Popular Philly Mob Captain Domenic Grande will spend 78 months in prison on his first federal beef, following sentencing Wednesday and a prior guilty plea to federal racketeering conspiracy/extortion/drug charges as part of a plea deal with prosecutors.
The fast-rising, sharply dressed South Philly Wiseguy plead guilty to racketeering conspiracy and drug charges during a 30-minute hearing before federal court Judge Barclay Surrick in Philadelphia back in May.
Judge Surrick handed down the 6.5-year sentence and 4 years supervised release for Grande late Wednesday afternoon. The judge denied prosecutors requests for 10-years supervised release and immediate surrender to federal authorities.
On supervised release Grande will be prohibited from associating with known felons and organized crime figures during that time period or risk returning to prison. Grande will surrender to federal authorities in January.
The 43-year-old Grande has been under house arrest since December 2020 after he was indicted along with 14 others on federal charges along with one time Mob Underboss Steven Mazzone, who will also be sentenced this month.
Here’s what federal prosecutors had to say about Grande in their sentencing memo to Judge Surrick.
“The seriousness of the defendant’s conduct cannot be overstated. He is a member of the
Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra (LCN), who worked directly under Steven Mazzone, the underboss of the Philadelphia LCN.
The defendant’s conduct revealed that he was an integral member of the LCN, a criminal enterprise that continually engaged in criminal conduct and used intimidation, threats, and its reputation for violence to instill fear and exert power over others.
The evidence in this case revealed that, on numerous occasions, the defendant discussed
his co-conspirators’ efforts to extort bookmakers and loan sharks in and around Atlantic City, New Jersey, while he coached his underlings in their methods of intimidation and collection of gambling proceeds. He also routinely sought to be notified of the less senior members’ progress in extorting bookmakers that would profit the LCN in Philadelphia.
A federal wiretap and informant recordings in the investigation intercepted the defendant engaging in illegal “settle up” conversations and setting up meetings with his co-conspirators to receive payments from unlawful debt collections from the LCN’s gambling operation.
He also conversed with his co-conspirators about procuring a least one kilogram of cocaine while communicating his approval of the LCN’s drug trafficking activities to include the sale of pills containing heroin. In no uncertain terms, the defendant’s communications made clear that he sanctioned the efforts of other co-conspirators’ role in selling oxycodone pills laced with heroin and setting the price point for resale on the street so the LCN could profit.
Because of his role within LCN, the defendant’s conduct was more serious because he
supervised the criminal conduct of underlings in a well-organized command structure that allowed him to remain insulated from the day-to-day operations and exposure from the consequences of his criminal activity.
As a “capo” the defendant exercised influence an authority over LCN members and associates. He collected payment from junior members who were required to “kick up” the profits of the LCN’s criminal activity related to loansharking, gambling
and drug trafficking, helping to perpetuate the enterprise and enabling it to continue victimizing the community in and around Philadelphia and New Jersey.
The defendant’s conduct was serious because he engaged in activity with members and
associates of organized crime that harmed his own community and reflected a disrespect for the law. Specifically, heroin and cocaine are highly addictive controlled substances that erode the integrity of society and prevent productivity of citizens while regularly destroying users’ lives and the family institution generally.
For a man who clearly values the importance of family, his decision to willingly engage in this conduct and profit from the misfortune of others is an affront to what even he seemingly holds dear; however, his motivations reflect that he lacks empathy for
others so long as he and his family and friends benefit.
A 78-month sentence of imprisonment will adequately punish the defendant for this conduct and incapacitate him while ensuring that he is supervised upon his release to prevent him from engaging in further crimes.
Defense attorney Brian McMonagle had this to say on Grande’s behalf in his sentencing memo to the court:
Domenic Grande is 43 years of age and resides with his wife Gina and their 1 year old
son Domenico in South Philadelphia. Mr. Grande comes from a close knit family and enjoys a wonderful relationship with his mother Rita, and his sister Leah. Mr. Grande is no stranger to hard work. He currently is working three jobs to support his family. He has been working at Guardian Restoration since 2017. He also is employed by Spectrum Realty as a real estate agent where he has worked since 2008. Finally, he also works part time at his mother’s restaurant, Franki’s Fellini Café, where he has worked since 2007.
Mr. Grande entered into a timely plea agreement with the Government in which he
admitted his criminal conduct and entered a plea agreement pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11(c)(1)(C) that if accepted by the Court will require him to be separated from his wife and son and be incarcerated for a period of 78 months. For all the reasons set forth above the defendant respectfully requests that this Court accept the plea agreement and impose a sentence of 78 months. Such a sentence would be “sufficient but not greater than necessary”.
A copy of Grande’s Plea Agreement obtained by Mobtalksitdown,com called for Grande to serve 78 months or 6.5 years in federal prison. Grande spent the Summer at home on modified house arrest.
Grande’s plea agreement says Grande was looking at a possible sentence of up to 20 years if he was convicted on the racketeering and drug counts. This is Grande’s first federal conviction.
Street sources say Grande had been discussing a potential plea deal for a while now but would only consider a deal if the agreed upon sentence amounted to 7 years or less in federal prison. No word on whether higher ups in the Philly Mob were consulted about Grande’s potential plea deal.
Grande was scheduled to go to trial in July along with three other defendants. Legal experts say Grande, a first-time offender, could have faced 10-15 years in federal prison on the drug counts alone if he went to trial and was found guilty. Grande was captured on secretly recorded tapes talking about alleged drug deals with a cooperating witness and others. Those tapes are said to be potentially damaging to Grande if played for a jury.
Drug defendant John Michael Payne, who was set to stand trial with Grande, changed his plea to guilty back on March 29th in connection with the drug charges against him.
Grande’s plea came after months of speculation as to whether a “good deal” would be offered to Grande or Mazzone in this case. It comes as thousands of pages of discovery, along with tape recorded conversations were released to defense attorneys and the defendants.
According to a document released several months ago, a confidential source recorded Grande back on July 4, 2016 in Atlantic City while they were talking about the mob’s involvement in cocaine deals, the source telling Grande he was about to “make a move.”
The source told Grande he wasn’t going to transport the drugs from Point A to Point B and wanted to “distance himself” , to which Grande responded “right.”
At one point the just released transcript says Grande lowered his voice and whispered, “You’ve got to be careful.”
The confidential informant tells Grande that he has a guy who can get bricks of cocaine. He went on to say that he wouldn’t do anything without “”letting you know first”. To which Grande responded, “I just want you to be careful.”
The informant continues by saying “I’m taking my time, I won’t make a move without checking with you.” Grande allegedly said,”Do what you got to do.”
Ironically, the warning Grande gave to the confidential source is eerily similar to a warning Mob Boss Joey Merlino once gave to FBI informant and Mob Captain Ron Previte in the late 1990s when he was trying to engage members of the Boston Mob in cocaine deals in Beantown. Merlino, not knowing Previte was working with the FBI, warned Previte saying, “Watch out up There. That’s a bad pinch. Be careful.”
The “bad pinch” the government contended meant drug charges if Previte and the Boston wise guys got busted. They subsequently got charged with drug counts in a wide sweeping racketeering indictment. Previte eventually testified against Merlino and the others, but Merlino, however, beat the charges at his trial here in Philadelphia on the Boston drug charges.
The release of these tape recordings comes as half a dozen mob associates charged in this latest racketeering indictment have either plead guilty or have hearings set to plead guilty in upcoming weeks. There’s been no word if Grande or Steve Mazzone, the reputed underboss, are trying to negotiate a plea deal with federal prosecutors
Prosecutors and defense attorneys have not commented at this point.
More On The Tapes in This case in a prior article posted on Mobtalksitdown.com about Grande and one time Mob Underboss Steven Mazzone:
For years they could often be seen together around South Philadelphia, laughing and joking on street corners, looking like the closest of friends, fellow Mobsters Steven Mazzone and Domenic Grande.
Mazzone, the one time alleged Underboss and Grande, an up and coming young Capo often seen as a possible leader of the local Mob in the future, were almost inseparable some days. But now a federal judge’s ruling may separate the two sharp looking wiseguys as they head to trial next Spring in the latest Racketeering Conspiracy case against the Philly Mob.
This week, Judge Barclay Surrick told defense attorneys and prosecutors he wants three separate trials for the 14 remaining defendants in the case due to the ongoing Covid19 pandemic. The judge told both sides to try and work out how the defendants would be grouped for trial sometime next Spring. And that may lead to Mazzone and Grande going their separate ways in this case that took five years for the FBI to build.
Mazzone is targeted in the indictments as one of the leaders of the Philly Mob, described in the indictments as the one time underboss. He is charged with racketeering conspiracy, gambling and loansharking counts.
Grande on the other hand is charged with racketeering conspiracy, loansharking and serious drug offenses. In court papers, Prosecutors have pointed to secretly recorded conversations of both mobsters.
Mazzone on tape allegedly giving marching orders to newly inducted mobsters at a Oct. 15, 2015 tape recorded Mob Induction ceremony and post ceremony dinner. Grande at the same ceremony and in separate and very damaging conversations regarding alleged drug dealing.
Although defense attorneys and prosecutors are not yet commenting on which defendants should be tried together, it is expected that Mazzone’s lawyers could argue not to try Mazzone and his good friend Grande together. You see Mazzone is not charged with any drug counts in the indictment, and sitting him next to Grande at trial, could hurt Mazzone, especially with those damaging drug tapes being used against Grande.
Grande’s lawyer could likewise argue that the damaging tapes of Mazzone giving orders to fellow wiseguys at the Mob making ceremony and afterwards could hurt Grande at trial. We’ll have to see which direction defense attorneys head.
Prosecutors also haven’t commented, but are expected to ask the judge to group Mazzone, Grande, Mazzone’s brother, made guy Salvatore “Sonny” Mazzone, and Mob Soldier Joseph Servidio together as the highest ranking members of the racketeering conspiracy. Again no court papers have been filed as of this date.
Some background on the case:
Underworld sources tell Mobtalksitdown.com the October 2015 ceremony was held at a South Philadelphia location and allegedly conducted by acting Mob Street Boss Michael “Lance” Lancelotti., who was not indicted in last November’s 7-count federal indictment charging 15 local Mobsters and associates in a wide sweeping racketeering case.
Jerry Capeci from Gang Land News in New York first broke the details from inside the ceremony and who was there.
According to Capeci’s article, he has an FBI transcript that indicates Lancelotti, Mazzone, former Mob Boss and now consigliere Joe Ligambi, Mob Captains George Borgesi, John Ciancaglini and Dom Grande were present. According to Capeci, Mob soldiers Sonny Mazzone, Anthony Accardo and Anthony Borgesi were also in attendance along with 3-4 more unnamed wiseguys.
Sources indicate that two or three new Mob soldiers were initiated into the South Philly crime family at that making ceremony.
Capeci’s article and underworld sources say it was Lancelotti who was caught on tape by FBI informant Anthony Persiano as he himself was being initiated into the resurgent crime family. Again, Lancelotti is not charged in this case.
Prosecutors have not revealed who tape recorded the ceremony or who their cooperating witness is. They have successfully argued for a protective order so his identity would not be publicly revealed.
Previously released court documents indicated that during the ceremony these words were picked up by a secret recording device worn by a government informant.
“Now, you’ll use these, for us. Right?” while pointing to a gun and a knife. Lancelotti allegedly stated, according to Capeci. “If I betray this family, betray my friends, I’ll burn in hell forever.”
The new members were then formally introduced to the Philly LCN hierarchy and made members who were present and participating in the ceremony. That included Mazzone, who was noted as having the title of “Underboss” and was charged back in November as the highest ranking mobster in the case..
Sources say the bombshell tape transcripts reveal Lancelotti, Mazzone and Grande’s alleged participation in the Mob making ceremony where the new members of the LCN were made, including Mazzone’s brother Sonny. Grande was introduced as a new “Caporegime” or Capo during the ceremony.
The local wiseguys have long maintained, along with their lawyers, that being a member of the Mob unto itself is not a crime. They maintain it is no different than being a member of any other organzation. Federal prosecutors and investigators beg to differ.
Lancelotti has not been charged with any crimes. He did not face charges in at least three major Philly Mob cases brought by the FBI and the local U.S. Attorney in the last 21 years that have sent many of his South Philly pals to prison
Following the induction ceremony, Capeci and sources say, high ranking Philly wiseguys, including Lancelotti, Mazzone, Grande and the newly initiated Mobsters, attended a traditional celebration dinner at a local restaurant in Collingswood, N.J.
In a previously released court document, the FBI revealed that Mazzone stated, “Got to get a hold back on Atlantic City, buddy! That’s what I want. That’s what I want. We have to get that back.” Then later, when explaining the manner in which to establish LCN control over the area, Mazzone stated, “I don’t want nobody just glomming our f…king shit. You
know what I mean? You understand what I’m saying? But we’re still street guys. Let’s face it…We’re f….king, we’re gangsters. I mean, you know, I’m not going to let no sucker take that.”
The document says Mazzone then continued “to name specific known criminals who he wished the LCN to extort, named specific LCN members and associates through whom the LCN would exert control, and the manner in which local criminals would pay illegal proceeds to the LCN.”
In court documents involving Grande, federal prosecutors again revealed conversations involving Grande captured on tape by an undercover FBI informant.
Here is a segment of that released court document:
“For instance, Grande was recorded, extensively, directing the activities of others, including LCN members and associates, in an effort to extort local bookmakers and loan sharks into paying monies to the LCN. In that portion of the case, Grande instructed another LCN member to “plant the flag” of the LCN in the Atlantic City area and regain control of bookmakers and loan sharks. He acknowledged that associates had their “hooks into” the local criminals and that the local criminals had to either pair with the LCN or “get the f… out.”
During discussions of how to exert full control over the local criminals, Grande warned that because of their activities that they could soon “catch, like, an extortion beef.”
After a series of successful extortion attempts of local bookmakers, Grande was then recorded negotiating the manner in which an extorted bookmaker would split proceeds with the LCN. Grande provided contact information to the local bookmaker for the LCN bookmaking operation, run by codefendant Louis Barretta, and explained the manner in which the operation functioned. From there, Grande was later recorded collecting gambling debts, or making gambling payments, over 30 times.
Regarding loansharking, Grande said, “see, like, I’m a loan shark. . . . I could put out, like, $42,000 right now and I got to tell people, ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’”
Grande then continued on the recordings to arrange several loan shark loans on his own behalf, and allegedly on behalf of Steve Mazzone, with an FBI informant. Both Grande and Mazzone were then recorded several times, allegedly accepting “juice”, or interest payments, and principal payments on those loan shark loans.
Grande was also recorded allegedly discussing drug trafficking. He was recorded telling an FBI informant to be “careful” when obtaining a kilogram of cocaine for sale, but that the informant should “do what you gotta do” in order to sell the drugs.
When speaking of obtaining and selling oxycodone and counterfeit oxycodone (made with heroin and fentanyl) Grande allegedly stated, “if you can get that man, I can f…ing move thousands of them. . . . You know these kids sell them for f…ing $20 a piece?”
Mazzone and Grande were charged in the 40-page, seven-count Racketeering indictment that included racketeering conspiracy, bookmaking, loansharking, extortionate extensions of credit, Hobbs Act violations as well as drug trafficking against Grande and Servidio.
Mazzone and Grande were arrested in early morning raids last November.
Those arrests, followed raids a week earlier just before 6 a.m. when “Sonny” Mazzone, along with four other associates were arrested in an ongoing federal racketeering investigation.
Steve Mazzone was arrested at his row home around 6 a.m. by a large group of FBI agents and Pennsylvania State Police. The arrest drew the attention of neighbors on the block as Mazzone was lead away by authorities.
Grande, 42, was arrested at his 17th Street home in Packer Park. FBI agents and State Troopers spent hours searching his home after he was lead away by investigators. Prosecutors have said more evidence was recovered at Grande’s home during their search.
His arrest was really no surprise, coming after a very public two and half year drug trafficking investigation in South Jersey and Philadelphia.
Grande is charged with RICO conspiracy and drug trafficking along with other charges.
Steve and Salvatore “Sonny” Mazzone are not charged in the drug trafficking conspiracy.
The defendants, if convicted, could face serious prison time, from five to 40 years.
