The latest episode of Mob Talk takes a look at the current state of the Philadelphia mafia and who’s currently in charge of the Cosa Nostra family.
Mafia experts George Anastasia and Dave Schratwieser discuss the current situation on the streets in Philly and what’s happening within the organized crime family. According to the feds Joey Merlino is the boss of the Philly mafia although these mob experts aren’t so sure and according to Anastasia things may be in flux right now and he isn’t sure that anyone is actually in charge at the moment. If Merlino is in fact still running things than his recent conviction and the upcoming trial could potentially bring about a change in that status.
If there is a lack of leadership and some instability within the mafia in Philadelphia former FBI agent and head of Squad One the FBI’s elite organized crime unit John Terry believes that conflict may be inevitable. With multiple factions on the streets and the history of the crime family, the potential for conflict certainly seems likely. We also get some more information about the rumors of a potential case being put together by the feds targeting various mobsters. The guys talk about some of the new rackets the Philly mob are believed to be into and the legitimacy of these new ventures. As always both Dave and George do a fantastic job bringing us the inside scoop on the mafia in The City of Brotherly Love via Mob Talk!
Okay so we believe there are multiple factions on the streets now that may not exactly see eye to eye so perhaps George is right and there isn’t really anyone currently running things at least in the sense of a traditional mafia boss. Maybe there is some kind of counsel set up with someone from each of the factions having a say. Or Joey could very well still be in charge and the Scarfo era guys are either not involved at all anymore or have been allowed to just kind of earn and operate on their own. Not sure we get a whole lot of answers any time soon unless there that new case the feds may be working on actually hits. But if there is in fact no one in control out there you would think that eventually it is going to be a problem in one way or another.
Could the family possibly split into more than one small family?
Not sure that will happen but with the various factions if things are indeed this split now they could already be operating that way to some extent.
That’s basically what the dynamic in Montreal was, so it’s possible. Been done elsewhere too.
Speaking of Montreal they finally sentenced the the rest of of guys for the Montagna hit.
ya and most of them will be out in the next few months what a joke
Joe AKA.. Chickie Ciangalini is the man keeping the peace with Narducci faction and Joey Pung faction ex–Scrafo..Guys and joeys merlino crews, mike Lancelotti and Marty Angelina, Mezzone Johnny Ciangalini…..Chickie C. Is the most respected in the Philly Mob….
He is consilgiore with Joe Ligambi. So he may be in his 80s but Chickie is the sensible and seasoned mob veteran keeping the peace…. Joe Merlino is in charge of his loyal crews but not giving orders to Narducci faction or Joey Pungatore faction….. So Philly mob is like 3 capo regime multiple crews who kick up to street boss of each faction…
And each faction gives a taste to Chickie and uncle Joe…
Consilgiores …joey Merlin is fed by his loyal men
Chickie is def a highly respected guy although I am starting to wonder how active Phil and Joey Pung actually are on the streets these days. Perhaps the old Scarfo faction isn’t active enough to really need much peace keeping kind of staying out of things esp things that effect the Merlino crew. I wouldn’t be shocked if they still had their hands in some minor rackets but we really haven’t seen much that would suggest Phil etc are really back into the swing of things OC wise.
Definitely Joey Pung has been handling Real-estate bussines… His father did invest smartly in real-estate back in the 70s 80s …so joey pung is definitely doing his own thing… Phil was hanging out with with 10 and Oregon members when he came back to streets… But you are correct lately his restaurant has been keeping him busy….. If skinny joey were to be sent back to prison for long stretch, that is when I think some conflicts erupt on south Philly streetsj
Since,for as long as i can remember, Merlino has always been a “Boss”/Leader of a Faction what is/would his Title be if he’s “deposed “? I’ve never heard he was a Soldier or even a Capo and would this affect his “Pay”? Just wondering if anyone knows or will explain
At best he’d collect tributes upon release or have someone else collecting. Would likely be next to impossible to facilitate collecting and laundering of money while locked up. Back since Al Capone showing legitimate income has been just as problematic as informants. Amassing large sums of money while incarcerated would definitely throw up red flags.
With law enforcement expecting wars between the different factions these guys would have to be morons to start killing each other.
I doubt any of the older guys and maybe some of the younger guys want anything to do with the giant target on Merlinos back. Not saying they don’t personally like or respect him but it’s painfully obvious what a hard on the Feds have for Merlino. Its like he is the young Philly version of Gotti. That family has had so much dysfunction and civil strife for decades now. I still feel like this current case against Merlino is gonna fizzle out but thats not gonna stop them from coming after him until something sticks. Merlino is on borrowed time one way or the other, just my opinion. This whole rudderless faction thing can only work for so long not to mention it makes them lose face in front of other Families. I dont doubt that if they had an old school low key tough guy then they might all be happy to fall in line. The whole concept of their strength is a group of guys who all belong to a Borgata and are willing to kill or use whatever force is necessary for them to earn and compel other independent tough guy criminals to pay a street tax if they choose to keep earning in a particular city. You dont even have to have a large group but at least a core group of guys with a solid administration that governs the Family period. There were plenty of smaller LCN Families back in the day and they got their respect as well as their street tax. The street tax is really the way you can judge if a Family is running a town and if they are feared and respected. Bottom line is Factions will only last so long. Canada is a mess due to all the factions. The Outfit is a good example of a Family that ran their town. Second largest city in America. Granted it didnt have quite as many street gangs back then but they still had plenty for the time and a lot of tough black neighborhoods. Giancanas stunt of taking over the Policy Rackets in those neighborhoods was a bold move. They may be fading out hard right now but back then I still say they were the single most powerful and connected Mob Family in the States. They had that city locked down and people paid the Outfit if they wanted to live. People may not agree with me totally on that but I truly believe in their heyday they were by far the strongest single family. Detroit following close behind. Solid management who were not overly greedy in the kick they expected from their underlings. Certain crews very good at earning and some crews that were just stone killers. Long history of properly paying off the corrupt cops and politicians. All bases covered and a well respected boss in Accardo. People say that the Outfit legitimately stayed out of drugs. Who knows if thats true but I could see guys like Accardo and Ricca keeping out of that business when they had Las Vegas as a cash cow. Anyway them days are surely over now. Wait and see what happens to The Philly Family!
A young Philly version of Gotti I think is a solid description at least in the eyes of the feds! This recent case seems like it may end up being fairly weak if it does make its way into court so have to think Merlino has a pretty good shot at beating it and if this were anyone else besides Merlino the feds would have probably already folded up shop and given up on it.