After pleading guilty to a single count of Racketeering Conspiracy in federal court, popular South Philly Wiseguy Salvatore “Sonny” Mazzone was sentenced Wednesday to two years in federal prison, according to a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney in Philadelphia.
Sonny Mazzone’s sentencing comes a month ahead of his brother, former Philly Mob Underboss Steven Mazzone.
The 57 year old Packer Park resident was caught up along with his brother Steve in a November 2020 racketeering investigation that took down 14 Philly mobsters and associates.
The case was highlighted by the taping of a mob induction ceremony in South Philly by a government informant. Sonny and Steve Mazzone were present and introduced at the ceremony. The secretly recorded tape, however, has never been played in court.
The indictment left a whole wing of the Philadelphia Crime Family allegedly run by Mob Boss Joey Merlino, crippled and facing racketeering conspiracy, gambling and loansharking charges. Some, not the Mazzone brothers, even faced drug charges in the multi-year federal investigation.
Sonny Mazzone’s plea came after months of house arrest and culminated in a court appearance Wednesday before federal Judge Barclay Surrick.
Mazzone, a first-time federal offender with no significant arrest record, faced between 24-30 months in prison.
In a federal sentencing memo, prosecutors asked for at least 24 months behind bars and three years of supervised release for the father of two. The judge granted both request, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Here’s the prosecutors’ argument from the memo:
“The defendant’s conduct was serious. He is a member of the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra(LCN), who worked under his brother, 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 engaged in
criminal conduct to include collecting payments from illegal loansharking loans extended to several debtors in Philadelphia.
The defendant also had associates of the Philadelphia LCN report to him directly, with the defendant instructing his associates on how to structure extortionate extensions of credit to debtors and setting repayment schedules that benefitted him and the LCN.
On multiple occasions in 2016 and 2017, Philadelphia LCN associate and co-
conspirator, Victor Deluca, made usurious and extortionate loans to an LCN associate and at least one other borrower with approval from, and financed by, the defendant, to whom Deluca reported directly.
Because of his role within LCN, the defendant’s conduct was more serious than if he had
merely engaged in loansharking on his own behalf. As a “soldier” or “made man,” the defendant exercised influence over LCN associates. He agreed, as part of a formal initiation ritual, to place LCN over all other interests and obligations, to refuse to cooperate with law enforcement, and to use violence on behalf of the organization if necessary. He was required to “kick up” the profits of his criminal activity to LCN leadership, helping to perpetuate the enterprise and enabling it to
continue victimizing the community.”
Mazzone attorney argued for a non-custodial sentence that would have allowed Sonny Mazzone to remain home on house arrest so he can care for his 82 year old mother.
Here is an excerpt from the defense sentencing memo:
“The activity underlying the conspiracy charge is Mr. Mazzone’s financing of
“Extortionate extensions of credit,” or “usurious loans” – most commonly referred to as
“Loansharking.”
Mr. Mazzone is not alleged to have committed, or threatened to commit, any acts of violence in connection with this activity or any other. In an indictment replete with allegations of drug trafficking, extortion, and violence, Mr. Mazzone is charged only with a single count of conspiracy.
Mr. Mazzone is a non-violent individual who is not a threat to the community.
Mr. Mazzone has been on pretrial release since November of 2021. He has been
compliant with all the conditions of release and with his reporting requirements.
While on pretrial release, Mr. Mazzone has had one knee replacement surgery and is in need for a second, one hand surgery (for carpel tunnel), and had to be hospitalized for five days in September 2021 due to complications from a COVID-19 infection.
Mr. Mazzone has close ties to the South Philadelphia community in which he grew up, as
well as strong family ties. Mr. Mazzone has two adult sons, one of whom is a member of the electrician’s union and one who received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Temple University and who now works as a political consultant.
Mr. Mazzone has been in a romantic partnership with Catherine Harvey for the past six years. Ms. Harvey is supportive of Mr. Mazzone and will remain in the relationship even if Mr. Mazzone is sentenced to a period of incarceration.
Mr. Mazzone lost his father in 1979, when he was only 14 years old; Salvatore Mazzone
Sr. suffered a fatal heart attack at age 42.
Currently, Mr. Mazzone, along with his brother, Steven Mazzone, cares for his elderly mother, Mary Ann Mazzone who 82 years old and suffering from dementia. Mary Ann relies on both Salvatore and Steven Mazzone for her daily care, including grocery shopping and transportation to various appointments.
Steven Mazzone is scheduled to be sentenced before this honorable court on November 17, 2022; it is anticipated that his advisory guideline range, and thus his sentence of imprisonment, will be substantially higher than that which Salvatore Mazzone is currently facing.
Mr. Salvatore Mazzone respectfully requests that this honorable court consider the impact on his mother if she is left without adequate care while both Salvatore and Steven are incarcerated.
Salvatore Mazzone is a 57-year-old man with strong family ties who has lived a law-
abiding life. He respectfully requests that this honorable court impose a sentence below the advisory guideline range, as that is sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to satisfy the purposes of sentencing.
Mr. Mazzone respectfully asks this honorable court, when considering the kinds of
sentences available, to consider a non-custodial sentence with any appropriate conditions, including home detention and/or the imposition of a fine if necessary. If he is sentenced to a period of incarceration, Mr. Mazzone respectfully requests that he be allowed to self-surrender at the designated facility on or after January 10, 2023.
