15 alleged mobsters on racketeering charges in Philadelphia, New Jersey


PHILADELPHIA – A federal racket and related charges must be dismantled with fifteen alleged members and staff of a family of organized crime in southern Philadelphia and southern New Jersey.

The indictment, which was pending on Monday, said the defendants engaged in conspiracy, illegal gambling, loans, extortion and drug trafficking.

Federal prosecutors say the crime’s family “used its reputation and influence to exercise control over criminal percussionists such as bookmaking and credit in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey, particularly Atlantic City.”

“The Philadelphia mob is not like it used to be, and that’s thanks to God,” McSwain, a U.S. lawyer, said in a statement. “But it’s still a problem and he’s still allegedly committing serious federal crimes.”

Ten of the defendants are accused of racketeering and collecting illegal debts. The remaining five are accused of running an illegal gambling business, conspiring to prolong the extortion of loans and conspiring to distribute controlled materials.

Men named in the indictment: Steven “Stevie” Mazzone, Domenic Grande, Joseph “Joey Electric” Servidio, Salvatore “Sonny” Mazzone, Joseph Malone, Louis Barretta, Victor “Big Vic” DeLuca, Kenneth Arabia, Daniel “Cozzy” Castelli, Carl Chianese, Anthony “Tony Meatballs” Gifoli, John Romeo, Daniel Malatesta, Daniel Bucceroni and John Michael Payne.

The report is part of a long-running investigation involving the FBI, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and the Philadelphia Police Department.

Copyright © 2020 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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