Philadelphia mafia continues to regroup and grow with the return of two veteran mobsters George Borgesi and Marty Angelina. Borgesi was released back in January after doing a 14 year prison stretch on RICO charges and for first time in years is now off of all government restrictions. Marty Angelina is himself finishing up a four plus year prison stay for racketeering and is set to be released from a half way house this week. According to mob sources both are ready to return to the fold adding to the cluster of mobsters back on streets.

“George Borgesi“

Borgesi held the number three spot in the Philly mafia in the late 1990’s before being convicted and his considered a loose cannon by some. Some with in the Philly mob hierarchy are worried that Borgesi’s antics and propensity to stir things up could cause problems with in the delicate frame work between the three factions now on streets. Other decision makers with in the family believe Borgesi is owed since he went away and did his time in a stand up way ever saying a word.

“Marty Angelina“

Angelina formerly held the rank on under boss in the late 2000’s and was taken down in the same case that netted Borgesi. Although he isn’t known to be quite the lightning rod and problem that Borgesi may be he still carries plenty of baggage and a hot headed temperament along with his return to the streets. Both he and Borgesi are long time Joseph Merlino allies and will try and find a way to fit back into the Merlino and Steven Mazzone led faction of the current Philly mafia landscape.

It will be interesting to see how both Angelina and Borgesi transition back into roles with in the mafia and what effect it may have on the balance between the three factions now on streets. Both the Scarfo era factions one led by Phil Narducci and other led by Joseph Pungitore have established footholds back on streets and the fragile state of affairs could be a powder keg waiting for a reason to blow. Most of the major players are now back on the streets for the mafia in Philadelphia and although they have all seemingly been getting along so far mob insiders believe the balancing act will be tricky moving ahead.

Raynald Desjardins has plead guilty to conspiracy to murder former mobster Salvatore Montagna during the bloody Montreal mafia war. Desjardins was once a close associate of longtime Montreal Mafia boss Vito Rizzuto until he became part of an alliance which included Montagna that tried to overthrow the Rizzuto crime family while Vito was in prison. A conflict developed with in that rival alliance back in 2011 which lead to Montagna being murdered.

“Raynald Desjardins“

Montagna was the former acting boss of the Bonanno crime family of the New York Mafia who was deported back to Canada where he was born because of criminal activity. The bloody Montreal mafia war begins shortly after his deportation in 2010 with a series of hits against the hierarchy of the Rizzuto Family. A rift developed with in the rival faction and Desjardins barely survives an attempted mob hit in September of 2011 which he believes was engineered by Montagna. The former NY mobster is assassinated in November of 2011 in Vaudry Island, Charlemagne at age of 40.

“Salvatore Montagna“

Raynald is later charged with the murder along with five other defendants who are arrested a week after him in December of 2011 with two more arrest which followed in 2013. Authorities were able to decrypt messages sent via Blackberry by Raynald and other members of the fractured Montreal mob faction linking him to the murder and ongoing plans to attack other clan members loyal to Montagna.

This plea to a lesser charge of conspiracy to murder will help Raynald avoid what was expected to be a long drawn out first degree murder trial. A sentencing hearing has been set for December 21st 2015 where Desjardins is still believed to be facing life in prison. The remaining co-defendants in the case are set to go to trial in January.

Vincent Asaro a former capo in the Bonanno crime family believes the playing field is not level as he heads into his upcoming trial. Asaro is charged with taking part in the infamous Lufthansa heist along with murder and 14 other specified predicate acts of RICO spanning over 45 years. The 80 year old mobster claims prosecutors are acting unfairly by displaying courthouse exhibits of convictions of mobsters like John Gotti and mafia movies like Goodfellas in the lobby. He is also opposed to prosecutors being able to use his previous heroin addiction which he kicked more then 50 years ago.

“Vincent Asaro“

Prosecutors plan to prove his previous addiction to heroin in an attempt to prove that he kicked his habit so he could join the ranks of the New York Mafia. They also hoped to prove that he traded his heroin addiction for a gambling addiction which eventually cost him the majority of the money he pocketed for his role in the Lufthansa robbery and is the reason for his current lack of personal wealth. But Asaro’s defense attorney wants testimony tied to his personal gambling problem prohibited as its not relevant to the charges of illegal gambling. The defense plans to use the claim that if Asaro had made millions from the robbery how could he have so little personal wealth today.

In a bit of irony the Headlines exhibit found in the court house lobby’s Charles P. Sifton Gallery which Asaro wants removed contain accounts and photos of the convictions of former Bonanno family mobsters Joseph Massino and Salvatore Vitale. Both wiseguys would eventually turn rat and are now in line to testify against Asaro in his upcoming racketeering trial. Judge Alynne Ross has agreed to have the displays removed next month before the start of the trial. Definitely seems like the Asaro defense team is pulling at even the smallest string as the evidence the aging mobster will be hard to overcome.

Daniel “Danny” Pagano an alleged captain in the Genovese crime family has been sentenced to two years behind bars after pleading guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges. The year long racketeering conspiracy investigation in Rockland County included loan sharking, illegal gambling, and extortion according to documents. Danny is the son of Joseph Pagano a former mafia hit man for the Genovese family.

“Daniel Pagano“

A prison sentence of between 27 and 33 months was requested of Manhattan Federal Court Judge Ronnie Abrams by prosecutors because he was a repeat offender. The judge said considering Pagano’s long criminal history of eight prior convictions prison was necessary but still sentenced him to the lower end of the sentencing range. The 62 year old wiseguy will also serve three years of supervised release once he is released from prison.

Pagano did time on racketeering charges back in the early 1990’s and according to sources tried to recruit Al Sharpton into a 1980’s mafia plot to deal drugs. Sharpton has always denied that he was part of any wrongdoing and claims he thought Pagano was a music exec and not a mobster.

New York mafia boss John Gotti was responsible for the death of mobster Tommy DeSimone and had a hand in the infamous Lufthansa heist according to a new mafia book. The new book The Lufthansa Heist: Behind the Six-Million-Dollar Cash Haul That Shook the World written by journalists Daniel Simone and former mobster Henry Hill for the first time ever details Gotti’s role in both events. DeSimone was made popular when he was portrayed by actor Joe Pesci in the movie Goodfellas. According to the book he was shot in the head three times in 1979 by John Gotti at an Italian restaurant in the Bronx.

Hill claims to have gotten information about the murder from Gotti confidant Sal Polisi which he met while inside the witness protection program. Hill also goes into detail about Gotti’s role in the 1978 robbery of the Lufthansa terminal at JFK airport orchestrated by mobster Jimmy “The Gent” Burke which netted the mobsters over $5 million dollars. It was all set up by the Lucchese crime family underlings of then Lucchese underboss Paul “Paulie” Vario although the airport was shared territory among the New York mafia families.

The Lufthansa Heist claims Gotti met with both Burke and Hill at a restaurant in Queens and discussed the robbery beforehand which Gotti agreeing to provide assistance. According to Hill it was agreed that Gotti would supply a warehouse where the crew could transfer the loot from the getaway van to a switch car to help evade cops. Gotti would then handle the destruction of the getaway van at a mob controlled salvage yard after the heist was completed. For his cooperation and help in the scheme Gotti is supposed to have received a $200,000 cut of the loot.

The associating with the Gotti and the Gambino crime family would eventually lead to the death of DeSimone according to Hill. Tommy has carried out the unsanctioned murders of Gambino mobsters William “Billy Batts” Devino and Ronald “Foxy” Jerothe which for years infuriated the Gambino’s. In the movie Goodfellas Billy Batts is showed getting killed by Burke and DeSimone over an insult which wasn’t how it really happened. He was killed according to the book because Burke and DeSimoe has taken over his loansharking business while he was in prison and wanted to keep it.

“Tommy DeSimone“

When Gotti heard that DeSimone was about to become a made man in the Lucchese family he demanded a sit down with Vario. The report in the book claims Gotti meet with Vario in which the following conversation took place:

“This f- -kin’ DeSimone whacked two of my top earners, and I let it go for a long time,” Gotti told his fellow capo. “Now he wants to be made, and I’m not gonna sit quietly. I mean, that’s as bad as putting a cactus up my a–. Understan’ what I’m sayin’, ­Paulie?”
“John, what do you suppose I should do?” Vario asked.
“Paulie, all I want is what’s fair,” Gotti said. “I wanna whack the bastard, and I want you to give me the green light.”

Vario figured it would have been only a matter of time before the wild card DeSimone would get pinched for the robbery didn’t fight the Gotti request to have Tommy killed. But the book also reveals another reason why Paulie went along with the request. While Hill was in prison years before DeSimone had supposedly tried to assault Henry’s wife which at the time infuriated Paulie because he was at the time having an affair with Hill’s wife Karen. Burke who Gotti knew also had a part in the unauthorized hit on his fellow mobster was also targeted by Gotti but because he was such a big earner for Vario’s crew he remained protected and Gotti was not allowed to kill him. Tommy would be killed on the night he was expecting to become a made man in the New York mob. Vario’s son drove him from Queens to the basement of Don Vito’s restaurant in the Bronx where several men awaited on being Gotti.

“Welcome, Tommy. Congratulations!” Gotti said. “Pull a chair up to the table and sit comfortably. This is not an ordinary day in your life, I want you to know.”

Tommy sat down and with in second was shot by Gotti with a silencer equipped .38 special according to the report. The remains of DeSimone were never found. The book claims to be filled with much more information which tells a different story then has been considered the course of these events to date. A copy of the new book which is set to be released on Aug 1st can be purchased for a great price on Here.

A probe into organized crime in Cleveland, Ohio has led to the arrest of Gambino crime family mobster Carmine Agnello and members of his crew. Cleveland cops and NYPD combined on the long term probe into organized crime activity including auto theft, extortion, and other crimes. Agnello is the former son-in-law of now deceased Gambino family boss John Gotti marrying his daughter Victoria back in 1984 and later divorcing in 2002.

Agnello was indicted back in 2000 in New York on racketeering charges which included running a racketeering enterprise that controlled the Queens scrap metal industry using arson and extortion. He was sentenced to 9 years in prison in that case and was released from prison back in 2008. He married the daughter of an alleged terrorists who as his cell mate while serving his time in an Ohio federal prison and settled down in a Cleveland suburb.

“Carmine Agnello Arrest“

Authorities have not found any connection so far in the ongoing investigation to the current hierarchy of the Gambino family in New York. It seems that Agnello may have been operating independently and was not kicking up money from the operation to the New York mafia. The Cleveland mafia was dismantled by the feds through out the 80’s and early 90’s and the local Cosa Nostra family has been considered inactive for years. In a press conference local police said this case was built to insure that the mafia doesn’t gain a new foothold in Ohio.

Vincent Asaro a former captain in the Bonanno crime family is scheduled to begin his upcoming trial in October on various charges including having a part in the infamous Lufthansa Height. A new book written by author Daniel Simone with help from former mobster Henry Hill called The Lufthansa Heist: Behind the Six-Million-Dollar Cash Haul That Shook the World claims that Asaro had no part in the crime. Simone claims to have provided “shocking information” in the book which proves that Asaro had no part in things along with claims that John Gotti had a hand in the scheme.

“Vincent Asaro“

Simone said he was shocked at the reports of Asaro’s arrest and charges linked to the 1978 heist because more then one source told him that Asaro had nothing to do with it. He claims he has spoken to several FBI agents and no one has ever mentioned Asaro as being a part of things and claimed the allegations of prosecution of Asaro collecting a $1.5 million share of the loot was inaccurate. According to the author he has been in contact with the defense attorney for Asaro and provided information that they never knew before which could be used as part of the mobsters defense, although these claims have not been confirmed.

Law enforcement sources back up their case and seem confident that claims made by Simone that Gotti had a hand in the heist and Asaro did not will be disproved at the upcoming trial. The book also claims that Gotti personally fired the shots that killed former Lucchese family associate Thomas DeSimone who was played by Joe Pesci in the mob film Goodfellas. Could Asaro really be cleared of the charges linking him to the infamous heist by this new book , well that seems doubtful at this point and many are skeptical of the claims being made in the new mafia book and by its author.

Luca DiMatteo an alleged acting capo in the Colombo crime family and two mob associates have been indicted for racketeering conspiracy. The 10 count indictment includes various charges including illegal sports betting, loansharking, and extortion. The indictment is tied to the mafia activity by the crew from 2009 to 2015 in Brooklyn and other area’s according to court documents. One of the two associates charged in the case was DiMatteo’s nephew Lukey DiMatteo.

“Luca DiMatteo“

DiMatteo is described in court documents as a long time member of the Colombo family of Cosa Nostra serving for several years as an acting captain in charge of a crew of members and associates. According to the feds Luca and Lukey participated in a extortion scheme of a local business which lasted for more then ten years picking up payments every two weeks. They are also each charged with loansharking counts with Lukey separately charged with an additional extortion charge tied to an illegal gambling business being operated out of a Brooklyn gambling club.

The defendants were arraigned in the Brooklyn federal court house before US Magistrate Judge Cheryl Pollak. Acting United States Attorney Cunie said along with the partners in the FBI they are committed to defeating organized crime and will not tolerate the extortion of local business people using violence or the threat of violence and will shut down illegal gambling operations in neighborhoods.

Former Gambino crime family underboss turned rat Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano is seeking a reduction on his 20 year prison sentence which is set to be completed in 2017. Gravano was sentenced to the current 20 year sentence for running a massive ecstasy operation based in Arizona. Sammy the bull made headlines when he turned rat and testified against his fellow mobster and one time Gambino family boss John Gotti. He was rewarded for his cooperation getting a ridiculous deal having to only serve five years on charges which included 19 mafia hits.

“Sammy Gravano“

Federal prosecutors this time around are not backing the mob snitch according to court documents. Brooklyn Federal Judge Allyne Ross was reminded that prosecutors have said all along Gravano deserved more then the 20 year senetence he originally recieved and he benefited then from a cap on his sentencing guidelines. Assistant U.S. Attorney said in court documents that Sammy the bull squandered a chance to live a law abiding life and instead only months after his release launched an illegal drug enterprise.

The now 70 year old Gravano is eligible for a sentence reduction under an amendment to the federal sentencing guidelines which was approved last year. Most would agree it would be shocking if he was able to wiggle in a sentence reduction after all he has done previously.

Calabrian mafia also known as the Ndrangheta was the target of a massive bust into an international illegal gambling operation. Italian authorities arrested 41 alleged mobsters and associates and seized assets worth an estimated $2.18 billion dollars ($2 billion euros). The Ndrangheta is one of Italy’s strongest mafia families and have long been known as major players on the international drug trade. This bust shows that the mob family is also heavily invested in other traditional mafia businesses.

The operation led to the seizure of 11 international and 45 national businesses, 82 international and national online gambling websites, 1500 better parlors, and various other pieces of property. Of the 41 people arrested by Anti-Mafia police 28 of them have been sent to prison with 13 others placed on house arrest. The Calabrian mafia has also been targeted of late in busts revealing growing ties to families of the New York Mafia seemingly related to the drug business.

Anthony “The Genius” Megale the one time underboss of the Gambino crime family passed away from an apparent heart attack. Megale was released from prison back in December after being sentenced to 11 years in prison back in 2006. He was indicted for 38 counts of extortion linked to a tri-state racketeering enterprise that was centered in New York state.

“Anthony Megale“

The Connecticut mobster made his way through the ranks of the Gambino family becoming a capo in 2001 and eventually the families underboss in 2002 after the arrest of Peter Gotti. The veteran New York mafia figure had a fairly long criminal past as a member of the mob before passing away at age of 62.

Richard “Richie From The Bronx” Martino is back on the streets after nine years behind bars for running an illegal internet porn and telephone cramming operation. The consumer fraud scheme was a major money maker for the Gambino crime family running approximately 18 years making an estimated $650 million dollars. Along with his prison sentence Martino was forced to forfeir over $14 million dollars before going to prison back in 2006. According to mob sources the 55 year old mobster is back to mafia business as part of a Gambino family crew now being run by acting capo Andrew “Sonny” Campos.

“Richard Martino“

Martino was a rising star in the Gambino family before his prison stint and was once praised by the former Gambino family boss John Gotti. Back in 1990 Gotti was captured on wire tap telling then consigliere Frank Locasio who proposed Richie from the Bronx for membership that “I want guys that done more than killing, I like the Richies,” he said. “They’re young, twenty something, thirty something … beautiful guys …Ten years from now, these young guys we straightened out, they’re gonna be really proud of them.”

Backed early on by then capo Salvatore “Tore” Locascio who along with long time New York mafia associate Zef Mustafa were also a key part of the profitable consumer scam operation. Both are also still part of the mob crew being run now by Campos according to sources. Whether or not the mobster once known as the mob’s king of phone sex will be able to reach the lofty heights he did in the past again is yet to be seen.

When one hears the word mafia they most often think of the New York mafia in America or the various mob families it Italy but seldom does Australia come to mind. The Calabrian mafia also known as the Ndrangheta one of the worlds most powerful and secretive criminal syndicates has deep roots in Australia. Based out of Calabria in southern Italy they have become one of the countries leading organized crime groups and are quickly becoming a world wide force. They now have roots in multiple countries including Canada and the United States but perhaps their deepest ties outside of their native Italian homeland are in Australia.

The mafia has flourished in Australia according to law enforcement infiltrating the highest levels of politics and embedding itself into the countries core. The mafia in Australia has a long violent history that has been kept relatively quiet in respect to mafia news from other parts of the world. Australia has long been a haven for Italian migrants and they created what authorities call a “Little Italy” with in the country. This Italian community quickly became a place for the Australian Ndrangheta to make roots and begin to grow carrying on blood ties through generations.

This two part documentary called “The Mafia in Australia” looks into the history of the mafia in Australia and its rise to power. It contains some fabulous interviews and takes a very in depth approach as to how and why the Ndrangheta has chosen Australia as such a trusted operational hub. They dive into the murder and mayhem that has haunted the country for years and remains today despite recent efforts by authorities against the Australian mafia. It’s a really interesting look inside the Australia mob which is still unknown to many worldwide.

Nicodemo Scarfo Jr the son of former Philadelphia mafia boss Little Nicky Scarfo has been sentenced to 30 years on racketeering and conspiracy charges. He was charged last summer with committing bank fraud and other related offenses in relation to the First Plus Financial scam. Along with the lengthy prison sentence Scarfo has also been ordered to pay over $14 million dollar in restitution for money stolen from First Plus Financial. The 50 year old mobster received a stiff sentence because U.S. District Judge Robert Kugler believed it was warranted because this would be Scarfo’s fifth conviction and his second time in the federal prison system.

“Nicky Scarfo Jr“

Nicky Scarfo Jr is an alleged member of the Lucchese crime family of the New York mafia. In the late 1980’s a battle was under way for control of the Philly mafia which led to as assassination attempt on the Nicky Jr. The hit is believed by many mob sources to have been carried out by mobster Joseph Merlino as a message to the elder Scarfo that he no longer had control of the mafia in Philly. After the attempted hit and fearing for his son’s life the elder Scarfo struck a deal to have his son become a member of the Lucchese family.

In an indictment back in 2010 for gambling and racketeering charges Scarfo was identified as a capo in the Lucchese family and was in control of the families New Jersey based operations. He along with 33 reputed mobsters in the Lucchese family were charged with running what authorities labeled as a $2 billion dollar international sports betting operation. His father and former Lucchese family boss Victor Amuso were named as unindicted coconspirators as part of the First Plus Financial case.

Anthony “Skinny” Santoro a reputed soldier in the Bonanno crime family is making a rather curious bid for a better plea deal offer from the feds. In a letter to Judge Melissa Jackson Santoro describes his propensity to talk crazy and even stupidly at times is actually a therapeutic technique he learned and that prosecutors are inaccurately trying to portray him as being violent. He claims this technique actually keeps him from acting out in a negative way and he is simply misunderstood.

“Anthony Santoro“

He is locked up on charges of enterprise corruption, illegal gambling, and extortion and is looking at a plea deal of 9 to 18 years behind bars which he deemed as outrageously high. In his letter he implores for the judge to step in and settle things fairly since he doesn’t believe he is guilty of enterprise corruption and is ready to plea to one of the underlying charges. Wiretap evidence tells a different story of these “therapy” sessions that the New York mafia soldier claims to have according to prosecutors.

The 52 year old mobster was recorded on wiretap talking to a mob associate saying “I’m gonna split his ­f–king head with a hatchet,” he fumed to an associate about one foe, according to court papers.“I’ll put two holes in his ­f–king forehead. I’ll double-tap his forehead right now!” Although defense laywer Tim Parlatore that his client simply describes himself as being tough but is all bark and no bite and is really nothing more then a big cream puff.

Santoro was busted along with fellow mobsters including Bonanno family captain Nicky “Cigars” Santora back in 2013. Santora inspired the character played by now deceased Bruno Kirby in the hit mafia movie “Donnie Brasco” back in 1997.

New England mafia has been one of the Cosa Nostra families hit hardest by the efforts of law enforcement with help of turncoats over the last decade in the United States. Known as the Patriarca crime family the once powerful mob enterprise has fallen on hard times seeing much of its hierarchy imprisoned over the last few years. Now some of the key players in the New England mob are starting to make their way back on the streets and there may be signs the family is trying to rebuild its ranks. Although current reputed boss Anthony DiNunzio remains behind bars serving the remainder of a six year sentence from a 2012 conviction.

“Carmen (The Cheeseman) DiNunzio“

Among the high ranking members back on streets now are underboss Carmen DiNunzio and powerful captain Matthew Guglielmetti. According to mob sources Carmen along with current acting boss Anthony “Spucky” Spagnolo have begun to induct some new blood into the mob family. In a recent making ceremony attended by Spagnolo, DiNunzio, and Guglielmetti among others multiple new members were inducted including Salvatore Marino and Johnny Scarpelli according to underworld sources.

Both Scarpelli and Marino are long time members of Carmen’s crew getting pinched with him in a 2003 gambling case and again in a 2006 racketeering indictment. Seen as loyal lieutenants for doing their time on both occasions and keeping quiet they were believed to be on track for becoming made members of the New England mob for last couple years. The mafia family has a long way to go to replenish their severely depleted ranks and will likely never fully recover from the recent damage done by law enforcement. But it will definitely be worth keeping an eye on the mafia news coming out of New England in coming months.

John “The Eagle” Riggi the longtime reputed boss of the New Jersey mafia family known as the DeCavalcante Crime Family passed away on Monday at the age of 90. John Riggi had a long history in Cosa Nostra dating all the way back to the 1940’s when he became a member of the DeCavalcante family. He functioned as a captain in the New Jersey mob in control of the families Elizabeth crew for years. He held the rank of acting boss during the 1970’s taking over the position officially around 1980. Riggi was a business agent for Laborers Local 394 for years and was described by many as a gentlemen.

“John Riggi“

During his reign as boss he was known to have close ties to families of the New York Mafia specifically the Gambino Crime Family and now deceased boss John Gotti. He ran the family following the old school traditions of the mafia establishing very lucrative construction and labor rackets, illegal gambling and loan sharking operations, and even vast amounts of legit income. Until 1989 when Riggi along with several other DeCavalcante family mobsters were indicted on labor racketeering charges which led to his conviction. He continued to run the family while in prison through a ruling panel.

The New Jersey Mafia family would begin to crumble after Riggi’s imprisonment behind immense law enforcement pressure and internal problems. He would be released in 2012 after a two decade long prison stint that seen him hit with further charges while surving his original sentence. He remained the “official boss” of the DeCavalcante family although in name only as the family is now being run by heir apparent Sicilian born mobster Frank Guarraci.

Genovese crime family has long been known to control mafia activity in Springfield, Massachusetts and the syndicates crew there now has a new boss. According to sources mobster Albert Calvanese is now the leaders of the Springfield mafia crew for the Genovese family. The 52 year old mobster is known on streets as a fearsome enforcer and was a top earner under former Springfield boss Anthony “Bingy” Arillota. An internal war between the young up and coming Arillota and his mentor Adolfo “Big Al” Bruno threatened to destroy the Genovese family grip on the mob stronghold in the mid 2000’s.

“Albert Calvanese“

Arillotta took control of the mafia crew after he green lighted a hit man which gunned down Bruno in front of his social club in 2003. He was a freshly made guy in the New York Mafia and with in months had been made a captain in the Genovese family after the death of Bruno. His reign wouldn’t last long as he went on to turn rat after being indicted in 2010.

Calvanese plead guilty in 2007 to racketeering and loan sharking charges and quietly did his time finally getting out in 2011. With the Arillotta saga playing out just as he finished up his prison sentence an opening had developed for a new crew leader in Springfield. So now Calvanese takes control and hopes his reign will be longer then that of his predecessor. Investigative reporter Stephanie Barry is credited with the intel on the new appointment via Scott Burnstein and his gangsterreport site.

Donald Trump has long been known as a savvy and successful businessman making billions of dollars through the years from various ventures. The owner of Atlantic City Casino’s and fabulous skyscrapers across New York the often out spoken entrepreneur is now campaigning for the 2016 Presidential election. But with his candidacy comes questions as to how he made his billion dollar fortune and any help he may have had along the way. For decades now there have been allegations that Trump’s empire has had a darker side.

For the past decade there have been allegations of links between Donald Trump and the mafia including both New York and Philadelphia crime families. These possible mob links have been the focus of past news paper reports along with government records. According to some including NY investigative journalist Wayne Barrett the connections between Trump and the mafia are rather extensive. In his book “Trump: The Deals and the Downfall by Barrett, Wayne 1st edition (1992) Hardcover,” he claims that Trump went out his way not to avoid but increase ties with organized crime influence in the New York and New Jersey construction industry in the 80’s and 90’s.

According to records Trump Plaza the Atlantic City Casino built by Trump sits on land purchased from former Philadelphia mobster Salvatore Testa. Barrett notes in his book that the property was purchased by Testa in 1977 for a scant $195,000 and was then sold to Trump in 1982 for a whopping $1.1 million. The purchase of the property at a rate of $220 per square foot was second most expensive purchases Donald made on the block even though it was one of the first purchased writes Barrett. A 1986 New Jersey organized crime report also notes that the casino was built with help of two construction companies controlled by Philadelphia mobsters Nicademo “Little Nicky” Scarfo and Phillip “Crazy Phil” Leonetti.

Trump Plaza condos in Manhattan were built with use of a concrete company S&A which federal court records show was controlled by New York mafia bosses Paul Castellano and Anthony Salerno. Barrett notes in his book that the Trump Towers was built out of concrete instead of steel during a time when the New York mob had control of the majority of the cities concrete industry. During the time when the Trump Tower was built it was nearly impossible for any developer to avoid doing business with the mafia controlled concrete cartel but according to Barrett Trump may have taken the relationship further then he had to.

Trump was part of a 1979 bribery investigation and then a 1981 racketeering probe neither of which led to any kind of charges according to records. None of the possible links between Donald Trump and the mob have ever been substantiated past their basic business ties by law enforcement or anyone else to date. There is no doubt that much of the time Trump did business in the construction industry in both New York and New Jersey that contact with mob controlled companies was almost unavoidable. But it is certain that as Trump’s run to become President of the United States in the 2016 election becomes more extensive so will the scrutiny of these allegations.

A era has come to the end for the New Jersey mafia and the DeCavalcante crime family with the death of long time boss Giovanni “John the Eagle” Riggi. The long time New Jersey mob godfather took over officially as boss in the early 1980’s controlling the family for decades. Riggi’s passing at age of 90 leaves an opening atop the DeCavalcante family at least in an official capacity. The day to day operations have been run by various acting bosses appointed by Riggi over the last several years as he served a extended prison sentence ending in 2012. Now the thrown sits vacant in New Jersey and many wonder who are the leading candidates to take over.

“John Riggi (front)”

Current reputed Decavalcante family acting boss Francesco “Frank” Guarraci is thought by many to be the leading candidate to take over as official boss. Frank Guarraci has a long history in the DeCavalcante family becoming a made man in the New Jersey mafia in 1989 inducted by Riggi himself and is believed to have become a capo in the family somewhere around 2005-2006 according to law enforcement. The Sicilian born mobster was then appointed to control the family’s daily operations as acting boss by Riggi back in 2007-2008 after convictions of various members of families leadership. He is also believed to have ties to the powerful Gambino family of New York.

Another main candidate to become the new mafia boss in Jersey is Charles Majuri a powerful captain in the family for several years and believed by some to play a role in families leadership currently. Majuri himself has a deep history in the mafia with his father Frank Majuri serving as the families consigliere and underboss. Majuri even at 75 remains a power with in the family and many believe has enough backing with in the family itself to make a play for boss. With links to both the Lucchese and Genovese families from his North Jersey ties he could definitely make his case along with Guarraci if he has the desire to move up the ranks of the family as his father did years ago.

The Gambino crime family of the New York mafia have had long standing ties and held influence with in the DeCavalcante family for years. Its believed by many mob experts and law enforcement sources that Guarraci has the full backing of the current Sicilian leadership of the Gambino family and this in itself makes him the most likely candidate to be installed as new official boss. Sicilian mobsters have a long history with in the DeCavalcante family dating back to the families origins and if the Gambino family has input on who’s next to lead then Guarraci seems to have the inside track.

The DeCavalcante family remains a viable Cosa Nostra family and rumors of late even have the family expanding its membership and re-establishing its power base. These rumors are still unsubstantiated but the family still remains in control of profitable mafia rackets all the same making the top spot one of the more coveted outside of the New York families. Many will be watching the mob in New Jersey to see what happens next as the family transitions past the Riggi era. Could multiple members make a play for the top leading to a rift with in the family ? It seems unlikely but the if and when questions remain and mob history definitely tells us anything can happen when power is up for grabs.