I agree or really drunk... But probably just really stupid .

No sorry Petro didn't make myself clear,I meant he waited in the getaway car never going up to the Shemtov house. My bad

http://www.cosanostranews.com/2014/08/feds-want-to-flip-galati-to-nail-philly.html

Supposedly this moron hired three dumb asses to take out his daughter's boyfriend and a rival auto body shop owner in Philly, and now all three are going to testify against him. His daughter's boyfriend was shot in Atlantic City but fortunately survived, and the crazy part is they shot at him while she was with him! The article also says that his daughter is now cooperating with the FBI as well.

If this guy is really close with Ligambi and some others as law enforcement believes, how are these dunce's the best guys he could get for a hit? This might be just as bad as Nicodemo and the Gino DiPietro hit.

By the way, Galati's daughter, Tiffani, is pretty hot!

She is hot! That's fucked up that they hit him while she was with him though - she could have very easily been hit herself.

That's true. No worries pal.

Galati's daughter is really hot, I bet she has the South Philly attitude too as well

Im from Jersey and I dated both NYC Italian girls/Jersey girls and ONCE a South Philly girl I met at a Knicks at Sixers game (buddies and I took a road trip to see our Knicks), let me tell you the South Philly girl was "unique" man that South Philly attitude is like no where else in the world! (She had a lot of great South Philly LCN stories of the guys in the neighborhood too btw and she even showed me a picture on her cell phone of her and Phil Narducci at Ventura's Greenhouse Tiki bar in Margate at the shore)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2014

Galati Prepares For Trial, May Take The Stand

By George Anastasia
For Bigtrial.net

Ron Galati has decided to roll the dice and put his future in the hands of a federal jury that will begin hearing testimony later this month in his murder-for-hire case.

What's more, the South Philadelphia auto body shop owner and wannabe wiseguy is considering taking the stand in his own defense, a move that was hinted at in a motion filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Richardson, the prosecutor in the case.

In the same motion, Richardson alleged that Galati has made frequent payments to two prominent South Philadelphia organized crime figures, mob boss Joseph Ligambi and his nephew George Borgesi, but offered no explanation of what the payments were for.

Galati, 64, faces from 15 years to life if convicted. His apparent resolve to go to trial and perhaps tell his story in his own words to the jury undercuts speculation and media reports that he might cooperate with authorities.

"I don't know anything about anybody," he has reportedly told those close to him.

Prior to the start of a pre-trial hearing this morning, Galati's defense attorney, Anthony J. Voci Jr., said no decision had been made on whether Galati would testify. Voci spent most of the hearing attempting to block the introduction of evidence detailing Galati's alleged prior criminal activities. Voci said that evidence would be highly prejudicial and would make it impossible for his client to receive a fair trial. The prosecution says the evidence should be permitted, but has agreed not to introduce evidence alleging mob involvement.

U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Rodriguez said he would rule on the criminal history evidence motion shortly. The trial, in federal court in Camden, is set to begin Sept. 15.

Galati, dressed in a green prison jump suit, was brought to court this morning by two federal marshals. He is currently being housed in the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia. He has pleaded not guilty to a charge that he hired two hitmen to shoot and kill Andrew "Drew" Tuono last year. At the time, Tuono was dating Galati's daughter Tiffany.

The two hitmen and a third alleged co-conspirator have all admitted their roles in the murder plot and have agreed to testify. Tuono was shot three times outside his Atlantic City home on Nov. 30, 2013. He survived. Tiffany Galati, who was with Tuono at the time of the shooting, may also be a witness for the government.

Galati, a long-time associate of prominent Philadelphia mob figures, is facing two other criminal cases in Common Pleas Court in Philadelphia. In one, he is charged with hiring the same hitmen to kill two rival auto body shop owners who he believed were testifying against him in a major insurance fraud investigation.

In the second case, he, his wife, his son and more than a dozen other co-defendants are named in a multi-million dollar insurance fraud scheme. One of his co-defendants is Ligambi's son.

The prosecution in response to a motion filed by Voci earlier, has said it does not intend to introduce any testimony about Galati's alleged mob ties, but reserved the right to address the topic should Galati's defense "open the door" on that issue.

In a pre-trial motion Richardson wrote that, "Although multiple organized crime and `mob' ties exist and are relevant to this case, the Government does not foresee the introduction of this evidence. However, the Government reserves the right to introduce references to the mob and/or organized crime associations and/or activity if through argument, questioning, and/or testimony of the defendant `opens the door' or mentions these topics."

Richardson also noted that prison records indicate Galati spoke with Ligambi by phone on at least three occasions while Ligambi was being held in the Federal Detention Center and being tried on racketeering charges. Ligambi, 74, beat most of those charges in two trials. The remainder of the case was abandoned by the government early this year.

Richardson also wrote that, "On January 28, 2014, two days after Ligambi’s release from FDC Philadelphia following an acquittal and a deadlocked jury, law enforcement surveillance observed Ligambi at the defendant’s business, American Collision. Further, throughout the investigation of this case, it was learned that the defendant made frequent payments to Ligambi and his associate, George Borgesi, through a third party and sometimes twice a week through hand-to-hand transactions at American Collision."

Borgesi, 51, was acquitted in the same trial as his uncle.

Richardson's motion did not offer any explanation for why Galanti may have been funneling money to Ligambi and Borgesi. The mob's alleged role in an earlier Galati insurance fraud scheme that led to his 1995 conviction for fraud was alluded to in witness testimony during the Ligambi/Borgesi trials.

During arguments before Rodriguez today, Voci said the defense would not dispute the prosecution's claim that Tuono was shot by Ronald Walker and Alvin Matthews and that Jerome Johnson, a long-time friend of Galati's, provided the gun and helped set up the hit. All three men are now cooperating witnesses.

But Voci said the reason for the shooting was not what the prosecution claims. Galati, should he take the stand, is expected to deny that he had anything to do with the shooting. Voci also argued that the prosecution should be limited in what additional evidence it can present to the jury about Galati's past criminal activities.

Galati's conviction for insurance fraud in a 1995 case, for example, should not be permitted because rules of evidence prohibit the mention of crimes that are more than 10 years old. Galatai was convicted and sentenced to 37 months in prison in that case which in many ways echoes the new insurance fraud case pending in Common Pleas Court.

Voci also argued that allegations that Walker, Matthews and Johnson were paid by Galati to vandalize cars and set fire to a boat and a tow-truck should not be permitted because those events, even if true, had nothing to do with the murder-for-hire conspiracy that is part of the Tuono case. Finally, he argued that any mention of the murder-for-hire case pending in Philadelphia would be highly prejudicial because the allegations are virtually identical to the allegations in the case now pending in federal court.

In both murder-for-hire cases, authorities allege Galati offered to pay Walker and Matthews and used Johnson as the go-between to set up the hits. The shootings in Philadelphia never occurred, authorities said, because the targets, Joseph Rao Sr. and his son Joe Jr., had closed their autobody shop before Walker and Matthews could make a move on them.

The prosecution argues that evidence about Galati's criminal relationships with the Walker, Matthews and Johnson help explain why the three would agree to commit murder for Galati and for that reason should be presented as evidence.

Richardson, in his motion, said evidence of Galati's relationship with the three men could also be used to counter any testimony that Galati might offer. The prosecutor suggested that Galati planned to take the stand and argue that "he had no association, especially criminal, with his co-conspirators and that the shooting of the victim was unrelated to the defendant’s relationship with him. Moreover, the Government anticipates the defendant will testify that the motive behind the Victim being shot was due to the Victim `owing people money,' `constantly getting in to fights' or his drug use/dealing."

Bits and pieces of the prosecution case have already been outlined in pre-trial motions. Among other things, authorities allege that Galati had threatened Tuono at a restaurant in Northfield in June 2013. The restaurant, identified today by Richardson as Salvo Kitchen, was owned by associates of Bogesi's, according to law enforcement sources. Those same sources said Galati "liked to hold court" while dining at the restaurant and frequently alluded to his mob connections.

While authorities have never clearly indicated why Galati wanted to harm Tuono, Richardson's motion contends that at one point Galati said he would kill Tuono himself.

"Galati told Michael Otterson [a potential witness in the case] in sum and substance that Galati would `kill him myself, I will strangle him, I will poke his eyes out' and `I am going to stab him right in the forehead with this thing,' referring to an ice pick type device," Richardson wrote. "In June 2013, Galati, members of Galati’s family and associates, including his cousin Anthony Valenti, had dinner with Tuono and Tiffany Galati at a restaurant in Northfield, New Jersey. During dinner, Galati took Tuono into the kitchen and threatened to kill him. Thereafter, Johnson and Mathews advised Tuono that if Galati was to instruct them to kill Tuono, they would follow through with the request."

Another document indicates that on the night of the shooting, Matthews and Walker were told that if there was a girl with Tuono, she should not be harmed. Tiffany Galati, who is expected to be called as a witness, was standing next to Tuono as three bullets were pumped into his body.

She was not hit.

Now estranged from her father, she has given a statement to authorities and both she and Tuono have been interviewed in detail. They are no longer a couple, according to sources, but both may be used by the prosecution to build its case against Galati.

George Anastasia can be reached at George@bigtrial.net.

POSTED BY GEORGE ANASTASIA AT 3:51 PM
TRIAL: GALATI MURDER FOR HIRE CASE

Read more at http://www.bigtrial.net/2014/09/galati-prepares-for-trial-may-take-stand.html#Dce7jUX3dIkst8Qf.99

More trouble for wannabe mobster Galati?

Share Tweet
Reddit Email 11 COMMENTS
Friends describe Ronald Galati as infatuated with the gangster lifestyle. His garage in So. Phila. first attracted officials´ attention as a place where wiseguys could get jobs after prison.
Friends describe Ronald Galati as infatuated with the gangster lifestyle. His garage in So. Phila. first attracted officials' attention as a place where wiseguys could get jobs after prison. David Swanson/Staff/American Collision photo

Travel Deals

$50 & up -- Las Vegas Upscale Resort Sale incl. Extras
Advertisement
See all travel deals »

*
Weekly Circulars

SPORTS AUTHORITY:
Inspired By The Natural Beauty We Are Surrounded By Everyday
VALID UNTIL OCT 18

GUITAR CENTER:
Labor Day Savings Event, Great Deals in Every Department!
VALID UNTIL SEP 30
See More Circulars »
WILLIAM BENDER, DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER BENDERW@PHILLYNEWS.COM, 215-854-5255
POSTED: Friday, September 12, 2014, 3:01 AM


A KINGSESSING man involved with mob associate Ron Galati's alleged insurance-fraud and murder-for-hire schemes quietly pleaded guilty yesterday in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court.

Jerome "Rome" Johnson, 45, pleaded guilty to two counts each of attempted murder, witness intimidation, conspiracy and related charges connected to the case against Galati, a South Philly auto-body-shop operator with ties to reputed mob boss Joseph Ligambi and his nephew George Borgesi.

The case is under court-ordered seal, but yesterday's development could signal more trouble for Galati if Johnson agrees to testify against him in Philadelphia.

Galati, 63, a "GoodFellas"-quoting wannabe mobster, has been charged in three separate cases and could spend the rest of his life in jail. He allegedly hired Johnson and two bush-league hit men to kill his daughter's boyfriend in Atlantic City, as well as a body-shop operator in Philly who he believed had testified against him, and the operator's son.

Galati's trial on the New Jersey charges is set to start next week in federal court in Camden. His daughter's boyfriend was shot last year, but survived; the other two hits weren't carried out. Johnson and two alleged gunmen are expected to testify against Galati in Jersey.

"I would say there's a 99.9 percent chance he will be star witness No. 1, 2 or 3," Galati's lawyer, Anthony Voci, said of Johnson.

In May, Galati and dozens of associates were busted for an alleged insurance-fraud scam. Prosecutors say they perpetrated a "staggering amount" of fraud at American Collision & Auto Center, the shop at 20th and McKean streets that Galati had operated.

Galati's shop earned about $1.8 million through a city contract it landed in 2011 to fix cop cars and other vehicles. The city stopped sending cars there in December after the Daily News reported on the contract and the latest criminal allegations.

- Staff writer Wendy Ruderman contributed to this report.


Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/201409...xy23fgMovvYC.99

Hit plot trial begins in Camden

Share Tweet
Reddit Email 25 COMMENTS
Friends describe Ronald Galati as infatuated with the gangster lifestyle. His garage in So. Phila. first attracted officials´ attention as a place where wiseguys could get jobs after prison.
Friends describe Ronald Galati as infatuated with the gangster lifestyle. His garage in So. Phila. first attracted officials' attention as a place where wiseguys could get jobs after prison. David Swanson/Staff/American Collision photo

Travel Deals

$134 & up -- 4-Nt. Caribbean Cruise on Royal Caribbean
*
See all travel deals »

*
Weekly Circulars

BIG LOTS:
Deals to Freshen Up Your Home!
VALID UNTIL SEP 20

DOLLAR GENERAL:
Great Looking Prices!
VALID UNTIL SEP 21
See More Circulars »
JULIA TERRUSO, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
LAST UPDATED: Tuesday, September 16, 2014, 1:50 PM
POSTED: Tuesday, September 16, 2014, 9:33 AM


The trial opened today in the case of Ronald Galati, a South Philadelphia auto shop owner and alleged mob hanger-on charged with orchestrating a hit on his daughter's boyfriend.

Galati, 64, faces 15 years in prison if convicted of the attempted murder and conspiracy charges in U.S. District Court in Camden.

Andrew Tuono was shot three times in Atlantic City in November, 2013, as his then-girlfriend, Tiffany Galati, stood by his side, but survived the attack.

In his opening remarks, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Richardson called it a "simple case."
"He wanted Mr. Tuono dead and he hired ... hit men to do it," the prosecutor said.

Richardson said the hit men, who have pleaded guilty, are expected to testify against Galati and will say they were promised $20,000 each to kill Tuono.

Defense attorney Anthony Voci told the jury that no physical evidence ties Galati to the shooting.

The first witness called by the prosecution was Atlantic City Police Officer Matthew Rogers who testified that 10 seconds after he heard shots he saw two males running toward his police cruiser on Carson Avenue.

Rogers said he drew his gun and ordered the men to stop but they blew past him. He ran after them and caught up with the heftier of the two, Ronald Walker.

Within the next 15 minutes, Walker would name the second fleeing suspect and explain what was going on: that they'd been hired by Galati to shoot Tuono, the officer said.

Richardson earlier described Tuono, 35, and Galati, 64, as friends until Tuono started dating his daughter.

The would-be assassins had tried to corner Tuono elsewhere to no avail, Richardson said.

Then on Nov. 30, 2013 Galati told the men "The boat is on the other side," meaning Tuono was at his Atlantic City residence. The hit men drove to Atlantic City with a .25-caliber semiautomatic pistol, Richardson said.

Their only instructions were to kill Tuono and if there was a woman with him, to leave her unharmed, Richardson said.

Defense attorney Voci called the shooter, Walker, a liar, who misled police from the beginning, including about who actually shot Tuono and where the gun was.

"The government is going all in on words," Voci said in his opening.

Voci hinted Tuono had other problems and is expected to argue Tuono was targeted over gambling debts and drugs.

Four of Galati's family members, including a cousin and his daughter-in-law, attended the first day of the trial.

Galati, who has been in custody since his April indictment, wore a white dress shirt and took occasional puffs from an inhaler during the testimony.

This is one of three cases currently pending against Galati. He is also facing murder for hire charges in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court and is charged with a large-scale auto insurance fraud scheme in federal court in Philadelphia.

The murder-for-hire charges in Philadelphia involve the same two alleged hit men as in the Tuono case. In that case, prosecutors say the men were after an auto shop owner and his son who were Galati rivals, but never went through with the plan after the shop closed.

Walker was expected to take the stand Tuesday afternoon.

Follow @JuliaTerruso on Twitter for updates from the trial.


Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaki...efKpyTiY5AKc.99

Trial begins for man with mob ties in Atlantic City murder plot
Story
Comments
Print
Create a hardcopy of this page
Font Size:
Default font size
Larger font size

Posted: Tuesday, September 16, 2014 6:48 pm
By LYNDA COHEN Staff Writer
Subscribe to Lynda Cohen on Facebook


Follow Lynda Cohen on Twitter

An alleged mob associate went on trial in Camden federal court Tuesday on charges he tried to have his daughter’s boyfriend murdered in Atlantic City.
Click here!
Ronald Galati Sr., 63, faces four counts, including murder for hire and conspiracy to commit murder for hire in the Nov. 30, shooting in Atlantic City. He allegedly agreed to pay Ronald Walker and Alvin Matthews $20,000 each to carry out the killing.
Co-defendant Jerome Johnson is also on trial, facing the same charges as Galati. He is additionally charged with transporting a firearm for use during the commission of a felony, transferring a firearm for use in a violent crime and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted person.
The victim — identified only as Victim 1 in court papers — was shot three times in the abdomen, but survived. The Associated Press has identified him as Andrew Tuono.
Galati is an alleged associate of convicted mobster Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino. But, the judge previously ruled that there can be no mention of the defendant’s links to organized crime.
Walker, 48, of Philadelphia, and Matthews, 46, of Brookhaven, Pa., previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and weapons charges. Walker was the shooter, according to the charges.
Contact Lynda Cohen:
609-272-7257
LCohen@pressofac.com
@LyndaCohen on Twitter
© 2014 pressofAtlanticCity.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Alleged hitman details plot in Atlantic City


Friends describe Ronald Galati as infatuated with the gangster lifestyle. His garage in So. Phila. first attracted officials´ attention as a place where wiseguys could get jobs after prison.
Friends describe Ronald Galati as infatuated with the gangster lifestyle. His garage in So. Phila. first attracted officials' attention as a place where wiseguys could get jobs after prison. David Swanson/Staff/American Collision photo


JULIA TERRUSO, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
POSTED: Tuesday, September 16, 2014, 7:08 PM


On the car ride to Atlantic City, Ronald Walker inspected the .25-caliber semiautomatic he had specifically requested for its small size and quiet shot - perfect for the task at hand.

"We were going there to do a hit," Walker, 49, testified in the murder-for-hire trial of Ronald Galati, an alleged mob associate who owned a South Philadelphia auto shop now belonging to his son.

Walker, a career criminal, answered questions Tuesday on the first day of the trial in Camden federal court, identifying Galati as the man who agreed to pay him $20,000 to kill Andrew Tuono, then-boyfriend of Galati's daughter Tiffany.

Walker nonchalantly recalled the night of Nov. 30, 2013, when, he said, he shot Tuono four times as Tuono left his Atlantic City apartment with Tiffany Galati. Tiffany Galati, 33, was not injured, and Tuono survived the attack.

"From what I understand, he was having a problem with a guy, and he needed it taken care of," Walker said. "He wanted me to kill the guy, he wanted him dead, but he didn't want it to come back on him."

So desperate was Galati to get rid of Tuono, Walker testified, that Galati promised big payoffs and persistently gave the three hit men information about Tuono's whereabouts, instructing them to kill any witnesses - save, of course, his daughter. Walker described ranting phone calls in which Galati repeatedly said he wanted Tuono dead.

Walker is one of three hit men who pleaded guilty to murder-for-hire related charges in the federal case. All three are expected to testify against Galati. If convicted in U.S. District Court of attempted murder and conspiracy, Galati faces 15 years in prison.

It's one of three pending cases against Galati, 64. In Pennsylvania, he also has been charged with murder-for-hire and insurance fraud.

Defense attorney Anthony Voci cautioned jurors against convicting his client solely on the testimony of criminals.

"The government is going all in on words. There is not a shred of physical evidence that ties my client to this crime," said Voci, who is expected to argue that Tuono was targeted because of unpaid gambling and drug debts unrelated to Galati.

Assistant District Attorney Jason Richardson went through Walker's rap sheet for nearly five minutes. It includes 17 arrests and multiple convictions over 20 years. Walker said that he was not promised anything in exchange for his testimony but that he hoped it brought him a lighter sentence. Given his record, he's facing life in prison.

Walker had been out of jail 14 months when he was introduced to Galati at American Collision & Auto Center, near 20th and McKean Streets in South Philadelphia.

Walker said the two initially had a falling out because Walker didn't agree to bury Tuono after killing him. He said Galati eventually gave in and agreed Walker could do the job without a burial.

Walker, and codefendants Alvin Matthews and Jerome Johnson, tried to find and kill Tuono on numerous occasions, according to Walker's testimony.

Then on Nov. 30, 2013, Johnson got a call from Galati in which Galati said "the boat is on the other side," Walker said. The hit men understood that to mean Tuono was at his Atlantic City residence, he said.

As the couple were leaving the apartment in the 600 block of Carson Avenue around 6:30 p.m., Walker and Matthews approached.

"I said, 'Don't run.' He looked at me, and I said it again, 'Don't run. You know what this is about,' and he said, 'Oh, shit,' and went to run," Walker said. "I shot him."

Tiffany Galati, according to Walker, "didn't make no noise, didn't scream, she got in her car, backed up and rode away."

Galati also faces unrelated murder-for-hire charges in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court and is charged in Philadelphia federal court with a large-scale auto insurance fraud scheme involving frozen animal parts used to fake accident scenes.

The murder-for-hire charges in Philadelphia involve the same two alleged hit men as in the Tuono case. In that case, prosecutors say the men were after a rival auto shop owner and his son but never went through with the plan after the shop closed.

Galati has been described by law enforcement sources as a mob "hanger-on" or wannabe who has helped made members with jobs and money.

In court Tuesday, he wore a black toupee and white dress shirt, listening stoically to the testimony and occasionally taking a pump from his inhaler.

Galati's nephew, brother-in-law, a first cousin and his son's fiancee attended the hearing but declined to speak to the media.

The trial, before a jury of 12 women and two men, is expected to last at least two weeks.

jterruso@phillynews.com

856-779-3876 @juliaterruso


Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/201409...54DyevSMXlc2.99

Of all the stuff ive read on the philly mob guys the one thing i take from it is that the federal system out there is beatable, so whatever they say in these articles you really cant go by it.
I have no idea if this guy will have any chance of beating it but relying on career criminals as your witnesses is not the winning formula.

Botched hit, bad toupee

Share Tweet
Reddit Email 24 COMMENTS
Ronald Galati, 64,a convicted fraudster who ran a South Philly auto-body shop, wanted his daughter´s boyfriend dead, according to federal prosecutors in New Jersey.
Ronald Galati, 64,a convicted fraudster who ran a South Philly auto-body shop, wanted his daughter's boyfriend dead, according to federal prosecutors in New Jersey.


WILLIAM BENDER, DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER BENDERW@PHILLYNEWS.COM, 215-854-5255
POSTED: Wednesday, September 17, 2014, 3:01 AM


"THE BOAT IS on the other side of the water."

That's the code phrase that reputed mob associate Ron Galati allegedly used last November to inform a ragtag crew of hit men that his daughter's boyfriend, Andrew Tuono, was in Atlantic City.

Galati, 64, a convicted fraudster who ran a South Philly auto-body shop with a lucrative city contract, wanted Tuono dead, according to federal prosecutors in New Jersey.

The mistake was allegedly hiring Ronald Walker.

Tuono survived. Walker and another would-be hit man were busted and pleaded guilty.

Now they're cooperating with the government in the murder-for-hire case that could put Galati behind bars for the rest of his life.

Walker, 49, a burly wiseass with a jaw-dropping rap sheet, testified yesterday that after he received Galati's boat-in-the-water command, he polished off his Church's Chicken meal then headed to Atlantic City to kill Tuono.

"He had a problem with a guy and he needed it tooken care of," Walker said of Galati. The payoff was supposed to be $20,000 for the Tuono job, he testified.

When Tuono and Galati's daughter, Tiffany, exited Tuono's home on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Walker walked up wearing a surgeon's mask and holding a Colt .25-caliber handgun. Walker said he told Tuono not to run, although he admitted under cross-examination that Tuono was going to get shot either way.

"I didn't feel like chasing him," Walker said. "It didn't make a difference if he run or didn't run. I just wasn't in the running mood."

Walker told Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Richardson that he shot Tuono three times, pulling the trigger until he ran out of ammo. But he and a co-defendant, Alvin Matthews, only made it to the end of the block when they ran directly into an Atlantic City police officer. Walker fell - a couple of times - and was arrested. He originally blamed the shooting on Matthews, who was apprehended soon after.

Galati, a wannabe mobster with a toupee straight out of Morrie's Wig Shop, shifted uneasily in his chair as Walker identified him as the man who ordered the hit. But Galati's attorney, Anthony Voci, plans to argue that Tuono was involved in the drug trade and other activities that could have made him a target.

"There is not a shred of physical evidence that ties my client to this crime," Voci said, adding that Walker is not a credible witness: "If Ronald Walker told me that my name is Anthony Voci and today is Tuesday, I'd ask for a mirror and a calendar."

The jury is not expected to hear about Galati's mob connections - or the insurance-fraud and murder-for-hire charges he's also facing in Philadelphia - but prosecutors have said in pretrial motions that Galati spoke with reputed mob boss Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi when Ligambi was in prison, and that he also made "frequent payments" to Ligambi and his nephew George Borgesi.

Law-enforcement officials conducting surveillance spotted Ligambi at Galati's shop, American Collision & Automotive Center, at 20th and McKean streets, shortly after Ligambi was released from prison in January.

But Galati's family says the feds got it all wrong. Lots of people could've wanted Tuono dead.

"My cousin is a very, very nice man. A wonderful person. He is a good sport," Galati's first cousin said outside the courtroom. She asked that her name not be printed because of her husband's line of work, which she did not disclose.

The family also insists that Galati isn't involved with the mob. But one guy apparently isn't convinced.

As Walker began testifying yesterday, a curious onlooker walked into the courtroom and quietly took a seat near the back. It was mob prosecutor David Fritchey, chief of the Organized Crime Strike Force in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Philadelphia.




Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20140917_Botched_hit__bad_toupee.html#X4vU1plKedhbqqa0.99

this guy is toast all 3 of the hired hitters are testifying against him. love how the a.d.a from philly poped into to Camden like he popd into the nicodemo trial just trying to start some waves. why did this guy think he needed 3 hitmen wtf. and he tried to have 4 guys murder in this day in age he's a fucking phyco whats he gonna say against merlino? atleast joey didn't pay guys to hit guys.

Keep in mind this guy can only roll IF he has anything to bring to the table.

And he's LOW on the pecking order. Realistically what can he offer up?

With Nicodemo up shit creek I'd be surprised if the feds would even take this guy's calls.

ya and he prolly a great con artist that the wiseguys know he can get them a few bones but dont really have him know what the family is doing

A Murder-For-Hire Plot That The Bard Would Love


By George Anastasia
For Bigtrial.net

It sounds like the plot from a Shakespearean play, but with a decided South Philadelphia twist.

A father, upset because his daughter is dating a man he neither likes nor trusts, sends two henchmen to kill the unwanted suitor. If Shakespeare had written the story, the assassins would have carried swords or daggers.

Ronald Walker said he used a .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol.

Walker took the stand this afternoon during the opening day of testimony in the murder-for-hire trial of Ronald Galati, a South Philadelphia auto body shop owner with a checkered criminal past that includes alleged organized crime connections.

But neither Galati's past nor his suspected mob ties are expected to figure in the trial. Instead, the case will focus on the allegation that last year Galati, 63, hired three men to kill Andrew Tuono who was dating Galati's daughter Tiffany at the time.

Tuono survived the hit and is listed as a potential witness. So is Tiffany Galati.

"It's a simple case," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Richardson said in his opening statement to the jury of 10 women and two men this morning. "Mr. Galati wanted Mr. Tuono dead." The reason, Richardson said, was also rather mundane. "Mr. Galati didn't like Mr. Tuono."

Testimony and evidence in the trial, which is expected to last about two weeks, may provide a more complicated and convoluted explanation for the Nov. 30, 2013, shooting in Atlantic City that left Tuono bleeding from bullet wounds to the stomach, back and hand.

"I shot four times," Walker, a stocky 49-year-old with an extensive criminal record for drug dealing, assault, attempted murder and robbery, told the jury. "They said I only hit him three times."

Asked why he stopped shooting, Walker replied, "Because there weren't no more bullets."

Walker said he was hired by Galati and promised $20,000 for the hit. He said Alvin Matthews, a boyhood friend, was with him during the shooting and that another longtime friend, Jerome Johnson, had set the murder up at Galati's request. Both Matthews and Johnson, like Walker, have pleaded guilty to murder-for-hire and conspiracy charges and are cooperating with the government. They are also expected to testify.

"This is a case about people, family and relationships," Anthony Voci, Galati's defense attorney, told the jury in a comment that hinted at the soap opera like nature of the case. How much the jury hears about Galati's strained relationship with his daughter and the reasons why he allegedly wanted Tuono killed may depend on whether Tiffany Galati is called as a witness.

What the jury won't hear is testimony about Galati's alleged criminal relationships with Johnson, Walker and Matthews. All three are accused of playing similar roles in another murder-for-hire case pending in Common Pleas Court. In that case, Galati is charged with ordering the murders of two rival auto body shop owners, a father and son, who he suspected were cooperating in an insurance fraud investigation that had targeted him.

Galati, his wife, his son and a dozen others, including the son of mob boss Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi, are also under indictment in Common Pleas court in a multi-million dollar insurance fraud case. Johnson, Matthews and Walker allegedly damaged cars as part of the fraud scheme. Authorities say Walker and Matthews were also involved in arson at Galati's behest.

But Judge Joseph Rodriguez, based on motions filed by Voci, said none of that information can be used in the current trial because it has nothing to do with the attempted murder of Tuono.

Galati, jailed since his arrest in the case, said little as he sat at the defense table next to his lawyer. In his opening statement, Voci told the jury there "was not a shred of physical evidence" tying his client to the case. Voci is expected to argue that there were other reasons why Tuono was targeted, reasons that had nothing to do with Galati.

The government's case, in fact, is built almost entirely on the word of Walker, Matthews and Johnson. Voci is expected to use his cross-examination to challenge the credibility and motivation of those witnesses and to raise questions about their involvement and Tuono's involvement in the drug underworld.

Walker and Matthews were arrested within minutes of the shooting and quickly gave up Johnson and Galati to law enforcement. Johnson eventually opted to cooperate as well. All three are expected to tell basically the same story.

Walker said Galati wanted Tuono dead.

"He said he had a problem with a guy and he needed it taken care of," Walker said, adding that Galati often talked in riddles and that at one point he told the auto body shop owner, "Say what you mean."

"He said he wanted me to kill the guy. He wanted him dead...but he didn't want it come back on him."

Walker said Galati at first suggested that they bury Tuono's body, but Walker balked. He said he eventually agreed to carry out the hit, but not dispose of the body. He said Johnson took him to two different locations in South Philadelphia where Tuono was believed to be staying, but that the target was not there either time.

Finally, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, he said was driving in a car with Johnson when a call came in from Galati informing them that Tuono was at the townhouse he owned in Atlantic City. Walker said he had Johnson drive him to a few drug deal deliveries that day and that they stopped at a Church's Fried Chicken restaurant for lunch before heading down the Shore to carry out the hit.

Prosecutors displayed surveillance camera shots from the fried chicken store that showed both Johnson and Walker placing orders at the counter that day. Matthews, Walker said, joined them for the trip to Atlantic City.

He said Johnson dropped them off near Tuono's Carson Avenue townhouse. They waited on the darkened street and up an alley for several minutes before Tiffany Galati and Tuono walked out the door.

Walker said he had been told by Johnson, "do not touch the girl."

Walker told the jury that Matthews called out to Tuono, "Yo, my man. I wanna talk to you."

"About what?" Tuono replied, according to Walker who said he then walked up to the target, pulled a gun and told him, "Don't run."

Tuono ran, Walker said, and Walker opened fire.

Tiffany Galati showed little emotion, Walker said when questioned by Voci. In fact, he confirmed an earlier statement he had made to police that "She just stood there as if she knew what was going on."

Tuono, lying on the ground bleeding, yelled for her to "call 9-1-1, call the police," Walker said. Instead, he told the jury, she got into a BMW that was parked in front of the townhouse and drove away.

Walker said he and Matthews began to run from the shooting scene, but when they turned a corner they saw a police officer pointing his gun and ordering them to stop. Instead, they kept running. Walker said he tripped and stumbled and that the police officer quickly caught up with him.

Matthews was arrested within minutes a few blocks away.

Both men began cooperating almost immediately. Walker admitted that at first he told authorities that Matthews was the shooter, but he said he later changed his story and admitted he was the one who fired the shots.

Walker said he did not know Tuono's name and did not ask Galati why he wanted him dead.

"It wasn't my business to know why," he said.

George Anastasia can be contacted at George@bigtrial.net.

POSTED BY GEORGE ANASTASIA AT 6:41 PM
TRIAL: GALATI MURDER FOR HIRE CASE

Read more at http://www.bigtrial.net/2014/09/a-murder-for-hire-plot-that-bard-would.html#iCH2ULQVa7MCuDsj.99

There is a rumor floating that Uncle Joe is Galati's silent partner in his auto body shop too which explains why Uncle Joe was caught by law enforcement surveillance going to Galati's auto body shop immediately upon release from Federal Lockup and also explains why Galati put so much money into Uncle Joe's prison commissary while he was locked up for two years beating the Feds twice....

Ligambi's son I think.

No Ligambi's son was indicted with Galati for insurance fraud-I'm assuming they staged an accident/damage and collected $$$ on it.

The rumor is that Uncle Joe was Galati's silent partner in the auto body shop, maybe someone here from the neighborhood can further elaborate on the rumor of Uncle Joe being Galati's silent partner?

I just saw Ligambi on the street corner in center city, about an hour ago. He ain't at the trial in camden, that's for sure.

Nicky-

Where in center city? Who was he with? How was he dressed (court attire, casual wear, a Rodney Pete Eagles Jersey, etc)?

Well I wonder if she's single I'd run away with her in witsac ...Hell I'll have pizza water preztels and bagels shipped from the phl nj ny area..Tiff if you read this holla

Center City is in the center of the city it boarders south phila and west phila. Joe was casual wear my friend worked at a high end store in center city Boyd's. Ligambi ain't rocking some eagles russel athhetlic sweatsuit that's for sure...

I put my money on Galati walking away from this with no charges. These guys are a bunch of goons and Galati's daughters boyfriend was in debt with these guys. They went to rough him up and it turned ugly and now they're trying to pin it on Galati. The feds need to go over the terrorists and stop wasting more tax payers money. This is getting ridiculous in Philadelphia. These guys must be hurting for funding over there. Honestly it doesn't sound like a strong case to me and I think Ronnie walks.

@ Red LOL I know I was only JKin around...

I was hoping you were joking. I was on my way to lunch when I saw him. I didn't stop and ask for an autograph. Just happened to notic who he was from all the pics i've seen of him.

Well I'd love to take your action so I can put my kids thru college you wanna parlay Nicodemo n Grande too?

Regardless they've buried this guy and him crossing state lines making the federal case twice as strong the guy has 3 or 4 open fukin cases...and apparently no ones come to his side no ones taking care of his family their body shop will lose it's license if it hasn't been transferred already to someone else's name.