All the guys you mentioned were involved in the two Ligambi trials I referred to. They all weren't separate indictments, they were all involved in the same two cases. Nicodemo's case is the only one separate from that, to the best of my knowledge. So again, what plenty of indictments? I can't think of any.

The 15-20 made guys estimation from Anastasia came during a time when Ligambi was boss, like long into his act as boss, shortly before he supposedly stepped down.

This is why I keep a list of indictments going back to 2000. People who just go by what they can remember off the top of their heads easily forget things. And that's if they really follow things at all.

Can't really count Nicky Jr. since he's with the Luccheses. However, in addition to the Ligambi case (the size of which we haven't see in Detroit in nearly 20 years and probably won't see again) and Anthony Nicodemo, you have these over the past decade (going backwards):


In December 2013, it was reported that the city of Philadelphia revoked it's contract with an auto body shop owned by Philadelphia LCN associate Ronald Galati (American Collission & Automotive Center) after his alleged involvement in a triple-murder plot (where he was charged with solicitation of murder) related to an ongoing insurance fraud investigation.

In October 2013, Anthony Gifoli, Frank Tulino, Vincent Simoni (who had been involved in a 1988 LCN-connected gambling bust), and James Matteis, were indicted in Philadelphia, PA on charges of conducting an illegal gambling businesses involving a sports bookmaking operation.

In May 2012, it was reported that authorities had filed a forfeiture seizure for nearly $180,000 that had been discovered in the backpack of William "Billy" Coyman, a former Teamster in Philadelphia, after he had collapsed at a Manhattan train station the previous summer. It was alleged the money was part of a drug operation and that Coyman had been employed by 180 Entertainment Inc., which was owned by Anthony Fedele Jr., a known associate of Philadelphia LCN boss Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino and Joseph Burke, a convicted bank robber and drug trafficker from Boston.

In February 2012, it was reported through leaked law enforcement records that Philadelphia LCN boss, Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino, may be in the process of setting up operations in the Miami, FL area and forming a crew that included Phillip "Disney" McFillin (owner of several companies in Florida, including in the restaurant business, and had conducted real estate transactions with Philadelphia LCN captain Anthony Staino and was kicking up to acting boss Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi), John "Jack" Manfredi (currently operating a gambling website called Getitnow.com and looking for investors in ATM's to install in strip clubs and massage parlors), Anthony "Joey" Bastone (in the vending machine business, as well as a bookie and cocaine dealer), Anthony Accetturo Jr. (a Lucchese soldier who the report said Merlino may reach out to for muscle), Frank Sisto (related to former Philadelphia LCN underboss Steve "Handsome Steve" Mazone), and Christopher Carvell. Although having a job at a flooring company, the report stated Merlino had become involved in gambling activities again and was maintaining contact with former acting underboss, Steven "Handsome Steve" Mazzone in Philadelphia. Also, the report stated an unnamed associate of Merlino was in the process of purchasing a $1 million home and a Rolls Royce for Merlino. In May 2012, it was alleged in a detention memo that Merlino was the official boss of the Philadelphia LCN, as he had been while incarcerated. In November 2014, it was reported that Philadelphia LCN boss Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino, who had recently been found to have violated his parole by meeting with John Ciancaglini Jr. and 2 other felons, had opened an Italian restaurant in Florida (Palm Beach County) called Merlino's.

June 2011 - Robert Gentile Andrew Parente were indicted in New Haven, CT on charges of felony possession of guns, explosives, silencers, other weapons, cash, drugs, and phony ID documents.

In April 2011, it was reported that part of an ongoing investigation into a drug trafficking operation involving the illegal sale of prescription medications such as oxycodone, percocet, etc. and loansharking, connected to Philadelphia LCN acting underboss Joseph "Mousie" Massimino, search warrants were executed at the homes of several Pagan Motorcycle Club members (such as Joseph "The Goat" Ferrari) and LCN associates (such as Nicky Volpe) and a bar where video poker machines were seized.

In November 2010, 13 people including local body shop owner Philip Sessa, were indicted in Philadelphia, PA on charges of corrupt organizations, criminal conspiracy, insurance fraud, theft by deception, receiving stolen property, false reports to law enforcement, criminal use of a communication facility, deceptive business practices, and operating an auto "chop shop" involving an insurance fraud and theft ring that damaged vehicles and and then submitted over $300,000 in 22 fraudulent claims to insurance claims in order to receive payments for repairs. Some of those involved used the money to pay off loanshark debts or did free car repairs to pay off gambling debts to Philadelphia LCN figures such as captain Anthony "Ant" Staino.

In October 2010, 16 people including Philadelphia LCN associate Michael Orlando, as well as William Gilkin, Scott Campanella, and Richard DeRosa, were indicted in Philadelphia, PA on charges of corrupt organizations, conspiracy, criminal use of a communication facility, possession with intent to deliver, and dealing in proceeds of an unlawful activity involving the trafficking in $800,000 worth of cocaine, as well as prescription drugs. In an unrelated case in September 2003, 13 people including Philadelphia LCN associate Michael Orlando, were charged with bribing a credit bureau worker to erase bad credit history.

In September 2009, 50 video poker machines (tied to the Philadelphia LCN) were seized from 13 businesses in Philadelphia, PA.

In June 2009, D. Peter Innaurato, a member of IBT Local 107 (Drivers, Truckers, Entertainment - Philadelphia) was barred from the union for knowingly associating with a Philadelphia LCN member.

In March 2009, John Corea (former Hoboken, NJ utility director) and Philadelphia LCN associate Brian Pettacio, were indicted in New Jersey (Hudson County) on charges of conspiracy, money laundering, official misconduct, theft, and misapplication of government property involving a scheme to steal $1.7 million from the city's parking meters.

In January 2009, 5 people including Philadelphia LCN associate Michael Pacitti, were indicted in Philadelphia, PA on charges of criminal conspiracy, theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, theft from a motor vehicle, identify theft, forgery, access device fraud, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, and criminal attempt theft by deception, involving a theft ring run at various country clubs that had stolen $100,000 in goods (laptops, IPods, TV's, jewelry, etc) and attempted to make $25,000 in purchases using stolen credit cards.

In October 2008, 14 people including several contractors (among them Philadelphia associate Anthony "Tony Nose" Iannuzzio), were indicted in New Jersey (Mercer County) on charges of fraud involving accepting money for home improvement jobs that were never completed, as well as from customers who bought items online that were never delivered.

In September 2008, 13 people including Charles "Chaz" Iannece, the son of former Philadelphia LCN captain Charles "Charlie White" Iannece, were indicted in Philadelphia, PA on charges of criminal conspiracy, possession of crystal methamphetamine and anabolic steroids with intent to deliver, criminal use of a communication facility, and dealing in unlawful proceeds involving an operation that trafficked in $6.6 million in crystal meth from Mexico to Philadelphia.

In July 2008, 17 people including Philadelphia LCN associates Louis "Bent Finger Lou" Monacello and Nicholas "Nicky the Hat" Cimono, were indicted in Philadelphia, PA on charges of running a sports bookmaking operation in Philadelphia and Delaware Counties that took in $1 million a month, loansharking, solicitation to commit aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit perjury, fencing stolen goods, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. In November 2010, police raided a South Philadelphia beer distributor (Chappy's Beer, Butts, and Bets), owned by attorney Gregory Quigley, who was involved in the 2008 case. In February 2011, it was reported that a grand jury was conducting an investigation into Chappy's, as well as local strip clubs, towing companies, and the Licensing & Inspections Department of Philadelphia.

In May 2008, 9 people, including Michael O'Brien and Brad Pesin, were indicted in Philadelphia on charges of running a sports bookmaking operation, which police believed was connected to the LCN, and that had handled $2.5 million in wagers.

In April 2008, 24 people including Philadelphia LCN captain Michael "Mikey Lance" Lancellotti, soldier Anthony Nicodemo, associate Vincent Procopio, and Andrew Micali, Jack Buscemi Jr., Joseph Wishnick (a former Borgata poker room supervisor), and Jeffrey Ebert (a former Tropicana poker room supervisor), were indicted in New Jersey (Atlantic County) on charges of racketeering, conspiracy, promoting gambling, loansharking, and money laundering involving a sports bookmaking operation run out of an Atlantic City casino (Borgata) that handled $60 million in bets over 20 months. Subsequently, Nicodemo, Micali, Buscemi, as well as Frank Baldino, Joseph Baldino Jr., Douglas Rubino, John Findlay, Bernard Malseed, Russell Brown, and Michael Connelly were all banned from Atlantic City casinos by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement beween May 2009 and November 2011.

In February 2008, Philadelphia LCN associates John Catalano, Thomas Demilio, and Harry Elwell were indicted in Philadelphia, PA on charges of conspiracy, tax fraud, loansharking, and organizing a kickback scheme to receive a roofing contract.

In July 2007, and in a superseding indictment in January 2008, Philadelphia LCN associates Danilo Starita and Edward Wagner were indicted in New Jersey (Mercer County) on charges of conspiracy, theft by deception (mortgage fraud), promoting gambling, possession of gambling records, and falsifying records involving a sports bookmaking operation that took in thousands of dollars a week in bets.

In November 2006, Philadelphia LCN soldier Damion Canalichio and Christopher Kerr were indicted in Philadelphia, PA on charges of trafficking in over 300 grams of cocaine.

Following a criminal complaint in October 2006, in November 2007, Philadelphia LCN soldier Vincent "Big Vince" Filipelli and William Motto were indicted in New Jersey (Camden County) on charges of conspiracy, promoting gambling, possession of gambling record, possession of steroids, money laundering, and weapons possession.

In February 2006, Richard Tocchet, James Harney (a police officer), and James Ulmer were indicted in New Jersey (Mercer County) on charges of conspiracy, money laundering, and official misconduct involving a sports bookmaking operation, which had ties to the Philadelphia LCN, that handled $1.7 million in bets over a 40 day period.

In November 2005, Philadelphia LCN associate Eugene "Louie Turco" Bulgarino was banned from Atlantic City casinos by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.

In August 2004, 7 people including John Garbarino Jr. and Felix Ezzio (a bookmaker and drug dealer who had longstanding ties to the Philadelphia LCN) were indicted in New Jersey (Mercer County) on charges of conspiracy and promoting gambling involving a sports bookmaking operation that stretched from a wire room in South Philadelphia to South Jersey and took in as much as $60,000 a day in bets between July and December 2003.



The total membership of Philadelphia is about 50 members. How many are active on the street at any given point is constantly in flux. It's been around 20-25 in recent years. But that's probably the total membership of the Detroit family.

Anyone who thinks Detroit is stronger than Philly (or any other remaining LCN family) just isn't paying attention.

Ivy, that's actually a very good idea. That's a hell of a lot of work though.

Well, prior to getting married a little over a year ago, I had a lot of free time. Especially since all my friends were married by then and I was the last of the Mohicans.

Do you keep track of indictments that are explicitly related to LCN, or do you include busts simply involving people with known affiliations to OC? Who do you maintain lists on?

Just look at Ivy's post above! 15-20 guys Anastasia meant active members.

I keep a list of news/indictments involving all LCN families since 2000. But I also follow other OC cases in general.



The 2004 New Jersey Commission of Investigation stated the family had approximately 50 members.

Here's a list of members below. It's a total list, i.e. active, inactive, and in prison. The ages are a few years behind. Need to update them.


Boss: Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino/51 - ID as boss in 2012 indictment
Underboss: Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi/73 - ID in 2011 indictment as official underboss/acting boss
Acting Boss/Consigliere: Steven "Handsome Steve" Mazzone/49 - ID as consigliere in Stefanelli tapes, reported to be acting boss in 2013 article


Captains:
Martin "Marty" Angelina/50 (IP/7/11/2015) (South Philly Crew)
Michael "Mikey Lance" Lancellotti/50 (South Philly Crew)
George “Georgie” Borgesi/49 (IP) (South Philly/South Jersey/Bucks County Crew)
Anthony “Tony S/Ants” Staino/55 (IP) (South Jersey Crew)
Joseph "Scoops" Licata/71 (North Jersey Crew)

John "Johnny Chang" Ciancaglini/57 - reported to control gambling and loansharking in Delaware County according to February 2014 article, said to be a South Philadelphia captain in September 2014 article. - running Borgesi crew?

Soldiers:
Gennaro "Joseph Costello" Boccia/61
Joseph “Bongs” Bongiovanni/66
Damion “Dame” Canalichio/43 (IP/12/21/2021)
Vincent "Beepsie" Centorino/81
Joseph "Joey Chang" Ciancaglini Jr/54
Joseph “Chickie” Ciancaglini Sr/78 (IP/5/04/2015)
Martin "Marty Crutch" Curro/59
Eric Esposito/42 (UI)
Louis "Big Lou" Fazzini/46 (IP/4/22/16)
Vincent "Big Vince" Filipelli/60
Robert "The Cook" Gentile/76
Dominic Grande
Joseph "Wayne" Grande/53
Francis "Faffy" Iannarella/66 (IP/7/8/2016)
Charles "Charlie White" Iannece/78
Vincent "Vince" Iannece/47
Gaeton “Gate/The Big Guy” Lucibello/60 (IP/2/2/2015)
Frank Martines/59 (IP/L)
Joseph "Mousie" Massimino/63 (IP/1/13/2025)
Salvatore "Sonny" Mazzone/41
Nicholas "Nicky Whip" Milano/52
Frank “Windows” Narducci Jr/59
Phillip Narducci/50
Anthony “Tony Nics” Nicodemo/41 (UI/IP)
Nicholas "Nicky O" Oliveri/63
Vincent "Al Pajamas" Pagano/83 (IP/9/28/2063)
Anthony "Tony Pung" Pungitore Jr/58
Joseph "Joey Pung" Pungitore/56
Dominic Rugnetta/90
Salvatore "Tory" Scafidi/51 - also in Florida
Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo/84 (IP/1/05/2033)
Antonio “Nino” Sciglitano/84
Joseph "Joey Electric" Servidio/
Ralph "Junior" Staino/80
John Stanfa/72 (IP/L)
Joseph “Joey” Stanfa/43
Luigi “Gino” Tripodi/75
Shawn Vetere/44

Possible Members:
Anthony "Tony Cujino" Accardo/52
Michael "Mikey" Angelina/47
Antony Borgesi/43
Nicholas "The Hat" Cimino/47
Frank DiPasquale/early 50's
Albert "Ally Lance" Lancelotti/48
Philip "Philly" Ligambi Sr./66

Ivy, no need to show me that list of members, I've seen it a thousand times.

Anything dating back to 2006-08 isn't really considered recent. Half of what you listed are simply reports, especially the bolded. Joey Merlino has yet to be indicted for running operations in Florida. Mousie Massimino wasn't indicted in the bolded you mentioned I don't think, someone connected to him was, but he was never indicted on it nor convicted, like he was in the Ligambi cases. That isn't a crime family indictment, like most of what you mentioned, they're guys who either are or at one point in some way connected to mobsters, and got indicted themselves, with some of their past associations being reason for it. Galati's weren't made guys, they were associates. And being put in Casino black books and removed from Union positions aren't indictments.

Other than the two Ligambi trials, and Nicodemo's murder case, there has been no recent indictments. I find the "50 members" claim far fetched at most, it's possible, but I don't think it's very likely considering Anastasia & Co, and the various reports on Philly LCN from 2010 and on. Not to mention your reputation for overvaluing specific crime families on other forums, the "50 members" is hard to swallow. But that's just my opinion.

Not to mention, that chart is really outdated and doesn't represent a good sense of current Philadelphia LCN membership, majority of the names listed are in prison for really long times, they don't contribute towards the activity that goes on on the street. Neither do the shelved and the guys who just plain stepped away from lives of crime, like Joe Stanfa. And guys are listed in positions that most sources say they no longer have and are on the outs, like Angelina & Borgesi.

I don't know what you're problem is tbh, It's common knowledge that Philly have 40-50 made guys, not all are active obviously, why do you think it's 'farfetched'

I don't have a problem. I'm just stating my opinion. It isn't "common knowledge" that Philly has 40-50 made guys. Anastasia says there's 15-20 made guys, he didn't say "theirs 15-20 active made guys", he specifically said there were 15-20 made guys on the street. I don't know how you can assume otherwise based on his own words. Again, not saying he's the end all, be all, but he's proven to be somewhat knowledgeable in the past. And everywhere you look, amongst the LCN online community, the number is debated, just like many of the other families. Nothing is common knowledge.

Inactive guys don't contribute to the current Philadelphia LCN, I don't see how you can use them as support that Philly is a more active family than any other one. Local Philadelphia news articles don't support the "50 members" claim. Nothing documented supports that, I don't think. In articles and reports that mention Philly since around the Ligambi trial, Nicky Skins and all, has the numbers being lower than 50. Everything I've learned so far about current Philly LCN says the numbers are lower than that. That's why I personally believe it's far fetched. Maybe I'm wrong, it's really no big deal. I'm allowed to voice my viewpoint, though, are we not?

[video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WbPaOY-Kws[/video]

Now you're just being willfully ignorant, SinatraClub.

First, when Anastasia or anyone else talks about 15-20 made guys on the street, "on the street" typically is meant to imply guys who are active. The total figure - which is common knowledge - is indeed approximately 50 members, give or take. It's somewhat futile to argue guys currently on the street because, as I said, that number is always in flux. And even if we were to do that, there's absolutely no reason to believe Detroit has more active made guys than Philadelphia. In fact, as I said, I wouldn't be surprised if the number of active Philly members is comparable to the number of total Detroit members.

Second, why is 2006-2008 not recent? In mob terms it's pretty recent. You can't just look at the last couple of years because that really isn't a big enough sample size considering how long mob investigations take. But even if we were to do that, there's still a hell of a lot more evidence of mob activity in Philadelphia than Detroit. The last mob bust of any real significance in Detroit was back in 2006 - almost a decade ago now. And it was the standard gambling bust the likes of which we've seen several times in Philadelphia over that same time period.

Third, I added other things in addition to actual indictments because other news sources can also show the activity of a crime family and it's affiliates.

You can try to spin things all you want. Bottom line, whatever way you want to look at it, there's far more mob activity in Philly than Detroit and the total size of the family in Philadelphia is probably twice the size of the total size of the family in Detroit. Anyone who looks at the evidence of objectively, without drinking the Detroit kool-aid, can see this.

Check out page 129 of the report below in reference to the 50 members.
http://www.state.nj.us/sci/pdf/ocreport.pdf



That was more for SinatraClub. But, as I expected, he tried to explain it away. It's why I get sick of arguing with people on these forums who don't do their research. They make statements that simply aren't true, because they're uninformed, and when you put the evidence in front of them they try to ignore it because it contradicts the narrative they've already bought into.

Hope it is worth gambling with your life so you can play gangster.

I grew up around there; life isn't worth a nickel in the Detroit ghetto.

It's not Ali G sh$t that goes on there it's Mogadishu style mindless violence with a drug chaser.

Some kids from Grosse Pointe were killed doing what you did last week.

Some French artist thought he'd explore Detroit last year and got murdered by a pack of teenagers for the handful of dollars he had in his wallet.

Feb 21 2015 - Moe_Tilden starts "Visiting Detroit :)" thread

Mar 3 2015 - "R.I.P. Moe_Tilden" thread is started in General Section

Binnie_Coll - "So sad. He was good people."

DeNiro - "R.I.P."

SC - "He wasn't as funny as he thought he was but he contributed to the forum."

CookCounty - "Stupid whiteboy."

Dellacroce - "He was so f***ing annoying."

scottburn - "Witnesses said he was walking through ghettos wearing new rare Nike runners, a gold watch and listening to a new iPod while taking pictures and waving hello at everybody he seen." "Full story on my website tomorrow."

Detroit is a shithole.

With all the guys on the street right now from different eras there are probably 15-20 in south philly alone. Thats not mentioning scoops crew and whatever is in south jersey.

I would imagine those numbers are grossly inflated. The FBI asserts consistently that Chicago is less than 30; well it is not impossible that Detroit has a comparable number it is very unlikely based on everything from demographics to historical precedent.

But mainly demographics.

We can agree to disagree about 2006-08 not being recent. But as far as the Detroit being more active than Philly thing, I never said that. I asked you if you had anything to support it. You probably read my previous post before you replied to them, but I said I don't think there's much activity in Detroit or Philadelphia, the guys who are still around are and still earning, and that's about it, there's really no one lining up to join the mob anymore. Again, you can I'm ignorant or whatever, but everything I've read and learned so far from other forums and certain things posted by certain people, the number, right now is about 40-45 made guys on the street. I just disagree with there being 50 made members right now, but like I said, I could be wrong, it could be possible, it's only five more people.

I know what on the street means, but if there's 15-20 active guys on the street, and the other 25-30 made guys are shelved/retired, how are they not comparable to another family like Detroit, which may only have 15-20 active guys in total? Who out of those 15-20, there's still about 5-8 guys, who are mainly all we know about, who are allegedly out there earning to this day. And there's 15 or so guys in Philly who are earning, and laying low, they're not a bit comparable in activity?

I had asked what the plenty of indictments were that recently went on in Philly, and I don't think much was listed, in my opinion. Feel free to disagree. But a report of Joey Merlino allegedly operating in Philly, but no actual case, isn't an indictment, and former associates or guys with ties getting in their own cases, doesn't necessarily mean Philly LCN had any links to it. If made guys aren't indicted along with them, I just think it's hard to prove they were involved. And I had wanted you to post that OC report again, because I was looking at it the other day and just wanted to use it to refresh my memory. Thanks.

Come on man, that report is from 2004, 11 years down the line, with the lack of real new recruits, that 50 number can't decrease somewhat?




The Metro Detroit area reportedly has 200-250k Italians, mostly Sicilians. But that doesn't necessarily mean they want to join the mob. Someone on here also mentioned that Windsdor, Canada has a stream of them coming in lately as well, but I don't know how accurate that is.

And Chicagoland has twice as many and obviously a much, much more robust mob history.

I'm not sure what family you're referring to above but, if it's Philadelphia, nobody has said there are 40-45 made guys on the street. Anyone who has been familiar with official estimates in recent years knows the total membership of the Philadelphia family is approximately 50 members. That's a fact. Not opinion. You're entitled to your own opinions but not to your own facts. I gave you a link from 2004 that cited 50 members for Philadelphia in total. The link (which specified how many were active at the time - 2004) and others since then have been around half the family's total membership, give or take. As for how much activity there is, while it's nowhere near the activity of the NY families, comparatively speaking there is far more in Philadelphia than Detroit.



Where did you get 15-20 active guys for Detroit? Those figures would probably be closer to Detroit's total membership - not active members on the street.



If you don't think there's much activity by way of indictments in Philadelphia, that's one thing, but the point was the comparison between Philadelphia and Detroit. However little you think there is in Philadelphia, there is obviously much less in Detroit. But, like I said, just looking back over the last 2 or 3 years doesn't really give enough of a sample size to measure activity by indictments. "Recent," in mob terms, really is more like the last 10 years.



The family has about 20 members who have died since 2000 but, looking at the current chart - which is well researched - the family has been able to maintain it's membership levels. It's well known they have continued to make new members in recent years. I'm not convinced the Detroit family has been able to do the same. They have also had around 20 members/possible members die since 2000. But keep in mind that official estimates had the family around 30 members from the mid-1990's to the early 2000's. To even maintain 30 members over that time, Detroit would have had to make around 20 new guys in that time. And I have a hard time believing they had that many guys who were able to be made.

I didn't mean on the street in that first paragraph, I meant to say in total, in combination with active members, retired members and imprisoned members it's about 40-45 made guys. That's what I meant to say.

Again semantics, "15-20 active guys in total" was another typo, I also meant just 15-20 made guys in total. As my next sentence stated that there are only 5-8 guys that are currently known about who are reportedly in Detroit earning.

I haven't seen anything that states there is 50 members for a definite fact in Philly LCN. Everything I've seen estimates between 40-45, from news articles, to credible posters on places like RD, and the old Black Hand forum, the estimate is usually 40-45 made members in total. I've never seen the 50 members thing being stated as a fact, other than in that OC report from 2004.

I just think in terms of activity, Philly is a lot more comparable to another small family like Detroit, contrary to some beliefs.

I'm also not convinced that they've continued to make new members in recent years either. Do you have a source for this?

You're talking out of both sides of your mouth. On the first page of this thread you cited the Gamtax case as your evidence that the Detroit family could still possibly be involved in drug trafficking - and that was nearly 20 years ago. But now, here you are trying to ignore the 2004 report - only 11 years old - saying it's out of date. Sorry but you can't have it both ways.

Nowhere do I recall "40-45" being cited as the total membership for the Philadelphia family. And where do you get the "5-8 guys currently earning in Detroit" from?

If you actually followed this stuff closely, which you should before trying to argue on the forums, you would know that it's come out in recent years (including the Ligambi trial) about these guys being made -

2011:
Dominic Grande (sponsored by Anthony Nicodemo)
Salvatore “Sonny” Mazzone (sponsored by Steve Mazzone)
Joseph “Joey Electric” Servidio (sponsored by Joe Licata)

2007:
Louis "Big Lou" Fazzini (sponsored by Joe Licata)
Eric Esposito (sponsored by Michael Lancelotti)

2005:
Anthony "Ant" Staino
Anthony Nicodemo
Damion "Dame" Cannolichio
Martin "Marty Crutch" Curro

The licata tapes said that Cannalichio was inducted in 2007 along with 6 others.

Jonnynonos, I hear what you're saying. I work in the media and sometimes we have to go into Detroit or Mogadishu. Detroit is changing, especially the re-growth of Downtown and Midtown, but the empty and blighted suburban neighborhoods will stay empty until Detroit's population starts to grown again, if that ever happens.

The death of that French artist in Detroit is an interesting story and one that I'll be following closely. There's a journalist from the Detroit Free Press newspaper covering that trial and I might help her with a bit of info.

The French artist (Bilal 'Billy' Berreni) was a street painter who was killed while exploring the ruins of the Brewster Housing Projects late at night. That's in the rough Eastside, so I don't know why the guy was carrying $300 cash in his wallet.

http://www.wxyz.com/news/13-year-old-murder-suspect-uses-victims-money-to-buy-weed-and-junk-food

Bilal Berenni's killers were from the YBN gang. The interesting thing about YBN is that they were also a professional rap group called PBS, as well as being a dangerous street gang. They recorded songs and music video-clips and had a booking agent for their live shows.

The YBN gang were already on the Police radar for robberies around the WSU campus in Midtown and other stuff.

I'm not a fan of rap myself, but here's some of the YBN/PBS stuff:

The Purge, a song about YBN 'purging' unwanted friends from their crew: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0XJMsgGv9g

Free The Squally ("the Squally" are the three or four YBN members who killed artist Bilal Berreni with a bullet to the face): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf5ZjSTaD60

Killin Me': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0U-WVar3UA

Maybe they should learn to fly beneath the radar. YBN are so young, but heaps of them are already dead or inside for a long stretch.

Where did you get Staino in 05, Ivy? He was the underboss sometime in the early 00s.

I just reread the sentencing memo for stanio. It is impossible to believe he was made that late. He meeting regularly with the boss in 01-02 according the government. The informant called him important.

Told you, some of what youre saying isnt accurate. Which is why its hard for me to buy what youre saying regarding recent Philly. But thats just me, my opinion probably doesnt nor should it matter to you. The 5-8 guys comment comes from the guys mentioned in some articles as being active. Jackie Giacolone, but I'll excuse him since hes the boss. Tony La Piana, Tony Pal, Specs Tocco, the D'annas prior to their indictment, theres a few more which escape me. But thats 5 guys right there that are still reportedly active in Detroit. Go on Real Deal right now, click a Philly-Merlino thread, any which you like, you'll see the 40-45 total membership estimations. This has gone on far too long, nothing against you, but i just dont find your info regarding Philly to be very accurate.

I'll just agree to disagree.

for butt-hurt dopes who would rather engage in personal attacks instead of letting the info they post speak for itself, yep!


so you're arguing a mere 5 made guy difference with nothing to back it up? you must be a fan of ranch dressing!

They are probably playing off the famous name of YBI, Young Boys Inc.

I'm just saying don't think you can "figure out" Detroit, or get "street smart." If you go to bad areas often enough, something will happen. Believe me, we were buying beer at 7 and Scraft since I was 15.

I know people think it's fascinating but at the end if the day it's like being locked in a room with someone with an IQ of 70 on PCP holding a shotgun.

Jonnynonos, I agree totally. I can tell you're an intelligent guy who speaks the no-nonsense truth. I have been held up at gun-point in Detroit and so have most people I know in Detroit.

Those YBN/PBS Detroit rap guys have "no way out" - it truly is like you say: a locked room with a gun-toting doorkeeper. It's fucked, basically. (And I'm generally an optimist, LOL.)

We're happy to get a few quotes (or a complete interview) from you, if you like, Jonnynonos. (I do stacks of interviews in Detroit, either by phone, email, Skype, or on video.)

You mentioned "7 and Scraft" - plainly you're talking about Seven Mile Road.... Six Mile Road and Seven Mile Road are far more sketchy than Eminem's beloved Eight Mile Road, although Eight Mile Road is still the true divider between the dangerous inner suburbs of Detroit and the less risky outer suburbs.

BTW, Eminem now lives out near 28 Mile Road. There's a golf course and country club nearby, LOL.