The Plumber: True Story of How One Good Man Helped Destroy the Entire Philadelphia Mafia

by Joseph Salerno, Stephen J. Rivele

The author recounts his testimony against the mafia and his experiences in the government witness protection program

Genres: True Crime, Crime

336 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1990

Reviews

[Shelby]

This book was a nice quick and easy read. I gave it 5 stars because of the context that makes the book. I can’t even begin to imagine Joe Salerno went through and it makes me sick to think of the way he as treated by the government. Here’s a man who was just trying to get by and suddenly he’s tangled up in a murder and being offered a role in the mob.

When I picked up this book I thought that Joe Salerno was an FBI agent who went undercover into the mob. Boy was I wrong and it was such a surprise to find out that he was a recruit of the boss.

Definitely recommend.

[Sam Erickson]

An odd mixture of very factual and moving personal stories. The book itself makes it seem as though Stephen J. Rivele is the main author, with personal bits from Joe Salerno inserted into the weaving of the story as required.

It was an interesting read, and it was a different subject than what I normally read. There are photos of some of Scarfo's victims in the book, although it is in black and white. That was interesting to see some of the different scenes and people.

What was interesting was that I went to look up Joe Salerno and could not find any record of him, which makes sense since he's in the witness protection program. But in Scarfo's Wikipedia page, there is no mention of the civilian informant, nor is there any more information on the RICO trial that finally landed Scarfo in jail. Notably, there is no mention of Vincent Falcone's murder and subsequent acquittal on Scarfo's page (although there is a brief mention on Phil Leonetti's Wikipedia page about it). Trying to look up the court trial against Nicky Scarfo also did not reveal any information about Joe Salerno. Eventually I found an old New York Times article from 1980 that talked about the acquittal of Scarfo and co. from the murder of Falcone, and the article did mention Joe Salerno. So hey, he was a real guy. The more I tried to find information about the guy, part of me was starting to wonder if this was just an elaborate fiction book, I won't lie.

[Stefanie Robinson]

This book is written by Joseph Salerno, an Italian American plumber who found himself involved with Philadelphia mobster Nicodemo Scarfo. Scarfo was banished from Philadelphia to Atlantic City for his antics, where he soon took over the construction business during the casino building boom. This is how Salerno came into contact with him. While hanging around these gangsters, he witnessed a murder that was committed using his own weapon. He told the police everything he knew, but his treatment by law enforcement was really disheartening. He witnessed against Scarfo and his testimony did help bring light to Scarfo's misdeeds. Scarfo was a man with a quick temper and a penchant for murder. It is believed that Scarfo was responsible for at least twenty six murders, but probably a lot more. This book details Salerno's experiences with the mob, but also his time in witness protection, his family issues, and his issues with his treatment by law enforcement. It was a really interesting book, and I certainly appreciate it getting me through dance and waiting at the dentist office.

[Dom]

Let's face it, how many of you know a plumber with an interesting story? None? Same goes for Joe Salerno. Yes, he has a more interesting story than your normal plumber but the promotion of this book made it seem like he was the only reason the Scarfo Mob was taken down. Salerno was a speck of dust on Little Nicky's shoes, that's why this book is only 200 something pages. The one incident Joe partook in with Scarfo was the only interesting part of this book. I did not care for the majority of the book talking about Salerno's life in the Witness Protection Program. Sounds interesting but it's not. Reading about him working a plumbing job in the middle of nowhere Kansas or Oregon or wherever he ended up is not what I call entertaining. If you are already informed on the Philly mob then this book does nothing to add to that. Small story made out to be a history defining event. 3 stars.

[Marianne Evans]

This book answered so many questions I had when I first moved to Philly in 1987 and didn't understand why this big city turned into a hick town every night at 5:30pm. Everyone jumped on their trains and headed to the suburbs leaving the streets of center city deserted. Dumb ol' me thoroughly enjoyed the peaceful quiet to walk the streets by myself and dream of buying a rundown rowhome for only $10,000. Too bad, my boyfriend talked me out of it.

[Trevor]

This is the story of Joe Salerno, a guy who was dragged into the murky world of the mafia.

Joe witnesses a mafia hit and ends up in witness protection giving evidence, all the while leading a lowly life trying to keep a roof over his head, and hiding from the people he's trying to get convicted.

[Rita]

This was actually a pretty good book and easy to read. I didn't know anything about him before reading it but had read other books about the Philly mob and Scarfo. It really makes you think twice if you would ever be offered to go into the witness protection program.

[Huguette Larochelle]

a good story of a hero that clean the world of the bad for us , the good win this time but that impact his life that is sad .

[Beryl]

Not my usual genre but I couldn't put this book down

[Peta]

Really enjoyed! As much as the Mafia stuff was fascinating, so was the treatment by the US Marshalls that Joe was put through. Just atrocious stuff all around.

[Jeff Moore]

Very interesting story and insight into the Philadelphia mob, the boys drama club. The glamorization compared to the reality of mob life is such a stark contrast and I believe this book puts that on full display, and that is what I liked so much about it.
Contrary to popular beliefe, mob life isn't the Soprano's, far from it. These guys are lowlife con-men with bigger mouths than pockets with only a rare few with enough keenness to practically implement violence as a solution. What a pathetic life it must be, and than you get caught.

[Walt]

There are many books out there detailing the rise and fall of Nicky Scarfo. This book is one of the easiest books to read and digest.

Afterall, the other books describe so many killings that the reader gets them confused. Salerno only focuses on the few he had direct knowledge. These same killings were also the ones that led to Scarfo's RICO conviction and life sentences.

[Richard]

More goodfellas, more good times Philly style courtesy of the Scarfo mob. Hey, it was cheap and I needed something for the bus ride.

[Maureen]

absolutely brilliant book, well worth the read, i have read it at least 4times and never been bored.

[William Marshall]

Once again local history I grew up 10 minutes outside Atlantic City was a teenager when all this happened