Yitzhak Abergil a top Israeli crime family boss was arrested along with dozens of other suspected mobsters in a major organized crime bust. Abergil has been charged with the 2003 assassination attempt on rival Isreal mob boss Zeev Rosenstein which led to death of three bystanders. Rosenstein was targeted in a bomb attack in the city of Tel Aviv but survived the blatant attack.

“Yitzhak Abergil“

Abergil is also facing charges for his role in an international drug ring along with suspected involvement in the disappearance of former Israeli mob figure Micah Ben-Harush. The mobster was already in prison serving the last two years of a 8.5 year sentence on charges from a previous guilty plea. He and the other Isreal mafia figures were in court on Tuesday to attend remand hearings.

He was part of a drug indictment in the United States back in 2008 along with his brother Meir. They were charged with using a San Fernando Valley gang to distribute millions of dollars worth of the drug Ecstasy and paying gang members to commit murder. The pair were extradited back to the US where they served 3 years in a US prison before being shipped back home to serve out the remainder of the sentence.

In total over 50 suspected Israeli mobsters and associates were targeted in whats being called by Israeli authorities as one of the biggest assaults on organized crime to date. Being labeled as “Case 512″ the investigation encompass’s crimes dating back over the last 12 years in a joint effort by Tel Aviv district police and Isreal police’s anti-fraud unit Lahav 433.

The Sicilian mafia has ordered hits on two top Italian magistrates according to new intelligence reports collected by authorities. The plot against the prosecutors allegedly involves two clans with in the Sicilian mob believed to be located in Palermo and Gela according to the reports. Italian authorities say that each of the mafia clans involved would be tasked to take out the other’s enemy.

“Silvana Saguto and Renato Di Natale“

Renato Di Natale a prosecutor in Agrigento ended up in the crosshairs of one of the Siclian mafia clans after leading investigation into dismantling the organized crime group. Silvana Saguto from Palermo presided over a court which has ordered crippling seizures of assets against the mob clans in the area. The pair of prosecutors have made life hell for the Italian mafia and now find themselves being targeted by Cosa Nostra.

Montreal mafia has seemingly moved past the bloody war which resulted from an attack by a rival faction on the Rizzuto crime family. The death of former Montreal mob boss Vito Rizzuto has led to a new leadership table headed by Stefano Sollecito atop the crime family ranks. But according to sources this new leadership could be challenged soon and perhaps a new power struggle will develop inside the Montreal mob.

“Stefano Sollecito“

Francesco Arcadi a former interim leader in the Rizzuto family and two of his top lieutenants Lorenzo Giordano and Francesco Del Balso plan to regain control once released from prison sources confirm. Back in 2004 Arcadi was named “street boss” of the family after boss Vito Rizzuto was sent to prison in the United States. But the 61 year old mobster was indicted in 2006 during “Operation Colisee” along with both lieutenants.

“Francesco Arcadi during his 2006 arrest in Operation Colisee“

According to sources the trio have already sent indications to the new Montreal mafia management that they intend to regain control of the mafia in Montreal. Arcadi is known as having a less then subtle style and doesn’t always have unanimity within the mob , so if he intends to take back control there is likely to be sparks. This trio are set to be released from prison between December of this year and February of next year. Their release could very well trigger a new internal Montreal mafia war.

Bonanno crime family captain Nicholas “Nicky Mouth” Santora and three fellow mobsters remain behind bars as prosecutors fail to make them an offer they can’t refuse. Santora was arrested nearly two years ago on state racketeering charges along with Bonanno family soldier Anthony Santoro and acting mob captains Ernest Aiello and Vito Badamo. The mobsters remain behind bars are prosecutors refuse to offer any of them plea deals which don’t include long multi year prison sentences.

“Nicholas Santora“

The massive 158 page indictment against them includes 299 specific crimes and a recent court ruling will allow state prosecutors to introduce even more yet uncharged crimes. A judge ruled that prosecutors will be allowed to introduce new evidence and testimony against Santora and his fellow mobsters on a slew of additional crimes at trial. According to court records prosecutors will also be allowed to introduce charges of extortion conspiracy which Santora plead guilty to a decade ago along with extraneous gambling evidence against all of the defendants.

The introduction of this new evidence and new uncharged crimes can be used to establish a background and relationship between the defendants and their intent to conduct a criminal enterprise as a crew with in the New York Mafia. The 72 year old Santora could be looking at what amounts to a life sentence of convicted and his fellow mobsters who prosecutors claim were his key aids with in the mafia family extended prison sentences.

Defense attorney Timothy Parlatore who represents Santora said that its terribly unfair that state prosecutors have worked so hard to turn a non-violent glorified gambling case into something much bigger while his client sits behind bars. He said the only violence they have associated with the case is all talk with weak wire tap evidence of his client saying on the phone he would like to do something bad to someone else but never once communicated the threat directly to that person or attempt to carry it out.

Prosecutors have disclosed new details of the infamous 1978 Lufthansa Robbery some of which will be used as evidence against Vincent Asaro. The former Bonanno crime family captain is facing an impressive lineup of mafia rats including former Bonanno boss and underboss Joseph Massino and Salvatore Vitale along with former Gambino family associate Anthony Ruggiano Jr and his own cousin Gaspare Valenti.

According to recently released court documents Asaro kicked up an attache case filled with jewelry and gold to Massino who was his mob captain at the time of the heist as tribute. Massino will take the stand against Asaro to confirm the tribute payment with Sal Vitale testifying that he saw Massino in possession of the gold and jewels and that he was given a gold chain from the heist.

Ruggiano Jr will testify that his father Gambino family mobster Anthony “Fat Andy” Ruggiano helped Jimmy Burke and Asaro fence some of the stolen jewels from the robbery. Valenti claims his share was glommed by Asaro leading him to wear a wire and secretly record his cousin ranting about his participation in the heist. During a taped conversation Asaro said “We never got our right money, what we were supposed to get, we got f—ed all around, that f—ing Jimmy (Burke) kept everything.”

According to prosecutors Asaro blew his nearly $1 million dollar payoff from the robbery gambling at the racetrack. Each member of the crew was supposed to receive approx $750,000 for their part although most either were killed before they could collect or were just never paid according to the new court documents.

A roster of deceased participants in the 1978 Lufthansa heist have been released which include Jimmy Burke, Angelo Sepe, Burke’s son Frank, Tommy Desimone, Joseph “Joe Buddah” Manri, Danny Rizo, Louis “Fat Louie” Carfora, and Anthony Rodriguez. Asaro is likely facing life in prison if he is convicted on all charges in his upcoming trial. The Lufthansa robbery has long been a part of New York mafia history and lore.

Kansas City mafia has lost another of its elder members with the passing of Peter Tamburello a long time Missouri mob power. Tamburello was the last remaining member of the inner circle of long time Kansas City mob boss Nick Civella who died back in 1983. He served under Civella as a driver, bodyguard, and a trusted aid during his time in the mafia. The mafia in Kansas City also lost Carl Deluna the one time underboss under Civella back in 2008.

“Peter Tamburello“

Tamburello was convicted along with mob boss Civella on conspiracy to bribe a public official and was sent to prison in 1981 until 1983. Then in 1985 he was accused of skimming money from Las Vegas casinos along with other powerful mob figures but was acquitted. Civella and his regime were both respected and feared with in the mafia across the country at the height of their reign over Kansas City.

The Kansas City mafia is currently being run by boss John Sciortino and under boss Peter Simone according to the feds. The family like many others across the country has diminished in size and power over the last several years but unlike some other former mob families it has been able to maintain a partial leadership structure.

Edward “Cousin Eddie” Garafola still remains a threat to the community according to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons even after a suffering a stroke which left him partially paralyzed. The Gambino crime family soldier is serving a 30 year sentence for conspiring to murder former Gambino underboss Salvatore “Sammy Bull” Gravano and his own cousin. The 77 year old mobster has a rash of health problems and according to reports can no longer speak and is an amputee.

“Edward Garafola“

Garafola has been a made member in the Gambino family since the 1970’s and plead guilty back in 2007 to his part in the gangland murder of his cousin and suspected rat Edward “The Chink” Garofalo in 1990. He also plead guilty to conspiring with former Gambino family boss Peter Gotti to whack Gravano in 1999 for ratting on the family and former boss John Gotti.

“Edward Garofalo“

Although his health problems are vast law enforcement sources say he has not been “put on the shelf” or retired by the Gambino family and could theoretically still give orders to mafia associates if released. The law enforcement sources said about Cousin Eddie “He was a real bastard back in the day,” Garafola is not scheduled to be released until 2028 and even though the Prison Bureau often grants sentence reduction for elderly inmates with chronic illness it doesn’t seem like he will be able to benefit from it.

Francesco “Frank” Angiulo was one of an infamous group of brothers who ran New England mafia business from Boston’s North End from the 1960’s to the 1980’s. Frank Angiulo was the last of the crew and his death marks the end of an era for the New England mob. Frank was a bookkeeper for the mafia’s gambling and loan sharking business under his brother Gennaro Angiulo the underboss of the Patriarca crime family at the time. The brother operated out of a small North End office and were part of the fabric of the neighborhood for years controlling mob business from Boston to Worcester.

“Francesco Angiulo (center)“

Gennaro led the family while brother Frank did the books along with Donato who served as a capo and Michele a mob underling. The Angiulo brothers personified the old guard of the mafia who adhered to a code while running their lucrative rackets. Until 1981 when the feds using a bug located in Gennaro’s headquarters on Prime St. captured conversations of him and his underlings talking about mob murders and other various crimes.

“Francesco Angiulo (front, hands behind back), with brothers Michele (no jacket) and brother Donato at their Prince St office“

In 1986 the first trial targeting the New England mob hierarchy took place ending with convictions for all of the Angiulo brothers. Waves of indictments and prosecutions would follow that trial leading to the decimation of the mob family. As the brothers slowly returned to the streets from 1990’s onward they found a much weakened mafia in Boston and the North End had changed and was in flux no longer being mainly Italian.

Frank was never charged with participating in any violent mob crimes unlike his brothers and was known as the quiet brother who capably did the books. Lifelong residents of the North End in Boston say the Angiulo’s kept the neighborhood safe in those days and weren’t a bad name growing up. Attorney Elliot Weinstein who represented Frank in his racketeering case called the mobsters death the closing of a chapter of Boston mafia history.

Mafia raids in Canada targeted the Ndrangheta operations in the GTA arresting nineteen members on multiple criminal charges. More then 25 search warrants were executed in early morning hour raids in the Greater Toronto Area. An investigation into the Calabrian mafia known as the Ndrangheta that started back in 2013 being called “Project Ophoenix” targeted the highest levels of the criminal organization operating in the area.

The two year long joint forces operation set out to dismantle Ndrangheta cells that controlled various criminal rackets including drug and firearms trafficking. Authorities say the specific organization targeted was led by Giuseppe Ursino and now deceased Carmine Verduci along with help from Diego Serrano who was also a serious facilitator. Ursino and Serrano were among the 19 members arrested during the mob take down.

The Ndrangheta origins are in the Calabria region of Italy but have long had a presence in Canada with multiple families now operating in various regions including the GTA. The Ndrangheta groups combine their efforts both nationally and internationally to expand their power base and influence in multiple countries. The GTA Ndrangheta is believed to have had a hand in the recent Montreal mafia war which led to attacks against the Sicilian mafia aligned Rizzuto crime family.

Mafia Capitale was the target of raids across Italy which led to the arrest of 44 defendants for their alleged roles for their roles in a immigrant services scheme. The mafia group was identified last year as a new criminal organization operating independently from Italy’s other mafia families. The mob family is centralized in Rome and according to authorities is run from a low key petrol station and has begun to grow and spread its influence including infiltration of the political establishment.

“Massimo Carminati“

Massimo Carminati the alleged leader of Mafia Capitale was busted last December during initial raids against the newly recognized organized crime group. The organization allegedly rigged government contracts worth millions that are meant to provide for the thousands of migrants arriving on Italy’s shores yearly. Hotels were converted into migrant homing centers as part of the scheme to house the more then 170,000 migrants to Italy just last year collecting on the £23 per head, per day from the government.

The crime family boasted that the scheme has been even more lucrative then the drug business. Among those arrested in the latest raids were 19 public officials including local and regional Councillors and former Berlusconi Forza Italia caucus leader Luca Gramazio. The Rome mafia organization has now been in the cross hairs of authorities twice with in the last year as they try and halt its growth and prosperity.

Detroit mafia brothers Giuseppe “Joe the Hood” D’Anna and Girolamo “Mimmo” D’Anna are finally set to begin their racketeering and extortion trial in October. The Detroit mob duo was indicted by the feds back in 2013 but were able to delay the start of the trail through various legal motions and continuances. Guiseppe D’ Anna is a reputed capo for the mafia in Detroit heading up the Zip faction of the family while his brother Mimmo D’Anna is an alleged soldier.

“Girolamo D’Anna (front) and Giuseppe D’Anna (back)”

The brother were charged with attempted murder by the state for the 2011 near death beating of Pietro Ventilmiglia a rival business owner. Ventilmiglia owned Nonna’s Italian Kitchen a restaurant which sat across from Tirami Su Ristorante the headquarters of Joe the Hood. After rebuffing shake down attempts and warning to shut down from the mafia brothers Ventilmiglia was beaten with wooden baseball bats inside his restaurant in front of onlookers.

The state trial ended with plea deals and the mob duo getting sentences of less then three months each in prison and some home confinement. The feds then decided to hit them with racketeering and extortion charges and now they each face up to 20 years in prison. The brothers are first cousins of Salvatore D’Anna a mob boss in Sicily and nephews of now deceased Detroit mafia capo Anthony “Tony Cars” D’Anna.

Making of The Mob: New York one of the more anticipated mafia TV series is set to make its premiere on Monday June 15th on AMC at 10/9c. The eight part mini series is a docu-drama which chronicles the history of the New York Mafia and its original five families. It will cover 50 years of the American Mafia going all the way back to 1905 with in depth looks into the rise of the mob and many of its legendary made men. Featuring dramatic scenes, archival footage, and groundbreaking VFX the new mob series is sure to be a hit.

The show will cover legendary events and mobsters such as Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, Vito Genovese and many more. It will also feature interviews and information from various law enforcement sources along with family members of many of these historical mobsters. Narrated by Ray Liotta the series should supply us with a fresh new look into the mafia in New York and its historical rise to power.

Its sure to be one of the more interesting 2015 mafia shows as AMC usually does a very good job with docu-drama series such as this. Each new episode of the show will be accompanied by a lead in of various mafia movies from the AMC movie vault like The Godfather, Goodfellas, and Donnie Brasco among others.

Michael “Mikey” Davis a long time powerful associate of the Chicago mafia has been found guilty on charges of extortion and now faces up to 40 years behind bars. The trial featured some of the biggest names of the Chicago Outfit ranks including former bosses John DiFronzo and Peter DiFronzo and current alleged Chicago mob boss Salvatore “Solly D” DeLaurentis. Davis has strong ties to the DiFronzo brothers going back years and according to prosecutors maintained a business relationship with DeLaurentis.

“Michael Davis and Peter DiFronzo“

Davis back in 2013 threatened a deadbeat debtor named R.J. Serpico and then tried to hire a group of goons to break the guys legs. After threatening Serpico himself and still not getting paid he went to fellow mob associate Paulie Carparelli to set up an assault to turn up the heat in efforts to recover the $300,000 he says he was owed. But the man enlisted to set up the assault was an FBI snitch who had turned rat after he was himself nabbed months later in a different extortion plot.

“Michael Davis“

None of the Chicago mafia leaders who were named in the trial were charged with any wrong doing but it did shed some added light on the ranks of the mafia in Chicago. The DiFronzo brothers and Solly D were all at some point reputed leaders of the Elmwood Park crew who made their way through the ranks to become part of the Chicago mob hierarchy.

“Salvatore DeLaurentis“

James “Jimmy Boy” Dellaratta a former acting capo in the Gambino crime family was sentenced to probation for hijacking a load of counterfeit cigarettes back in 2010 worth approx $1 million dollars. A prison term of 18 months was recommended for the crime but the 73 year old mobster got a nice break from the feds because of his poor health. Jimmy Boy got an even bigger break when Gambino leaders decided not to exact punishment for the defection of Nicholas “Nicky Skins” Stefanelli a member of his old crew.

“James Dellaratta and Blaise Corozzo back in 2005“

In 2012 the New York mafia learned that Stefanelli had agreed to wear a wire for the feds after being nabbed in a drug dealing case. He was a member of the crew supervised by acting capo Dellaratta at the time and secretly recorded conversations with fellow mobsters including Jimmy Boy among others in various mob families in five states for almost 2 years. Nicky Skins ended up committing suicide after being told his undercover work was ending and he was to be prepped to testify against wiseguys in Philadelphia.

Dellaratta’s close ties to powerful Gambino family captains Leonard DiMaria and Nicholas “Little Nick” Corozzo along with the fact that Stefanelli killed himself before testifying helped him avoid any major recrimination for the defection. In the end the Nicky Skins tapes have only led to one relatively minor case against Dellaratta and some mafia associates.

Lucchese crime family mobsters have plead guilty to running a multi billion dollar illegal gambling enterprise. Six members of the Lucchese family were indicted back in 2010 after an investigation led to the dismantling of the illegal betting ring. The operation took in an estimated $2.2 billion dollars of illegal wagers using a wire room based in Costs Rica and password protected websites.

“Ralph Perna“

Among those who plead guilty were Ralph V. Perna, Martin Taccetta, John Mangrella, and Matthew Madonna. According to authorities Perna ran the Lucchese family operations in New Jersey along with his two sons who were also indicted and plead guilty. Taccetta is a former leader of the Lucchese family’s New Jersey crew who is currently serving a life sentence for a separate conviction. Mangrella is considered to be a senior member of the New York mafia family and Madonna once served on the families three man ruling panel.

“Martin Taccetta“

Under terms of the plea agreement prosecutors will recommend a prison term of 8 years for the elder Perna and terms of 10 years for each of his sons Joseph Perna and John Perna. Prosecutors will also recommend prison terms of 8 years each for Mangrella, Madonna, and Taccetta.

“Matthew Madonna“

Charges are still pending against Joseph DiNapoli another high ranking Lucchese family member and a third Perna son Ralph M. Perna according to court records.

Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino was back on the streets of Philadelphia according to sources making rounds and meeting with members of his old mob crew over the weekend. Many including the FBI believe that Merlino is still the boss of the Philly mafia running things on streets through his long time friends and street boss Steven Mazzone. After completing a short prison sentence on a parole violation Merlino is no longer under any parole restrictions and is free to travel and meet with whoever he chooses. This recent weekend trip to the City of Brotherly Love is sure to fan the speculation that he is still in control of the Philly mob and was possibly there making sure things were in line.

“Joey Merlino“

Merlino has been living down in Boca Raton since he was released from prison after being convicted on racketeering charges back in 2001. Merlino has since continued to deny he has any remaining ties to the mob life and has nothing more to do with the mafia in Philadelphia. Mazzone was believed to have taken over as acting boss shortly after former acting boss Joseph Ligambi was indicted in 2011 along with other high ranking members of the administration at that time.

Sources have speculated that now a power sharing situation may have developed with a ruling panel consisting of Steve Mazzone, Phil Narducci, and John Ciancaglini in control with Ligambi acting as a sort of consigliere although partially retired. Narducci is a well respected member of the mob and part of the old Scarfo era crew who have recently resurfaced in Philly after doing long prison terms. This new ruling panel could of been constructed to keep tensions down and things from turning violent between the rival crews now operating on streets.

Whether Mazzone still sits at the head of the hierarchy on the streets today or a ruling panel has been appointed it still leaves many wondering if Merlino is still pulling the strings from his new Florida home. Is Merlino planning to eventually move back to Philadelphia to regain his seat at the head of the mafia in Philly or does he simply remain in Florida and run things from afar. Perhaps Merlino has been true to his word and has left the life for good although knowing Joey’s history that seems like a less likely option. Oh as the world turns inside of today’s Philadelphia mafia.

Lucchese crime family mobster Christopher Londonio and mob associate Terrence Caldwell have been indicted on murder charges in the mob hit on Michael Meldish former leader of the infamous NY Purple Gang. Meldish was shot to death back in November 15, 2013 while sitting in his car in front of his home. According to the Bronx District Attorney’s office both men have been linked to the crime by phone records, license plate readers, and DNA evidence.

The Purple Gang led by Michael and his brother Joseph were a feared crew in the 1970’s and 80’s controlling the Harlem and Bronx heroin trade. The group was affiliated with the New York Mafia through the Lucchese, Bonanno, and Genovese families working in part as muscle and freelance killers. They took the name “Purple Gang” from a feared crew who once ruled in Detroit in the prohibition era and had become a powerful force on streets back in the 1970’s.

At one point authorities believed the group had become powerful enough to ignite a mob war by attempting to become the area’s sixth organized crime group. Then in the mid to late 1980’s the crews power began to dwindle as many of its members were convicted in various drug busts. Authorities say Meldish is believed to have carried out at least 10 hits during the 1970’s and 80’s with his brother Joseph believed to have been part of as many as 70 contract killings. Joe Meldish is currently serving a 12 year sentence for his role in a 1999 mafia hit.

Londonio was out on bail for a Bronx weapons charges indictment before being hit with federal gun charges putting him behind bars while the state presented evidence of his alleged involvement in the Meldish hit. Both defendants have plead not guilty to the charges although Londorio’s attorney Robert Blossner withdrew from the case because an indiclosed conflict of interest. Blossner also represents Lucchese family capo Matthew Madonna who sources say is part of a continuing investigation into the Meldish murder.

Philadelphia mafia captain Michael “Mikey Lance” 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 Burnstein’s gangsterreport.

“Michael Lancellotti“

It was reported that Merlino was back in town to attend a graduation party for the daughter of mob associate Raymond “Ray Wags” Wagner but according to sources was also conducting business. Lance was inducted into the Philly mob by Merlino back in the 90’s 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 “Joey Punge” Pungitore. Both Narducci and Joey Pungitore are Scarfo era mafia soldiers and aren’t 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.

Anthony “Big Tony” Moscatiello has been convicted by a Miami jury for the 2001 murder of Miami Subs founder and businessman Konstantinos “Gus” Boulis. Prosecutors proved to the jury that Moscatiello ordered the mob hit on Boulis over a dispute for control of the SunCruz Casinos boat fleet. This brings the case to an end after co-defendant Anthony “Little Tony” Ferrari was convicted back in 2013 and co-defendant James “Pudgy” Fiorillo was allowed to plead guilty to just a conspiracy charge after becoming a government witness.

“Anthony Moscatiello“

According to prosecutors Moscatiello was a member of the Gambino crime family and had ties to former Gambino boss John Gotti. Authorities believed the hit was carried out by a mob associate named John Gurino who was killed back in 2003. Key evidence included calls made from Ferrari to Moscatiello who was at the time in New York along with testimony from other organized crime figures that Big Tony had approached them about getting rid of Boulis before hit man John Gurino.
 
Ferrari has already been sentenced to life in prison and the 77 year old Moscatiello now faces a similar outcome.

Ralph Natale the former Philadelphia mafia boss turned government witness is set to tell his life story in his upcoming book “Lost Lives and Forgotten Vows” to be published in 2016. Natale will become only the second mafia boss ever to write a book telling his own life story following in the footsteps of fellow mob boss Joseph Bonanno. Dan Pearson producer of (I Married a Mobster) and New York Daily News investigator Larry McShane will help Natale tell his story and the book will be published by Thomas Dunne Books.

“Ralph Natale“

After being released from prison in 1994 he became the boss of the Philly mafia from then imprisoned boss John Stanfa with the help of young mob power Joey Merlino. Natale held the title of boss from 1995 until 1999 when he was jailed on a parole violation and Merlino took over control of the family cutting ties with the former boss. While in prison Ralph would be indicted on drug charges and decide to turn rat and become the first American mafia boss to turn government witness.

Natale is believed by many to have been nothing more then a front boss for Philly mob power Joseph Merlino although its not quite the way Natale see’s things. Concerned about heat from law enforcement Merlino took the position of underboss and allowed Natale to hold the title of boss in hopes he would be the lightning rod. He would go on to testify against Merlino in a 2001 racketeering trial and as part of his deal with the government was sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2005 but was released into witness protection in 2011.

The upcoming books claims to be a behind-the-scenes master’s class on organized crime and a glimpse into not only mafia but American history. Producer Dan Pearson said “Ralph out killed and out smarted his adversaries” and now he gets to tell his story giving readers a look into the mob.