Fifteen Philadelphia Family Members and Associates Indicted

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JohnnyS
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Re: Fifteen Philadelphia Family Members and Associates Indicted

Post by JohnnyS »

DS - "Newly released Court documents say FBI found evidence of Mob Capo Dom Grande's "continued criminal activity" during a search of his Packer Park home after his arrest on Monday."
Jimmy Napoli
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Re: Fifteen Philadelphia Family Members and Associates Indicted

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Will Dom flip?What you guys think?
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Re: Fifteen Philadelphia Family Members and Associates Indicted

Post by Amershire_Ed »

JohnnyS wrote: Fri Nov 27, 2020 3:01 pm DS - "Newly released Court documents say FBI found evidence of Mob Capo Dom Grande's "continued criminal activity" during a search of his Packer Park home after his arrest on Monday."
Man. This indictment has been hanging over Grande’s head for like 2 plus years. You’d think his house would look like a Boy Scouts. He had to know this was coming. Maybe the Feds found a little weed or something and are making something out of nothing.
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chin_gigante
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Re: Fifteen Philadelphia Family Members and Associates Indicted

Post by chin_gigante »

Jimmy Napoli wrote: Fri Nov 27, 2020 3:05 pm Will Dom flip?What you guys think?
Based on how tight that core group of made guys in Philly has been for the past 25 years it seems unlikely. The only made guys who have flipped since then have been outside that bubble (i.e. Natale, Luisi, Caprio, Persiano).

Also keep in mind Grande's dad flipped in the 90s and hurt his own family members (Piccolo). Wouldn't be surprised if Grande ends up being stand-up just to make up for what his father did.
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Re: Fifteen Philadelphia Family Members and Associates Indicted

Post by Amershire_Ed »

chin_gigante wrote: Fri Nov 27, 2020 3:19 pm
Jimmy Napoli wrote: Fri Nov 27, 2020 3:05 pm Will Dom flip?What you guys think?
Based on how tight that core group of made guys in Philly has been for the past 25 years it seems unlikely. The only made guys who have flipped since then have been outside that bubble (i.e. Natale, Luisi, Caprio, Persiano).

Also keep in mind Grande's dad flipped in the 90s and hurt his own family members (Piccolo). Wouldn't be surprised if Grande ends up being stand-up just to make up for what his father did.
Yeah I can’t see it. Given what happened with his father and the fact that Nicodemo had to go away for 25 years for a murder where Dom was the shooter (allegedly)....just seems unlikely.

I still think he’s looking at somewhere in the 5-10 range, maybe a couple more. I can’t see a 41 year old capo flipping over something like that. Hell, even if he got 15-20 I can’t see him flipping.
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chin_gigante
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Re: Fifteen Philadelphia Family Members and Associates Indicted

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https://mobtalksitdown.com/fbi-pa-state ... ndictment/

The link might not be working so here's the article about the ceremony:

Newly released public court documents obtained by Mobtalksitdown.com indicate the FBI used an undercover informant to tape record a Philly Mob induction ceremony at which newly indicted Mob Underboss Steven Mazzone was present along with with up and coming indicted Mob Capo Dom “Teflon Dom” Grande.

The bombshell tapes reveal Mazzone and Grande’s alleged participation in the ceremony at which several new members of the LCN were made, including Mazzone’s brother Sonny, and Grande was introduced as a new “Caporegime” or Capo.

Here is an part of the information in the pre-trial detention motion filed by federal prosecutors an the FBI:

“Throughout the investigation the FBI has obtained hundreds of hours of recordings of the various defendants, including of defendant Mazzone. Recordings include Mazzone directing the criminal activities of various
LCN members and associates, collecting funds derived from the illegal activities of LCN members and associates, and of being directly involved in a number of crimes.
Those recordings are in addition to a lengthy recording where Mazzone attended an official LCN induction ceremony for codefendant Salvatore Mazzone and other new LCN members.

In that recording the presiding LCN official oversaw the ceremony and asked the initiant, “Now, you’ll use these, for us. Right?” while pointing to a gun and a knife. Then later stated, “If I betray this family, betray my friends, I’ll burn in hell forever.” The new members were then formally introduced to the LCN members that were present and participating in the ceremony, including Mazzone, who was noted of having the title of “Underboss”.
Following the induction ceremony Mazzone was recorded explaining how he wanted the LCN to reestablish control over the criminal activities of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Mazzone stated, “Got to get a hold back on Atlantic City, buddy! That’s what I want. That’s what I want. We have to get that back.” Then later, when explaining the manner in which to establish LCN control over the area, Mazzone stated, “I don’t want nobody just glomming our fucking shit. You
know what I mean? You understand what I’m saying? But we’re still street guys. Let’s face it…We’re fucking, we’re gangsters. I mean, you know, I’m not going to let no sucker take that.”

Mazzone then continued to name specific known criminals who he wished the LCN to extort, named specific LCN members and associates through whom the LCN would exert control, and the manner in which local criminals would pay illegal proceeds to the LCN.”

In a second pre-trial detention motion for Capo Domenic Grande. Federal prosecutors again revealed conversations involving Grande captured on tape by an undercover FBI informant.

Here is a segment of that newly released document:

“For instance, Grande was recorded, extensively, directing the activities of others, including LCN members and associates, in an effort to extort local bookmakers and loansharks into paying monies to the LCN. In that portion of the case, Grande instructed another LCN member to “plant the flag” of the LCN in the Atlantic City area and regain control of bookmakers and loansharks. He acknowledged that associates had their “hooks into” the local criminals and that the local criminals had to either pair with the LCN or “get the fuck out.”

During discussions of how to exert full control over the local criminals, Grande warned that because of their activities that they would soon “catch, like, an extortion beef.”

After a series of successful extortion attempts of local bookmakers, Grande was then recorded negotiating the manner in which an extorted bookmaker would split proceeds with the LCN. Grande provided contact information to the local bookmaker for the LCN bookmaking operation, run by codefendant Louis Barretta, and explained the manner in which the operation functioned. From there, Grande was later recorded collecting gambling debts, or making gambling payments, on over 30 times.

Regarding loansharking, Grande said, “see, like, I’m a loanshark. . . . I could put out, like, $42,000 right now and I got to tell people, ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’” Grande then continued on recordings to arrange several loanshark loans on his own behalf, and on behalf of LCN Underboss Steve Mazzone, with an FBI informant. Both Grande and Mazzone were then recorded several times, accepting “juice”, or interest payments, and principal payments on those loanshark loans.

Grande was also recorded discussing drug trafficking. He was recorded telling an FBI informant to be “careful” when obtaining a kilogram of cocaine for sale but that the informant should “do what you gotta do” in order to sell the drugs. When speaking of obtaining and selling oxycodone and counterfeit oxycodone (made with heroin and fentanyl) Grande stated, “if you can get that man, I can fucking move thousands of them. . . . You know these kids sell them for fucking $20 a piece?”

Those recordings are in addition to a lengthy recording where Grande attended an official LCN induction ceremony for codefendant Salvatore Mazzone and other new LCN members.

In that recording the presiding LCN official oversaw the ceremony and asked the initiant, “Now, you’ll use these, for us. Right?” while pointing to a gun and a knife. Then later stated, “If I betray this family, betray my friends, I’ll burn in hell forever.” The new members were then formally introduced to the LCN members that were present and participating in the ceremony, including Grande, who was noted of having the title of “Caporegime.”

Later in the investigation Grande was recorded explaining the hierarchy of the LCN, referring to himself as a “skipper,” naming the Boss of the Philadelphia LCN, and noting that codefendant Steven Mazzone is the Underboss of the LCN.”

The release of the transcripts came moments before a bail hearing for Mazzone and Grande. They, and fourteen other Mob Soldiers and associates, were arrested and detained pending initial appearances.

Charges in the seven-count Racketeering indictment include racketeering conspiracy, bookmaking, loansharking, extortionate extensions of credit, Hobbs Act violations as well as drug trafficking.

Monday’s raids followed raids last Thursday morning just before 6 a.m. when Reputed Mob Soldier Salvatore “Sonny” Mazzone, Steven Mazzone’s brother, along with four other associates were arrested in an ongoing federal racketeering investigation.

Steve Mazzone was arrested at his row home around 6 a.m. by a large group of FBI agents and Pennsylvania State Police. The arrest drew the attention of neighbors on the block as Mazzone was lead away by authorities.

Rising Star Captain Domenic Grande, 41, was arrested at his 17th Street home in Packer Park. FBI agents and State Troopers spent hours searching his home after he ws lead away by investigators. His arrest was really no surprise after a two and half year drug trafficking investigation in South Jersey and Philadelphia.

Grande is charged with RICO conspiracy and drug trafficking along with other charges.

Steve and Salvatore “Sonny” Mazzone are not charged in the drug trafficking conspiracy.

Sources say federal prosecutors are asking that the Mazzone brothers and Grande be held without bail pending trial on the charges. They face a detention hearing on Black Friday.

The defendants, if convicted could face serious prison time. potentially up to 20 years.

Lou Busico, the attorney for lead defendant Steven Mazzone, told Mobtalksitdown.com “prior to the Covid19 pandemic, Steven Mazzone was gainfully employed at a local gymnasium. Aside from working, his time was spent with his children and caring for his elderly mother. He maintains his innocence.”

Steven Mazzone’s former father in law , Joseph Malone, was also charged in the RICO case after he was picked up in the early morning raids last week. He’s the former proprietor of a South Philadelphia bar where mobsters used to gather for their annual Christmas party in past years. Sources say he was taken to a hospital by federal authorities.

Three others, including John Romeo, Louis Barretta and Anthony Gifoli, also picked up by federal agents last week.

Mob Soldier Joseph “Joey Eletric” Servidio was also indicted in the superseding indictment. He faces serious drug charges.

Federal documents on the case were originally sealed, then unsealed on Monday.

U.S. Attorney William McSwain said “The Philadelphia Mob isn’t what it used to be, and thank God for that….But it is still a problem and still allegedly committing serious federal crimes, which is why we at the Department of Justice are focused on stamping it out.”

“We will not rest until the mob is nothing but a bad memory” McSwain added.

All of the defendants named in the 40-page indictment are in the federal Detention Center (FDC) in Philadelphia, according to Bureau of Prisons records.

These arrests come amidst a flurry of activity by the FBI in the past six days. Last Friday, four aging defendants were arrested in early morning raids on charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and distributing 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Kenneth Arabia, Daniel Malatesta Sr., Daniel “Cozzi’ Castelli and Daniel Bucceroni are caught up in the alleged drug conspiracy that appears to be an off-shoot from the 2018 arrest of four South Jersey wiseguys and associates in another drug conspiracy that also included cocaine and heroin.

Those four defendants in the earlier 2018 drug indictment in South Jersey have plead guilty and received substantial sentences. Mob Soldier Joseph “Joey Electric” Servidio was sentenced last month to 15 years in federal prison. Servidio is a soldier under Newark, N.J. Capo Joseph “Scoops” Licata from the Philadelphia Crime Family.

Salvatore “Sam” Piccolo, a mob associate from Atlantic City, was sentenced last year to 12.5 years in federal prison in the same drug case. He plead to selling methamphetamine to undercover FBI agents on at least three occasions. He was not named in this new Philadelphia based indictment.

Piccolo is the uncle of Grande who has been charged with racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking and other crimes. He refused to comment about this ongoing investigation last year after Piccolo’s sentencing in a Camden Federal Court.

Two other associates also plead guilty to drug charges in the 2018 drug case. One was sentenced to 10 years in prison, the other to five years.

Last week, the FBI also released surveillance camera pictures and posted a $10,000 reward from the December 2012 Mob hit on 50 year old Gino DiPietro in South Philly.

DiPietro was gunned down on Iseminger Street at Johnston Street at 3 p.m. by a lone gunman dressed in black. The shooter wore a ski mask and a hoodie, then fled down a nearby alley. He was captured on video from a nearby home as he made his escape to a waiting getaway car that sped off into South Philadelphia.

Witnesses described the black Honda Pilot SUV to police and gave the license plate number to investigators.

The SUV was tracked within minutes to the Packer Park home of Philly Mob Soldier Anthony Nicodemo. Surveillance cameras near Nicodemo’s home were recording as he arrived in a alleyway behind his home and entered his house.

Police arrested the 48 year old Nicodemo within minutes and found the alleged murder weapon, a ski mask and a sweatshirt in the rear of his SUV.

Nicodemo was tried on murder charges, but the case ended in a mistrial after Nicodemo tried to claim he was the victim of a gun point carjacking. He later plead to lesser charges and was sentenced to 25-30 years in state prison.

He has already served eight years behind bars. He is currently housed in the new Phoenix State Correctional Institution, just minutes from Philadelphia. Sources say he has refused to cooperate with investigators or name the shooter in the DiPietro gangland style murder.

The renewed interest in the unsolved DiPietro homicide and the recent drug case has South Philly wiseguys on edge. Sources say several have been observed in recent days “walking and talking” in the exclusive Packer Park neighborhood and at the nearby Reserve development.

There is no word on whether any cooperating witnesses, besides known Mob snitch Anthony Persiano, contributed to this investigation, although mob insiders believe more information on that will become public as this case unfolds.

Sources say more arrests are expected.
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chin_gigante
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Re: Fifteen Philadelphia Family Members and Associates Indicted

Post by chin_gigante »

So Sonny Mazzone wasn't made until 2015.

A bit unexpected, since he was proposed for membership in 2010 at the same time as Grande.

Mazzone calls himself a gangster on tape, Grande calls himself a loan shark on tape. Bad look if they decide to go to trial.
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Re: Fifteen Philadelphia Family Members and Associates Indicted

Post by Amershire_Ed »

chin_gigante wrote: Fri Nov 27, 2020 3:45 pm So Sonny Mazzone wasn't made until 2015.

A bit unexpected, since he was proposed for membership in 2010 at the same time as Grande.

Mazzone calls himself a gangster on tape, Grande calls himself a loan shark on tape. Bad look if they decide to go to trial.
That “we’re gangsters” quote from Mazzone....oof. That’s gonna hurt. Same with the Grande bit about being able to move “thousands” of oxy pills and that the “kids are selling them for $20”.

There is going to be so much pressure to take a plea. Does Grande really want to hear his voice in court listing out the Philly LCN hierarchy? Or bragging about being able to move a shit ton of fake oxy?
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Re: Fifteen Philadelphia Family Members and Associates Indicted

Post by AntComello »

And grande says on tape that he can moves thousands of fake 30’s smh I bet he’s kicking himself in the ass right now for saying that.
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Re: Fifteen Philadelphia Family Members and Associates Indicted

Post by Manhattan_ »

Dom Grande is the “ Rising Star” - remember that phrase was used years ago in Wall Street Journal article to describe another “Rising Star” in Philadelphia LCN (Sal Testa) who ironically was murdered by Dom Grande’s Father Wayne.
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Charlie
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Re: Fifteen Philadelphia Family Members and Associates Indicted

Post by Charlie »

I'm all for giving guys who've been doing it for years like Anastasia a break, but fuck if this is living proof they had 0 credible sources when recording their damn videos with Dave S. I remember them pretty much saying with a straight face these guys had become licensed real estate agents...
When at the same time they were trying to re establish a presence in AC, doing hits, moving weight, inducting guys and still making money with the usual loansharking and bookmaking.
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Re: Fifteen Philadelphia Family Members and Associates Indicted

Post by Amershire_Ed »

I know extortion isn’t what got these guys nailed (it was Persiano flipping and then bringing around an FBI agent). But the whole “reclaiming AC” thing to me seems to be high risk-low reward. I’m sure AC has plenty of bookmakers, loan sharks, and drug dealers to shake down, but how many are you gonna successfully shake down before one runs to the Feds, or causes you to use violence? Shaking down people is what decimated the Genovese Springfield crew (according to Arilotta), and it also got 98 year old Sonny Franzese sent back to prison.

It’s clear that Philly still has a lot going on but I think it’s also clear that they are struggling to find new rackets and adjust to the times. Low to mid level drug dealing and extortion will get your ticket punched to prison faster than just about anything.
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Re: Fifteen Philadelphia Family Members and Associates Indicted

Post by Philly d »

I am no Einstein...but when are they guys going to wake up with wires. Genovese make everyone come in their boxers. That's a start. Too bad if your feelings are hurt. take your pants off.
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Re: Fifteen Philadelphia Family Members and Associates Indicted

Post by jmack »

They say a “presiding LCN official” oversaw the ceremony. I would think it’s Mazzone, but they make it sound otherwise. Maybe I’m misreading it.
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Re: Fifteen Philadelphia Family Members and Associates Indicted

Post by Chucky »

jmack wrote: Fri Nov 27, 2020 6:07 pm They say a “presiding LCN official” oversaw the ceremony. I would think it’s Mazzone, but they make it sound otherwise. Maybe I’m misreading it.
Lancellotti was acting boss at that time so maybe it was him, could have been Ligambi too.
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