THE BLACK HAND FORUM

As for the younger guys that were around Merlino in boca a few years ago he wanted made, I’m pretty sure they were the group that were in their late 20s early 30s who were constantly around him at Merlinos restaurant… one named vinny, another Chris… well seems as if they had a falling out cause they went from being in every social media pic witu Merlino (and even his daughters ) to literally gone overnight ….I would assume those were the ones … don’t think they’re still aspiring button guys,,, last I saw ones working in treatment in Philly and talked about the insane extent of his issue with blues and lean since highschool til after he left Florida.. I stumbled across it on YouTube… bigger white guy, was a good baller (basketball)..
honestly can’t think of any names of people who could be newly inducted … harder to guess now that they’re not posting all over Instagram from Friday to Sunday like they used to, where you could easily see who was a new face around..

TommyGambino wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 12:32 am I forget his name but I wonder if they make that sheep guy, he's been around for ages

Lou (Louie Sheep) Barretta, yeah he’s been around these guys a long time and has done several bids from the one with uncle Joe, to this current one… seems like he’s strictly a bookie but still…. He’s been making them money I’m sure for several decades.. was always surprised he wasn’t made yet..

They definitely aren’t just a club, Mazzone on tape for his latest indictment shows you that. Do some research before you say what others try to say about Philly. I mean I’ve read that now at least 5/6 times. Be original

The Colombos are still a functioning and diversified group who has made a strong attempt to both stabilize and grow after every hit they have taken. Philly, respectfully, just seems like a clubhouse for the 'cool' guys in the neighborhood who are all more or less childhood friends and/or related to one another. From the outside looking in, it appears that the North Jersey crew of the family is involved in more traditional LCN type of stuff than the rest of the family. The South Philly guys for the most part, besides the associates or few made guys who have legit businesses and property plays going on, seem like they just hang out and glom onto other people with money. Talks about wanting to take AC back not withstanding

I think the problem with a 2022 chart would be too much guess work. The reason I made the 2015 chart was because it was the most recent point in time where we could get pretty close to a reliably accurate depiction of the hierarchy and total membership. Since 2015, 11 members have died and we can't reliably identify who has been inducted, so we'd be missing a big chunk. And we also can't say for sure how much the hierarchy has changed since then, if any Captains have been broken down or promoted. Then there's the uncertainty over whether Borgesi or Lancellotti is Acting Boss.

I think if we want to do serious charts they have to be somewhat retroactive to have a chance of being accurate. That is, unless tomorrow somebody leaks a complete report from FBI headquarters listing members and ranks.

We need a 2022 chart.

Here's Chin's most recent Philly chart and things have probably changed some what in the last 7 years. But I count 25-28 active guys on the street.
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=7377

Pogo The Clown wrote: ↑Wed Jul 27, 2022 8:39 pm In terms of members but if you factor in associates the Colombos are almost 5 times the size of Philly.


Pogo

I'd agree with that.

aray22 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 27, 2022 8:19 pm

johnny_scootch wrote: ↑Wed Jul 27, 2022 7:03 pm

aray22 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 27, 2022 5:00 pm Who do we think has more active members between Philly and the Colombos?

Colombo’s easily, they’re around twice the size of Philly.

If Philly has around 50 guys I wouldn't say twice. The Colombos only had 115 according to Franzese and after the war I'd be shocked if they were anywhere near that today.

I'd be surprised if Philadelphia has 50 made guys at this point, let alone 50 active members.

In terms of members but if you factor in associates the Colombos are almost 5 times the size of Philly.


Pogo

johnny_scootch wrote: ↑Wed Jul 27, 2022 7:03 pm

aray22 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 27, 2022 5:00 pm Who do we think has more active members between Philly and the Colombos?

Colombo’s easily, they’re around twice the size of Philly.

If Philly has around 50 guys I wouldn't say twice. The Colombos only had 115 according to Franzese and after the war I'd be shocked if they were anywhere near that today.

aray22 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 27, 2022 5:00 pm Who do we think has more active members between Philly and the Colombos?

Colombo’s easily, they’re around twice the size of Philly.

aray22 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 27, 2022 5:00 pm Who do we think has more active members between Philly and the Colombos?

Pennisi has said the theory that the Colombo’s are on their death bed and just a loose rag tag gang is total fiction. He’s not comparing them to the westside or anything but he was close with Amato Sr, who he said had his hands in everything you could imagine.

Colombos by far

Who do we think has more active members between Philly and the Colombos?