George Borgesi Activities Post-Prison

[chin_gigante]

Compiled everything I could find on Borgesi in recent years from Gang Land, Mob Talk, Big Trial, etc. Thought it would be useful to have it all in one place:



Another wild card — both figuratively and literally — is George Borgesi, Merlino's consigliere and Ligambi's nephew. Borgesi, 51, was finishing a 14-year sentence in May 2011 when he was indicted with his uncle and a dozen others in the racketeering conspiracy case that landed both of them behind bars for the next two and half years. Borgesi beat 14 of the 15 charges he faced in the first Ligambi trial and was acquitted of the remaining conspiracy count in the second trial. Like his uncle, he is now free. But after spending a decade and a half in prison, his acclimation process is taking longer than that of Ligambi. (George Anastasia. “Uncle Joe Looks To Jersey Shore As Uncle Sam Looks To Regroup”. Gang Land News, 24 April 2014.)

George Borgesi, Ligambi's nephew, is the second question mark. The volatile one-time mob capo comes off supervised release in July. Like his uncle, he beat the feds in a racketeering case and a retrial. He once had control of gambling and loansharking in the Philadelphia suburbs. Where he might fit in the new structure is a question that everyone is asking. (George Anastasia. “Who’s The Boss? And Why Would He Want To Be?” Gang Land News, 12 February 2015.)

No way, Merlino, 53, said in a text message recently after media reports indicated he had come up to Philadelphia to take part in a sitdown designed to iron out a dispute between longtime mob soldier Martin Angelina and one-time capo George Borgesi. […] The volatile Borgesi, Ligambi's nephew, is still moving and shaking in Delaware County just outside of Philadelphia where he is believed to have re-established connections with his former sports betting and loansharking partners. A dispute over those businesses is what caused the bad blood between Borgesi and Angelina, a longtime Merlino confidante. (George Anastasia. “The Philly Question: ‘Who’s The Big Joe?’” Gang Land News, 10 December 2015.)

The Merlino faction is headed by George Borgesi, Stevie Mazzone and John Ciancaglini, all of whom were convicted with Merlino in 2001, the last big mob trial in Philadelphia to end with convictions and substantial prison terms for many wiseguys. […] Borgesi and Ligambi appear to be operating out of a new clubhouse across from the Epiphany Roman Catholic Church at 11th and Jackson Streets in the heart of South Philadelphia. […] Borgesi and company are making inroads into the home rehab and mortgage refi businesses. (George Anastasia. “Unsolved Murders Still On The Feds’ Philadelphia Agenda”. Gang Land News, 18 February 2016.)

They point out that George Borgesi, a top Merlino lieutenant, has made at least two trips this year to visit his old friend and that Merlino has flown into Philadelphia on several occasions, including a trip in early March to celebrate his birthday and another visit this month to attend the wedding of the daughter of a mob associate. […] Meanwhile Borgesi has emerged as a street boss with his fingers in lots of pies. "All legitimate," those around him say, as you might expect. Home rehab construction is booming in sections of Philadelphia undergoing gentrification and Borgesi & Company have ties to construction and mortgage refinancing. Law enforcement is tracking the action and has made note of his trips to Florida and Boston where Merlino and company planted a flag in the late 1990s and where several mob associates loyal to the Philadelphia organization are still out and about. "It's only a matter of time," said one investigator who predicted that the legitimate veneer is a cover. "They are who they are and they do what they have always done." (George Anastasia. “Mob Busters Say Merlino’s Running The Philadelphia Show From Florida”. Gang Land News, 12 May 2016.)

Last year, a few months before the feds hit 46 defendants with ties to five crime families with racketeering charges, sources say Genovese capo Pasquale (Patsy) Parrello drove to Philadelphia in an effort to resolve a few problems that The Safety Group was having with the Philadelphia crime family regarding its scheduled grand opening there on May 23. In one of the last tape-recorded conversations in the five-year-long probe, longtime Parrello associate Israel (Buddy) Torres informed the FBI, through the wired-up Rubeo, that he had accompanied Parrello to the city of Brotherly Love but that Parrello had ironed out the problems in a private talk with top Philadelphia wiseguy George Borgesi. (Jerry Capeci. “Undercover G-Man In 5-Family Mob Case Got ‘No Show Job With Prominent New York Firm”. Gang Land News, 13 July 2017.)

DS: Alright, we’d be remiss if we went past George Borgesi at this point. Everybody I talk to says draw the arrow down, he’s off the totem pole. Appears to only be involved in legitimate businesses. Haven’t heard his name in connection with any kind of criminal activity.
[…]
GA: I think this is a guy that realises there’s money to be made legitimately and he’s out there trying to make it. He’s out there hustling. And I think he’s using his intelligence and skills to try to channel that into legitimate businesses. Are guys around him still involved? Appears to be. Is that gonna burn him? Who knows. I mean I think that’s something that everyone’s concerned about. But right now he’s off the chart and if you were to talk to him he’d probably tell you he’s happy to be off the chart. (George Anastasia and Dave Schratwieser. Mob Talk Sitdown 19, 12 June 2018.)

The feds grilled DiCrecchio about his relationships with a couple of convicted felons, former mobster George Borgesi, and former state senator Vincent J. Fumo, both of whom had contracts down at the produce center. The feds wanted DiCrecchio to wear a wire on Borgesi and Fumo, as well DiCrecchio's bosses on the produce market's board of directors. […] The current federal probe, sources say, began when the FBI began investigating a $750,000 contract for LED lighting systems at the produce center arranged through DiCrecchio. The lighting company is linked to George Borgesi, the nephew of former Philadelphia mob boss Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi. […] But federal authorities are now raising questions about how the lighting contract was awarded. Borgesi, through associates, has insisted it was a legitimate business deal and that the highly efficient lighting systems will prove to be an economic benefit and save money over the long haul. […] Since he got out of jail, Borgesi has been associated with various companies such as mortgage lending, electrical lighting and glass installation. Both Borgesi and his lawyer declined comment for this story. Through associates, however, Borgesi has claimed that all of his business ventures are legitimate. And that all the unwarranted attention from law enforcement makes it more difficult for Borgesi and those who work for him to make an honest living. […] According to underworld sources, when the feds came to see him, Sonny D argued that Borgesi had done his time and deserved a second chance. The feds, according to those same sources, replied that Borgesi, who beat murder charges when he was convicted of racketeering in 2011, should have done more time. (Ralph Cipriano and George Anastasia. “The Sad Story Of Sonny D, The Mob, And Some Missing $Millions”. Big Trial, 08 October 2018.)

GA: So, in town, down in South Philly, who’s running it? I mean, Lancellotti’s name has been mentioned in the past.
DS: Michael Lancellotti.
GA: Right. George Borgesi’s always been a guy that’s been part of the so-called hierarchy, although he will deny that as well. If there’s a totem pole, he says he’s on the bottom not the top. (Dave Schratwieser and George Anastasia. “Philly Prime Podcast Episode 1”. 17 February 2020.)

Lets start with the Philly Mob Club House near 9th and Catherine just north of the Italian Market area. The wise guys, after an 18 month absence here, returned in recent weeks leading up to the outbreak of the Corona Virus pandemic. […] Some top figures like Mob Captain George Borgesi, foot soldiers Lou D’Angelo, Anthony Borgesi and Anthony Accardo are regulars here along with drop by visits from rising star Capo Dom Grande and alleged Street Boss Mike “Mikey Lance” Lancelotti. (Dave Schratwieser. “Corona Virus Impact On The Philly Mob”. Mob Talk Sitdown, 08 April 2020.)

Weeks after the local Philly wise guys abandoned their clubhouse at 9th and Catherine just outside the Italian Market after the Coronavirus pandemic took hold, they’re back. Mobtalksitdown.com cameras captured several made members of the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra gathered at the former barbershop, turned mob gathering place last week. They appeared to be social distancing for the most part and one guy even wore a mask as they took in the sunshine and near 70-degree temperatures. The crew included Nicky Scarfo era defendant Faffy Iannarella, looking sharp as usual, longtime John Stanfa burly bodyguard and soldier Vincent “Big Vince” Fillipelli and current Mob Captain George Borgesi, sporting a Philadelphia Eagles jacket. Anthony Accardo was seen wearing a mask as several wise guys sat in chairs outside the club house. (Dave Schratwieser. “Philly Mob Covid19 Update”. Mob Talk Sitdown, 19 May 2020.)

DS: So if Joey is not the guy at the top, assuming he decides to stay in Florida, stay low-key, Joe Ligambi’s retired, he’s not the top guy, let’s talk about how could possibly be the top guy, and I’ll say it. Just from observations on the street, it appears that George Borgesi is the guy in charge. I’m not saying he’s the guy in charge, but at least from appearances, it does look like that.
GA: Yeah, he would deny that and the other question is, in charge of what?
[…]
GA: I think if he were [doing anything illegal], he’d have heard from the feds already. (Dave Schratwieser and George Anastasia. “Mob Talk Sitdown 40”. 26 June 2020.)

Sources say Sharkey was approached after the original charges were filed about cooperating with the FBI, but he swiftly rejected their offer. He is not cooperating with authorities. He disappeared from Mob circles just prior to the indictment after sources say he had a “falling out” with Borgesi over money. He has not been seen in the company of any local wiseguys since the indictment.
Fellow Philadelphia Mob associate Anthony Ambrosia also plead guilty in federal court back in August to charges stemming from a 2019 federal indictment on wire fraud, money laundering and identity theft charges.
Anthony “Mortgage”, as he’s called, allegedly worked alongside Sharkey, and was at one time a close confidant to Borgesi. Ambrosia was indicted along with Sharkey in 2019. (Dave Schratwieser. “Philly Mob Associate Stephen Sharkey Pleads Guilty In 2019 Fraud Case. Faces Stiff Sentence”. Mob Talk Sitdown, 11 September 2020.)

Last week, a Philadelphia Federal Judge sentenced Ambrosio, 41, of Staten Island, to 17 months behind bars and ordered him to pay $291,000 in restitution for a $300,000 mortgage swindle he pulled off with Philadelphia wiseguys linked to family underboss George Borgesi. But it could have been much worse. Philadelphia federal prosecutor Michael Donovan introduced FBI surveillance photos of Ambrosio with Borgesi to prove his mob bona fides. (Jerry Capeci. “Former Gambino Associate Finds Trouble In The City Of Brotherly Love”. Gang Land News, 19 November 2020.)

[Ryan98366]

Excellent stuff as always Chin. Borgesi is a fascinating character. I have heard GA describe him as high strung and nervous. The guy dresses like a bum 24x7. But he’s always in the mix and didn’t flip on his friends. I’m sure he’s not legit like he loves to claim.

[JCB1977]

Great post Chin. Great timeline. Thanks for putting in the time.

[InCamelot]

Great post, thanks Chin.

[NJShore4Life]

Excellent stuff as always Chin. Borgesi is a fascinating character. I have heard GA describe him as high strung and nervous. The guy dresses like a bum 24x7. But he’s always in the mix and didn’t flip on his friends. I’m sure he’s not legit like he loves to claim.

That’s the style in the Italian-American communities here in the Northeast. I wouldn’t say Georgie dresses like a bum 24/7 at all, that’s just the style in South Philly and all the other Italian-American communities here. (Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, Puma, Fila, etc Athletic Wear) . I always say Georgie must have the most extensive baseball cap collection on Planet Earth though, I have never seen the guy rock the same hat twice, I’ve always wondered how and where he stores all those hats?

This ain’t the movies or TV were guys are walking around in suits and dress slacks, you’re watching too many movies and TV shows. Fuck, even the Catholic Priests on Staten Island rock Nike sweatpants.

The way Skinny Joey dresses day to day is the exception , not the norm.

-Dante

[HoagieNose]

My buddy seen Borgesi at a wedding before the pandemic and he was dressed real nice. There’s no need to dress like
Merlino just to hang at a clubhouse most days. Side note: at the wedding it was a buffet dinner but the staff brought Borgesi and his table their own sit down platters.

By all Accounts he’s the families biggest earner. I think lots of it is quasi legit, but he does know how to make money.

Oddly he lives out in Montgomery county. Not south Philly and Jersey like most Philly guys.

[Chucky]

Capeci mentioned in a gangland that Borgesi met with Joe Bilotti in Florida, I forget the circumstances.

[TommyGambino]

Capeci mentioned in a gangland that Borgesi met with Joe Bilotti in Florida, I forget the circumstances.

I remember scott b doing an article about that he said Joe Bilotti was Tommy billottis kid

[dack2001]

I think he met with him down in Boca in early 2016 when Joey was running his restaurant.

[CornerBoy]

Joe Bilotti must;ve laughed at him

[dack2001]

If you think that, you don't know shit.

[HoagieNose]

Borgesi is a very respected mobster among all the families. He made a lot of connections and friends in his long prison stint. He knows how to earn.