Lets start with the Philly Mob Club House near 9th and Catherine just north of the Italian Market area. The wise guys, after an 18 month absence here, returned in recent weeks leading up to the outbreak of the Corona Virus pandemic. The store front club house is usually bustling with activity during the week. Mobsters and associates come and go, taking full advantage of the free parking right across the street at the Rite Aid store. Nobody ever gets towed from that private lot by the way.
Some top figures like Mob Captain George Borgesi, foot soldiers Lou D’Angelo, Anthony Borgesi and Anthony Accardo are regulars here along with drop by visits from rising star Capo Dom Grande and alleged Street Boss Mike “Mikey Lance” Lancelotti. Capo Marty Angelina and retired Philly Mob Boss Joe Ligambi as well as others have made the scene here in the past. But now the place is locked up tight. Pennsylvania’s strict directives on gatherings of more than five people during the Covid19 pandemic obviously threw a wrench in the works as far as hanging out or meeting at the 800 square foot club house. Law enforcements sources and Mob Talk Sit-down surveillance at the club house found it empty and doors locked tight. Police sources say most of the local fellas have been “working remotely from home” or their cars.
As far as criminal activity, law enforcement sources say little if any activity has been observed in the weeks since the Corona Virus first hit the headlines. The most action anyone has seen is the retired Ligambi and others walking near their Packer Park and Girard Estates homes.
Insiders say already struggling gambling activities are nearly dead with the suspension of the NHL, NBA, NCAA, MLS and MLB seasons to date. No games means there’s really nothing significant to bet on. Loansharking on the other hand, according to mob sources, continues to generate cash for the local mob. People are furloughed from their jobs or have been laid off as a result of the Corona Virus, creating a real need for cash for households to keep going during the pandemic.
The good news for the wise guys, it appears that local, state and federal investigations of the Philly Mob have slowed down dramatically with the onset of the virus. While no one at any level will comment for the record, FBI agents, investigators and police are working remotely from home, assigned to other duties or working modified schedules during the pandemic. No new indictments have been returned, unless they’re sealed, or been made public. Additionally, several trials and sentencing hearings have been or will be delayed as the courts have been virtually shut down in recent weeks.
Sentencing for Philly Mob Soldier Joseph “Joey Electric” Servidio on drug charges, returned in 2018, is most certainly delayed. So is the trial for well known Mob associate Stephen Sharkey. The preliminary hearing for Frank Scarpato on state loansharking charges appears headed for delay as well. He remains behind bars despite attempts to gain his release on bail.
As for Mob Boss Joey Merlino, still on house arrest in Boca Raton, Florida following his early release from a two year gambling sentence, he’s “doing good”, according to sources who are in regular contact with Merlino.
So it appears at the least, the Corona Virus has cut into the local Mob’s bottom line, probably “lightened up” a few envelopes of cash that get “kicked up” to Mob higher ups and perhaps even taken a little “heat” off mobsters and their associates.
Stay tuned to see how the Mob, the Feds and other investigators recover from the far reaching effects of the Corona Virus in the weeks ahead.
