The Mafia in Philadelphia Part 3
The Modern Era
John Stanfa took over the organized crime scene in 1991. Stanfa, a Sicilian native, was thought to be the right man to steer the Philadelphia family to its previous glory, but he met resistance in the organization from a group of young mobsters known as the Turks, led by “Skinny” Joey Merlino. Stanfa had a short reign after being convicted on racketeering charges stemming from a bug planted by the FBI in the office of his attorney, Salvatore Avena.
Ralph Natale, a former president of the Camden County bartenders union, took over the Philadelphia family after John Stanfa. The reign of Ralph Natale was a prosperous one, however, as has been the case in recent history, it did not last long as Natale was sent to prison on a parole violation for meeting with mobsters.
“Skinny Joey” Merlino took over from Ralph Natale as the Philadelphia mob boss. Merlino has proven himself to be a ruthless boss. On March 18, 1998, Anthony Turra, a reputed drug lord, was murdered outside his South Philadelphia home. It’s largely believed that "Skinny Joey" Merlino ordered the hit as a message to the independent drug operators in Philadelphia. The Turras upset Merlino for operating in the city and not paying a tribute to the mob.
Merlino’s official reign did not last long. He constantly sought the spotlight and was ultimately brought down by the FBI shortly after his reign started. Much of his activites were destructive in nature. He was known for making large bets with illegal bookmakers, but then not paying them when he lost.
Joseph Ligambi took over as the official boss of the Philadelphia family in 2001, and was a stabilizing force ever since. During Ligambi’s reign he tightened the relationships with the New York families, and increased membership. Unlike “Skinny Joey” Merlino, Ligambi kept a low profile, and has success at making money.
One of the things that made Ligambi successful was creating a small, close circle of associates, and almost exclusively conducting business through intermediaries, insulating himself from law enforcement scrutiny. However, there is some question as to whether Ligambi was truly the boss of the family. Many believe that Joey Merlino was calling shots from prison and since his release from jail on March 15, 2011. To this day, it is believed that Merlino is still running the Philadelphia family from Florida. On May 23, 2011, Joseph Ligambi and 13 members of his crime family were indited by the FBI on racketeering charges related to illegal gambling operations and loan sharking. Steve Mazzone has been named the acting boss, working under the direction of Joey Merlino.
John Stanfa took over the organized crime scene in 1991. Stanfa, a Sicilian native, was thought to be the right man to steer the Philadelphia family to its previous glory, but he met resistance in the organization from a group of young mobsters known as the Turks, led by “Skinny” Joey Merlino. Stanfa had a short reign after being convicted on racketeering charges stemming from a bug planted by the FBI in the office of his attorney, Salvatore Avena.
Ralph Natale, a former president of the Camden County bartenders union, took over the Philadelphia family after John Stanfa. The reign of Ralph Natale was a prosperous one, however, as has been the case in recent history, it did not last long as Natale was sent to prison on a parole violation for meeting with mobsters.
“Skinny Joey” Merlino took over from Ralph Natale as the Philadelphia mob boss. Merlino has proven himself to be a ruthless boss. On March 18, 1998, Anthony Turra, a reputed drug lord, was murdered outside his South Philadelphia home. It’s largely believed that "Skinny Joey" Merlino ordered the hit as a message to the independent drug operators in Philadelphia. The Turras upset Merlino for operating in the city and not paying a tribute to the mob.
Merlino’s official reign did not last long. He constantly sought the spotlight and was ultimately brought down by the FBI shortly after his reign started. Much of his activites were destructive in nature. He was known for making large bets with illegal bookmakers, but then not paying them when he lost.
Joseph Ligambi took over as the official boss of the Philadelphia family in 2001, and was a stabilizing force ever since. During Ligambi’s reign he tightened the relationships with the New York families, and increased membership. Unlike “Skinny Joey” Merlino, Ligambi kept a low profile, and has success at making money.
One of the things that made Ligambi successful was creating a small, close circle of associates, and almost exclusively conducting business through intermediaries, insulating himself from law enforcement scrutiny. However, there is some question as to whether Ligambi was truly the boss of the family. Many believe that Joey Merlino was calling shots from prison and since his release from jail on March 15, 2011. To this day, it is believed that Merlino is still running the Philadelphia family from Florida. On May 23, 2011, Joseph Ligambi and 13 members of his crime family were indited by the FBI on racketeering charges related to illegal gambling operations and loan sharking. Steve Mazzone has been named the acting boss, working under the direction of Joey Merlino.
No comments have been added yet.
