Philadelphia LCN Indictments 1979-1990

[chin_gigante]

Majority of information from Pennsylvania Crime Commission 1990 Report

Dec. 1979 – New Jersey Case:
Soldier: Nicodemo Scarfo
Associate: Philip Leonetti
Associate: Lawrence Merlino

[Charged with Dec. 1979 murder of associate Vincent Falcone. All defendants acquitted Oct. 1980.]

Jan. 1981 – Federal Case:
Consigliere: Nicodemo Scarfo – 2 years, released Jan. 1984

[Charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Convicted Aug. 1981 and released on bail pending appeal. Surrendered to authorities Aug. 1982.]

Feb. 1981 – Federal Case ‘Operation Gangplank’:
Boss: Philip Testa – killed Mar. 1981
Capo: Frank Narducci – killed Jan. 1982
Soldier: Joseph Ciancaglini – 10 years
Soldier: Carl Ippolito – declared incompetent to stand trial
Soldier: Harry Riccobene – 9 years
Associate: Joseph Bongiovanni – 2 ½ years, released May 1985
Associate: Frank Primerano – charges dismissed
Associate: Mario Riccobene – 4 ½ years
Associate: Pasquale Spirito – killed Apr. 1983 while pending appeal
Associate: Charles Warrington – 10 years, released Nov. 1990

[Charged with RICO; gambling; loansharking. Defendants convicted May 1982 and released on bail pending appeal. Harry Riccobene’s bail revoked after being pulled over on a minor traffic violation with a gun under his seat Jan. 1983. Appeals rejected Jul. 1983.]

Jan. 1982 – Federal Case ‘Operation Limestone’:
Raymond Martorano (Soldier) – 10 years
John Berkery (Associate) – 78 months plus 9 years’ probation, released Sep. 1991
+ 36 others

[Charged with narcotics; conspiracy. Martorano sentenced Jun. 1982. Berkery became a fugitive upon indictment; arrested Jun. 1987; pled guilty Feb. 1989; sentenced Mar. 1990.]

Jul. 1982 – Pennsylvania Case:
Associate: Victor DeLuca – 12 ½ to 25 years
Associate: Joseph Pedulla

[Charged with Jul. 1982 attempted murder of capo Salvatore Testa. After being released on bail, DeLuca and Pedulla went on the lam for a few days until surrendering and being held in custody. Convicted Jan. 1983. DeLuca sentenced Jan. 1984. Pedulla sentenced to 12 months Feb. 1984 on an unrelated gun charge.]

Sep. 1982 – Pennsylvania Case:
Soldier: Raymond Martorano (IP) – LIFE, released Nov. 1999
Associate: Albert Daidone – LIFE, released Nov. 1999

[Charged with Dec. 1980 murder of associate John McCullough. Convicted Jul. 1984. Pennsylvania Superior Court overturned the convictions in 1992 and ordered a retrial over prosecutorial misconduct. Case ordered dismissed in 1996. Dismissal upheld by Pennsylvania Supreme Court Nov. 1999. Prosecution motion to rehear the case dismissed Dec. 1999.]

Aug. 1983 – New Jersey Case:
Soldier: Nicholas Virgilio – 3 years

[2 indictments: extortion; terroristic threats. Pled guilty in plea bargain Sep. 1983. Sentenced Oct. 1983.]

Aug. 1983 – New Jersey Case:
Underboss/ Acting Boss: Salvatore Merlino – 4 years

[Charged with bribery. Sentenced Jan. 1984 and released on bail. Surrendered to authorities Feb. 1986.]

Sep. 1983 – Federal Case:
Associate: George Martorano – LIFE, released Oct. 2015
+ 13 others

[Charged with narcotics; conspiracy. Martorano sentenced Sep. 1984. Released as part of a DOJ reform.]

Nov. 1983 – Federal Case:
Soldier: Dominick DiNorscio – 5 years, released Nov. 1986
+ 44 others

[Charged with narcotics; burglary; conspiracy. DiNorscio sentenced Mar. 1984. On probation until 1992.]

Mar. 1984 – Pennsylvania Case:
Soldier: Harry Riccobene (IP) – LIFE, died in prison 2000
Associate: Joseph Casdia – LIFE
Associate: Victor DeLuca (IP) – turned CW
Associate: Vincent Isabella – 5 to 10 years
Associate: Joseph Pedulla (IP) – turned CW
Associate: Mario Riccobene (IP) – turned CW

[Charged with May 1982 murder of consigliere Frank Monte. Defendants convicted Nov. 1984; sentenced Nov. 1985.]

Aug. 1984 – New Jersey Case ‘Operation ALPO’:
Soldier: Albert Pontani – $150 fine plus probation
+ 7 others

[Charged with RICO; gambling; conspiracy.]

Sep. 1984 – Federal Case:
Capo: Philip Leonetti
Michael Matthews (Mayor of Atlantic City) – 15 years, released Jun. 1990.

[Leonetti charged with extortion; conspiracy. Matthews charged with official corruption; extortion; conspiracy. Charges against Leonetti dismissed Apr. 1986. Matthews pled guilty in plea bargain Nov. 1984; sentenced Dec. 1984.]

Sep. 1985 – Federal Case:
Soldier: Anthony Piccolo – 2 years

[Charged with mail fraud; commercial bribery; conspiracy. Sentenced Apr. 1987.]

Oct. 1985 – New Jersey Case ‘Operation Ocean’:
Soldier: Ralph Napoli
+ 18 others

[Preliminary arrests against Napoli and 70 others Mar. 1985. Charged with extortion; gambling; criminal usury; conspiracy. No trial. Numerous video poker machines seized.]

Feb. 1986 – New Jersey Case:
Soldier: Salvatore Sparacio – 6 months work release plus 2 years’ probation
+ 8 others

[Charged with gambling; conspiracy. Sparacio pled guilty Jun. 1986.]

Oct. 1986 – Federal Case ‘Rouse Case’:
Soldier: Nicholas Caramandi – turned CW, 8 years
Associate: Robert Rego – 8 years, released Dec. 1991
Leland Beloff (Philadelphia City Councilman) – 10 years, released Dec. 1993

[Charged with extortion. Caramandi became a cooperating witness Nov. 1986; sentenced Jul. 1989. Remaining defendants sentenced August 1987.]

Oct. 1986 – New Jersey Case:
Soldier: Thomas DelGiorno (Soldier) – turned CW, 5 years

[Charged with racketeering. Became a cooperating witness Nov. 1986. Sentenced Jun. 1989.]

Nov. 1986 – New Jersey Case ‘Operation Tigershark’:
Boss: Nicodemo Scarfo
Underboss: Philip Leonetti
Capo: Francis Iannarella
Soldier: Thomas DelGiorno – turned CW
Soldier: Joseph Grande
Soldier: Salvatore Grande
Soldier: Joseph Ligambi – charges dropped in superseding indictment
Soldier: Joseph Pungitore
Soldier: Ralph Staino – charges dropped in superseding indictment
Associate: John Ciancaglini – charges dropped in superseding indictment
Associate: Gary Iaconelli – charges dropped in superseding indictment
Associate: Gary Tavella – charges dropped in superseding indictment

[Charged with RICO; extortion; gambling; criminal usury; conspiracy. Indictment was superseded in Apr. 1987.]

Jan. 1987 – Federal Case ‘Rouse Case’:
Boss: Nicodemo Scarfo – 14 years

[Charged with extortion. Held without bail. Sentenced Aug. 1987.]

Apr. 1987 – New Jersey Case, superseding ‘Operation Tigershark’:
Boss: Nicodemo Scarfo (IP)
Underboss/ Acting Boss: Philip Leonetti
Capo: Francis Iannarella
Soldier: Joseph Grande
Soldier: Salvatore Grande
Soldier: Charles Iannece
Soldier: Lawrence Merlino
Soldier: Salvatore Merlino (IP)
Soldier: Frank J Narducci
Soldier: Phillip Narducci
Soldier: Joseph Pungitore
Soldier: Salvatore Scafidi
Soldier: Nicholas Virgilio

[Charged with RICO; extortion; gambling; criminal usury; loansharking; attempted murder; conspiracy; Feb. 1978 murder of Judge Edwin Helfant. Defendants held in custody. Charges were in part incorporated into a Jan. 1988 federal RICO case.]

Apr. 1987 – Pennsylvania Case:
Boss: Nicodemo Scarfo (IP)
Underboss/ Acting Boss: Philip Leonetti
Capo: Francis Iannarella
Soldier: Joseph Grande
Soldier: Salvatore Grande
Soldier: Charles Iannece
Soldier: Salvatore Merlino (IP)
Soldier: Joseph Pungitore
Soldier: Salvatore Scafidi
Associate: Vincent Iannece – charges dismissed

[Charged with Sep. 1984 murder of capo Salvatore Testa. All acquitted May 1988.]

Jun. 1987 – Federal Case:
Boss: Nicodemo Scarfo (IP)
Underboss: Philip Leonetti (IP)
Capo: Francis Iannarella (IP)
Soldier: Charles Iannece (IP)
Soldier: Salvatore Merlino (IP)
Soldier: Ralph Staino – 12 years
+ 22 others

[Charged with narcotics (P2P). Scarfo, Leonetti, Iannarella, Iannece and Merlino acquitted Dec. 1987. Staino became fugitive upon indictment; surrendered Jan. 1988; sentenced May 1989.]

Jul. 1987 – Pennsylvania Case:
Boss: Nicodemo Scarfo (IP) – LIFE
Capo: Francis Iannarella (IP) – LIFE
Soldier: Joseph Ligambi – LIFE, released Feb. 1997
Soldier: Lawrence Merlino (IP) – LIFE
Soldier: Salvatore Merlino (IP) – LIFE
Soldier: Eugene Milano – turned CW Mar. 1989
Soldier: Nicholas Milano – LIFE
Soldier: Frank J Narducci (IP) – LIFE
Soldier: Phillip Narducci (IP) – LIFE

[Charged with Jul. 1985 murder of associate Frank D’Alfonso. Eugene Milano pled guilty to 3rd degree murder. Remaining defendants sentenced Apr. 1989. Convictions overturned by appellate court 1992 over prosecutorial misconduct. All acquitted at retrial Feb. 1997.]

Jan. 1988 – Federal Case:
Boss: Nicodemo Scarfo (IP) – 55 years, died in prison Jan. 2017
Underboss: Philip Leonetti (IP) – 45 years, turned CW Jun. 1989, released 1992
Capo: Joseph Ciancaglini (IP) – 45 years, released May 2015
Capo: Francis Iannarella (IP) – 45 years, released Jul. 2016
Soldier: Joseph Grande (IP) – 40 years, released Mar. 2011
Soldier: Salvatore Grande (IP) – 38 years, turned CW 1993
Soldier: Charles Iannece (IP) – 40 years, released May 2011
Soldier: Joseph Ligambi – 3 ½ years
Soldier: Lawrence Merlino (IP) – turned CW May 1989, released 1999
Soldier: Salvatore Merlino (IP) – 45 years, died in prison Oct. 2012
Soldier: Eugene Milano – turned CW Mar. 1989
Soldier: Nicholas Milano – 24 years, released Jun. 2003
Soldier: Frank J Narducci (IP) – 35 years, released 2009
Soldier: Phillip Narducci (IP) – 40 years, released 2012
Soldier: Anthony C Pungitore – 30 years, released May 2006
Soldier: Joseph Pungitore (IP) – 40 years, released May 2010
Soldier: Salvatore Scafidi (IP) – 40 years, released Aug. 2014
Soldier: Ralph Staino (fugitive) – 33 years, released May 2007
Soldier: Nicholas Virgilio (IP) – 40 years, died in prison Mar. 1995

[Charged with RICO (including 10 murders & 5 murder attempts); extortion; gambling; narcotics. Defendants held in custody. Ligambi pled guilty Sep. 1988; sentenced May 1989. Nicholas Milano became fugitive upon indictment; surrendered Dec. 1988; sentenced Feb. 1989. Remaining defendants convicted Nov. 1988; sentenced May 1989. Leonetti’s sentence reduced to 5 years 1992. Eugene Milano sentence reduced to 9 years Mar. 1993.]

Feb. 1988 – Federal Case:
Soldier: Albert Pontani – 30 years (NJ), 5 years plus 5 years’ probation (NO)
+ 4 others (NJ)
+ 2 others (NO)

[2 separate indictments from New Jersey and New Orleans. Charged with RICO; gambling; loansharking; narcotics (P2P). Sentenced Jan. 1989 on NJ indictment; sentenced Feb. 1989 on NO indictment.]

May 1988 – New Jersey Case:
Capo: Pasquale Martirano – deceased Aug. 1990
Soldier: Anthony Attanasio
Associate: Nicholas Cifelli
Associate: George Fresolone – turned CW
Associate: James Santoriello

[Charged with RICO; loansharking; gambling; conspiracy. Martirano became a fugitive upon indictment. Case against remaining defendants unresolved as of the writing of the 1990 report.]

Jun. 1988 – Federal Case:
Associate: Stanley Branche – 5 years, released Nov. 1992
Associate: John Ciancaglini – 9 years

[Charged with extortion. Sentenced Mar. 1989.]

Jan. 1989 – Federal Case:
Capo: Santo Idone – 20 years, released Aug. 1998
Associate: Mario Eufrasio – 10 years plus 5 years’ probation, released Jul. 1993
Associate: Gary Iacona – 6 years, released Nov. 1992
Associate: Francis Peticca – 2 years plus 5 years’ probation, released Sep. 1991

[Charged with RICO; extortion; gambling; conspiracy. Sentenced Apr. 1990.]

May 1989 – New Jersey Case:
Soldier: Salvatore Sparacio – 1 year work release
+ 7 others

[Charged with gambling; conspiracy. Pled guilty Oct. 1990.]

Jun. 1990 – Pennsylvania Case:
Soldier: Albert Pontani (IP)
Associate: Roy Stocker
+ 9 others

[Charged with corrupt organisations; racketeering; narcotics; burglary; extortion; conspiracy.]

Aug. 1989 – Federal Case:
Capo: Santo Idone

[Charged with murder; conspiracy. Combined with Jan. 1989 case.]

Jul. 1990 – New Jersey Case ‘Operation Excalibur’:
Soldier: Joseph Bellina
Soldier: Gerardo Fusella
Soldier: Ralph Napoli
Soldier: Joseph Sodano
+ 19 others

[Charged with racketeering; gambling; narcotics; unemployment insurance fraud; conspiracy and the 1975 murder of associate Albert Meglia.]

Aug. 1990 – New Jersey Case ‘Operation Broadsword’:
Consigliere/ Acting Boss: Anthony Piccolo
Acting Capo: Joseph Licata
Soldier: Anthony Attanasio
Soldier: Vincent Centorino
Soldier: Nicholas Cifelli
Soldier: Nicholas Olivieri
Soldier: John Praino
Soldier: Joseph Sodano
Associate: Anthony Dente
Associate: Thomas Ferriero
Associate: Richard Martino
Associate: Zeff Mustaffa
Associate: Dominick Pillari
Associate: Nicodemo S Scarfo
Associate: Fred Stewart
Associate: Eugene Wilson
+ 25 others

[Charged with racketeering; extortion; gambling; criminal usury; narcotics; conspiracy.]

[chin_gigante]

Corrections and additions are welcome. There's a lot of information to shift through so I've likely missed stuff. I'm also not sure as to the outcome of a lot of the North Jersey cases from 1988 onward. I know Scarfo Jr pled guilty to some charges against him

[Pogo The Clown]

Wow. Great list. Really comprehensive. Another one you can add is Soldier Anthony Pungitore Sr. indicted for gambling in 1989. He did some time and was released 5/6/1991. Forgot the exact month he was indicted but I believe it is mentioned in the Mafia Wipeout book.


Pogo

[Wiseguy]

It's amazing there was anything left of the Philly mob after all the infighting, indictments, and defections in the 1980s and 1990s. Just goes to show that a stable recruiting pool can keep a family alive despite a lot of punishment.

[Pogo The Clown]

Also then Associate Joseph Massimino was one of the 22 others charged in the June 1987 P2P case. He did time and was released in 1992


Pogo

[NJShore4Life]

Mousie has literally been in prison since the 1970s. He gets out and goes right back in , Crazy he doesn’t give a fuck.

[Cheech]

Mousie has literally been in prison since the 1970s. He gets out and goes right back in , Crazy he doesn’t give a fuck.

he getting out soon?

[Pogo The Clown]

He gets out on 1/13/2025.


Pogo

[richard_belding]

Great job, Chin

The Aug 1990 case would be the Fresolone induction ceremony, with (included in the indictment) Oliveri, Cifelli, Centorino & Praino at the induction, Piccolo presiding. A significant aspect of that case was gambling and poker machines, like Greyhound Electric which was a Toms River company owned by Scarfo associate Carmen Ricci.

[slimshady_007]

Great list

[Chucky]

Scafidi was released in 2011, he must have violated his supervised release at some point.

[maxiestern11]

Nice list... very informative

[chin_gigante]

Michael Pontani was one of the 7 others indicted with Albert in 1984. Don't know what his penalty was, or if there was one

[richard_belding]

Michael Pontani was one of the 7 others indicted with Albert in 1984. Don't know what his penalty was, or if there was one

The others indicted in 8/84 with Albert & Michael included: Ceaser Pesarini of Trenton, Michael Logrecco of Mich, Patrick Picardi of Cambridge Mass, Nicholas Renna of Bk & Thomas Lacerra, Staten Island. Dont know what came of Michael penalty wise, but he was freed on a bond of $10,000, and Albert a bond of $25,000.


2/88 RICO, drugs, gambling- the others indicted with Albert Pontani included: Faffy Iannarella (while on trial for 1/88 case), Daniel Marino of Cherry Hill, Angelo Belardo of Trenton, Daniel Mucci (no address given), Carmine Cabell of South Plainfield & James Wilson of Camden.