Monday, May 30, 2011

South Philadelphia - Reputed Philly Mob Leader's Arrest Could Put Merlino Back In Charge Philadelphia Inquirer 05 29 2011

Here's the particular big problem circulating around specific bags in South Philadelphia :

With reputed mob boss Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi throughout jail using a lot of his leading associates, who is minding the store?

Who's getting involved in collecting your cash?

Who's keeping that loan-shark customers current?

Who's emptying out the particular video-poker machines as well as coordinating this tally sheets?

A 50-count indictment unsealed Monday of which priced Ligambi, 71, together with racketeering conspiracy, extortion, in addition to gambling ended up being made about the economics of the mob.

And while he or she rests inside Federal Detention Center at Seventh along with Arch Streets, of which overall economy proceeds to commute enterprise within the underworld.

That, claim public and also underworld methods alike, will be the main motive someone will probably go on to complete your cleaner established through what exactly appears to be the end belonging to the Ligambi era.

The most realistic successor, these methods say, is in a dejecting prison halfway home with Florida, using available the final six months of your 14-year phrase regarding racketeering.

The much more things transform . . .

Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino, 49, features explained to associates as well as contacts that your dog intends to remain from the Sunshine State following their launch around September.

He is definitely functioning with your tile along with floor-covering store near Boca Raton and also coming back again for you to this halfway house each one evening. Several folks that possess spoken in order to him or her express he / she hopes to buy this diner business.

To date, he has shunned the spotlight, rental everyone learn he is certainly not keen on talking to reporters.

But South Philadelphia as well as that limelight were being one time portion of his / her lifeblood, and you will find people who imagine they won't be capable to stay clear of either.

The lots regarding cash that include heading a offense family may be a larger lure compared to balmy climate as well as hand trees.

"There are a massive amount people out there within the streets right this moment that were not producing it pay within Ligambi," claimed one form informed about this situation. "They figure at this point it really is their particular decide on eat. They're devoted to be able to Joey as well as can't look forward to him to return back."

In the particular limited term, several underworld as well as legislations enforcement solutions believe, Merlino will remain lurking behind the scenes, influencing one's destiny of the Philadelphia crime spouse and children from afar. Two regarding his major associates, Steven Mazzone along with John "Johnny Chang" Ciancaglini, come in placement downtown.

Both have been convicted with Merlino in 2001 and managed jail time.

Both not too long ago arrived away from supervised judge generate and they are zero cost to maneuver concerning and also associate having whomever they will choose. Both tend to be experienced inside the economy associated with the particular underworld.

Ciancaglini, 55, works at a news kiosk inside the airport parking lot outside Chickie's & Pete's restaurant on Packer Avenue. He seems to be doing well. He devices a strong Infiniti SUV and are available most days discussing using shoppers which stop by your stand, like many mob people and associates. His wife, Kathy, whom are the owners of this kiosk, is frequently noticed tooling around city inside a Mercedes.

They live in a $350,000 townhouse not really not even close the particular newsstand.

Mazzone, 48, apparently Merlino's preference to run that organization, did wonders for just a occasion in a health club in South Philadelphia , nonetheless it is usually unclear how this individual currently earning some sort of living.

Like Ciancaglini, he seems being carrying out well. He shots off the tee your Nissan Pathfinder, will be generally impeccably dressed, along with provides the impact that will he doesn't use a care inside the world.

Mazzone had been Merlino's underboss, as outlined by government authorities, and also made it simpler for run that family through a thrashing period of time that bundled fights using enemy boss John Stanfa along with later using ally-turned-nemesis Ralph Natale.

Ciancaglini may be a veteran wiseguy, among in whose siblings was wiped out and another certainly injured through the violent 1990s. His father, Joseph "Chickie" Ciancaglini, ended up being a new capo under mob boss Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo inside the actual nineteen-eighties and is continue to serving occasion on racketeering charges.

No comments:

Post a Comment