Tore Scafidi

Does anyone know what he has been up to? Know he was released but have not heard anything other than that. Is he out of life or is he working with Joey Pung or Narducci?

I heard Tore was back in the streets with either Narducci or Punge. But thats just what I have heard on the boards.

That's what I figured would be case as he defintley would fit into group pissed at Skinny. Anyone know Narduccis beef with Skinny? Know Pungs dislike him because allegedly he robbed their parents house as a kid.Scafidi would be salty for the attempts on Horsehead I imagine. Alotta old beefs in Philly.

Didn't the dude do like 25 years?

I never heard of any beef between Tore and Joey but i can only imagine..Tore definetely shouldnt be mad at the situation with his brother tommy because Tommy was a punk and snitched and just makes Tore look bad. And i know Tore was sentenced to 40 years in 1989 an was supposed to serve between 9-27 years or something like that i read in an article.. ill find it and post it for ya.

Two More In The Mob Sentenced Staino Gets 33, Scafidi 40 Years
By Emilie Lounsberry, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: May 04, 1989

For years, Ralph Staino Jr. moved on the fringes of the Philadelphia mob before his part in two attempted murders earned him the position of ''soldier" at the age of 54. Salvatore Scafidi, on the other hand, was part of a new, young breed of mobster who was inducted when he was 24.

Yesterday, the older mobster and the younger one were sentenced to prison on racketeering and conspiracy charges for carrying out crimes in the name of the Nicodemo Scarfo crime family.

Staino, now 57, was whacked with a 33-year sentence; Scafidi, 27, was hit with 40 years.

They were initiated into the once-powerful Scarfo crime family as soldiers on the same day in June 1986. But yesterday, standing in court an hour or so apart before U.S. District Judge Franklin S. Van Antwerpen, each accepted his fate differently.

Staino sobbed openly as he professed his love for his family and was so shaken that his attorney, Michael Pinsky, had to finish reading his prepared statement.

SAID NOTHING

Scafidi, on the other hand, said nothing before Van Antwerpen. His attorney, Christopher G. Furlong, said Scafidi expected the maximum sentence of 45 years and felt no hope for the future.

He said Scafidi had not even wanted his family members in court because of the pain it would cause them, but they were there anyway.

Furlong went on to suggest that Scafidi had gotten into trouble because he was attracted by the "elevated position" mobsters enjoy and had gotten caught up in an "us against them" mentality.

"You can't imagine what it might be like growing up in that particular neighborhood," said Furlong, apparently referring to South Philadelphia. ''They had their own lifestyle that had been handed down, apparently, from generations."

'AN INSULT'

Prosecutor David E. Fritchey of the U.S. Organized Crime Strike Force retorted that Furlong's argument was an "insult to every man, woman and child" in South Philadelphia, and prosecutor Louis R. Pichini later said the remark was offensive "to all honest, hard-working Italian-Americans."

Fritchey told Van Antwerpen that Scafidi was in court because he had chosen the Mafia lifestyle. He said Scafidi took part in the murder of mob captain Salvatore Testa in 1984 and fired shots in an unsuccessful 1986 attempt to kill drug dealer Steven Vento Jr.

As for the overwhelming pain it caused Scafidi's family, Fritchey said, ''he should have thought about the pain that he was imposing upon people when he was riding high as a soldier in La Cosa Nostra."

Van Antwerpen then imposed the 40-year prison term - five years short of the maximum. Scafidi's family members looked numb, and Scafidi himself showed no reaction. He turned and smiled before he was led away by federal marshals.

Fritchey said that, under federal parole guidelines, Scafidi would serve between nine and 27 years.

The earlier sentencing of Staino was more emotional.

Former nightclub owner Lillian Reis, Staino's common-law wife of 35 years, wept as Staino professed his love for her and other listening family members.

He gulped down water to try to choke back his tears, but could not go on. So Pinsky took over.

"Please find it in your heart to show leniency," said Pinsky, reading

from his client's statement. "I know I did wrong in my life. . . . I'm very sorry."

Fritchey then reminded Van Antwerpen of how Staino had been heard in a conversation secretly taped by the FBI threatening to rip out someone's eye unless an extortion payment was made.

Fritchey said that Staino also had helped stalk mob figure Harry Riccobene, who had been targeted for death by Scarfo, in 1982; had driven the getaway car after Scafidi and another mobster shot and wounded Vento in 1986, and had participated in acts of extortion.

He recalled that the FBI had found $100,000 in cash hidden behind a wall in the Staino home in South Philadelphia and said Staino had a net worth of more than $2 million.

Staino, said Fritchey, got into the mob because of greed and a thirst for power.

"He needed more money just the same way that Imelda Marcos needed another pair of shoes," said Fritchey, who said he felt little sympathy for Staino. ''I feel sorry in the sense that I feel sorry for any man that's reduced to tears."

Fritchey said that Staino, who has a prior criminal record, would serve a minimum of 10 years and could spend as many as 22 years behind bars under Van Antwerpen's 33-year sentence.

U.S. District Judge Thomas N. O'Neill Jr. then took the bench and sentenced Staino in another case for participating in a conspiracy to control the importation and sale of the chemical needed to manufacture the drug methamphetamine.

Strike Force prosecutor Michael Levy asked O'Neill to impose a sentence consecutive to the 33-year prison term, but O'Neill refused and instead imposed a 12-year sentence to be served at the same time. O'Neill did, however, order Staino to pay a $200,000 fine.

In a brief statement in the drug case, Staino said that his participation had been "greatly" exaggerated by the government. "I detest drugs or anyone who deals in drugs," he said.

If he ever gets out of prison, Staino promised, he will not come back to Philadelphia.

"I want nothing to do with any kind of crime," said Staino. "I made mistakes. I am truly remorseful."

As a 15-year-old high school student, he started in the mob doing odd jobs for a litany of mobsters from the 1980s and selling football pools, he said.

By 18, he was cleaning guns and cars used in crimes and acting as a "blocker" to prevent police from following those who committed crimes.

Scafidi testified that he helped his bookmaker brother, Salvatore "Tore" Scafidi, with sports gambling, who directed him to work for Merlino's father, Salvatore "Chuckie" Merlino, an underboss later demoted.

Scafidi said he became a "runner" for Merlino's father, handling numbers, sports gambling and loanshark proceeds. He laundered as much as $200,000 at a time for mob boss Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo, now jailed, he said.

Scafidi identified his one-time childhood friends - defendants Joey Merlino, Steve Mazzone, George Borgesi, Martin Angelina - as aspiring mob associates like himself, who wanted to take over the crime family from crime boss John Stanfa, who Scafidi later joined.

Scafidi said he once was ordered to stay away from Angelina, who had been warned to stay away from the banned and shunned Merlino family, because of the elder Merlino's demotion.

When Angelina refused, Scafidi added that he and Nicodemo "Nicky" Scarfo Jr. were ordered to "take Angelina off the street." Scafidi said they slugged him with "aluminum bats to make sure they [the bats] wouldn't break."

Jailed together in McKean federal prison in 1990, Joey Merlino introduced Ralph Natale, a mob associate of the late boss Angelo Bruno, to Scafidi and said he'd help them take over the mob.

Scafidi said Merlino told him that Natale would speak to New York mobsters on their behalf, which Natale testified about last week. *

Thats part of an article about Tommy Scafidi.. Has anyone ever heard of Horsehead and Nicky Jr beating Angelina with bats because Nicky Sr ordered Angelina to stay away from the Merlinos? First ive ever heard that so i wanted to see if anyone else heard anything.. Especially because i thought Joey Merlino basically brought Marty Angelina around..

Oh and I also think I read before that Joey merlino and tore scafidi beat up and stabbed some guys at a casino or club in atlantic city back in early 80's..

. That was at the " Lido " in Atlantic City the owner was connected in the life . But did not like Skinny along with most males in the life older then him .

He's been in Florida since he got out. Few people on here said Ligambi shelved him when he wanted back in

I'm glad you asked about him @mchang as I've been curious about him as well. I don't think that Torre would necessarily "salty" towards Merlino about anything really let alone his brother. Tommy flipped and ratted and that's the ultimate NO. I know that even in Torre and Tommy's mother's obituary in 2011 they mention Torre and the daughter/sister of Torre and Tommy along with the rest of the family, but very specifically leave out Tommy her own son. So basically Tommy was disowned by the family. As far as Torre's relationship with Merlino goes, he actually worked for Chuckie Merlino before being made in 1986 and was sort of mentored by Chuckie. As a result, Torre and Joey Merlino were pretty good friends and hung out a lot together during that time before all the Scarfo guys went away to jail. So that being said I can't imagine there's too much animosity, but there could be for all I know. As far as Marty Angelina goes, he was an young associate during the Scarfo years and hung out with Joey and Torre and Tommy and all of those real young guys, but after Scarfo had his falling out with the Merlino's he basically ordered his son Nicky Jr to stop hanging out with Joey who he was pretty close with at the time as well as everyone else associated with the family effectively trying to cut the Merlino's out of the family and scene. Apparently, Marty Angelina did not listen to this order and continued to hang with Joey and as a result I believe Tommy Scafidi and Nicky Jr and maybe some others but I'm not positive were ordered to beat Marty so that he would fall in line and stop hanging with Joey Merlino.

Finally, I'm not sure why Phil Narducci doesn't like Joey Merlino. I've heard the whole story about Joey robbing Joe Pung's mother's house and taking her jewelry among other reasons for hating him. And I've also heard Phil Narducci doesn't like Johnny Chang for something stemming from when he was in prison and something with the way Johnny Chang handled some issue with Narducci's family. This must have been around the time he has his nephews (Joe and Frank Baldino) and Andrew Micali, etc had that big Borgata sports book and maybe Phil thought was his and not Johnny Changs? I know Phil Narducci's sister (Susan Baldino) who is the mother of Joe and Frank Baldino are literally next door neighbors to Johnny Chang in Philly so that could be how got close with them while Phil was away OR did something else completely non-LCN related... I'm just speculating here. As for Phil Narducci not liking Joey it's clear that he doesn't like or seem to be too supportive of him being boss, but no clear cut reason as far as I know as to why he hates Joey. If I had to guess it's simply that he thinks Joey is a punk and doesn't deserve to be boss and thinks it's a complete joke that this kid who was the JV-mob while Phil was out fighting the Riccobene's and one of Scarfo's top hit men is now boss and someone he has to kick up to. I think it's as simple as that but he probably just throws a little Joey's way via Steve Mazzone because he likes Steve but more
Importantly just respects the LCN tradition and believes in it, but refuses to directly pay Joey any respect. I personally think that Phil (And Joe Pung as well) are simply building up their respective crews and re-establishing themselves in the area so that when Joey and these guys get indicted again then they simply take over and move right into the spots they feel are rightfully there's. I think they know the second they starts shooting anyone there's gonna be more heat than ever and not worth getting locked up over after they just got done doing 25+ years. Sorry for the book report but had a lot to say and love this particular topic...

Good info thanks. I was under impression the attempts on horseheads life were before he flipped. Thought he switched sides during war, the tried to get him two or three time then he was indicted. When he was done serving he asked if itd be forgiven they said yea he heard no elsewhere so flipped? Maybe I'm wrong.once he flipped he was in WP and wouldn't have been as hittable.

Amazing article on Tore's baby brother Horsehead:

http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/news-a...tml?printView=y

So merlino and his held his brother fliping against him I also read that guy nicky whip brother flip and the held it against him but merlino uncle no biggie and wasn't this guy Dom grande dad a cw. Double standards. But if these guys are in touch with there brothers there breaking there oath and might slip up and say something about current day shit that may get to the feds. Like they made a rats kid right. And seems like everything in philly is going just smooth I'd bet merlino probaly made a few new guys to smooth over thing for the old scarfo soldiers make everyone feel appreciated. That's the right thing to do.

Wonder if merlino bold anuff to take southern jersey from the NY family's. He didn't give a fuck and made 3 guys from Boston and he got some money from them. Actually 4. Dead guy Robert gurette I spelled name wrong did the art heist but died read he was inducted with gentile.from ct in 98.

Dante killing it with the links, again! Good looks. You and your blowout are on fire.

Great line I heard merlino said after horsehead took the stand. Another mafia trial first a down syndrome guy takes the stand. I fucked up the quote but its funny.

Horse head sounds like an absolute clown.

Has the story of Mikey chang forcing him at gunpoint for a hit ever been corroborated? I don't believe him.

LOL! Thanks Mighty, I just wasn't in the mood today to work, I'm kind of mentally checked out lately and this place is where I go to "get away"

Same. Really like this board when the trolls are at bay and not harassing our best members.

Neither do I. I've heard Mikey had fire running through his veins after the tried to hit him on the way home from basketball court, espically because shots meant for him shot into his home.Even knowing that I don't buy that he held a gun to Geatanos head and said that.

Not that I don't believe Mikey wouldn't dude wanted his own brother very, very badly, I just don't think it woulda been that hard to convince horsehead to roll with them.

Yeah, just sounds like rat BS to me.

He definitely has spent time in FL since getting out. I originally thought he was in SP or SJ hooking up with old Scarfo guys. From what I have heard and read,him being in Flordia most of year is all I could confirm. If he isn't shelved he is doing what ever he is doing the right way because no one has heard much.

You may be right about Florida, but I think you've got him confused with Nicky "Whip" Milano. It was reported that he was shelved by Ligambi for being in contact with his brother Gino, who became a rat after the Scarfo pinches came down and ended up testifying in the original Frankie Flowers murder trial. He was brought back into the fold by Ligambi again sometime afterwards.

I've never heard that Tory was shelved. He didn't get out of prison until August of last year, and by that time Stevie had been running the show for a little over 3 years. Uncle Joe had only been home about 6 1/2 months at that point after his stay at the Philly FDC.

He's probably got parole restrictions. I'd imagine that if he's staying low key and off the radar, that's why.

At his age...if age was a hindrance in the Mafia, I'd dare to call it "retirement".

Who, Tory Scafidi? He's only 53. Still relatively young in mob terms.

Ligambi

Thankyou King, you are right, I got Tore confused with Nicky Whip!

He's definitely living in Florida right now, was googling his name and saw his address on whitepages probably has restrictions like you say. Previous addresses are in Margate and S Philly.

No problem, Tommy. So much different drama with Philly that it's hard to keep up with all of it! I thought you were thinking of Nicky Whip, but I was also questioning if maybe Tory had been shelved and I was remembering it wrong.




You are right on Ligambi being up in age. I was talking about Scafidi when I mentioned the parole restrictions, though. I don't think anyone knows what the exact situation is with Uncle Joe. Some say he's retired from day to day activity, and others say he may be "semi-retired". My personal opinion is that he probably has stepped back a little bit, hoping to live the rest of his years out in peace after dodging convictions in both of his trials. But that's just me speculating.

Not for nothing I was told that Nicky Whip is here in A.C. moving and shaking .
I don't know if that's the summer or year round.
But it was not a move on the best of terms. The guy that told me did not tell me not to say anything so !

Scott says he's under Punge in Philly.

OK thanks Tommy that's a possibility why I was told he is here .But I was told he was not getting along to well. But in that life that's a everyday thing .

Ahe has the connections down here his family has been doing business down here for 75 years and there is only a few guys really down here after October so they would be smart to set up.
Not just that but there is no more task force or under covers around here AC has a hard time getting a SWAT team together these days. Ventnor and Margate well they don't need one if they could afford it .

So the eyes that used to be here are not here cos the state will not pay for that any longer ,they already got there hands on AC money so that's gone now.But none of them are doing life they stole a bundle and all retired.

AC almost seems as though its regressing back to the way it was back in the mid 70's just before gambling was permitted. Those shore communities are good for gambling amd shylocking since a lot of those living are blue collar types.

That's just it ,it's so tight when uncle Joe came here in the early 80's Yogi and Chuckie talked him up like he was going to have a book like none other . Well he was back in Philly in just over a year.

Nick thought it was a good idea to have someone that close to his UB that the money would flow up easy NOT .
The people here trust the people here ,same books are the same since and if they pass you deal with the guy under him that was there for years also.

Now don't think that it's a small in population cos it is far from that .
Since the 70's people from the city has buying or building in and around the city ,lots and lots of bizz .

I mean look at the west side ,if nothing was going on in Jersey would they have 5-8 crews ?

Lance and Staino are doing great, and the other two crews up north .
Who knows who else is up north Jersey for Philly cos the two crews up there are pacifist's and gambling crews.

I am pretty sure with all the chiefs in Philly someone is heading North Jersey a crew with a little muscle . Just a guess we will see.

Serp,handsome,PHL, mighty,spmob king,nicolas sure I'm forgetting a few, want to thank youse all for solid.info and opinions. Every discussion on SP/SJ crew is.informative and interesting because of what you all bring. Nice to learn from guys who are more informed on a subject I have always had interest in. Thanks again.

@mchang - absolutely buddy good to have another knowledgable poster like yourself in the mix as well...

Thanks guys but I anm just a guy that was born on Georgia ave.
But you other guys knowing about all the families and the past to boot ,now thats something...

As many times as I have been on Georgia, I have probably seen your house. I took a friend from the south to AC onetime. First time he had been out of his home town and for some reason he was obsessed with seeing scarfos place and getting a hooker. We saw Scarfo's, did some gambling, walked around, hit outlets and to his disappointment, no hooker for him. Have a lot of drinks at Ceasars then end up walking on MLK. As we pass a little cut and see two hookers crotched down pissing on street. I said to my buddy there's two freshing up for ya now. He abandoned idea after that.

@mchang93 if you were walking on MLK you probably walked right past Ocean Therapy and didnt even know it lol. Ocean Therapy is a hooker joint and its open 24/7 there have to be 5 or 6 more just like it all around the city. Serp I am sure you know where I am talking about.. Serp I grew up on Texas Ave. but I am much younger than you, from what I can gather (I will be turning 33 soon). I miss the old days buddy. I still own a bar/restaurant in Chelsea, you being a local I am sure you have probably been in and we have seen each other and don't even know it! lol thats the funny part about this site..I have been a reader for probably 4-5 years now even though this is my first post..

Wow I am glad to hear there is sill a bar there ,when I was coming up we had a bar four to each block. Then as you went south to the boards the were bars with entertainment and much more.

As far as hookers ,in the 60's 70's and part of 80's you would get pushed off Pacific ave by hookers it was that packed.And if you are shopping at the walk you missed it by 30 years . MLK ave it wll get you shot now days and dont go there about color" cos they shoot all colors there now. And yes about all the places to get a hand job. Not my style if I have a friend that wants a girl I take him right to Borgata.

A bar and restaurant in Chelsea thats not hard to guess there may be two . And that breaks my hart cos AC was a mini West Side just everything you could possibly want.

You did not give the name of it ,do you not want me to say it ? And yes AC is very small but I have not walked the streets in 30 years. I drive through to go to the Nuggett or Borgata or to Brig antine I have a few friends that invested with me in property back in 70's when you could get a house and a double lot on the beach block for 35,000 and boy did we get lucky.

And Texas ave was my back yard and so was Florida and Mississippi the other way.We stayed on the street back then ,there was no stay in ,only if you were in trouble. And yes 33 you missed it by a long shot .I think JP and Billy and Carmen were the only ones left in DuckTown when you were coming up ,do u know who I am talking about ?

I know I missed the fun you guys had thats for sure. Of course, as I am sure you know, we had our own fun lol what a place to grow up right I wouldnt have had it any other way..and you are exactly right about being on the street all the time it was still like that when I was growing up but if you were in trouble forget it mom had me inside in a hot minute. And boy were you lucky beach block property for 35k my god your rolling in it. Airing out my bar/restaurant will give my identity away, but to let you in on it the place closed after Sandy so me and some partners bought out the old owner and re-opened it in early 2013, and since then it has become quite a popular spot thank god..even back to my day though Serp I miss, it was just so much nicer of a place..now like you said up and down MLK and back Maryland and really most of Uptown is just a complete shit hole and it is sad, really taking away from the city. Also I only go to borgata and trop when I go out, sometimes if friends are going to Haven in the nugget I will go but thats rare, sometimes I will hit The Deck there also, or Landshark or one of the beach bars casually, but like I said mainly Borg and Trop..I was going to say to @mchang93 if he is anywhere around my age, which from what I gather he is, Trop, Borgata, Golden Nugget they are more the places to go for nightlife.

Your spot over the bridge or in city ? SK Jon ? you have me stumped. But thats easy when u get my age...

Chelsea..West End..

YES

Do you know what we did there back in the day when Teddy had it and Deaker had the kitchen OMG Phil was there twice a week .it was killer to sneak out there loved it .

Trust me I have heard PLENTY of times over on how it used to be a Scarfo hang out and how Scarfo or Phil had hidden interest in it..my lawyer tells me stories about the place constantly, my lawyer grew up in Margate I think but he said he used to run around with some of those guys..but I have never got any inside stories about what they did outta the place so whatever you can share would be great

Hahahaha I was looking for place I had been before for him may have been it.The problem was when I was there before I was trashed and then on this occasion being trashed on MLK with a country boy at 3am my short drunken attention span was focusing on not being mugged or shot, couldn't fully focus on task at hand. I wanted my buddy to enjoy what city life offered, but his mind was set on Mayberry and made me feel like a mark. i didnt drink again rest of time we were there because this kid had street smarts of a tractor. This was about eight years ago. MLK has gotten worse almost everytime I come back it seems Serp.

Chang it gets worse every day . And they keep building these like condos for the people that get checks , bad thing is they are not old or disabled , they are fourth generation check people. They build these halfway decent brand-new houses for them , but they make pretend they're building them to sell them , and when only one sells the other 30 go to check people . The next time you see them there wrecking them 10 years later cos they just trash everything. And that would be all right if they wanted to make a city full of them but the other people that own single-family homes pay close to $10-$15,000 a year taxes for a tiny lot with a house .

Hey there,
I'm new to the forum but I've been reading about the Philly Mob for over 5 years now and find it to be a pretty fascinating subject.

I was wanting to ask a question relating to Tore Scafidi in regards to a story that I read from the book "The Last Mouthpiece" by Philly mob lawyer Bobby Simone. One of the chapters in the book involves a murder trial where Bobby Simone served as Tore Scafidi's lawyer.

The murder occurred in the early 80's during the Riccobene War. According to Bobby Simone, there was a physical altercation at a nightclub between two groups of aspiring wise guys- one of the groups consisted of sons and nephews of men belonging to made men loyal to the Scarfo faction while the other group consisted of young men that had fathers and relatives belonging to the Riccobene faction. I guess there was a brief scuffle between the two groups that was broken up but later on that night, a young man belonging to the Riccobene group was gunned down right outside his home. The young man's mother apparently saw the murder and later identified Tore Scafidi as the shooter.

Anyways, Scafidi was eventually found innocent after Simone grilled the murder victim's mother on the witness stand and got her twisted up in a bunch of inconsistencies that made the jury doubt her testimony. Pretty brutal to do that to a mother who just lost her son but I guess he was just doing his job.

What really interested me was that after Scafidi was found innocent, Simone said that the courthouse lobby became jam packed with onlookers that included a large number of men that belonged to the Riccobene faction who were apparently acting belligerent and menacing after the verdict came in. As I recall, Simone said that the cops brought in backup to defuse the situation as it was looking extremely dangerous.

I had never read anything about this event before even though I've read quite a lot about Philly. What really surprised me was that it made the Riccobene faction seem a lot larger in prominent in Philly than I had originally thought. My original impression was that the Riccobene crew was relatively small and not nearly as influential as the Scarfo faction but this kind of made me doubt that. I know Riccobene was active in narcotic's trafficking and I have also read somewhere that Stevie Vento Sr was someone that worked closely with him. I surmised that Riccobene's manpower probably relied more on drug peddlers that actual made members within the Bruno Crime Family.

I know there are some Philly guys on here and I was wondering if anyone could kind of fill me in on what they know about this story involving Tore Scafidi and also tell me a little bit more about the Riccobene faction as far as where he drew his manpower and working relationships with drug dealers like Vento.

Thanks

Wayback: I cannot help you because the Riccobene guys did not hang in my neighborhood a few would hit down beach but that’s it. And of course they were always at odds with anything to do with Nick even when they were equal.

I was in Atlantic City today walking around and in Ducktown fucken amazing I felt like Vincent in the Deuce last episode at the end in my mid 60s and most of my guys dead or in the joint or gone .

But I guess I lived it .

Serp lived through the '70s by the skin of his nuts when the Philadelphia crime family were goin' at it.

O

Was not talking about them ... talking about the city’s collapse of its neighborhoods but you are a funny guy.

But one thing is right we did not have any keyboards to hide behind .

I wasn't being a smartass, Serp. I just had to get that Sopranos reference in somehow. There was no malintent.

There were a few lesser known stories from the Riccobenne conflict. One involed some Riccobenne guys having the jump on Skinny when he was real young and Faffy comes in with a gun and gets Skinny out unscathed. Now they are saying Faffy is in a top spot. Say what u want about Skinny but he doesn't forget those who helped him or those who did him wrong either.

Interesting. Thanks for the reply. I had never heard that story about Merlino before. It's stories like that that I actually really enjoy to be honest. Just kind of smaller
forgotten stories that seem to be collecting dust but really make the history of South Philly feel all the more immersive. Faffy seems like another really interesting
character. Phil Leonetti said in his book that he was in Vietnam. That's probably one reason way Faffy seemed a cut above the rest in terms of his ability to kill and
act as an enforcer for the family.

I was really surprised when I read this chapter about Tore Scafidi in Bobby Simone's book as I had never heard anything about it beforehand. My opinion on the matter is that Tore Scafidi probably did it. The reason I came to that conclusion is from what I read about Tore in Caramandi's book "Blood and Honor". Caramandi recounted a story where Scafidi got into a bar brawl with some middle aged neighborhood tough guy and actually stabbed him with a near fatal wound. Seems to me that he must have been pretty prone to acts of extreme violence.


So did Riccobene have a lot of influence and people backing him up in the war? Did common South Philly folks tend to support Scarfo or Riccobene more than the other?

Yea idk if that was same incident happened in Lidos with Tore and Skinny or not but they were in an incident together where someone was stabbed