Do you think there will be another mob war in the U.S.? Since the last one was the Colombos do you think there will or could that possibly end a family like the Colombos if it had happened again?

Its unlikely in New York's case, but Philadelphia is another matter. They've been largely unstable and disorganised for a good decade. Even under Joseph Ligambi, who in my opinion, was one of their best bosses, brought more stability.

I agree with DeMeo...I think NY knows undue attention is bad for business... especially with decimated ranks... Montreal's war is still going on...?

You think with merlino getting out it could cause some violence?

It could, but the existing Philly administration would never go that far. Merlino is now history in their eyes, they want nothing more to do with him. He has federal heat on him, and a guy like that is not someone they want to do business with, or fight with, for that matter. The family has been stable under Ligambi for years, even the guys at the top are those that stay in the shadows. New York has thought better of them for this and are extremely keen to avoid conflict.

if ligambi goes away for a long time, who do you think will run philly

i doubt the fbi let them to start and go on a war like the montreal one for example, in the states i bet it's impossible nowadays
even in italy the italian police would stop suddenly a mafia war of big proportion like easily happened in the 80s and 90s

Thats not able to be seen yet, they are in the same situation as the Colombo's regarding leadership. However, my bet would be on Staino. But isn't he currently under indictment and in custody awaiting trial?

Staino got nabbed with the rest of them. However the odds are in his favor because he's been extremely quiet and he's never been convicted of a crime. He would be logical to take over the Philly Family when he gets out, assuming Merlino and his crew haven't already

Merlino is obviously going to take over.

According to the FBI, Merlino was the official boss even while imprisoned and Ligambi served as the acting boss.

I believe Merlino has gone the way Basciano has - they mean nothing to the capos and soldiers, who no longer recognise them as bosses. Ligambi has way more respect and control in keeping with the old ways, like Bruno, and thats the guy I would want to kick up to if I was in the Philly mob. Not Merlino.

Check out the old threads where we discussed the wiretap transcripts when the Philly mob met with the Gambinos in NJ. Ligambi said that "joey can make those two or three guys when he gets home" referring to a few guys Ligambi didnt make because he didnt know them as much as Merlino did. Merlino wouldnt be making guys when he came back unless he was in the administration. From all accounts, Merlino is living quite nicely in Florida (house, cars, etc) I wouldnt be surprised if Ligambi was taking care of Joey;s family by kicking up a share while he was away.

The guys running the show out on the street in Philly now like Stevie Mazzone is a Merlino guy. Mazzone was favored by Merlino to run things (which by all other accounts he is) while Ligambi favored John Ciancagilini.

http://www.fivefamiliesnyc.com/2011/05/whos-new-philadelphia-mob-boss.html

I gotta agree about merlino not running anything
they might send him money to keep his mouth shut boss wise tho it'd be like havn the chin or gotti.u want a low key quiet guy or the 1thatguy makes u tape the news cus he mite be on it.merlino is a joke

In this case? I think Merlino would definitely have a lot of influence if not actually run things. Maybe he'd set up a situation where he sets up a front boss for the feds to monitor while he runs things behind that like Chin (and stays in florida)

How long can that go on with phone taps and body wires...?