As we head into the new year we take a look at the current status of the Philly Mafia.
The City of Brotherly Love has long been home to what many consider to be one of the more interesting Cosa Nostra families in the country. The Philly family certainly has a colorful past but where does the family stand today and what does the future hold. From a pure numbers perspective, the organization is seemingly stronger today than it has been in years. The return to the streets of some of the older Scarfo era mobsters along with the Merlino crew and reports of some newly made guys have expanded the ranks. But this doesn’t necessarily mean the Mafia in Philadelphia is on an upward swing.
One of the main questions asked when it comes to the Philadelphia Mafia is what’s actually left on the streets? Like most mob families the traditional rackets like illegal gambling, loan sharking, and drugs have been it’s bread and butter for more than a decade. But with the growth of the local casino industry and the newly passed laws legalizing sports betting the illegal gambling rackets are not what they once were. The domino effect may also lead to smaller proceeds from loan sharking as it often goes hand and hand with illegal gambling.
While illegal drugs are highly profitable it’s also a highly competitive market and even more so dangerous. Recent indictments have shown that the family is active in this area although it’s unclear as to what extent. Like many of the other families in New York and elsewhere the need to diversify is greater than ever if a mafia family is to remain viable. Smaller profits for the mafia ultimately means less power and influence. But there hasn’t been any recent indications that this sort of diversity has taken hold within the Philly organization.
Instead, recent reports have been of high ranking mobsters branching off into the legal business world. George Borgesi, Joseph (Joey Pung) Pungitore, and Phil Narducci among others have moved into the real estate business, buying properties, renovating and flipping properties as well as restaurants etc. As to whether or not all of these businesses are completely legit and if it means these guys have stepped back from their criminal activities that remains to be seen. We also look at the recent indictment of alleged boss Joey Merlino who feds claim was part of a criminal enterprise not composed of mobsters from Philadelphia but from New York.
Recent rumors of the organized crime task force in Philly working to put together a new case revolve around cold case murders more so than recent and ongoing criminal activity. The bad blood and potential unrest within the family between the old Scarfo era and Merlino crews haven’t come to pass and many believe it’s in part because what’s left isn’t even worth fighting for. While some see these things as indicators that the Philly Mob is on its way out and has dwindled down to nothing more than a street crew not everyone agrees.
Some believe these guys have learned an important lesson and are simply staying low key and operating in a more old school fashion rebuilding it ranks while they reorganize behind some of the veteran wiseguys who remain. Recent reports have Michael “Mikey Lance” Lancelotti as the new street boss of the family atop a still seemingly functional hierarchy. Many who think the mob in Philadelphia may be more than what it seems to be point to the fact that a leadership structure remains in place and they continue to have a presence on the streets as clear signs that they can still bounce back.
So as we head into 2019 which side of the debate do you stand?
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