There's a guy on real deal, who I find very reliable and knowledgeable, that said Mazzone was already "giving orders" prior to Ligambi and his inner circle (Massimino, Staino, Lucibello) being arrested. He told me this before mcscott posted this new information a week or so ago.

Mazzone is very well respected in Philly, very capable of running things with or without Merlino backing him.