Stephen Basciano the son of former Bonanno crime family mob boss Vincent “Vinny Gorgeous” Basciano is sentenced to 42 months behind bars for his role in a long running marijuana ring. Stephen pleaded with the court for mercy and reduced sentence saying he didn’t want to walk down the same path as his mobster father saying he’d learn from his mistakes. Vinny Gorgeous once the head of the Bonanno family of New York Mafia is now serving two life sentences down in a Colorado Supermax prison.

“Stephen Basciano”

Federal judge Richard Sullivan decided against a lighter sentence ignoring the defendants pleas considering the seriousness of the crime. He said the large scale marijuana ring was not just a one time shot and went on for years. He urged Basciano to make good on his words that he would learn from his mistakes and walk the straight and narrow upon his release telling him this was no way to live.

Along with Stephen two of his brothers Joseph and Vincent Jr were also arrested as part of the drug ring. Joseph was less involved in the scheme has already been sentenced to six months in prison. Vincent Jr is set to be sentenced sometime later on this year. It is unknown if any of the sons are officially involved or made members of the mob.

Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino has been the topic of discussion when it come to the Philadelphia mafia since his release from prison back in 2012 after serving 14 years. The former boss of the Philly mob has been in Boca Raton since his release on supervised release which ends next month. He has been rumored to still be the head of the mob family in Philly and many have speculated he could return once his supervised release ended and he was free of any stipulations. Merlino has maintained since he was released that his life in the mafia was over and he was out of the life one reason being as he stated “there were too many rats around”.

“Joey Merlino”

Now it seems Merlino may be staying down in Boca instead of returning to Philadelphia and maybe getting into to the restaurant business. Sources in Boca are reporting that former mob boss Skinny Joey and a group of investors are planning to open a high end Italian style place. It is still unconfirmed and neither Merlino or his attorney have commented on or confirmed the business venture. No information is yet available as to a name but rumors of the location being  39 SE First Avenue in Boca have surfaced.

Merlino making Boca his permanent home and getting into the restaurant business may be a clear sign that he is out if the mob life and the Philly mob is moving on with out him. But many believe he may still be pulling the strings from down in sunny Florida while members of his old crew including alleged acting boss Steven Mazzone handle things on the streets.

But it seems like a return to Philly may not be part of Merlino’s plans and maybe age and wisdom has convinced him that its time to get out while he still can. Besides it doesn’t seem like there is all that much left of the Philly mafia to be worth fighting for and with old Scarfo era mobsters back on streets there could be even more competition for control of that shrinking pie.

Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino the former boss of the Philadelphia mafia is set to come off of supervised probation in a matter of days but the feds are trying to change that. Merlino could be heading back to prison for violating the terms of his supervised release back in June of this year. He is prohibited from associating with organized crime figures or any convicted felons. But on June 18 the feds conducted surveillance of Merlino meeting with ex-cons down in Boca Raton.

“Joey Merlino”

He met with Philly mafia captain John Ciancaglini and two other men identified as Brad Sirkin and Frank Fiore both also with criminal records. The foursome had dinner at an Italian restaurant and then had drinks in the Havana Nights Cigar Bar & Lounge VIP area according to court documents. It is still unclear as to why the feds were doing surveillance on Merlino or the late night meeting.

Authorities also claim Merlino also committed another parole violation back in May when he refused to answer some questions about one of his business transactions asked by his supervision monitors. The former mafia boss has sworn off the mob life since getting out of prison. Many believe he could still be the head of the mob in Philly calling the shots from Florida with his old crew controlling things on the streets back home.

Many wondered if he would make a return to Philadelphia once his supervised probation has ended and take back control of the La Cosa Nostra family hands on. But rumors are that Joey has plans to open up a high end Italian restaurant down in Boca and go straight making it possibly his permant home. If the feds can make these probation violations stick his plans what ever they were would be changing.

Thomas “Tommy D” DiFiore the alleged acting street boss of the Bonanno crime family caught a break with latest ruling that he will not stand trial along side his fellow mobsters on Lufthansa heist charges. A judge ruled that the charges of extortion that Tommy D and Bonanno soldier John “Bazoo” Ragano are facing are not of the level of the charges the other defendants are charged with in the Lufthansa indictment. The other defendants including Bonanno capos Vincent Asaro and son Jerome Asaro will stand trial separately for an array of racketeering charges including murder.

“Thomas DiFiore”

DiFiore and Ragano are facing extortion charges stemming from a loansharking scheme they allegedly operated last year. Their trial has been scheduled to start in January of next year. The real losers in the latest ruling are the both Asaro’s who will now endure two trials one along side DiFiore and a second trial on their own. Jack Bonventre also a defendant and alleged Bonanno family capo also losses out as he will stand trial along side the rest in at least two separate trials also.

The judge said the charges connected to the Lufthansa robbery and the 1969 murder ordered by Jimmy Burke along with other murder charges could pose a risk of prejudice against defendants not charged in those crimes so decided on separate trial. The latest ruling will definitely have mob boss DiFiore breathing a little easier as trial approaches.

Michael Persico the son of jailed Colombo crime family boss Carmine “The Snake” Persico wants to rip of his guilty plea on loansharking charges. He pleaded guilty to loansharking over two years ago in a deal which gave him immunity from being prosecuted on several possible murder charges. But now Perisco claims the feds are breaching the agreement which has him facing 37 to 46 months in prison at sentencing.

“Michael Persico”

Now the mob scion doesn’t like the idea that he could be facing upwards of five years. Prosecutors are arguing that the deal was already agreed upon and he is now stuck with it. Perhaps he should be gracious for such a sweet deal to begin with considering he could face more then 20 years if he was convicted at trial on murder conspiracy and extortion charges.

Mario Rainone a one time enforcer for the Chicago mafia has been sentenced to fifteen years behind bars after being convicted on felony weapon possession charges. He previously did a 17 year term on racketeering charges and is currently in prison serving a 7 1/2 year bid for burglary. As part of the Chicago Outfits north side crew he was often involved in various mob scheme’s including shaking down restaurants and bars.

“Mario Rainone”

In mob circles Rainone was known as “the Arm” because of his skills and talents at muscling people. Considering his long criminal past it seems like he may have gotten off with a bit of a break getting only an added 15 years as the government was looking for upwards of 25 years. Rainone says that he left the Chicago mob back in 1989 after learning he was actually the target of a hit he was sent to carry out.

Thomas “Tommy D” DiFiore the alleged acting boss of the Bonanno crime family is now looking to avoid trail scheduled to begin in January all together according to letters filed in Brooklyn Federal Court. The mobster had a decision go his way last week allowing him to be tried separately from Bonanno family capo Vincent Asaro who was charged with crimes linked to the infamous Lufthansa robbery. Now he is trying his hand again and hoping for another decision to go his way negotiating for a plea deal on extortion charges from a $75,000 loan.

“Thomas DiFiore”

DiFiore along with Bonanno capo Jack Bonventre and mafia soldier John “Bazoo” Ragano are all engaged in an effort to reach an agreement with prosecutors on a plea. Perhaps the New York Mafia trio can get the feds to make them an offer they can’t refuse and avoid trail. The two Asaro’s have not been reported to be in any kind of plea negotiations and their racketeering trail is scheduled for next June.

Scott Fappiano a reputed Colombo crime family mobster has been sentenced to a year behind bars for his part in a New York mafia effort to control the carting industry in New York and New Jersey. One of 31 alleged mobsters busted back in January of 2013 for shaking down garbage companies on behalf of the mob. He plead guilty on extortion charges as part of a plea deal and was facing between 15 to 21 months so caught a bit of a break.

“Scott Fappiano”

Fappiano has a long criminal history including being convicted for a rape he was later cleared on after spending almost two decades in prison. After he was cleared and released he still found his way back into trouble busted in 2011 in the biggest mob racketeering crackdown against the mafia in the US. He was let off easily then because his previous false conviction was strongly taken into consideration.

The Colombo family mobster also has families ties to the Gambino crime family. He has three uncles which were all made members of the Gambino family including two who turned rat Michael “Mikey Scars” DiLeonardo and Frank “Frankie Fap” Fappiano. The third uncle was Frank DeCicco the first under boss under mob boss John Gotti.

Hector Pagan also known as “Junior” a former Bonanno crime family associate turned rat has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for mob crimes including murder. The former ex-husband of “Mob Wives” star Renee Graziano got a reduced sentence in exchange for his cooperation again his former Bonanno family pals. Even though it was Pagan who actually shot the victim his mob associate buddies Richard Riccardi and Luigi Grasso took the brunt of the punishment both getting 30 plus year sentences.

“Hector Pagan”

Pagan also supplied the feds with information about his former father-n-law and Bonanno family captain Anthony Graziano among others mobsters as part of his deal. Family of the victim check cashing cahier James Donovan said that Pagan made a deal purely out of self interest to keep himself out of jail and he hasn’t changed his spots and were repulsed by the governments decision to offer such a deal to a killer.

Pasquale (Uncle Patty) Falcetti a reputed capo in the Genovese crime family was sentenced to 30 years behind bars on loan sharking charges. According to court documents Falcetti made a $34,000 loan to mafia snitch Anthony Zocolillo who then used the cash to start up a marijuana operation. Prosecutors said the mob turncoat knew if he didn’t pay the outrageous and illegal terms of the loan he would have to pay in blood.

“Pasquale Falcetti leaving federal court”

Judge Lorna Schofield told Uncle Patty at sentencing that she was concerned that once he was released again he would go right back to his criminal activities. The now 55 year old mobster did a six year stretch for racketeering back in 2003. Along with the 30 months he also has to pay a fine of $5,000 along with a forfeiture of $34,000 and will serve 3 years of supervised release.

Michael Persico son of imprisoned Colombo crime family boss Carmine (The Snake) Persico has filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea on loansharking charges. Persico has swung what many thought was a sweet plea deal granting him immunity from prosecution on more serious crimes including murder facing only 37 to 46 months behind bars. But now the mafia prince claims the government used back door means to breach the agreement in a 38 page filing made by his lawyer this week. He was caught making an usurious loan of $100,000 to a cohort back in 2009 and plead guilty as to terms of the plea agreement back in 2012.

“Michael Persico”

Court filings claim that prosecutors sent a message to probation officials suggesting that the judge in the case upwardly depart from the recommended 37 to 46 month sentence which his lawyer said would have his client facing the statutory maximum for his crime of five years. Prosecutors also allegedly told probation officials that they had a preponderance of evidence against Perisco that could prove he took part in mafia murders along with a couple of other murder conspiracies. Marc Fernich attorney for Persico said this was exact language that is used to describe a standard of proof judges use to weight evidence in sentencing procedures.

Fernich said that probation officials had heard the message loud and clear because every sentence made by them after the representation of preponderance that the government claims merit upward consideration. But Fernich did leave a way out for his client and the prosecutors short of the plea deal falling apart and that was to have a different judge who had not been tainted by the governments efforts to advocate a greater sentence on Persico be used.

Prosecutors now have until October 13 to make the next move and agree to the withdrawal and ask for a trial date to be set or to oppose the motion completely. Persico could face life in prison at trial where he would be open to murder charges along with other typical mob crimes.

Anthony (Spucky) Spagnolo has been identified by the feds as the acting boss of the New England mafia in an indictment handed down today. He was charged with extorting protection payments from local social clubs and a video poker machine company. According to the feds Spagnolo ordered fellow New England mobster Pryce (Stretch) Quintina to collect monthly payments from the owners of Constitution Vending Co. a video poker machines company.

“Anthony Spagnolo”

Both Spagnolo and Quintina have been arrested on a single count of conspiring to interfere with commerce through extortion. It is not the first time that Spucky has had trouble with the feds having pleaded guilty to extortion, racketeering, and drug charges back in 1990. He refused to admit that he was in the Mafia then but according to the FBI he was in a house back in 1989 in which a Patriarca crime family induction ceremony took place and was recorded.

He was part of 21 alleged members of the Patriarca family or New England La Cosa Nostra family which included the then alleged boss back in 1990.

Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino the former boss of the Philadelphia mafia is headed back to a Philly court room for a hearing where the feds want to revoke his probation. But lawyers for Merlino in court filings urged that the prosecutors efforts against their client claiming the feds were out of time. They claim that since Merlino was not issued a summons to appear in court until Sept. 16 that his probation had already ended and he should be a free man.

“Joey Merlino enjoying the life down in Boca Raton, Florida”

According to probation officers Merlino violated the terms of his probation by meeting with fellow Philly mob captain John Ciancaglini and another known felon at a local Cigar bar in Boca Raton. But Skilly Joey’s attorney’s are arguing that their client was not aware that Ciancaglini was even at that location and claim that he was simply greeted by the bar owners as any regular customer is not knowing his criminal past.

A probation revocation hearing is scheduled for Friday in Philadelphia but lawyers for Joey would like to have things halted before that point although it seems unlikely. Ever since Merlino was released after finishing a 14 year sentence federal investigators have seemingly kept a close eye on him. Even going as far as sending down a wired mob turncoat in an attempt to trap Merlino into admitting any new misdoings.

But Skinny Joey did not fall for it and promptly reported the meeting to his probation officers as required. Many believe that Merlino is still the official head of the Philly mafia running the show from Florida using guys he trusts on the streets including current acting boss Steve Mazzone to run things. Although Merlino since his release has maintained that he is done with the mob life.

George (Big George) DeCicco a long time Gambino crime family mobster has passed away at the age of 85. He was a long time lieutenant for former Gambino boss John Gotti and a leading members of the Gambino’s inner circle for years. He was the leaders of the family’s infamous Bensonhurst Crew for years and one of Gotti’s most trusted captains.

“George DeCicco (second from left) with Family”

He was also the uncle of former Gambino under boss Frank DeCicco who was killed in a 1986 car bombing as retaliation for the unsanctioned murder of Gambino boss Paul Castellano. According to sources including law enforcement Big George was a fearsome Bath Ave presence for decades. His last arrest was back in 2007 for extortion charges.

Joseph Benfante a former defense attorney said his client was a gentleman and even detectives and FBI Agents used to say George always greeted them with respect and was very cordial. But prosecutors at his last trial in 2007 painted a darker portrait of a hard core mobster.

Joseph (Skinny Joey) Merlino the reputed former boss of the Philadelphia mafia was back home in Philly for first time in about a decade to face parole violation charges. Merlino made his way to the federal courthouse in typical Merlino style with his usual swagger. When leaving Merlino did so with an entourage and was questions by reporters about his return to Philly and his role in the Philly mob.

“Joey Merlino back in Philly” 

Merlino is being charged with violating terms of his supervised release because of an alleged meeting with Philly mob capo John Ciancaglini and other reputed felons down in Florida. But attorneys for the so called John Gotti of Passyunk Avenue argues that it was a chance meeting and the feds missed the deadline to violate their client.

The judge in the case has withheld his ruling for now. Seen outside the courthouse among an array of local reporters was Ciangalini is what can only be called an odd twist since he was not part of the court procedures. Federal prosecutors would not go as far as saying they believed Merlino was still running the Philly mafia but did say they still consider him an active member of the mafia.

He could be facing anywhere from six months to a year behind bars if found guilty. There is still no word as to when the judges decision will be made public. When Merlino’s attorney was asked if Merlino was planning a return to Philly if he beat the charges he said that his client considered himself a Florida citizen but who knows what tomorrow brings.

Jerome Asaro a capo in the Bonanno crime family has pleaded guilty to a variety of mafia crimes including the exhumation of a mob hit Paul Katz back in the 1980′s. The hit was allegedly done by his father Vincent Asaro also a capo in the Bonanno family back in 1969 as a favor to fellow mobster Jimmy Burke of the Lucchese family because he suspected Katz was an informant.

“Jerome Asaro”

Vincent Asaro has been charged with his role in the infamous Lufthansa heist which Burke is believed to have masterminded. He is slated to stand trial on a slew of serious mob crimes including his part in the heist. His son Jerome now faces up to 8 years in prison after his guilty plea. Attorney’s for both father and son have asked the court to allow them to mingle while behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino the former and possibly current boss of the Philadelphia Mafia returned to Philly recently for a probation revocation hearing leaving many wondering what is Joey’s current status when comes to La Cosa Nostra in Philly. Since his release from prison Joey has been seemingly living the good life down in Boca Raton, Florida and when asked has maintained that he has given up on the mob and is out. But many people from law enforcement to mob buffs find it hard to believe that Joey no longer has a hand in things.

“Joey Merlino”

From this recent hearing we know the feds have been keeping a close eye on Merlino since his release and claim he met with fellow Philly mobsters and other criminals in a violation of his probation down in Florida. Many believe this is yet another sign that Joey is still the current boss of the Philly mafia running things through his close associate and current acting boss Steve Mazzone. He took over as acting boss following the indictments of former boss Joseph Ligambi and most of his administration many of which were convicted.

“Steven Mazzone”

But the John Gotti of Passyunk Avenue says after doing 14 years behind bars and now on other side of 50 says he has no desire to go back. He and his lawyer say he has a fresh start down in Florida and although he misses his family has no plans to return to Philly. It seems like he is on the verge of opening up a restaurant down in Boca with some investors if he beats the parole revocation case back in Philly.

“Upcoming Merlino Restaurant in Boca”

A secretly taped conversation the feds have from back in 2010 between Joseph Ligambi , Philly mob capo Joseph “Scoops” Licata, and others in which Joey is possibly mentioned as still being the actual boss of the mafia in Philadelphia is another smoking gun for many. Many believe including some in law enforcement that Ligambi was simply handing day to day operations acting as boss for Merlino while he was away. So what do you think is Joey Merlino still the boss of the Philly mob ?

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Genovese crime family round up today in New Jersey nets 11 members and associates of the New York mafia family according to Attorney General. According to the indictment warrants were issued for first tier racketeering charges including loansharking, gambling, money laundering, drugs and illegal check cashing which generated millions of dollars in illegal profits. Dubbed “Operation Fistful” it was a joint venture between multiple law enforcement agencies from New York and New Jersey.

Members are allegedly part of a New Jersey based crew of the Genovese family being run by Genovese capo Charles “Chuckie” Tuzzo and Vito Alberti a soldier who answered to the Genovese hierarchy back in New York.

Also charged were various mob associates including Vincent P. Coppola son of imprisoned mob capo Michael Coppola, Robert “Bobby Spags” Spagnola, Abel J. Rodriguez, Flor Miranda, John W. Trainor, Manuel Rodriguez, Jennifer Mann, and Jerry J. Alabanese.

Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino the former boss of the Philadelphia mafia is headed back to prison after being sentenced to 4 months on a parole violation. Merlino now has 30 days to report to prison to begin serving his sentence. He was sentenced at a parole hearing today in Philadelphia for meeting with fellow mobster John Ciancaglini and other felons down in Florida.

“Joey Merlino outside Philly Court House”

Now after he serves this four months he will come out a free man under no more supervised release restrictions. So the feds win another small victory against Skinny Joey and it will be interesting to see what Merlino does once he is released and off restrictions. Will he go back to Boca Raton and live the good life away from the Philly mob or will he return to Philadelphia and get back into the game ?

Joseph (Joey Caves) Competiello a former mob soldier in the Colombo crime family along with the feds are looking for a reduced sentence for his earlier cooperation. The feds are urging for leniency for the former wiseguy who is facing life in prison after admitting to five murders as part of his plea deal agreed to when he flipped. Competiello has now served six years since his arrest and cooperation and Team America is asking for him to be sentenced to time served.

“Joseph Competiello” 

The cooperation of Competiello was the beginning of the end of the Colombo family according to a source in law enforcement. He came forward to help the feds solve the 1997 mob hit on former NYPD officer Ralph Dols which the feds claim caused a chain reaction of others flipping that resulted in the arrest and convictions of a huge chunk of the families made members.

The case had gone unsolved until Joey Caves came forward and fingered the hit team which included then Colombo capo’s Dino Calabro and Thomas Gioeli. Calabro would then decide to himself turn rat and implicate the former Colombo family acting boss Joel Cacace who wanted the hit done because the cop had married his ex-wife. Solving the Dols case and the eventual fallout definitely was a major hit to what many believed to already be the weakest of the five families of the New York Mafia.

Sources believe it is unlikely that a judge next week sentences Competiello to only time served but with the feds behind him its not impossible and he will def be in line for some kind of reduced verdict.