Gennaro Bruno a associate and wanna be made guy in the Gambino crime family has been charged with racketeering including a 2002 mob hit, drug trafficking, and extortion. Bruno over the years became a proven mob associate and was allegedly part of the Gambino family crew once led by mobster Joseph “JoJo” Corrozo a powerful member and one time consigliere of the Gambino family.

The 41 year old Bruno began his criminal career as part of New York gangs and then rose in ranks to become a member of the Gambino’s. He is charged with the killing of rival Martin Bosshart in a battle over drug turf. He allegedly lured Bosshart to a location in Queens and shot him behind the head killing him instantly.

He also is alleged to have used his position in the mafia to extort protection payments from the owner of a Queens based waste carting company. If convicted he is facing a long stint in prison and definitely puts a dent in his once bright future in the New York mafia.

Alfred “Chippy” Scivola who was snared in a wide ranging crackdown on the New England mafia has been released from prison after completing a nearly two year stint. He plead guilty to to conspiracy charges for his role in the shake down of local area strip clubs for protection payments. Convicted along with him in same crack down were other mobsters including former Patriarca family boss Luigi “Baby Shacks” Manocchio sentenced to over five years.

“Alfred Scivola”

The now 87 year old New England mobster is still on home confinement and will finish out the rest of his sentence and be free and clear in January. He was released from the Devens Federal Medical Center and its unknown as to what if any role he still has in the New England mob.

New England mafia ceremony was captured on tape by the feds back in 1989 with four new soldiers being inducted into the family. The mafia induction was lead by New England mafia boss Raymond “Junior” Patriarca in Medford. Fingers were pricked , holy cards were burned, and the new mobsters vowed to kill on behalf of the Mafia. In all 20 mobsters attended and it is the first and only of its kind of to recorded by authorities.

Inducted that day were Robert “Bobby” DeLuca, Carmen Tortora, Vincent Federico, and Richard Floramo. The recording of this traditional ceremony was undisputed proof that La Cosa Nostra did exists beyond the shadow of a doubt. The majority of the mobsters who attended were indicted on charges of racketeering and the tapes were used by prosecutors to prove their case. The hierarchy of the New England mob at the time went to prison.

Here is both audio of the 1989 New England Mafia induction ceremony along with a transcript.

1989 New England Mafia induction ceremony Audio - Here

1989 New England Mafia induction ceremony transcript – Here

Frank Coppa a one time captain in the Bonanno crime family and its first member to publicly break his vow of silence known as “Omerta” gets rewarded for his betrayal. He flipped back in 2002 after being indicted for third time on racketeering charges in a short two year span. His decision to turn rat is considered by the feds as a seminal moment in the take down of the Bonanno family over the last decade. Once Coppa flipped it induced other mobsters inside the family to follow his lead helping to take down then powerful boss Joseph Massino and dozens of other wiseguys.

“Joseph Massino and Frank Coppa”

Coppa gave the feds detailed information of the inner workings of one of the then strongest New York mafia families as the first made member of the Bonanno’s agreeing to testify for the feds. Among much of the information he supplied prosecutors with was his induction into the family and the commission of various murders carried out by the Bonanno family. Included in those murders was the 1981 hit carried out by Massino and families Sicilian family faction on three rival capo’s and along with murder of capo Dominick “Sonny Black” Napolitano for allowing FBI agent alias Donnie Brasco to infiltrate the family.

He only testified at one trial back the 2004 Massino racketeering and murder trial. Afterwards he was released on bail and has been awaiting sentencing ever since. He admitted to his role in the murder of Sonny Black Napolitano and gave information on 14 mob slayings in total. His rap sheet also includes stock fraud, loan sharking, tax evasion, and drug dealing and technically was facing a sentence of life in prison.

Prosecutors sought a very lenient sentence for what they call his historic decision to become first Bonanno mobster to flip leading to the dismantling of the family. Coppa has been rewarded well for his services getting sentenced to only two years of time served today.

Frank Balistrieri was the boss of the Milwaukee mafia back in 1984 when him and his two sons John Balistrieri and Joseph Balistrieri were caught in an FBI sting. They were caught in an attempted extortion scheme involving the Milwaukee vending machine business. Both his son’s Joseph and John were attorney’s at the time were both disbarred after being convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison. They both ended up doing five years after blaming their misdeeds on their mobster father and his association with organized crime.

“Frank Balistrieri (center) and his sons”

Frank Balistrieri died back in 1993 and his son Joseph in 2010. John Balistrieri has been fighting since his release to regain his law license but was once again turned down by the Wisconsin Supreme court. They noted answers given back during a 2002 deposition by John which they described as flippant and said he was not accepting responsibility for his previous crimes. He is now willing to admit there was a conviction but still maintains that he did nothing wrong according to court documents.

The Milwaukee mafia today is all but extinct since the death of its long time boss Frank back in 93. The Milwaukee mob family was always considered to be a branch of the Chicago Outfit and it is believed that once Frank passed The Outfit moved back in and controls what is left of the local rackets. Peter “Pitch” Picciurro is considered to be the “boss” of what is left of the Milwaukee crime family keeping what remains in line for the Chicago Mafia leadership.

John Balistrieri was believed to have held rank of consigliere for the Milwaukee mob and may still but those claims are unsubstantiated and he maintains he has no ties to the mafia.

Michael Persico the son of imprisoned official Colombo crime family boss Carmine “The Snake” Persico has been ordered to stick to his agreed upon plea deal with prosecutors on loan sharking charges. The mob scion wanted to back out of his plea deal after learning prosecutors claimed in a Pre-sentencing report they could prove he was involved in addition significant crimes. They wanted to use this to convince the Probation Department to consider sentencing Persico to the upper end of the range for his single count he plead guilty to.

“Michael Persico”

Through a preponderance of evidence the government claimed it could prove Persico was involved in other crimes including an involvement in murders of Michael Devine and John Scopo. The Colombo family prince got his panties in a bunch and argued that prosecutors had promised in his plea deal they would not push for a heavy sentence and he wanted permission to back out of his agreement. But Brooklyn federal judge Sandra L. Towned did not agree with the assessment of the deal and ruled against him.

The judge said the agreement did prohibit advocacy by the government and prosecutors before the court but it could not reasonably be interpreted as prohibiting it before the Probation Department prior to the Pre-Sentencing report. So prosecutors were on legal ground when presenting their case to the Probation Department who established the sentencing range in the first instance.

Many were shocked that Persico went to such measures as he agreed to what is seen by many as a sweet plea deal facing only 36 to 47 months behind bars. He is not set to face sentencing early next year in front of judge Townes.

New England mafia captain Edward “Eddie” Lato currently serving a nine year sentence for federal extortion and conspiracy charges was back in Rhode Island to face a state conspiracy charges. Lato is now being charged by state on conspiracy charges for his role in an alleged illegal gambling ring that was busted back in 2011. The state waited to officially move forward with the case until the federal case was wrapped up.

“Eddie Lato”

Lato was rounded up during a sweeping mafia case two years ago along with several other high ranking Patriarca crime family members including former boss Luigi “Baby Shacks” Manocchio and reputed underboss Anthony DiNunzio. Lato received the stiffest sentence out of all nine defendants in the case getting a nine year sentence which he is serving in a Estill, S.C. prison. His stay back home in Rhode Island will be short lived while he stand trial once again.

The state charges according to a press release and court documents includes 23 defendants including multiple made members and associates of the New England mob. Also arrested in case was Frank “Bobo” Marrapese and Alfred “Chippy” Scivola. Marrapese was just released from prison in 2008 on parole for the 1987 mob murder of Richard “Dickie” Callie. Scivola was just released to home confinement from his conviction in the federal case with Lato.

Police were able to gather information on the illegal gambling ring through wire taps who they claim was being run by Vincent “Vinnie” Tallo. Proceeds from the scheme were then funneled up the ladder to Lato through different intermediaries according to the charges. Lato is do to complete his federal sentence in 2019 but may end up with an extended prison stay if found guilty in this upcoming state case.

Anthony “Tony Pal” Palazzolo has been appointed as the new official consigliere of the Detroit mafia. Previous consigliere Dominic “Uncle Dom” Bommarito has stepped down into retirement after holding his post during the recent leadership transition. Newly named boss Jack “Jackie the Kid” Giacalone has now fully taken the reigns of the family and now has his full administration in place with Palazzo and Anthony “Chicago Tony” La Piana holding rank of under boss.

This trio has been dubbed “the future big 3″ by Detroit mob family administrators over the past few years according to Motor city mob expert Scott Burnstein who broke story of new consigliere in his gangster report column. A long time Detroit mobster Palazzolo now 74 has overseen the family interest in Canada and in the city’s downriver area. He has roots in the mafia as his father was a lieutenant in the Michigan mob under Goivanni Priziola longtime consigliere.

Palazzolo was named as a mob captain back in 1998 taking over the crew once led by capo Peter Vitale who groomed him through the years. According to the FBI Palazzolo has been a very illusive guy and hard to keep tabs on through out the years. The Giacalone , La Piana, and Palazzolo trio will lead the Detroit mafia into the next generation after the passing last July of long time boss Giacomo “Black Jack” Tocco the longest tenured mob boss in America.

Montreal mafia boss Vito Rizzuto had plenty of scores to settle upon his release from a Colorado prison and return to Montreal after the attack on his crime family. The Rizzuto crime family was attacked by a break away faction looking to take control of the Montreal underworld prompting a Montreal Mafia war. The mob war lead to more then 40 murders of mobsters and associates in Montreal, Toronto, Italy, and even Mexico. Some of those murders were part of a revenge plot launched by Vito Rizzuto before his death from apparent lung cancer.

“Vito Rizzuto”

Secret wire taps capture some of that revenge plot as the former Montreal godfather summoned some of his top henchmen to secret meetings in the Dominican Republic and Cuba to plan his revenge. Mobsters who decided to not accept the invitation from the long time mob boss were among the first to be targeted. Wiretaps being played in court for the murder trial of Juan Ramon Fernandez in Italy are now shedding new light of these events.

Fernandez was a close associate of the former Rizzuto family loyalists Raynald Desjardins who is believed to have been one of the leaders of the break away faction. Police in Italy were wiretapping all of his phone conversations at the time. The first wiretap recording captures him telling an unidentified person “It’s like the saying goes — when the cat’s away the mice will play,” talking about those disloyal to Rizzuto while he was in prison in the US , “But mice can only dance for a while, because they’re small,” he added regarding the power Rizzuto still maintained now that he was out.

“Juan Fernandez (right) meets with Giuseppe Carbone”

Months before Rizzuto was to be released he had his friends planning the trips where he would meet privately with his senior members about the attacks which led to deaths of his son and father. Another wiretap conversation captures Fernandez talking to a man identified as Frank Campoli a Toronto businessman with links to the Rizzuto’s saying the mafia boss had plans in works for a trip to Cuba on Nov. 22 and asked Fernandez if he would attend in which Fernandez said “Yes, I’ll come, I’ll come,”.

After that call ended Fernandez immediately makes a call to a friend in Tornoto identified as Rosario Staffiere owner of a local lemo service and explained the previous conversation to him. “He wanted to put me to the test,” Fernandez said. “He wanted to know if I still want to see him [Rizzuto], and I said ‘Yes, of course.’” and then he laughs and says “Take a shot in the f—ing head? Of course I’m going to see him.” The day Rizzuto was released he again speaks to Mr Campoli asking how Rizzuto was in which Campoli replies “I don’t know where the hell he went,” answered Mr. Campoli. “He didn’t want to be seen with anyone right now, know what I mean?”

Days later a three way call is captured between a man referred to as “Number one” which Italian authorities say was Vito Rizzuto. “Ray?” Rizzuto asked, using Fernandez’s nickname. “How are you?” but a bad connection lead to every having to keep asking if the others could hear them. “I can’t hear s—,” said Fernandez. “I feel far away,” said Rizzuto. as the connection continues to fade. The violence would begin in Quebec not long after this conversation takes place.

A month after Rizzuto was released and two weeks after his trip to Cuba veteran Quebec mobster Joseph Di Maulo is murdered gunned down in cold blood in his driveway. This hit is seen as the first strike back from Rizzuto against his enemies. Fernandez hears of the murder and immediately calls Montreal asking about the hit. He speaks to a man identified as Antonio Carbone a close mob associate. Carbone tells Fernandez that Rizzuto’s opponents are now afraid and are in hiding and weating bulletproof vests and riding in armored cars. “The important ones are hiding,” Mr. Carbone said. “A few big names will soon feel…” he said, with his words trailing off.

The two men then begin to note several people who were Rizzuto opponents and linked to the Montreal Mafia that included Tony Mucci who was long believed to be a senior member of the Montreal Mafia, Tony Magi a construction megnate in Montreal, Moreno Gallo a known long time mafiosi, and Raynald Desjardins the brother-n-law of Di Maulo and former Rizzuto loyalists.

The Di Maulo murder worries Fernandez because both men are close to Desjardins who was by now identified as one of the leaders of the rebel faction attacking the Rizzuto’s. Fernendez decided not to meet with Rizzuto and tries to reach out to a member of the Rizzuto family inner circle Rocco Sollecito but the call is declined. After missing his meeting with Rizzuto the tone of Fernandez when speaking with friends of the godfather clearly changes. When asked by Mr Carbone why he missed the Rizzuto meeting Fernandez replies “No, no, I’m busy. I’m busy, Antonio,” then Carone says “You’re busy, huh?” and Fernandez again replies “Yes, f—, yes, busy.”.

A second invite to a meeting with Rizzuto is sent to Fernandez this time down in Mexico but again he makes excuses as to why he can’t attend. On Jan, 2013 Fernandez again speaks to Carbone about Rizzuto then referring to him as “The tall guy”. Carbone says during conversation “He left for the Republic, as they call it, Dominican Republic,” said Mr. Carbone. Then Fernandez asks “Who’s there? The tall guy?” in which Carbone responds “Yes”.

Three months after that phone call Fernandez was murder in Sicily. Men arrested for his murder are now on trial in Palermo and these wiretaps are being presented as evidence to Fernandez’s links to the mafia in Canada. These wiretaps offer a very unique glimpse into the Vito Rizzuto revenge plot and the bloody Montreal mafia war. Pietro Scaduto and Salvatore Scaduto brothers are both charged with the murder of Fernandez.

“Juan Ramon Fernandez, left, and Fernando Pimentel on their last day alive. The pair were caught on police surveillance video on their way to a meeting where court heard they were ambushed, shot and their bodies burned.”

Mr Gallo was later killed in Mexico a month before Vito Rizzuto passed away. Head of Palermo’s Carabinieri ROS said the level of violence in the Montreal mafia war was astounding. Things are seemingly quieted down for now but many still wonder if old scores remain to be settled and more blood shed is planned as the plot for revenge set forth by Rizzuto is still to be carried out by his loyalists.

According to several sources the Montreal mafia has a new boss in long time Rizzuto crime family mobster Rocco Sollecito. He was a faithful lieutenant to long time mob boss Vito Rizzuto and is known to be very low key and discreet. Multiple deaths in the Rizzuto family from the bloody Montreal mafia war and the sudden death of returning boss Vito left a power vacuum. Sollecito is considered as someone who could find common ground in the shaky Montreal underworld and calm the infighting which remained from the attacks on the Rizzuto family. It is still unsubstantiated as to if he has taken over as boss permanently or for a more interim time period but he currently holds the top spot.

“Rocco Sollecito”

Arrested back in 2006 as part of the Project Coliseum mob roundup which included many high ranking members of the Rizzuto family. Rocco was identified as being in control of constructions records and bookmaking for the Rizzuto’s and was considered the number four in the family at that time. One of Vito’s most loyal soldiers his name was among a few rumored to be able to take over the mob family and possibly bring peace back to streets.

During a recent birthday party for his son Stefano Sollecito at a cafe lounge in Montreal several mafia members attended along with members of Hells Angels and local street gangs sources believe to pay respect to the new boss. Likely many who showed want to remain in the good graces of the new leadership of the Montreal mob. Whether we have seen the last of the revenge plot set in motion by Vito Rizzuto before his death is yet to be seen but for now things have seemingly calmed down.

Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino the former and possibly current Philadelphia mafia boss will have a chance to enjoy the holidays with his family and his brand new restaurant before heading off to prison. He was sentenced to four months in prison for violating the terms of his supervised release by meeting with a fellow mobster and other known criminals down in Florida. He was scheduled to begin his sentence this week but a judge ruled to have the beginning of his term pushed back to after the holidays.

“Joseph Merlino”

Prosecutors captured Merlino meeting with Philly mob capo John “Johnny Chang” Ciancaglini down in Boca Raton which was a direct violation of terms of his parole from his 2001 racketeering conviction. But his lawyer claims the meeting was nothing more then a chance and casual encounter and not a planned meeting by his client hence it was not a parole violation. The Third Circuit Court will now have some added time up until January 5 the new date for Merlino to begin his prison term to rule on his appeal.

Joey Merlino is also celebrating the opening of a restaurant down in Boca Raton which carries his name “Merlino’s” in which he is also works as the maitre’d backed by a rich family friend. The recipes he says are from his mother Rita and the restaurant seems to be off to a fabulous start. Skinny Joey is said to be greeting diners with hugs, kisses, hand shakes and of course great tables around the room with his usual flair. When asked if he would share some of the recipes Merlino said “I went to jail for not telling,” he quipped. “I’m not giving up a recipe. I’m not telling.” The menu includes great sounding dishes like veal South Philly ($32), sauteed in brown gravy with sausage, mushrooms, hot and sweet peppers, and garlic and linguine crab gravy ($24) – blue crab, sauteed onions, basil, parsley, and fresh tomato sauce.

“Joey Merlino out front of Merlino’s Restaurant”

It is believed by many including some in law enforcement that Merlino may still be in control of the Philly Mafia from down in Florida using members of his old crew to handle things on streets back home. The current street boss Steven Mazzone is a long time close associate of Merlino although Joey ever since his release has maintained that he is out of the life and happy down in Florida.

Thomas “Tommy Shots” Gioeli the one time acting boss of the Colombo crime family is suing the Butner Low Correctional Facility for a slip and fall. Serving a 18 year sentence he often complains about the conditions at the prison over twitter and his personal blog. Now he claims leaky piping is the cause of a nasty slip and fall which left him injured although the extent of his injuries are still unclear. According to the suit “Plaintiff Thomas Gioeli has been rendered sick, sore, lame, maimed and disabled and so remains due to the negligence of defendant,”

“Thomas Gioeli”

Gioeli was convicted back in 2012 on a range of mob crimes including murder conspiracy including mob rivals in an attempt to gain power with in the New York Mafia family. He was sentenced back in March and suffers from heart problems and diabetes and now a fall on a wet floor could make him an earner once again even though he isn’t on the streets.

His lawyer Martin Schiowitz refused to comment on the pending lawsuit when his office was contacted. The slip and fall happened back in August at the North Carolina penitentiary according to details of the newly filed suit.

Edward “Eddie” Lato a capo in the New England Mafia also known as the Patriarca crime family was back in Rhode Island to answer to state charges for an illegal gambling ring. A Superior Court judge sentenced the New England mob capo regime to a 10 year suspended sentence with 10 years of probation saying the sentence was to be served at same time he is serving his federal prison term. Lato is serving time in a federal prison for his part in a scheme to shake down local are strip clubs busted by feds back in 2012.

“Edward Lato”

The state case has been on hold because Lato was wrapped up in the larger federal case which also took down former boss Luigi “Baby Shacks” Manocchio and reputed under boss Anthony DiNunzio along with multiple other mob members and associates. Lato received one of the longer sentences from the convictions because of his lengthy criminal history in the mob.

The stats gambling case also included Frank “Bobo” Marrapesse and Alfred “Chippy” Scivola also reputed members of the mafia. Marrapesse was out on parole for a gangland slaying of Richard “Dickie” Callie back in 1987. There were 23 suspects in all netted in the gambling sting back in May of 2011.

Anthony “Nino” Parrino died November 3rd of natural causes dealing what could be one of the last blows to the already shaky St Louis mafia. The mob family in St Louis has been on the ropes for years and now is said to contain less then 10 made members according to reports. Parrino is believed to have taken over as the boss of the St Louis mob back in 1997 and held rank of consigliere before that going back to the early 80’s.

“Anthony Parrino”

Parrino succeeded former St Louis mob boss Mike Trupiano a former Detroit mobster. He did so with the blessing of former Chicago mob boss John DiFronzo and former Detroit mob boss Giacomo Tocco. The mob family has stayed out of the head lines for the most part and operated in a low key style under Nino’s guidance.

The St Louis LCN family has been under the control of factions of both the Chicago mafia and the Detroit mafia for years now. The family controls few mob rackets these days and it seems that with the death of the boss now it may be something the organization may not recover from. It is believed that Jack Parrino may take over as boss after death of his brother Anthony since he was his consigliere. But it is not believed that there is much left to take over as the family dwindles down.

Francesco Palmieri a high ranking member of the Gambino crime family of the New York Mafia was one of eight suspected mobsters rounded up in a transatlantic mob sweep. Authorities in Italy and America on Thursday targeted members of organized crime for suspicions of multiple mafia crimes. Along with Palmieri in New York also arrested of note was Italian mobster Giovanni “Johnny” Grillo picked up at a Milan airport.

Palmieri was allegedly traveling to Italy under a fake name for months demanding payment of a 30 year old credit from an Italian businessman. The debt dating back to the 1980’s is believed to be part of an International drug trafficking network connected to former Bonanno family mobster Cesare Bonventre. Both Palmieri and Bonventre are from same small Sicilian town although Bonventre was killed back in 1984 during a internal power struggle with in the Bonanno family.

Earlier this year authorities busted up a drug ring involving dozens of mobsters on both sides of the Atlantic including members of the Italian mob clan the Ndrangheta and the Gambino family.

Genovese crime family captain Conrad Ianniello now 71 is headed back to prison for three years after being sentenced on extortion charges. Conrad is the nephew of former Genovese family underboss Matthew “Matty the Horse” Ianniello who passed away back in 2012. He pleaded guilty to shaking down workers at a Long Island Chocolate factory to allow a mob controlled union to move in instead of another legit union.

“Conrad Ianniello”

He was caught saying on a secret wiretap “We are going to do it diplomatically and if that doesn’t work I am going to f— him up.” Ianniello mumbled an apology to his family in court at sentencing prompting Federal Judge Nicolas Garaufis to go into a rant. The Judge told Conrad his behavior disgusted him and he was tired of mobsters coming into his courtroom and apologizing to their families when they need to apologize to this country.

Outside of the court house Ianniello was asked by reporters if he cared to apologize to anyone else and his lawyer responded they had no comment. Although Ianniello in pure wiseguy fashion told a photographer “I am gonna drop you on your head.”

Going into the new year of 2015 who do you think is the most powerful mafia family outside of the five families of the New York mafia ? An interesting question that is often asked to many people in and around mob circles and that is often disagreed upon by most. Many of the La Cosa Nostra families outside of New York have been decimated over the last several years due to enhanced law enforcement efforts and various other factors. The mob families that remain outside of the Big Apple have had their ups and downs in the last year some more then others and perhaps some even back on the rise ?

Many American Mafia families outside of New York have come to an end with a few remaining in name only having very few active guys still on the streets. Many cities like Denver, Pittsburgh, Tampa and else where don’t have enough left to be considered as organized crime families any longer even if some activity remains. Here is a look at the organizations who remain intact and can still be considered as organized crime groups. Which of these do you think is still the most powerful heading into a new year ?

There have been rumbling of the New Jersey mafia also known as the DeCavalcante Family starting to rebound as they have stayed low key of late and off the feds hit list for most part. Whether or not the family is growing again is up for debate but they have at the moment at least stabilized. They do have a current leadership sturcture in place and seem to be in about as good a shape as they have been in last ten years or so.

The Philadelphia mafia has had a rough couple of years but they have a leadership structure still in place even after their then boss and top ranking members on trial in 2014. It is still a big question for many as to who really runs the Philly mob these days with many of the belief that its still Joey Merlino from Florida. Current acting boss Steve Mazzone is running things on streets these days whether or not he is taking orders from Skinny Joey is yet to be determined. They have also seen an influx if made guys making their way back on streets after completing prison stretches.

The Chicago mafia also known as the Chicago Outfit has definitely been diminished over the years but remain a structured mob family and still has some powerful capo heading some of its legendary crews. Although many admit the best days of the Chicago mob are behind them and their ranks are quickly dwindling they don’t seem to be going away any time soon. At same time many consider them now as no more then a glorified crew losing traction on Chicago streets year after year.

The New England mafia also known as the Patriarca crime family has really been hit hard over the last couple of years losing much of its upper management due to turncoats and government indictments. Much of the families once powerful Rhode Island faction has been taken down and the family as a whole seems in major disarray. Boston seems to be where the power now lies although the number of made and active guys seems to be on a steady decline. Many believe they are quickly becoming one of the next mafia families to face extinction.

The Detroit mafia has long been one of the more low key families and has had a very steady run being able to avoid the feds and an abundance of turncoats over the years. They have moved into a new era this year with long time mob boss Jack Tocco retiring and passing away making room for new boss Jackie Giacalone and a whole new leadership group. Some believe the Detroit mob family may be the most powerful outside of New York while others see them as being low key and out of the news because they have little going on in form of major organized crime.

So be sure to cast your vote for the mob family you think is the most powerful outside of New York going into 2015.

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The last remaining case from the large New York mafia take down nearly four years ago is set to end with multiple plea deals. Genovese crime family soldier Stephen Depiro along with two former International Longshoremen’s executives have agreed to plea deals for racketeering and extortion conspiracy charges. They were involved in a scheme run by Genovese family to collect “Christmas tribute” payments from hard working longshoremen in excessive of $3 Million dollars dating all way back to early 1980’s. It has been a long running tradition for union controlled thugs to collect these mob Christmas tribute extortion payments from workers bonus checks known as “container royalty fund” checks.

“Stephen Depiro”

Depiro took over the waterfront shakedown scheme back in 2005 after former Genovese soldier Lawrence Ricci was whacked. Ricci was targeted for death by one time powerful Genovese capo Tino Fiumara who died of cancer back in 2010 who then appointed Depiro in his place. The feds began the current case into the Christmas tribute scheme after mob capo Michael “Mikey Cigars” Coppola was caught on a secret recording with a union member about the scheme and its history.

“Tino Fiumara”

Prosecutors also had taped conversations recorded back in 1998 between Fiumara and Depiro linking Depiro to the extortion payoffs. Court filings also show that prosecutors had lined up more then 25 longshoremen who had agreed to testify about the payments being made which often were made unwillingly under a threat of violence. The payments which were often up to $2000 per longshoremen were collected by mobbed up union officials and then passed along to Depiro and other Genovese family mobsters.

Santa’s bag of gifts is sure to be a little smaller this year for the Genovese family.

According to the feds they still believe the Philadelphia mafia is led by Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino from Florida although the man on streets running day to day operations is Steven Mazzone. Whether or not Joey Merlino is currently running things may be up for debate but there is no doubt the respect level for current acting boss Steven Mazzone is holding the Philly mob together. Mazzone is said to be respected across the board by various factions now in play in the Philly underworld and along with his current under boss John “Johnny Chang” Ciancaglini seem to have control of things but many wonder for how long according to author Scott Burnstein and his Gangsterreport.

“Steven Mazzone“

Mazzone seems to have plenty of support from a loyal inner circle and is firmly in control at the top but a faction of 1980’s era mobster are back on streets and despised the former Merlino leadership. Many believe this could eventually lead to unrest in the cities underworld sooner or later. Mazzone has been the long time right hand man of Merlino which was despised by the old school wiseguys now being called the Scarfo faction some of which are reportedly led by Phil Narducci. Seems for now the Narducci lead contingent is operating autonomously and kicking up a piece out of respect for Mazzone even with though they are at odds with Merlino and Johnny Chang.

Former acting boss Joseph Ligambi has seemingly taken a lesser role in the family now believed to quietly be holding the number three position under Mazzone and Johnny Chang in somewhat of a consigliere role. But it seems that long time Philly mafia capo Joseph “Chickie” Ciancaglini wants back in now back on streets from a long prison stretch. The father of current under boss Johhny Chang Ciancaglini was released this spring and is a highly respected member of the mafia in Philadelphia and may be in line to take a role in the current administration. It is believed that Ligambi is ready to step down and go into at least partial retirement and surrender his post to Chickie if he so desires it.

“Joseph (Chickie) Ciancaglini“

According to many mob insiders Chickie has enough respect on the streets that if he wants back in he could fill any of the positions in the current administration. As the family dynamic in the Philly mob continues to change it will be interesting to see how long everyone remains happy and peaceful. The current leadership base of the family definitely has to be very diplomatic with the multiple factions all wanting a piece of the pie as the possibility of blood shed over old and current grudges remains a possibility.

Over the year the mafia has found itself under more and more pressure from law enforcement and watched its power diminish as more and more made guys got convicted and rackets effected. But the downfall of the mafia today can’t only be blamed on the Justice Department it also has a lot to do with turncoats from with in the mob families themselves. Many of the cases being made against the mob these days are typically strengthened and made because someone has flipped and turned on their fellow mobsters.

There have now been quite a few infamous rats in mob history which even includes such high ranking members as bosses, underbosses, and more. We have seen mobsters turn from every major mafia family across the country including the New York Mafia and the trend seems to be growing. Here are some of the mob rats who have turned on their wiseguys pals and done some real damage helping the feds attempt to dismantle La Cosa Nostra.

Here we have outlined a few mob turncoats from the last several years from various mafia families around the country. Most mob rats have done their share of damage to the mob but some have definitely done a lot more then others and lead to many more convictions and turned over a lot more damaging information. Which of these mafia rats do you think has caused the American Mafia the most by turning and joining team America ?

Joseph Massino – Massino was known to many as one of the last old school bosses on the streets responsible for bringing the Bonanno family to power in the 1990’s after the death of then boss Carmine Galante. When he flipped in 2004 after being convicted of racketeering and murder he became the first sitting boss of a New York Mafia family to turn rat. He would go on to testify twice for the feds against fellow mobsters including acting boss Vincent Basciano. He also supplied the feds with tons of information on the inner working of not only the Bonanno family but the Mafia in general.

“Joseph Massino”

Gregory Scarpa – A powerful capo in the Colombo crime family Scarpa was known to many as “The Grim Reaper” as one of the chief enforcers for Carmine Persico the Colombo family boss. He would become a FBI informer in 1962 after being arrested for armed robbery and the relationship between the two would span approx 30 years. During the bloody Colombo wars of the 1980’s he supplied the feds with information about is organized crime enemies with in his own family. His relationship with the feds was one of the longest in mob history and also one of the most questionable as to the ethics and handling by federal authorities but there is no doubt he helped in the dismantling of the Colombo’s.

“Greg Scarpa”

Philip Leonetti – The then underboss of the Philadelphia mafia under his uncle and then boss Nicodemo “Little Nicky” Scarfo when he decided to turn on him and his mob family. At the time he was the highest ranking member of any mob family to turn rat after being convicted for multiple murders and other mob crimes. He supplied the feds with information that lead to convictions of multiple mobsters including members of Philly mob along with high ranking members from the New York mob. He ended the Scarfo era which many believe was when it all started to go down hill for the Philly mob family and they have yet to recover.

“Phil Leonetti”

Sammy Gravano – Perhaps one of the most infamous rats in the history of the American mafia Gravano was the underboss of the poweful Gambino crime family when he flipped. At the time he became the highest ranking member of any New York mafia family to become an informant. He turned back in 1991 and testified in one of the highest profile mob cases in history against mob boss John Gotti leading to his conviction and life sentence. He supplied the feds with information on the working of the Gambino family and all of the other New York mob families and would testify on other occasions on behalf of the feds.

“Sammy Gravano”

Alphonse D’Arco – The then acting boss of the Lucchese crime family became the first acting or other wise boss of a New York mafia family to turn government witness. He would go on to testify multiple times for the feds leading to indictments of multple mobsters including then acting Colombo family boss Victor “Little Vic” Orena, Genovese family boss Vincent Gigante, Bonanno family consigliere Anothony Spero, and many others. He also supplied information on and testified against Stephen Caracappa and Louis Eppolito the duo known as the “Mafia Cops”. He is credited with almost single handedly destroying the Lucchese crime family which has struggled to rebuild ever since that time.

“Al D’Arco”

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