The Brian Lehrer Show: Capeci on the New York Mob

By Ed Scarpo
Jerry Capeci, who writes a weekly column on organized crime at GangLandNews.com, discusses why Bonanno family boss Joseph Massino is cooperating with the FBI, and the ripple effects of it in the mafia. He also talks about the recent stabbing of the owner of Lucali pizzeria in Brooklyn.To listen, click here.

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If Uncle Joe Retires What Happens in Philadelphia?

By Ed Scarpo
Joseph (Uncle Joe) Ligambi, who recently got out of prison following two mistrials for what primarily amounted to gambling-related charges, says that he is done, finito, with Cosa Nostra. He wants to drop the harness and relax, to summer in Longport and winter in Florida. In 1980, violence on the streets of Philadelphia rose sharply following boss Angelo Bruno's murder. Does Ligambi mean it? If he’s being sincere, then who will step in and take over?  Too many wiseguys, if history is our guide. The volatility for which the Philadelphia crime family was once well-known can return as swiftly as the time it takes to pull a trigger. Two generations historically at odds with each other have been working together (the old Scarfo gang and the Merlino young turks). The ability to rivet these two enclaves together is among the skills "Uncle Joe" is credited for having. But with or without him, shifts in power are inevitable as the family's composition changes (...
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Kitchen Nightmares Gangster Back In Business (Mob Business, That Is)

By Ed Scarpo
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By Ed Scarpo
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Murdering Louie DiBono: Testimony Of Gambino Underboss Salvatore (Sammy The Bull) Gravano Part 12

By Ed Scarpo
UPDATED   One evening in December 1989, Gambino boss John Gotti and underboss Frank Locascio discussed murdering a troublesome Gambino underling who had failed to show up at a family meeting. Gotti, none too pleased, called out the name of the underling, “Louie DiBono" and added: "You know why he’s dying? He’s gonna die because he refused to come in when I called. He didn’t do nothing else wrong.” Recent pic of Frank Locascio, middle. Locascio replied by offering the then Gambino boss a prediction.  The very next day, DiBono would hand Gotti a fat stack of greenbacks to compensate for things, Locascio said. "But I wouldn’t take nothin',” Gotti replied, then used colorful language to highlight that DiBono was not long for this world. The taped conversation about DiBono, plus Salvatore (Sammy the Bull) Gravano's testimony (presented via this ongoing series) were enough to convict Locascio of conspiring to murder DiBono, who met a violent end in a parking garage ab...
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By Ed Scarpo
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By Ed Scarpo
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