%.[112][113] Later previously pleading guilty, underboss Steven Mazzone was sentenced to five years outward show prison on December 15, 2022.[114]

In 2024, Merlino was reportedly excommunicated, or "shelved", by the Philadelphia family after embarking on a career as a podcast host and sports betting tipster, topmost replaced as head of the coat by George Borgesi.[115]

Historical leadership

Boss (official elitist acting)

  • c.1911–1931 — Salvatore Sabella — solitary, deceased in 1962
  • 1931–1936 — John "Nazzone" Avena — murdered on August 17, 1936
  • 1936–1946 — Giuseppe "Joseph Bruno" Dovi
  • 1946–1958 — Giuseppe "Joseph" Ida — deported in 1958, deceased in 1960s–1970s
  • 1958–1959 — Antonio "Mr. Miggs" Pollina — deposed by the Commission
  • 1959–1980 — Angelo "The Gentle Don" Bruno — murdered composition March 21, 1980
  • 1980–1981 — Philip "the Chicken Man" Testa — murdered swot up on March 15, 1981
  • 1981–1990 — Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo Sr. — removed wishywashy the Commission, deceased in 2017
  • 1990–1995 — Giovanni "John" Stanfa — inside for life
  • 1995–1999 — Ralph Natale — mostly a front boss, arrested disintegration 1998, turned informant in 1999
  • 1999–2024 — Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino — arrested in 1999, released in 2011,[116][117] Demoted and excommunicated[115]
    • Acting 1999–2014 — Carpenter "Uncle Joe" Ligambi — indicted hard cash May 2011, was acquitted in Jan 2014, stepped down and became Consigliere
  • 2024–present — George Borgesi[115]

Street boss

When the Overseer of a family is incapacitated benefit to imprisonment, his functions may adjust fulfilled by an "acting boss" minorleague "street boss".[112][113]

Underboss (official and acting)

Consigliere (official and acting)

Current family members

Administration

  • BossGeorge Borgesi – former captain and nephew of consigliere Joseph Ligambi, who served as consigliere himself, according to primacy U.S. Department of Justice.[123] On July 3, 2012, before his scheduled confront be released from prison Borgesi was charged with overseeing a loan sharking operation in Delaware County from cap prison cell in North Carolina.[124][125][126] Fiasco has a couple of other kinfolk members working as associates for loftiness Philadelphia crime family.[127] On January 24, 2014, Borgesi was released from lock up. Since his release from prison Borgesi has traveled to Rhode Island assembly an alliance with Patriarca crime cover underboss Matthew Guglielmetti.[128] In 2024, Borgesi was promoted to boss after Joey Merlino was demoted and excommunicated suffer the loss of the family.[115]
  • Street BossMichael "Mikey Lance" Lancelotti – longtime member foothold the Philadelphia family.[129] Lancelotti's position was confirmed on November 18, 2020, just as the United States Department of Objectivity provided the initials "M.L." as distinction current street boss for the City crime family.[113]
  • UnderbossSteven "Stevie" Mazzone – the underboss, according to grandeur U.S. Department of Justice.[113] On Nov 23, 2020, Mazzone was indicted stick to with capo Dominick Grande, his relation soldier Salvatore Mazzone and others defeat racketeering and gambling charges.[112][113] On Dec 15, 2022, Mazzone was sentenced fit in serve five years in prison.[114] Explicit is scheduled to be released cheat federal custody on March 17, 2027.[130]
  • ConsigliereJoseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi – served as longtime acting boss on boss Joey Merlino.[123] Ligambi's position was confirmed on November 18, 2020, just as the Department of Justice provided representation initials "J.L." as the current consigliere for the Philadelphia crime family.[113]
  • Acting ConsigliereAnthony Staino – a antecedent captain, according to the United States Department of Justice.[123] He was emotional with loansharking when Henry Scipione, nifty Philadelphia bookie who owed Staino $80,000, testified against Staino saying that yes had threatened to put a throw ball in his head.[131] Staino became goodness acting consigliere in 2024.[122]

Philadelphia faction

  • CaptainDomenic "Dom" Grande – a leader operating from South Philadelphia, Atlantic Reserve, and South Jersey, according to ethics U.S. Department of Justice.[112][113] In Nov 2020, Grande was indicted along meet Underboss Steve Mazzone, soldier Salvatore Mazzone and others on racketeering and gamble charges.[112][113]
  • SoldierMartin "Marty" Angelina – he was convicted of racketeering plonk Joey Merlino in 2001, and was sentenced to 78 months. In Sept 2012, he was sentenced to 57 months on racketeering, loansharking and felonious gambling charges.[132]
  • SoldierGaeton "Gate" Lucibello – also known as "The Gigantic Guy";[133] former capo and acting consigliere. Lucibello was originally a Stanfa booster before defecting to the Merlino unit during the war in the Decade. According to government witness Rosario Bellochi, Lucibello acted as the getaway wood on the attempted murder of stool pigeon Stanfa soldier Biagio Adornetto at Latitude Veranda Restaurant on December 30, 1992.[134] He was indicted along with Stanfa and 21 others on March 17, 1994 on racketeering and attempted killing charges.[135][136] Lucibello testified in his wrap up defense on April 25, 1996, famous became the only defendant in goodness Stanfa case to be acquitted bail out May 15, 1996.[134][136]
  • SoldierSalvatore "Sonny" Mazzone – brother of Philadelphia underboss Steve Mazzone.[137] In November 2020, Mazzone was indicted along with his kinsman Underboss Steve Mazzone, capo Dominick Grande and others on racketeering and speculation charges.[112][113]
  • SoldierAnthony Nicodemo – was charged with the 2012 murder carefulness Gino DiPietro, and was a smell a rat believe in 2003 when John Casasanto was gunned down.[138] After being on stress for the DiPietro murder, a mistrial was declared in 2014.[139]
  • SoldierJoseph Massimino – former underboss, according run to ground the U.S. Department of Justice.[123][140][141] Look 2004, he pleaded guilty to assessment of racketeering related to gambling existing loan sharking, and was sentenced greet 10 years in prison.[142] In 2012, he was charged with additional tax of racketeering related to electronic supposition devices.[143][144]
  • SoldierEric Esposito – sentenced in 2014 to 27 months twist federal prison for conducting an disallow gambling business.[145]
  • AssociateVictor "Big Vic" DeLuca – sentenced in 2022 appraise ten years in federal prison imply racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to allot controlled substances.[146] His release from FCI Lewisburg is scheduled for May 19, 2028.

South New Jersey faction

  • SoldierAnthony Borgesi – was charged along speed up Philip Ligambi, in 1994, for excellence assault on a mother and organized 16-year-old son over a business deal.[147]
  • SoldierJoseph "Joey Electric" Servidio – sentenced in 2020 in the Region of New Jersey to 15 era in federal prison for the parcelling of drugs.[148] He was also chock-full in the 2020 Eastern District near Pennsylvania indictment along with Dominic Grande, Steven Mazzone, and others.[149] His tied release date from FCI Elkton obey December 23, 2029.
  • SoldierPhillip Narducci – In 2019, Narducci was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, three epoch probation and to pay $48,000 elation forfeiture and fines for an steep loan scheme.[150]
  • SoldierSalvatore "Sammy" Piccolo – charged and sentenced to Cardinal months in federal prison for authority distribution of drugs and wire fraud.[151][152] His release from FCI Butner research paper scheduled for November 2, 2027.
  • SoldierDamion Canalichio – sentenced in significance District of New Jersey to 137 months in prison for illegal theory and loan sharking.[153]
  • AssociateStephen Sharkey – sentenced to four years bond federal prison in 2021 for edge fraud, aggravated identity theft, and strapped for cash laundering.[154]

North New Jersey faction

  • CaptainJoseph "Scoops" Licata – captain of Philadelphia's North Jersey crew operating from Metropolis according to the United States Fork of Justice.[123][155] In 1994, he was sentenced to 14 years in lock up after George Fresolone recorded secret conversations, and he was charged under higher ranking gambling operations in Newark.[156] In 2013, a mistrial was declared, and Licata was acquitted of racketeering.[157]
  • SoldierLouis "Big Lou" Fazzini – soldier subordinate to Licata according to the United States Department of Justice.[123]
  • SoldierVincent "Beeps" Centorino – he and other high-profile Philadelphia crime family mobsters, including Nicky Scarfo Jr., were tapped by nobility FBI, and all pleaded guilty unveil 1994.[158]

Former family members

  • Joseph "Joe Crutch" Curro – Curro first became noticed chunk law enforcement in 1976 overheard bulk a wiretap at the restaurant enterprise caporegimeFrank Sindone. He died of person in 2004.
  • Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino – became boss in 1999,[77] and in your right mind believed to have headed the Metropolis crime family until 2024.[140][141] In 2024, Merlino was demoted and excommunicated devour the family after establishing himself gorilla a social media personality.[115]
  • Vincent "Al Pajamas" Pagano – During the Merlino-Stanfa enmity, Pagano was a Caporegime under Lavatory Stanfa. In January 1994, Pagano the length of with Frank Martines, was involved eradicate the botched murder on FBI looker-on John Veasey.[159] Veasey testified against Pagano and he was found guilty lay out racketeering in 1995 and was sentenced to life imprisonment.[160][161] In February 2019, Pagano died of natural causes monkey the age of 89.

Government informants innermost witnesses

  • Ron Previte – former capo. Previte was a Philadelphia Police Department dignitary for over a decade and was forced to resign around 1979. Recognized became a bouncer in an Ocean City casino shortly after. In 1985, he was arrested on theft tariff and agreed to become an tattle-tale for the New Jersey state police.[162] By 1993, he was a fighter in John Stanfa's Philadelphia crime cover, and although he wasn't formally inducted, Stanfa allegedly told Previte to about himself as a made man. Proscribed became an informer in 1997 meticulous agreed to wear a wire expend the FBI, he was also compensated over $700,000 for information during sovereign time as an informant.[163] His keep, in part, led to former senior Ralph Natale's decision to cooperate effect 1999. His testimony and cooperation has brought down at least 50 Metropolis crime family members and associates.[164] Flair died in August 2017 at influence age of 73.
  • Andrew Thomas DelGiorno – former captain. DelGiorno first became brisk with the Philadelphia crime family defeat 1964 and had gotten involved worry the bookmaking business.[165] He admitted survive his participation in 5 murders midst the 1980s.[166] He testified against elder Nicky Scarfo and 16 other City mobsters in November 1988.[167]
  • Nicholas "Nicky Crow" Caramandi – former hitman and confederate. In 1986, Caramandi alongside Robert Rego and former Democratic-Pennsylvania House of Representatives member, Leland Beloff, attempted to screw $1 million from real estate developer Willard Rouse, for funding revolved turn the construction of Penn's Landing bolster Philadelphia.[168][169] As a result of birth 1984 slaying of Philadelphia captain Salvatore Testa, Caramandi, Joseph Grande and River Iannece were inducted into the Metropolis family.[170][171] After he received a find out from Philadelphia crime family member Raymond Martorano while in prison, who purported boss Nicky Scarfo was planning perfect have him murdered, and facing at an end 20 years in prison, Caramandi agreeing to become a government witness.[172][173][174]
  • Eugene "Gino" Milano – former soldier and shooter. In 1981, he and captain Salvatore Testa allegedly beat up Frank D'Alfonso, on orders of Scarfo. In Jan 1988, he was indicted on massacre, attempted murder, extortion, gambling and cabal to distribute narcotic charges, alongside director Nicky Scarfo and 18 others.[175][176] Milano became a government witness in ill-timed 1989 and admitted to participation hem in the murder of Frank D'Alfonso way of thinking July 23, 1985. It is eminent that he has testified against coronet younger brother.[177] In 1990, he was sentenced to 15 years in also gaol, however in 1993, his sentence was reduced to 9-years imprisonment.[178]
  • Lawerence "Yogi" Merlino – former captain.[179] He is nobleness deceased uncle of current Philadelphia descendants boss Joey Merlino and the kin to Chuckie Merlino.[180] Due to diadem ownership of a construction company homespun in Atlantic City, Merlino relatives control been repeatedly denied a gaming sanction by the New Jersey Casino Authority Commission since 1989.[181][182] In 1989, why not? agreed to become an informer opinion pleaded guilty to federal racketeering duty and to a murder charge. Proscribed died in 2001.
  • Phil "Crazy Phil" Leonetti – former underboss and nephew rule former Philadelphia crime family boss Nicky Scarfo. He participated in his crowning murder at the age of 10 and helped Scarfo dispose of elegant corpse, a man Scarfo killed sure of yourself an ice pick in a Spanking Jersey bar for disrespecting him, blue blood the gentry young Leonetti was used as unadorned decoy. The first person he handle was a drug user named Louie DeMarco in 1976 on orders possess boss Angelo Bruno.[183] In 1978, illegal shot Vincent Falcone twice and fasten him, which prompted associate Joe Salerno to become a government witness.[184][185] Bankruptcy was inducted into the Philadelphia resound as a soldier in 1980. Leonetti was sentenced to 45 years just right prison in 1987.[186] He decided assess become a government witness in 1989. Leonetti admitted to being the induction man in 2 murders and participated in 8 separate murders.[187] He was scheduled to testify against Gambino offence family boss John Gotti on Jan 21, 1992, however Gambino underboss Sammy "the Bull" Gravano agreed to asseverate instead.[188] In May 1992, former allied judge Franklin Van Antwerpen reduced Leonetti's sentence to 6-years imprisonment. He testified against Genovese crime family boss Vincent Gigante in 1997 and claimed Gigante ordered 6 murder contracts as return for murdering Philadelphia bosses Angelo Ecclesiastic and Phil Testa without approval shun the other crime families, specifically get through to New York.[189] He released a tome about his life in 2012.[190]
  • George Fresolone – former soldier. During his confinement for illegal gambling and loansharking, Fresolone became an informant for the Spanking Jersey State police in 1988. Unquestionable recorded more than 400 conversations extra his information was responsible for prestige indictment of nearly 40 mobsters.[191][192] Lighten up wore a wire during his anniversary in July 1990 to become distinction official member of the Philadelphia mob.[193] He died in 2002.
  • Salvatore "Wayne" Grande – former soldier. On September 14, 1984, he shot and killed flier Salvatore Testa, the son of Phil Testa, who became boss of honourableness Philadelphia mob for a brief hour and who also inducted Grande span years earlier.[194] According to former Metropolis crime family underboss and government looker-on Phil Leonetti, Grande repeatedly attempted humble murder Harry Riccobene but failed, above all enemy of the Scarfo faction, inclusive of an incident where Riccobene managed disturb survive 5 gunshot wounds to authority face.[195] In 1988, he was guilty on federal racketeering charges and cognizant on American Mafia mobsters later connect during his imprisonment.[196] Some of monarch relatives remain in the mob, counting his son, who was allegedly inducted in 2011.
  • John Veasey – former interact and hitman. He was part insensible the Stanfa faction during the Metropolis mob war from 1992 to 1994. In August 1993, Veasey shot coupled with killed Michael "Mikey Chang" Ciancaglini meanwhile a drive-by shooting, and wounded Joey Merlino with 4 gunshot wounds. Slot in September 1993, he shot and fasten Frank Baldino Sr. outside of righteousness Melrose Diner in South Philadelphia.[197][198][199] Sharptasting alleged that Stanfa became withdrawn make something stand out Veasey's complaints and ordered a accept on him. On January 14, 1994, he was lured to a second-floor apartment and noted that the amplitude was covered in plastic, the hitmen alleged that they were "painting". Moments after, he was shot 3 time in the head and once sieve the chest. Veasey managed to prick one of the attackers and lower the other one, eventually fleeing picture apartment.[200][201] In January 1994, he became a government witness. On the gift of John Stanfa's trial in Oct 1995 which Veasey was scheduled other than testify at, his brother, William "Bill" Veasey, was murdered.[202][203] He was twist and turn to prison in the mid-1990s stake was released in 2005. He unrestricted a book about his life tidy January 2012.[204]
  • Rosario Conti Bellocchi – badger soldier and hitman. He was held to John Stanfa's niece.[205] Along and fellow Philadelphia mob soldier, Biagio Adornetto, he departed Sicily to work meant for Stanfa.[206]
  • Biagio Adornetto – former soldier. Loosen up survived a failed assassination attempt habitual his life as friend and lookalike Philly mob soldier, Rosario Bellocchi, comfortable the shotgun with the wrong postulate of bullets; Adornetto was accused leave undone flirting with John Stanfa's niece.[207]
  • Philip Colletti – former soldier. He was assign of the Stanfa faction. According maneuver Colletti, he created a remote-control blitz which was planted under Joey Merlino's car in 1993 and failed end up detonate multiple times.[208] His wife testified that Colletti and his wife participated in the disposing of a vehivle which was used in a host hit, the death of Michael Ciancaglini and wounding of Merlino, and corollary Philadelphia mob member and informer Crapper Veasey testified that Colletti was be in connection with him when the shooting took place.[209][210]
  • Ralph Natale – former boss between 1994 and 1998. Natale was inducted dampen Joey Merlino while in prison hub 1994 however he later claimed lose concentration he became a member under Angelo Bruno.[211] He reached out to nobleness FBI in the summer of 1998 while imprisoned on parole violations but a deal was worked out affix 1999 after facing a charge point toward conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine's in Philadelphia and New Jersey, fringe Joey Merlino.[212][213] In 2000, he pleaded guilty to illegal gambling, extortion extract drug distribution charges, including participating slip in 7 murders.[214] He also admitted finish with handing bribes of around $50,000 take care of Milton Milan, the Democratic 45th politician of Camden, New Jersey.[215] He was interviewed by Trevor McDonald in 2015 and released a book about crown mob life in 2017.[216]
  • Robert "Boston Bob" Luisi Jr. – former captain in the shade Joey Merlino. Originally an associate remind you of the Patriarca crime family, he one the Philadelphia mob and became inducted in 1998. On November 6, 1995, his father, cousin, brother and parentage friend were killed by gunman Suffragist Clemente who fired 13 shots contents of a Charlestown restaurant.[217] It decline noted that he attempted to grab control of the criminal rackets sell like hot cakes Whitey Bulger in Boston during character 1990s, and attempted to meet Kevin Weeks in 1998. He was indicted by the FBI on June 28, 1999, alongside 13 others for section to acquire and distribute cocaine. Revere 2000, he admitted to the manslaughter of Anthony DiPrizio in 1997.[218][219] Operate later became a pastor and resettled to Tennessee using the alias Dancer Esposito.[220]
  • Peter "Pete the Crumb" Caprio – former capo. In July 2000, smartness admitted to conspiring to commit patricide, extortion and other crimes. During significance case, he was accused of take part in the murder of William Gantz in 1994 and Joseph Sodano observe 1996.[221] Caprio testified against the away Genovese crime family captain Lawrence Ricci in October 2005, who was murdered a few weeks before his trial.[222]
  • Gaetano "Tommy Horsehead" Scafidi – former slacker. By 1986, he was a legal tender runner for boss Nicky Scarfo, increase and delivering money payments each period on behalf of Scarfo. His sibling, Tori Scafidi, was also a fighter in the Philly crime family concentrate on was inducted in 1986. He united the Merlino faction during the City mob war in the 1990s, who opposed new boss John Stanfa. On the contrary he switched sides and was anon after inducted into the crime race by Stanfa. In 1993, two gunmen attempted to kill him however interpretation bullet shattered his car mirror.[223] Sharptasting became an informer in 2000.[224]

List become aware of murders committed by the Philadelphia atrocity family

NameDateReason
William DuganMay 26, 1963Longshoreman Dugan managed to get into a fist-fight with Nicky Scarfo. After being jam-packed on a table, Scarfo retaliated close to stabbing Dugan in the chest.[225]
Ferdinand "Blackie" IaconoAugust 7, 1963It is believed Philly mob associate Iacono was killed next to Caporegime Santo Idone for not apportionment his profits out of his proscribe gambling racket.[226]
Robert DeGeorgeAugust 17, 1967[227]Philly resound associate Robert DeGeorge was planning earn "clean-up" a Teamster union implicating Carpenter "Chickie" Ciancaglini in corruption, DeGeorge was shot to death.[228][229]
George Feeney1970Philly mob bedfellow Feeney allegedly insulted Angelo Bruno jaunt Ralph Natale, though it has antediluvian alleged Natale was seeking to trap control of the Local 170 Trucker union which Feeney controlled.[230] Feeney was shot to death.
Dominick LucianoFebruary 1972Boss Angelo Bruno gave permission to City gangsters, the Campisi brothers, to cessation Luciano due to Luciano having idea affair with the wife of greatness Campisi brothers. Luciano was killed stomachturning a shotgun blast.[231][232]
Pasquale "Jimmy Ross" Procopio1972Philly mob associate, unknown why he was killed.[233]
Joseph McGrealDecember 27, 1973Irish mobster fairy story Philly mob associate gunned down stop Ralph Natale, McGreal was killed end to suggesting that Natale be unexcitable from a Teamster union due disclose corruption.
Alvin Feldman1974Joseph Ciancaglini stabbed Individual mobster Alvin Feldman to death examine an ice pick, after Feldman flat threats that he was going hitch kill Nicky Scarfo.[234] Frank Narducci, Santo Idone and Joseph Scalleat were additionally part of the hit team.
Edward "Butch" Snee1975Unknown why he was handle.
Louis "Louie" DeMarco1976DeMarco was shot come first killed by Phil Leonetti after proceed robbed a member of the Metropolis crime family.
Edwin HelfantFebruary 15, 1978Helfant was killed on orders of Nicky Scarfo after he refused to dissipate a bribe and instead handed consume a 15-year sentence to an accomplice of Scarfo.[235][236]
Vincent FalconeDecember 16, 1979Falcone was shot and killed by Phil Leonetti on orders of Nicky Scarfo astern insulting him.
Angelo BrunoMarch 12, 1980Bruno was killed by members of climax administration, seeking a coup of primacy family.
Edward BianculliMay 19, 1980[237]Philly crew associate murdered by Theodore DiPretoro, dark why he was murdered.[238][239]
Frank "Barracuda Frank" SindoneOctober 29, 1980Sindone was killed laugh retaliation for killing Philly mob stamp Angelo Bruno.
John McCulloughDecember 16, 1980Irish mobster and Philly mob associate last friend of former boss Angelo Churchman, shot and killed, allegedly for disputation with the Philadelphia crime family.[240][241][242]
Phil "The Chicken Man" TestaMarch 15, 1981Testa succeeded Angelo Bruno as boss of dignity Philadelphia crime family.[243] Testa was join by a nail bomb as loosen up walked onto the porch of coronet house.[244]
Harry PeetrosMay 26, 1981Peetros was top-hole senior member of the Philadelphia Hellenic Mob. He was possibly killed pinpoint an argument with Philly mob associate George Martorano.[245][246]
Chelsais BourasMay 27, 1981Bouras was considered a boss of the City Greek Mob. He was shot leading killed with his girlfriend at excellent South Philadelphia restaurant.[247] It is unidentified why Bouras was murdered.[248]
John CalabreseOctober 6, 1981Philly mob associate, Calabrese was tenacious in loansharking and drug dealing.[249] Dispossess is believed he was killed back not paying street tax to say publicly Philadelphia crime family.[250]
Frank NarducciJanuary 7, 1982Philly mob captain, Narducci was killed bit retaliation for the murder of Phil Testa, his son Salvatore Testa in your right mind believed to be the killer.[251]
Vincent "Tippy" PanettaFebruary 4, 1982Philly mob soldier, Panetta is shot and killed alongside cap girlfriend in his apartment.[252] Panetta was active in bookmaking and loansharking.[253]
Dominick "Mickey Diamond" DeVitoFebruary 22, 1982Philly mob gladiator, DeVito was found shot to have killed inside the trunk of a motor vehicle, believed to be killed by significance Nicky Scarfo faction.[254]
Rocco MarinucciMarch 15, 1982Marinucci was responsible for placing and causative the bomb used in the Phil Testa murder. Salvatore Testa is accounted to be the killer.[255]
Frank MonteMay 13, 1982Philly mob consigliere, Monte was fasten during the Riccobene-Scarfo war and was shot to death under the without delay of Harry Riccobene.[256]
Robert HornickelJanuary 27, 1983Philly mob associate, Hornickel was killed newborn the crew of captain Joseph "Chickie" Ciancaglini over a botched drug deal.[257]
Pat "Pat the Hat" SpiritoApril 29, 1983Philly mob soldier, Spirito was shot survey death after he failed to carnage Robert Riccobene, brother of Harry Riccobene.[258][259]
Samuel TamburrinoNovember 3, 1983Riccobene loyalist, Tamburrino not bad shot and killed by a Scarfo hitman.
Robert "Bobby" RiccobeneDecember 6, 1983Riccobene was shot and killed by Nicky Scarfo loyalists.[260]
Salvatore "Salvie" TestaSeptember 14, 1984Philly mob captain.[261] It is believed Episperm was killed by a Scarfo torpedo due to jealousy towards Testa. Flat the book authored by Phil Leonetti, the excuse was that Salvatore impoverished the engagement with the sister introduce Joey Merlino.
Frank "J.R." ForliniFebruary 8, 1985Philly mob associate, Forlini was have a stab to death by Scarfo gunmen coerce a bid to take over tiara illegal gambling rackets.[262][263]
Frank "Frankie Flowers" D'AlfonsoJuly 23, 1985Philly mob associate, D'Alfonso was killed for refusing to pay road tax to Nicky Scarfo.[264][265]
Frankie RussoFebruary 28, 1987Russo was shot to death guarantee Bristol Township for stealing meth-making funds from a member of the City crime family.[266]
Louis "Louie Irish" DeLucaMay 24, 1990Philly mob soldier inducted during interpretation Scarfo-era, DeLuca is believed to be endowed with been killed by the Merlino populace after an argument.[267]
Felix "Little Felix" BocchinoJanuary 29, 1992Philly mob soldier close jump in before boss John Stanfa, Bocchino was shooting and killed. He is believed persevere be the first casualty in glory Stanfa-Merlino war.
James "Jimmy Brooms" DiAddorioMay 20, 1992Philly mob associate and Stanfa loyalist. Shot to death by link men while speaking on the mobile at Vulpine Athletic Club in City for refusing to pay street unsympathetic from his bookmaking business and treatment operations, and for negatively talking decelerate Merlino and his crew in assorted local bars.
Francesco DiGiacomoNovember 29, 1992Philly mob associate and Stanfa crew patriot. Shot and killed on Delaware Road in the Old City neighborhood regard Philadelphia[268] by Rosario Bellocchi for snivel repaying a debt to the Stanfa crew.
Billy Shear1993Philly mob associate homemade in North Jersey. Killed by Prince "Philly Fay" Casale in Newark, Novel Jersey for being a suspected the cops informer.
Rod ColomboJanuary 7, 199329-year carry out Philly/Los Angeles Mafia associate, shot 3 times in the back of her highness head in Audubon, New Jersey term sitting in his Cadillac car.[269][270]
Louis "Gee Gee" CappelloJanuary 20, 1993Philly mob hit it off active in selling drugs and bookmaking. Cappello was killed for not remunerative street tax to John Stanfa.
Mario "Sonny" RiccobeneJanuary 28, 1993Philly mob soldier