The FBI has arrested 13 suspected Philadelphia mobsters, including reputed boss Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi and reputed underboss Anthony Staino Jr., as reported by Dave Schratwieser for WTXF: "The indictment is expected to include major gambling charges, possibly involving video poker machines, based on some raids on bars by FBI and state investigators more than a year ago." Law enforcement officials will hold a news conference later today to provide further details on the bust.
Further coverage:
"Phila. mob boss Ligambi arrested" by George Anastasia for the Inquirer
"Ligambi: Ex-bartender kept low profile" by George Anastasia for the Inquirer
"Ligambi was 6th boss to follow Bruno" by George Anastasia for the Inquirer
UPDATE: In addition to Ligambi and Staino, the others arrested are Joseph Massimino, George Borgesi, Martin Angelina, Gaeton Lucibello, Damion Canalichio, Louis Monacello, Louis Barretta, Gary Battaglini, Robert Verrecchia, Eric Esposito and Robert Ranieri, and they are variously charged pursuant to a 50-count indictment with racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, extortion, gambling and tampering with witnesses. Canalichio and Borgesi -- Ligambi's nephew -- already are incarcerated pursuant to previous federal convictions.
According to the indictment Ligambi and others "provided illegal gambling devices including video poker machines to bars, restaurants and convenience stores in and around Philadelphia," and also "forced another illegal gambling ring to sell their business to them after authorities seized their own machines" as reported by The Associated Press.
Some of the rough boys allegedly used some tough talk -- "chop him up" and "put a bullet in your head" -- when threatening their victims, and one defendant allegedly "used a bat to beat a victim for not paying a loan debt" as reported by Jerry Markon for The Washington Post.
In a press release Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer said "today's arrests and charges are the largest enforcement action in a decade against La Cosa Nostra in Philadelphia."
Just last month Ligambi's predecessor Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino was released from a federal prison to a halfway house in southern Florida after serving over a decade on a racketeering conviction.
UPDATE: The FBI is continuing its investigation, and "there could very well be more charges coming against 13 people in the indictment, or others" as reported by Dave Schratwieser for WTXF.
