Philadelphia mafia is back, according to mob experts and the Cosa Nostra family is even growing, reaching numbers that haven’t been seen in decades.
According to a report from veteran mafia reporters George Anastasia and Dave Schratwieser the Philly mafia now has as many as 35 made members on the streets and is as strong as it’s been since the mid 80’s. New made guys have been recently inducted into the Philly mob family along with many made guys who have returned to the streets after long prison sentences. According to the report federal and state authorities believe the family is somewhat divided into as many as four factions but a hierarchy is in place.
“Joseph Ligambi, Joey Merlino, Phil Narducci“
The feds believe the current pecking order of the mafia in Philadelphia has Joseph “Uncle Joe” Ligambi serving as acting boss with Steven Mazzone holding the rank of Underboss and Joseph “Chickie” Ciancaglini. Mob experts along with authorities believe that Joseph “Skinny Joe” Merlino is still the official boss of the family. There has been plenty of opinions as to the numerous factions the family seems to be divided into allegedly led by Joseph Ligambi, Joey Merlino, Joseph “Joe Pung” Pungitore, and Phil Narducci. Some theories have the mob in Philly broken into three factions with Ligambi and Merlino leading one and then Narducci and Pungitore leading the two others.
“Dominic Grande, George Borgesi, Steven Mazzone“
But the mafia family may not be as fractured as some believe and are finding a way to get along as they get back to the business of making money. The resurgent organized crime family is now getting into the booming real estate and rebuilding industry in Philly and they claim they have gone legit. But authorities are of course very skeptical of these claims and point to the track record of the mob in Philadelphia and believe they still control typical mafia rackets. No doubt the feds will be keeping a close eye on the strengthening organized crime family as we roll into the new year.
