Stanfa-Merlino War 1994 Philly Chart

[Chucky]

Lutz said in an interview a few years back that Merlino and others suspected he was a rat since they found it suspicious he didn't get pinched when Stanfa and everyone associated with Stanfa got locked up.

I remember that but it sounds like BS. If they really suspected he was a rat they wouldn't have delt with him. Merlino was all over Prevites tapes talking about crime. Most of the convictions in the 2001 trial were from his tapes.


Pogo

Not disputing that, they couldn't help themselves with the money he was throwing at them. Merlino would walk a mile to pick up a quarter.

[Chucky]

THANKS GUYS. I always appreciate all the feedback, if we still had the "like" button that would reflect it.

1 General - There's a photo of Nicky Whip and Thomas Morrone out there that Ivan is trying to help me acquire, if he gets it I'll be updating this chart.

2 Stroccamin - Previte's membership is still debated. He claims Stanfa just one day (during the war) told him he's a made guy and that there'd be a ceremony later which due to the indictments never occurred. If you haven't read The Last Gangster I can post the reference for you. But what to make of it? Anastasia's bookcover refers to Previte as a capo yet the issue is barely covered (and if so in the front, "first as an associate, then a made guy and then later on a capo." Inside the actual story he details no promotions, doesn't mention any administrative meetings, his main guy is Fred Aldrich and the stuff he is involved in could have just as easily come from someone at the associate level. But while I just described everything BUT a quintessential capo I'm just an asshole who read a book so who am I to say? However, others have raised this same question, (Pogo) citing Stanfa's making of Veasey as evidence that ceremonies occurred.

I used to be friends with Kenji Gallo, we never stopped being friends we just haven't seen or spoken to each other in years, who claimed neither Previte nor Veasey were members. He claims to have met Philadelphia members through the Colombos, he never elaborated more nor did I ask for specifics. Take that however you want.

Also, with Joseph Pungitore's alliance during the war, I've seen no evidence whether he was for or against. Same goes for Ligambi and a number of individuals including John Chang. The only confirmed is the father Chicky Chang supporting the Merlino Family and Natale, who wasn't even a member.

I take that with A grain of salt , of the course the two rats weren't made its like sonny Barger claiming that undercover fed in Arizona never became a hells angels.

I believe Previte had a crew he just protected them in his book and never ratted on them , I think Aldrich a informant as well? Weather stanfa actualy made him or not really doesn't matter as he was treated as a made guy , and more then likely a capo by the bosses , hell they let bobby luisis be a capo ,

No one worth a shit was reporting to Previte, he had no one to protect, his "crew" were a few lowlifes in Hammonton. Natale and Merlino viewed him as a walking ATM. Lutz said in an interview a few years back that Merlino and others suspected he was a rat since they found it suspicious he didn't get pinched when Stanfa and everyone associated with Stanfa got locked up.

any one in his crew couldn't be a bigger low life then angelo lutz ?
Previte outsmarted the Phili guys and had the balls to live out in the open after, they thought he was a sucker , Merlnio betting into prevites book Lmao , well they should of whacked him or just left him alone if they thought he was rat but they were to stupid ,.

Lutz is doing way better than Previte does these days. Previte was a nothing. You guys can believe his shit, I don't care, I'm telling you what I know. He had no fucking crew, most of the money he was kicking up, if not all of it, came from the feds.

[Angelo Santino]

THANKS GUYS. I always appreciate all the feedback, if we still had the "like" button that would reflect it.

1 General - There's a photo of Nicky Whip and Thomas Morrone out there that Ivan is trying to help me acquire, if he gets it I'll be updating this chart.

2 Stroccamin - Previte's membership is still debated. He claims Stanfa just one day (during the war) told him he's a made guy and that there'd be a ceremony later which due to the indictments never occurred. If you haven't read The Last Gangster I can post the reference for you. But what to make of it? Anastasia's bookcover refers to Previte as a capo yet the issue is barely covered (and if so in the front, "first as an associate, then a made guy and then later on a capo." Inside the actual story he details no promotions, doesn't mention any administrative meetings, his main guy is Fred Aldrich and the stuff he is involved in could have just as easily come from someone at the associate level. But while I just described everything BUT a quintessential capo I'm just an asshole who read a book so who am I to say? However, others have raised this same question, (Pogo) citing Stanfa's making of Veasey as evidence that ceremonies occurred.

I used to be friends with Kenji Gallo, we never stopped being friends we just haven't seen or spoken to each other in years, who claimed neither Previte nor Veasey were members. He claims to have met Philadelphia members through the Colombos, he never elaborated more nor did I ask for specifics. Take that however you want.

Also, with Joseph Pungitore's alliance during the war, I've seen no evidence whether he was for or against. Same goes for Ligambi and a number of individuals including John Chang. The only confirmed is the father Chicky Chang supporting the Merlino Family and Natale, who wasn't even a member.

I take that with A grain of salt , of the course the two rats weren't made its like sonny Barger claiming that undercover fed in Arizona never became a hells angels.

I believe Previte had a crew he just protected them in his book and never ratted on them , I think Aldrich a informant as well? Weather stanfa actualy made him or not really doesn't matter as he was treated as a made guy , and more then likely a capo by the bosses , hell they let bobby luisis be a capo ,

With the exception of Veasey and Previte, everyone Stanfa appears to have made were mob relative associates or Italian nationals already living in the city. Veasey was non-Ital on his father's side and Previte an ex-cop which is just as ineligible. These two were outside the norm. I agree with the HA reference which is why I don't take the bad mouthing, but the only stories we have of these men, come from these men. I'm willing to agree Veasey became made, he detailed his ceremony and his renaming of his pitbulls Al Capone and Frank Nitti after that. But Previte barely goes into it. Who's not to say Stanfa said: "You're made as soon as we can have a ceremony but pretty much you're in." That's a gesture but mob formalities doesn't work like that, especially on the east coast where members brush up against each other. Imagine if that filtered back to NY that Phila. was making Irishmen and ex-cops by just telling them "ok, you're a member."? And how would the current members feel about that, guys like Tony Piccolo or New Jersey who certainly would hear about it from NY.

Previte more than likely had his own guys around him, but they weren't made members. If he was a captain he was someone who lived out in Hammonton with no hitters and no territory. He was a con man and freelancer more than anything else. He claims he was referred to as a "NY guy" as a show of how active he is in everything, but that's not reflected in his book. Given his roots there as well as his former employment in Atlantic City, you'd think if he had the status of soldier or captain he would have had more contacts and encounters with NYC and NJ, instead its all about Philly. Nobody else would touch this guy... And quite coincidently, Philly post-Natale didn't either except to rob him (which in reality they were taking Previte's FBI money but they didn't know that.) You can listen to Angelo Lutz explain Previte from the Merlino side. The truth is somewhere in between

If you've got two hours to spare, here's an Anastasia/Lutz interview, q&a:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXfohK9cv6E

Even Frank Martines' "acting underboss" handle is suspect. He became Stanfa's street Lieutenant but he was more or less operating no different than a soldier. When the trial occured, his attorney tried to throw water on it by citing a meeting at Sal Avena's office where Martines was told to leave the room. "Ladies and gentleman, this is the Underboss of the Philadelphia Mafia?" he asked in open court. I think during Mafia wars the norms go out the window, they are less concerned over ranks than they are staying alive and winning. Guys like Martines, Veasey, Colletti, Pagano, despite their unseasoned criminal careers, offered the best of what Stanfa had at his disposal. Tony Buck and the other 70 year olds weren't going to go to the mattresses. You go to war with the army you have. I just can't help but wonder who confirmed Martines as the "acting underboss." Was that mentioned in Avena's office, did Veasey provide that information, or was that label applied to him by the FBI to make sense of it?

(As you can see, 1990's Phila. and 1970's Cleveland's structures were pretty much defunct with ranks barely having any meaning.

[Stroccos]

THANKS GUYS. I always appreciate all the feedback, if we still had the "like" button that would reflect it.

1 General - There's a photo of Nicky Whip and Thomas Morrone out there that Ivan is trying to help me acquire, if he gets it I'll be updating this chart.

2 Stroccamin - Previte's membership is still debated. He claims Stanfa just one day (during the war) told him he's a made guy and that there'd be a ceremony later which due to the indictments never occurred. If you haven't read The Last Gangster I can post the reference for you. But what to make of it? Anastasia's bookcover refers to Previte as a capo yet the issue is barely covered (and if so in the front, "first as an associate, then a made guy and then later on a capo." Inside the actual story he details no promotions, doesn't mention any administrative meetings, his main guy is Fred Aldrich and the stuff he is involved in could have just as easily come from someone at the associate level. But while I just described everything BUT a quintessential capo I'm just an asshole who read a book so who am I to say? However, others have raised this same question, (Pogo) citing Stanfa's making of Veasey as evidence that ceremonies occurred.

I used to be friends with Kenji Gallo, we never stopped being friends we just haven't seen or spoken to each other in years, who claimed neither Previte nor Veasey were members. He claims to have met Philadelphia members through the Colombos, he never elaborated more nor did I ask for specifics. Take that however you want.

Also, with Joseph Pungitore's alliance during the war, I've seen no evidence whether he was for or against. Same goes for Ligambi and a number of individuals including John Chang. The only confirmed is the father Chicky Chang supporting the Merlino Family and Natale, who wasn't even a member.

I take that with A grain of salt , of the course the two rats weren't made its like sonny Barger claiming that undercover fed in Arizona never became a hells angels.

I believe Previte had a crew he just protected them in his book and never ratted on them , I think Aldrich a informant as well? Weather stanfa actualy made him or not really doesn't matter as he was treated as a made guy , and more then likely a capo by the bosses , hell they let bobby luisis be a capo ,

With the exception of Veasey and Previte, everyone Stanfa appears to have made were mob relative associates or Italian nationals already living in the city. Veasey was non-Ital on his father's side and Previte an ex-cop which is just as ineligible. These two were outside the norm. I agree with the HA reference which is why I don't take the bad mouthing, but the only stories we have of these men, come from these men. I'm willing to agree Veasey became made, he detailed his ceremony and his renaming of his pitbulls Al Capone and Frank Nitti after that. But Previte barely goes into it. Who's not to say Stanfa said: "You're made as soon as we can have a ceremony but pretty much you're in." That's a gesture but mob formalities doesn't work like that, especially on the east coast where members brush up against each other. Imagine if that filtered back to NY that Phila. was making Irishmen and ex-cops by just telling them "ok, you're a member."? And how would the current members feel about that, guys like Tony Piccolo or New Jersey who certainly would hear about it from NY.

Previte more than likely had his own guys around him, but they weren't made members. If he was a captain he was someone who lived out in Hammonton with no hitters and no territory. He was a con man and freelancer more than anything else. He claims he was referred to as a "NY guy" as a show of how active he is in everything, but that's not reflected in his book. Given his roots there as well as his former employment in Atlantic City, you'd think if he had the status of soldier or captain he would have had more contacts and encounters with NYC and NJ, instead its all about Philly. Nobody else would touch this guy... And quite coincidently, Philly post-Natale didn't either except to rob him (which in reality they were taking Previte's FBI money but they didn't know that.) You can listen to Angelo Lutz explain Previte from the Merlino side. The truth is somewhere in between

If you've got two hours to spare, here's an Anastasia/Lutz interview, q&a:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXfohK9cv6E

All valid points but considering how merlino made Natalie and appointed him boss is outside the norms as well but it really doesn’t matter if previte was really made by Stanfa or not as he was treated as A made man even if only to take his money
Yeah not going to watch two hours of Lutz

[Stroccos]

THANKS GUYS. I always appreciate all the feedback, if we still had the "like" button that would reflect it.

1 General - There's a photo of Nicky Whip and Thomas Morrone out there that Ivan is trying to help me acquire, if he gets it I'll be updating this chart.

2 Stroccamin - Previte's membership is still debated. He claims Stanfa just one day (during the war) told him he's a made guy and that there'd be a ceremony later which due to the indictments never occurred. If you haven't read The Last Gangster I can post the reference for you. But what to make of it? Anastasia's bookcover refers to Previte as a capo yet the issue is barely covered (and if so in the front, "first as an associate, then a made guy and then later on a capo." Inside the actual story he details no promotions, doesn't mention any administrative meetings, his main guy is Fred Aldrich and the stuff he is involved in could have just as easily come from someone at the associate level. But while I just described everything BUT a quintessential capo I'm just an asshole who read a book so who am I to say? However, others have raised this same question, (Pogo) citing Stanfa's making of Veasey as evidence that ceremonies occurred.

I used to be friends with Kenji Gallo, we never stopped being friends we just haven't seen or spoken to each other in years, who claimed neither Previte nor Veasey were members. He claims to have met Philadelphia members through the Colombos, he never elaborated more nor did I ask for specifics. Take that however you want.

Also, with Joseph Pungitore's alliance during the war, I've seen no evidence whether he was for or against. Same goes for Ligambi and a number of individuals including John Chang. The only confirmed is the father Chicky Chang supporting the Merlino Family and Natale, who wasn't even a member.

I take that with A grain of salt , of the course the two rats weren't made its like sonny Barger claiming that undercover fed in Arizona never became a hells angels.

I believe Previte had a crew he just protected them in his book and never ratted on them , I think Aldrich a informant as well? Weather stanfa actualy made him or not really doesn't matter as he was treated as a made guy , and more then likely a capo by the bosses , hell they let bobby luisis be a capo ,

No one worth a shit was reporting to Previte, he had no one to protect, his "crew" were a few lowlifes in Hammonton. Natale and Merlino viewed him as a walking ATM. Lutz said in an interview a few years back that Merlino and others suspected he was a rat since they found it suspicious he didn't get pinched when Stanfa and everyone associated with Stanfa got locked up.

any one in his crew couldn't be a bigger low life then angelo lutz ?
Previte outsmarted the Phili guys and had the balls to live out in the open after, they thought he was a sucker , Merlnio betting into prevites book Lmao , well they should of whacked him or just left him alone if they thought he was rat but they were to stupid ,.

Lutz is doing way better than Previte does these days. Previte was a nothing. You guys can believe his shit, I don't care, I'm telling you what I know. He had no fucking crew, most of the money he was kicking up, if not all of it, came from the feds.

A capo with no crew sounds like DB in the gambinos

[Angelo Santino]

But was he? Again, Previte's story reads like Joe Dogs Iannuzzi or somebody else on the fringe. Overlooking the ceremonies or lack thereof, he also doesn't mention any Family meetings, not from Natale or Merlino later. You'd think Merlino upon becoming AB would have called a meeting of the captains, something. But absolutely no administration matters are covered. From Previte's perspective, Merlino's trying to buy watches from him to sell. Then the book gets published which details how Previte "as a capo, ran a branch of La Cosa Nostra from his headquarters in Hammonton" and we assume that was all there was to Merlino as a boss given we have a skippers birdseye of events, when it fact Merlino was viewed through a window from outside... Watch the Lutz interview, he goes into the tapes and the responses Merlino gives and why he does. He admits in hindsight that "dealing" with Previte: IE taking his money, was a mistake and he attributes it to how greedy they all were.

[Angelo Santino]

A capo with no crew sounds like DB in the gambinos

That's true it happens, but its usually reserved for specialized and highly placed members. DB "directly commissioned the production of much of the so-called Golden Age of Porn era hardcore films made in New York," Previte via the FBI provided trucks with baby formula and 10 Rolex watches. Even Luisi makes more sense given his family background and proximity to a major city. But Previte, given his close proximity to AC and the traditional Phila. SJ strongholds, appear irrelevant in his story. Had he been the Phila. mob's AC caretaker I could see him being a capo being more probable, or logical.

We need to find out if he testified about it in court where any lie could jeopardize his deal.

[Stroccos]

But was he? Again, Previte's story reads like Joe Dogs Iannuzzi or somebody else on the fringe. Overlooking the ceremonies or lack thereof, he also doesn't mention any Family meetings, not from Natale or Merlino later. You'd think Merlino upon becoming AB would have called a meeting of the captains, something. But absolutely no administration matters are covered. From Previte's perspective, Merlino's trying to buy watches from him to sell. Then the book gets published which details how Previte "as a capo, ran a branch of La Cosa Nostra from his headquarters in Hammonton" and we assume that was all there was to Merlino as a boss given we have a skippers birdseye of events, when it fact Merlino was viewed through a window from outside... Watch the Lutz interview, he goes into the tapes and the responses Merlino gives and why he does. He admits in hindsight that "dealing" with Previte: IE taking his money, was a mistake and he attributes it to how greedy they all were.

I just happen to believe Prevete and the goverments contention he was made a capo by Ralph Natale

Jus because prevete wasnt in Merlino inner cirlce doesnt really mean anything. merlino was playing Natale as well making him a puppet boss of sorts , Merlino and company with all those tapes never got caught talking about violence. doubt they share anything important with previte as he wasnt one of them. But they were confident enough in him to commit crimes with him

[Stroccos]

A capo with no crew sounds like DB in the gambinos

That's true it happens, but its usually reserved for specialized and highly placed members. DB "directly commissioned the production of much of the so-called Golden Age of Porn era hardcore films made in New York," Previte via the FBI provided trucks with baby formula and 10 Rolex watches. Even Luisi makes more sense given his family background and proximity to a major city. But Previte, given his close proximity to AC and the traditional Phila. SJ strongholds, appear irrelevant in his story. Had he been the Phila. mob's AC caretaker I could see him being a capo being more probable, or logical.

We need to find out if he testified about it in court where any lie could jeopardize his deal.

I am under the believe he testified on the stand he was a capo as well , I can check it out tomorrow
damn you and this lutz , you keep mentioning lutz I am going to put it on with my headphones and watch on the world wide web over under before i pass is set at 30 mins lol

[Lupara]

At least Previte stayed true to his story and didn't invent making ceremonies with Angelo Bruno and Carlo Gambino as his sponsors.

[Bricktop]

Nice chart. Learning a lot on this board, thanks to things like this!

[Angelo Santino]

But was he? Again, Previte's story reads like Joe Dogs Iannuzzi or somebody else on the fringe. Overlooking the ceremonies or lack thereof, he also doesn't mention any Family meetings, not from Natale or Merlino later. You'd think Merlino upon becoming AB would have called a meeting of the captains, something. But absolutely no administration matters are covered. From Previte's perspective, Merlino's trying to buy watches from him to sell. Then the book gets published which details how Previte "as a capo, ran a branch of La Cosa Nostra from his headquarters in Hammonton" and we assume that was all there was to Merlino as a boss given we have a skippers birdseye of events, when it fact Merlino was viewed through a window from outside... Watch the Lutz interview, he goes into the tapes and the responses Merlino gives and why he does. He admits in hindsight that "dealing" with Previte: IE taking his money, was a mistake and he attributes it to how greedy they all were.

I just happen to believe Prevete and the goverments contention he was made a capo by Ralph Natale

Jus because prevete wasnt in Merlino inner cirlce doesnt really mean anything. merlino was playing Natale as well making him a puppet boss of sorts , Merlino and company with all those tapes never got caught talking about violence. doubt they share anything important with previte as he wasnt one of them. But they were confident enough in him to commit crimes with him

If you can find the court testimony I'd be interested in seeing it. You know me, I go where the evidence takes me. Salut.

[Angelo Santino]

Nice chart. Learning a lot on this board, thanks to things like this!

Welcome aboard!

[Angelo Santino]

A capo with no crew sounds like DB in the gambinos

That's true it happens, but its usually reserved for specialized and highly placed members. DB "directly commissioned the production of much of the so-called Golden Age of Porn era hardcore films made in New York," Previte via the FBI provided trucks with baby formula and 10 Rolex watches. Even Luisi makes more sense given his family background and proximity to a major city. But Previte, given his close proximity to AC and the traditional Phila. SJ strongholds, appear irrelevant in his story. Had he been the Phila. mob's AC caretaker I could see him being a capo being more probable, or logical.

We need to find out if he testified about it in court where any lie could jeopardize his deal.

I am under the believe he testified on the stand he was a capo as well , I can check it out tomorrow
damn you and this lutz , you keep mentioning lutz I am going to put it on with my headphones and watch on the world wide web over under before i pass is set at 30 mins lol

Well, we all read Previte's version, I reckon its best to hear the other side as well. Angelo Lutz is an entertaining figure whom the DA labeled "the financial wizard of the Phila. mob" which is why he was sentenced to 107 months for a gambling charge. While I share no camaraderie with him, we both have alot in common: same first names, both weigh above 300+ lbs, both share a passion for culinary arts.

Pork Chops Joey, baby! From Kitchen Consigliere.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsbxUTm5U80

[NJShore4Life]

Where are the green hot peppers!?! They’re the best part