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More than a dozen alleged mobsters have been charged as part of a sweeping federal indictment unsealed on Monday including one 72-year-old named Anthony “Tony Meatballs’’ Gifoli.
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The crime syndicate is alleged to have been run between Philadelphia and Atlantic City. Charges include illegal sports betting, an activity legal in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, loan sharking, extortion, racketeering conspiracy, and heroin-peddling. The loans reportedly came with 400 percent interest.
The indictment includes mention of a plot to kidnap and potentially murder a drug dealer who sold the operation fake narcotics.
Anthony “Tony Meatballs’’ Gifoli, 72, was named in the superseding grand-jury indictment along with others including accused La Cosa Nostra underboss Steven “Stevie’’ Mazzone and alleged capo Domenic “Mr. Hopkins’’ Grande, the feds said.
Underlings targeted by the indictment include Louis “Louie Sheep’’ Barretta, Joseph “Joey Electric” Servidio and Daniel “Harry” Castelli, the FBI said. The reputed street boss is only identified by the initials "J.L.".
About half of the defendants are already behind bars.
“The charges unsealed today against these 15 alleged members and associates of the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra show that the mafia remains a criminal presence in our city and beyond,” said Michael Driscoll, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division, in a statement.
“From loansharking and illegal gambling to drug trafficking and extortion, the mob continues to keep its fingers in many different pots, in its ceaseless quest for illegal profits.
“This group should’ve learned by now that the FBI is as committed to eradicating organized crime as wiseguys are to embracing it.”
US Attorney William McSwain added, “The Philadelphia mob isn’t what it used to be, and thank God for that."
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
