http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20110523_Phila__mob_boss_Ligambi_arrested.html

Along with Staino, Angelina, Lucibello, Monacello, others

Gambling and loan sharking . I guess they're hoping somebody cracks. Will it work? We'll see.

Thanks for fast update Mike and I agree Vin - they will see if they can get anyone to talk or flip with the minor gambling charges.

However, as we have seen before, these type of minor arrests are sometimes the first of multiple indictments, ultimately working into a RICO charge of 3 predicate acts within the defined time frame.

I suspect the Feds are working hard on some of murders (Martorano) and this is their first move in a chess match.

I am betting on the Feds....they do not lose very often.

Honestly? I hope the charges don't stick. I'm no mob groupie, but if there's one thing we know about Phily, a boss going to jail can cause a mob war. A mob war in Philly causes the deaths of dozens. If Ligambi's reign has been relatively peaceful, that's the best Philadelphia can ask for.

The fact that they don't appear to have anything serious in this indictment leads me to believe they are in desperate need of cooperating witnesses. We all know they've been trying hard to put together a serious indictment and now after all this time, they still haven't done that. It's almost like the government is frustrated, they want to go with what they got and see if anything transpires. Maybe this is the first part of multiple indictments to come. It could very well be, but at first glance, this doesn't look very strong.

By the way, has Staino ever been in the can? I don't think he's even been convicted of a crime. This could be a shock to Staino. A lot of these big time moneymakers are too in love with money. They can't even do a year.

Staino has never been convicted of a crime in his life....so if he pleads he might not get much time at all since he has no criminal history.

Even Lucibello...he's never really done any time at all. He beat all the charges in the Stanfa case and was off the radar before that.

They picked up Mousie Massimino too, he might be facing some serious time, because he has a long list of prior convictions. Borgesi must be kicking himself, he don't have much time left in prison, now he gets hit with this.

Anyone named Mousie would absolutely NOT be on my radar screen if I was investigating mob activity in Philadelphia. That name is an embarrassment to all parties involved.

Borgesi only got hit with a gambling charge, if he pleads out he'll be out by 2013 or 2014.

I don't know I read that indictment I think Borgesi's case may be a little deeper than a couple of years.They have wanted this guy since 01.You know Staino was involved with that gambling ring with Rick Tocchet but nothing ever came of it.He just got married in September and the feds wanted pictures of the wedding guests.He looks like a nice guy but in some of those tapes he sounded like true goon.Ligambi had once said if he gets imprisoned he wants Johnny Ciancaglini to take over.

ahhhh Uncle Joe ggets taken down...

check out the video on my blog

http://fivefamiliesnyc.blogspot.com/

Dav S implies the feds said this is the first round of indictments with the next round including murders... obviously from this bust it looks like the feds are squeezing Borgesi to flip on his uncle with the threat of more time if he doesnt cooperate not far from being released

You upset, Dapper?

By the way when i said they wanted Borgesi since 01 i meant as soon as he got sentenced they were working to keep him in where ever he was going .forever.

lol, it will be interesting to see of ligambi if/does go away for a while and if there is any violence that comes about from it, you know philly does have that reputation

Dont count on it, i dont see anyone in Philly risk a war for the top spot. Not a single death will result from this, even if Ligambi does go away.

LEAVE UNCLE JOE ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!

If he does go away it seems like Johnny Chang or Steven Mazzone would be the likely successor without much opposition.They are both off probation now and in a couple of years Merlino joins them.give Angelina a position down the road and eventually Borgesi gets out and there you have the young turks part2 maybe a little wiser,maybe a lower profile.

i second that emotion! look the mob is always gonna be in nyc jersey and philly in someway shape or form. uncle joe has done the best job. considering what he has to deal with perhaps even a better job than bruno!

I am surprised no one has mentioned Skinny Joe yet! Crap, this paves the way for that idiot lunatic to reassert his control over Philly! Free Turkeys for everyone and media coverage for all other charitable events, except the drug dealing, extortion, murder, etc.

I am betting Skinny Joe is not the only one stupid enough to want the Boss / #1 Fed target on his back.

Come on folks, we all know the game. This is the first move by the Feds to build a RICO case, which locks guys up for life without a sniff of free air.

I know it, you know it and they know it.

It's a little suspicious now that Merlino's out, Ligambi's in. You could also see it the other way around though.

It's tempting to think that the feds want Merlino back on the street to nail him again, big time.

Merlino is no dummy, Tony. You're talking out of your ass. You don't becomes boss by the age of 32 and beat every murder charge by being stupid. Merlino is a sharp guy...is he a flashy guy? Yeah, no doubt about it. Most young, rich people are.

Philly - you are entitled to your opinion, just as I am mine.

I think Skinny Joe is an idiot, just like anyone else who chooses a life of crime, I mean "the life". But you go on and admire all you want.

Skinny Joe was not "elected" boss - he murdered his way into it like so many other Gotti like, knuckle dragging goons.

I have more respect for the strategic and tactical leaders (Costello, Gigante, Lucchese, Gambino, etc). I do not think anyone would characterize Skinny that way.

Please, share one if you care to enlighten me.

Skinny Joey, Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky and The Chin are riding in a car. Who do you suppose is in the trunk?

I think Merlino is a little bit lucky like the type that always comes out smelling like a rose.During the mob wars Colletti and another guy came across Merlino drunk passed out at the wheel down by Front and Callowhill.Colletti says to the other guy its your turn to shoot,so they pull up perfect scenario right,well supposedley this guy gets spooked and just keeps going.You never get a golden oppertunity like that.They say when Joey's dad went to prison he left 700 grand for his family that Joey eventually went through plus the 300 grand he ended up with after the armored car heist.How can a guy like that be a respectable boss.

By the way, did Ligambi make bail yet? I bet he's out .

all denied bail for three days until formal hearing to decide bail according to GA

Yeah I just read it. The bail hearing is on Thursday.

Tony,

First off, I agree. Anyone who chooses a life of crime is an idiot.

However, you are off. He didn't kill his way to the top, the feds took down Stanfa and idiot supporters and that left Merlino and Natale. And during the war with Stanfa, Merlino was supported by the Scarfo guys inside and by most of semi-retired guys in south philly. Stanfa was a moron and not respected, he was simply a guy Gotti backed since Scarfo was taken down.

NY always chooses the boss in Philly. There have never been "elections". NY chose Bruno, they chose Testa, they chose Scarfo, they chose Stanfa...and the Genovese backed the Merlino faction against Stanfa and ultimately recognized Natale and Merlino as boss and underboss in '94.

I never said Merlino was a good boss nor did I say he was a good racketeer...he was a gangster. He knew LCN in and out thanks to his dad and he out-smarted Stanfa during the war and outlasted him..as well as Scarfo who also wanted Merlino dead. The guy is a survivor, and in this day and age, that's all you gotta be.

Gotti died in prison...Merlino got out before he was 50.

I doubt NY gives a motherfuck about Philly these days. NY has enough things to worry about.