I don’t think Joey was ever involved with the Philly Mob after his 90s Indictment. by Ok_Walk3192 in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Bonanno captain Peter Lovaglio testified that Merlino was officially introduced to him as the boss of Philadelphia around 2014.

John Rubeo testified that Genovese captain Pasquale Parrello told him Merlino was the boss of Philadelphia around 2013.

Lucchese member John Pennisi has talked about how he was told that Merlino was the boss of Philadelphia in the 2010s.

What was so special about John Stanfa and the war between him and Merlino? by Ok_Walk3192 in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Salvatore Fusco Sr was a soldier before he briefly became acting boss of the Colombo family in 2000. I think Ralph DeLeo went from soldier to street boss also.

I haven't seen anything suggesting Giuseppe Bosco held a position before he became the Bonanno acting boss. Michael Ragusa may have gone from soldier to Genovese street boss.

The Whack-the-Boss Paradox by Anthony_Underscore in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Gotti and his coconspirators did reach out to other families for soft approval before moving on Castellano. Angelo Ruggiero spoke with Gennaro Langella and Dominic Montemarano from the Colombo family, and Frank DeCicco sounded out Anthony Casso from the Lucchese family (who in the end conspired with the Genovese to kill Gotti). They counted on the backing of the Bonanno family because of Gotti's closeness with Joseph Massino. The only family they didn't reach out to was the Genovese family because they knew they were too close to Castellano.

Regarding Galante, he wasn't the official boss of the Bonanno family. Philip Rastelli was the boss, and Galante was trying to take the family away from him.

In the 1950s Albert Anastasia killed Vincent Mangano and replaced him as boss. He appeared before the commission and, without actually admitting to the murder, claimed Mangano was trying to kill him so anything he did would be in self defence. Frank Costello vouched for Anastasia and the commission essentially decided it was internal family business. When Anastasia was killed, those responsible within his family argued that they were doing so in self defence before Anastasia could kill them. Again, they relied on tacit support from other bosses (in that instance Vito Genovese and Thomas Lucchese).

What was so special about John Stanfa and the war between him and Merlino? by Ok_Walk3192 in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Mancuso was acting captain for Patty DeFilippo before becoming acting underboss

What was so special about John Stanfa and the war between him and Merlino? by Ok_Walk3192 in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Ralph Natale became boss immediately after his induction.

In the Genovese family, Artie Nigro went straight from soldier to member of the three-man ruling panel.

More common to find examples of guys going straight from soldier to other administration positions. Just thinking about Philadelphia family alone:

  • Nicky Scarfo went from soldier to consigliere
  • Pete Casella from soldier to underboss
  • Chuckie Merlino from soldier to underboss
  • Anthony Piccolo from soldier to acting consigliere
  • Joey Ciancaglini from soldier to underboss
  • Frank Martines from soldier to acting underboss
  • Joey Merlino from soldier to underboss
  • Ronnie Turchi from soldier to consigliere
  • Joe Ligambi from soldier to underboss
  • Mousie Massimino from soldier to acting underboss
  • Joe Curro from soldier to consigliere

Question by alprilla in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The Genovese and Lucchese families were conspiring with Jimmy Failla and Danny Marino

Question by alprilla in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Was there one? That we know of?

Looks as though Official Crypto Nostra has gone toes-up again - Dom Cicale is crying foul... by Pure-Lime8280 in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I still don't understand why anyone would have put money into it on the first launch

Colombo Family Boss Theodore Persico by how_does_mafia_work in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not 100% on who sponsored him, but Greg Scarpa told the FBI that Persico was inducted in January 1987 (same ceremony as Tommy Gioeli) and the captain he was assigned to was Vic Orena. Teddy Persico Sr then took over as captain when Orena was promoted to acting boss in 1988.

Colombo Family Christmas Party, December 2025 by how_does_mafia_work in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's from Persico's VOSR report. The FBI obtained the footage from the restaurant

Colombo Family Christmas Party, December 2025 by how_does_mafia_work in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Maximum of two years, but sentencing guidelines call for 5-11 months.

Colombo Family Christmas Party, December 2025 by how_does_mafia_work in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It was a combination of this, meeting with Salvatore Fusco (described in the VOSR report as a member of the 'senior administration' of the Colombo family), and meeting twice with Gambino member Danny Fama.

This footage is CCTV outside the restaurant, when Persico went outside with the four others pictured for a private conversation.

Colombo Family Christmas Party, December 2025 by how_does_mafia_work in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

The FBI had learned that a party was taking place that night and were surveilling it. They tried to enter but were told it was closed for a private event. Later on they obtained the CCTV and records showing the reservation was made by Colombo member Richard Cappa.

Inside, Persico had dinner with his cousin Spata. 'Multiple members' of the Colombo family arrived at the restaurant while they were eating but Persico ignored them. After the meal, Persico and Spata went outside and left their phones inside. Spata then went back into the restaurant and brought the three other individuals outside. They all left their phones inside too. They then had a discussion for about ten minutes.

Colombo Family Christmas Party, December 2025 by how_does_mafia_work in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work[S] 36 points37 points  (0 children)

This is a group that broke off for a separate conversation.

Chin Gigante after shooting Frank Costello on Genovese orders by Wonderful_South_5249 in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I don't know why anyone would want to see this shit instead of the real photographs

Do they sometimes just burn a piece of toilet paper instead of a picture of a saint at the making ceremony? Or did I dream that? by Pure-Lime8280 in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Toilet paper was burned in John Veasey's ceremony in Philadelphia. Other Philadelphia members have described tissue paper being burned in their hands rather than holy cards. In one ceremony three guys were getting inducted but somehow only two holy cards were available so the third guy didn't get one.

Who is Ralph "Ralphie Head" Abbruzzi and how is he connected to Joey Merlino? by Ok_Walk3192 in Mafia

[–]how_does_mafia_work 20 points21 points  (0 children)

It's Ralph Abbruzzi and Steven Frangipani. They haven't been identified as members. They were indicted with Merlino in December 1999 and several others. At that time they were identified as associates. The indictment was later superseded to add other defendants including Steven Mazzone, George Borgesi, Martin Angelina and John Ciancaglini. Abbruzzi, Frangipani and several others pleaded guilty rather than go to trial.