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Philadelphia mafia captain Michael βMikey Lanceβ Lancellotti is back in the mix inside the mob after battling and now seemingly recovering from cancer. Sources believe Lancellotti is now running the day to day operations of the Philly mafia as the buffer between acting boss Steven Mazzone and the families capos. Joey Merlino returned to Philly for first time since getting off parole restrictions and his first stop was a face to face with his old mobster pal Mikey Lance according to sources of Scott Burnsteinβs gangsterreport.
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βMichael Lancellottiβ
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It was reported that Merlino was back in town to attend a graduation party for the daughter of mob associate Raymond βRay Wagsβ Wagner but according to sources was also conducting business. Lance was inducted into the Philly mob by Merlino back in the 90βs and is a trusted member of the Merlino factions inner circle. Out of the three factions currently on the streets the Mazzone/Merlino faction seems to have the most stability with guys like Mikey Lance back in action.
Phil Narducci leads another faction currently on the streets of Philadelphia looking for a piece of the pie along with a third faction led by Joseph βJoey Pungeβ Pungitore. Both Narducci and Joey Pungitore are Scarfo era mafia soldiers and arenβt exactly fans of Merlino. It seems things are being kept in line on streets due to Mazzone being respected across the board from all factions. Some sources believe a power sharing situation has even been implimented via a ruling panel type of arrangement consisting of the rival faction leaders.
Merlino continues to deny any association with the mafia in Philadelphia anymore and claims he left the life behind and now is simply a business man running his new restaurant down in Boca Raton, Florida. Although many including those in law enforcement still consider him to be the current boss of the mob in Philly.
