Recently uncovered FBI documents have provided intriguing insights into the circumstances surrounding the removal of Salvatore Sabella (also referred to as "Sabelli") from his position as boss of the Philadelphia Crime Family. According to these documents, Sabella's demotion appears to have been directly related to a poorly executed assassination attempt that occurred on Memorial Day in 1927 or 1928.
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The documents indicate that the intended target was Musky Zanghi, a prominent gangster at the time. However, the assassination was poorly planned, notably carried out during daylight hours at the intersection of Christian Street and 8th Street, contrary to customary operational practices. This tactical miscalculation resulted not only in the injury of Zanghi but also in the unintended death of Vincent Coccozza, a friend of Zanghi who was killed after being mistakenly targeted by the assailants.
Following the incident, authorities arrested John Scopoletti, Dominick Festa, Dominick Pollina, John Avena, and Sabella himself. Although each defendant faced trial separately to mitigate the risk of mass acquittals, none were convicted in connection with the shooting. Salvatore Sabella specifically was acquitted on March 7, 1933.
Zanghi was subsequently murdered in New York City in August 1934.
Despite his acquittal, internal LCN dynamics appeared to swiftly turn against Sabella. An informant's report explicitly cites Sabella’s demotion as directly related to his poor judgment in planning and executing the 1927/1928 assassination attempt.
Further FBI documentation, however, raises additional questions about the motivations behind Sabella’s removal. It is suggested that Sabella was initially appointed as the boss by Giuseppe Traina, a figure associated with what later became known as the Gambino Crime Family in New York. Sabella's appointment from an external source, rather than emerging from within Philadelphia's local ranks, may have compromised his legitimacy and internal support, further contributing to his demotion.
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It is also noteworthy that Sabella, continued to be actively engaged in organized crime, specifically loan sharking, many years after his formal demotion, suggesting his continued operational significance within the organization despite no longer serving as its boss.
Given the peculiar nature of these events, it seems unusually simplistic that a single poorly executed assassination attempt alone would result in the demotion of a boss. Rather, these circumstances strongly indicate the likelihood of deeper, underlying internal divisions.
In this context, is it indeed plausible that Sabella’s removal was due solely to operational incompetence, or is it more likely reflective of deeper internal rivalries stemming from his externally orchestrated appointment?
Furthermore, have similar instances occurred historically within organized crime, or does this situation stand out as uniquely atypical?
Recently uncovered FBI documents have provided intriguing insights into the circumstances surrounding the removal of Salvatore Sabella (also referred to as "Sabelli") from his position as boss of the Philadelphia Crime Family. According to these documents, Sabella's demotion appears to have been directly related to a poorly executed assassination attempt that occurred on Memorial Day in 1927 or 1928.
[attachment=1]Captura de tela 2025-03-25 160616.png[/attachment]
The documents indicate that the intended target was Musky Zanghi, a prominent gangster at the time. However, the assassination was poorly planned, notably carried out during daylight hours at the intersection of Christian Street and 8th Street, contrary to customary operational practices. This tactical miscalculation resulted not only in the injury of Zanghi but also in the unintended death of Vincent Coccozza, a friend of Zanghi who was killed after being mistakenly targeted by the assailants.
Following the incident, authorities arrested John Scopoletti, Dominick Festa, Dominick Pollina, John Avena, and Sabella himself. Although each defendant faced trial separately to mitigate the risk of mass acquittals, none were convicted in connection with the shooting. Salvatore Sabella specifically was acquitted on March 7, 1933.
Zanghi was subsequently murdered in New York City in August 1934.
Despite his acquittal, internal LCN dynamics appeared to swiftly turn against Sabella. An informant's report explicitly cites Sabella’s demotion as directly related to his poor judgment in planning and executing the 1927/1928 assassination attempt.
Further FBI documentation, however, raises additional questions about the motivations behind Sabella’s removal. It is suggested that Sabella was initially appointed as the boss by Giuseppe Traina, a figure associated with what later became known as the Gambino Crime Family in New York. Sabella's appointment from an external source, rather than emerging from within Philadelphia's local ranks, may have compromised his legitimacy and internal support, further contributing to his demotion.
[attachment=0]Captura de tela 2025-03-25 164943.png[/attachment]
It is also noteworthy that Sabella, continued to be actively engaged in organized crime, specifically loan sharking, many years after his formal demotion, suggesting his continued operational significance within the organization despite no longer serving as its boss.
Given the peculiar nature of these events, it seems unusually simplistic that a single poorly executed assassination attempt alone would result in the demotion of a boss. Rather, these circumstances strongly indicate the likelihood of deeper, underlying internal divisions.
In this context, is it indeed plausible that Sabella’s removal was due solely to operational incompetence, or is it more likely reflective of deeper internal rivalries stemming from his externally orchestrated appointment?
Furthermore, have similar instances occurred historically within organized crime, or does this situation stand out as uniquely atypical?