Ralph Natale on Valuetainment now.

[Angelo Santino]

The only things I think could possibly be true was his recollection of DeTullio telling him stories of some interactions with Chicago as well as the Blinkie Palermo - Frankie Carbo partnership. Everything else, his opinions of people is either him blowing steam or reiterating what he heard/read. Take John Veasey or even Salvatore Testa whom he christens as a saint (like everyone else), he didn't know these people, he wasn't on the street with them. Yet when you listen to him talk you'd think he was right alongside them in the 80's and 90's. It just shows how much he lies and makes it hard to take anything he says serious.

He reminds me of Frank Culotta, he doesn't go into specifics and makes absurd unprovable claims. Natale being made in a ceremony by Bruno/Gambino is as plausible as Frank Culotta being made a secret member by Spilotro. To both I ask- why the fuck didn't you disclose this to the FBI when you both flipped? It's not something you forget and remember later. Same goes for Franzese and his relative recent allaged so-called being groomed to be Ally's Underboss shit.

Say what you will about Gravano but at he knows his limitations, you'll never see him talking about how Paul was always telling him he'd make a great boss. And Leonetti for that matter, Natale spent 1/3 of the podcast talking shit about him, there's someone who's story remains consistent. Same can't be said for Natale.

[chin_gigante]

Another part I only just picked up on is when he describes how he was 'made' by Gambino and Bruno, he very quickly says that he 'forgot' to tell Merlino about it. That story gets funnier every time he tells it

[Extortion]

I think the only maybe truth is Frank Carbo killing Bugsy. I’ve heard that before but he probably just heard this way afterwards the same way I knew about it

[Extortion]

Also why would Carlo Gambino prick his OWN finger, same with Angelo THEY WERE ALREADY MADE AND THEY CANT MAKE THEMSELVES as far as I know.

[Angelo Santino]

This doesn't even warrant a deeper dive. When he became an informant he told the FBI that he was made by Joseph Merlino in 1995. Had it been any other way he would have shared it back in 2000 when he flipped.

Would have been nice to ask him about his 1995-1999 tenure- who were the captains, did he call family meetings, was he making protocol. He doesn't go into any of that. It makes me suspect he was severely disconnected from the Phila. family due to his parole restrictions. It also appears he was told the wrong information by Merlino/Mazzone when it came to who carried out the hits.

[chin_gigante]

On the subject of how much Natale actually did as boss we can look for example at the making ceremonies at that time. The only one we know that Natale probably presided over himself was the 1996 making of John Ciancaglini. The Boston guys got made after Natale went to prison, Natale himself and Frank Gambino were made by Merlino, and Natale testified that Angelina, Borgesi, Lancellotti and Mazzone attended his ceremony as members. Considering the size of the Philly family and the relatively short length of his time as boss on the street, you'd think we'd get more information from him on making ceremonies, promotions, etc. But I think that just speaks more to his character. He only cares about himself and he only wants to talk about himself. I don't think he even mentions Mazzone or Borgesi in his book.

[Extortion]

Hes definitely one of the biggest jagoffs

[dack2001]

Either he was deeply out of the loop or he is deliberately not talking about the guys downtown. He clearly steered his book towards past events, people that are dead etc. I think he's cashing in and understands that nobody in Philly cares about him as long as he doesn't throw it up in their faces.

[Antiliar]

I think he has dementia, and he's filling in gaps with made-up stories that his brain is making him believe.

[IrishDave]

If he would just stick to the facts, he'd have a very interesting story. From the union corruption to the Stanfa war and his dealings with New York.

[LaCosaNostra17]

He said he was speaking to Salvie around when his mother died about Sal not wanting to go to university, Alfia salvies mother died in 1980 and Sal died in 1984 at the age of 28, so in 1980 he would of been 24, dosent add up to me...

[JeremyTheJew]

Very sad..

[Angelo Santino]

I think he has dementia, and he's filling in gaps with made-up stories that his brain is making him believe.

It's possible. However he was always a liar, earlier reports even indicate that people would pick up on Natale's claims as being unbelievable. I can find the articles.

Tony Sirico definitely has dementia, Alzheimers or something. This is sad to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCsKYVSrzsE

[Orcus]

Natale's story come across as unbelievably biased, you can see his strong opinions through it all. Unlike Leonetti who comes across as amiable, believable and offers a more neutral perspective.

[Brian the brain]

He just can’t or won’t accept the fact that Merlino played him by making him boss just to take the heat off of him. Natalie thinks he was way more important than he ever was. Did he even commit murder? He said he killed more guys than cancer but I’m wondering if he was ever charged with a murder. Not one he ordered but actually committed.