The Philadelphia Mafia: From Sabella to Merlino

[@erics7763]

Given the off the cuff nature of these episodes, naturally I have a few corrections / clarifications: - Phil Testa's family may not have been Messinese but technically from Catania province though their hometown was right on the border. Still, what I said applies to Sicilians from the eastern coast in general. - Phil Testa was not promoted to captain by Angelo Bruno but Dominick Pollina during his short time running the Family. Bruno did give Testa a great deal more power as capodecina, though. - The pentito who referenced an Angelo Annaloro as an old capomandamento in Caltanissetta was not Calderone but Francesco Di Carlo. - Something we didn't touch on is a late 1930s conflict where a faction led by Frank Piccolo (no relation to the Scarfo-Piccolos) opposed Joe Bruno Dovi. There was also the conflict with the "Lanzetti gang". Other than that, most of Philly's conflicts post-1940s until 1980 were largely political and not violent. - I referred to Iannarella as a captain and effectively "street boss" when discussing his role in the Salvie Testa murder. Iannarella of course didn't become a captain and de facto leader of Philadelphia until after Testa's murder. - It wasn't George Fresolone who said the Calabrian faction chose Caponigro as the new consigliere in 1977 but Nick Caramandi in Blood & Honor. Probably other slip-ups in there, too, but wanted to point these ones out.

[@Oneleven1]

Yes, Salvatore Testa was from Calatabiano, Catania, which immediately neighbors the comune of Giardini Naxos, Messina. Given the large Messinese population in Philly, I'd imagine that the Testas were simply considered Messinesi, and as you say, the same analysis applies to the Testas in terms of the paesani dynamics in diaspora (they were not part of the Western/Central Sicilian mafia tradition back then and had more in common culturally with nearby Reggio Calabria in many ways). As you mentioned in the episode, when Angelo Bruno visited Sicily in the 1960s he was told by Nino Calderone that there was no mafia Family in Calatabiano up to that time. Calderone noted that at the time he gave the account to Pino Arlacchi around 1992, Calatabiano was then home to a violent Family. I only see Calatabiano noted as having a Family from around the 1980s on.

[@Oneleven1]

Also, the surname Scimeca (prevalent in Ciminna as well as Caccamo) is pronounced shee-MEH-ca. We've discussed this before, not on the podcast, but it's hard to think there wasn't some common thread linking the killing of these Caccamesi bosses in Chicago Heights, Pitt, and Philly around the same time, although we are still pretty much in the dark as to the context surrounding these events.

[@erics7763]

Yeah even though Calderone says Bruno was from Vallelunga and not Villalba (not that there's a huge difference), he was right that the Testas were from Calatabiano. It's amazing he was able to recall that detail about a Philadelphia underboss he never met but it was obviously interesting to him. Wish there was more about the elder Salvatore Testa's early years and how he was introduced to the mafia. What's interesting is when you look at the roots of the admins in the early 1980s: 1980-1981 Boss - Phil Testa - Calatabiano, Catania (essentially Messina) Underboss - Pete Casella - Belmonte Mezzagno, Palermo Consigliere - Nicky Scarfo - Mammola, Reggio Calabria 1981-1982 Boss - Nicky Scarfo - Mammola, Reggio Calabria Underboss - Salvatore Merlino - Messina Consigliere - Frank Monte - Belmonte Mezzagno, Palermo Things had changed but that's a solid reflection of the Family's historic background.

[@erics7763]

Makes sense as Scimeca Jr.'s nickname was something that sounded like "Cheese" or "Shoes" which could come from the pronunciation of Scimeca. They might have called him "Shee" or something. The Scimecas ended up living in Riverside NJ. I'd bet there were Philly Caccamese connections to other cities like Chicago and Pittsburgh.

[@Oneleven1]

@@erics7763 There we’re almost certainly some strong connections between the Philly Caccamesi and their paesani in Chicagoland and Pitt. In later years, John Stanfa’s family has relatives in Chicago, which has had ongoing chain migration from Càccamo (e.g., the Cappella Beato Giovanni Liccio di Càccamo on W Addison St). There are also a ton of Scimecas in Chicago, mainly from Ciminna, however, where that surname is concentrated.

[@brianmuhammad4988]

I cannot understand why more people don't subscribe to your channel? I have read books on the Mafia for over 30 years, yet I am impressed with the wealth of information you guys provide. I thought. I know all there is about the Mafia, obviously not, you guys go deep with the history of the Mafia. Maximum respect to you all and look forward to more content. 👏👏👍👍

[@miked.5089]

Born and raised in Philly.Damn this was the most info I’ve ever heard.Excellent work!

[@kennethbubser9601]

You guys find history nobody has found. You know more then today made man. Great job guys. Mikey Scars show brought me here. Got a new channel. Big mafia buff since Sammy’s book in 90s

[@nagone11]

Whoa...this is going real deep, a supreme job done hear. This channel should have far more subscribers because getting this type depth of info is not seen much around.

[@nagone11]

*here..

[@RolexandRacecars]

now my SECOND time watching this from start to finish! lol....such good content!

[@coryc0213]

Yooo thanks for this one guys! Keep up the grind, and don’t get discouraged, the quality speaks for itself, so the success is on the way! I know that that’s not the overall goal here, but the way you guys go about this, with the passion and the historian’s approach, is gonna open the flood gates eventually! Really glad I heard about this channel from the homie RJ and the paisan Mikey Mike…both channels are really top notch stuff…there’s a lot of us out here loving the content and rooting for all you fine gentlemen’s success!

[@drewdodson3102]

Where have you guys been? In big need of a deep dive by the boys!

[@RolexandRacecars]

Love the Philly LCN Content! Really fascinated by how much you guys know about the history of LCN. You guys are such a wealth of Information. I'm taken back by just how much you guys know! I know alottt but im not even in the same Ball Park as you guys! Love the show! Keep pumping out the Philly stuff!! Love it!!

[@Mover845]

Great show, thank you. I knew mostly everything from 60’s on but thanks for all the knowledge from early 1900-1959. Basically how Bruno made “his bones” and then how he became Boss. Awesome stuff man: thank you

[@earthlypossessions1914]

Outstanding stuff. My favorite episode so far. Well done guys. NN44

[@sociallyburnss]

Keep up the knowledge. I appreciate good home work from y'all , some real archeologists on this subject. Really good insightful stuff about my home team

[@fabledogify]

Unbelievable video; so much more in depth, and intelligent than anything else I have seen on KZbin on this topic or in the genre in general. Thanks guys

[@miked9112]

Great show guys Grew up in Camden, NJ we had a large Abruzzesse community

[@erics7763]

Makes sense. The core Reginelli guys were from Camden and they were Abruzzese.

[@AristotleSanchez1000]

@@erics7763 Possible that some of those labeled as Abruzzese were actually from Molise,no longer part of Abruzzo

[@underworldmedia420]

I'm trying to deep dive into past gangsters from my area. I hear there was a strong presence in the Bristol, PA and Trenton, NJ dating back to the early days of LCN...like the Ida & Sabella days. Do you know anyone from the Bristol PA area that i might be able to look up? Bristol PA still has a very mom and pop old school Italian feel to it. I Still go to Bristol "Italian Day" every year. any LCN guys from bristol or trenton that you know of??? You guys absolutely rock, Love the Channel!....i enjoy deep diving into this stuff... going down the rabbit hole, i guess you could say?

[@brians7901]

This is brilliant stuff guys! This is the first time in years I've gotten information I didn't already know from a mob video.

[@michaelgiovanni1924]

Another top notch video. Great job!!

[@drewdodson3102]

Come back fellas!

[@Christopher-xe2ts]

I’m from TRENTON NJ BORN N RAISED HISTORICALLY. Trenton was split between the gambinos and the south Philly guys very strong have u ever heard of Johnny Simone Charles Costello John tassone Al pontani Mickey Rome all legends this is the best channel out hands down it’s all about money and heritage with our people we’re not Italian we are neopolitan my grandmother used to say loll love from TRENTON NJ GODBLESS FELLAS RESPECT YOUR WORK

[@erics7763]

Yep, Trenton had members of Philly, the Gambinos, and DeCavalcantes. In fact a Trenton-based member of the DeCavalcantes just died in the last few years. Very interesting area. Thanks for the support!

[@Christopher-xe2ts]

@@erics7763 I grew up in the heart of it next 2 casino Italian hotdogs nd jeppys pizza I worked as a kid for them and my father and uncles worked in much larger capacities of the Philly guys wit the drugs nd other shit I got crazy stories plus we had a dope basement casino wit everything even cops came to gamble in Trenton lol

[@Christopher-xe2ts]

@@erics7763 who u talking bout tassone? He was a gambino that died and Mickey Rome was just killed as well legends around here RIP

[@Christopher-xe2ts]

Sammy the bill nd long John killed my neighbor nd left his body at the Philly airport lol nuts

[@Christopher-xe2ts]

@@ghs5216 wat?

[@josephsierzengaIV]

I know it’s Scott’s and Jimmys backyard… but I would LOVE and appreciate an episode on the ‘Detroit Partnership’ just like this one on Philly! I’d also love your guys thoughts on the infamous Bimini Meeting with the Chicago Outfit, Detroit Partnership and the Genovese… that is a meeting that doesn’t get any attention

[@PeterTingle10]

nice work as usual gents , do you have any upcoming videos ? , i can look forward to pls and thanks for your work lads

[@Aylessa-h8v]

Best show out thank you guys so amazing research keep the historic record straight.

[@davidcritchley3509]

An informer for the Philly mob was the first entry the had in the late 1950s. This unnamed informer started to give hints in 1958-1959 of the system. I thought originally he might be Harry Riccobene. But the dates didn't fit. Harry was Celeste Morello's main source for the early years. Shortly thereafter Bill Roemer and his team overheard talk of the "commission. "

[@Oneleven1]

You’re referring to the FBI bug in Chicago in ‘59 that picked up Giancana and Accardo discussing several matters related to Commission politics, including Giancana having participated in the recent talks to resolve the Philly boss succession, correct?

[@erics7763]

Lorenzo D'Amore was likely the first knowledgeable source the FBI had in Philly. He was the associate of the Calabrian faction I mentioned who couldn't be made as he'd been a Carabinieri officer in Calabria. He'd been cooperating since the 1940s but most of what I've seen is from the 50s so that may have been when he began to open up more and/or the FBI had a better grasp on what he was telling them.

[@demeocrew666guru]

I learned so much more about the Philly mob that I could ever imagine.. Don't give up on you tube channel...

[@williamrogers9004]

Leonetti explained that about the Salvie comment. He had to except that his friend was gonna be killed but it took forever, so he could a meant "get it done , so I don't have to mourn it many times"

[@39Hundred]

I love this. So much info about Angelo Bruno and The Philly Family that I’ve never heard before. The political division between the Sicilians and the Calabrians is so fascinating. I remember in the book Mafia Prince how Scarfo didn’t care too much for the Sicilians but I didn’t know how deep it ran. Also, I see how Sicilians were more like businessmen and “men of honor” into white collar crimes like Gambino, Bonanno, Bruno and Castellano, while Neopolitans like Genovese and Gotti and Calabrians like Scarfo were more violent and aggressive. Dellacroce, a Neopolitan, took Gotti, another Neopolitan under his wing and they were more blue collar guys. It really shows the different mindsets between the various Italian ethnic groups in the old days.

[@AristotleSanchez1000]

A lot of the "ethnic"differences might have had more to do with differences between who came from rural areas rather than from bigger cities,or who came from the mountains rather than coastal areas,etc

[@NikkiStixx86]

Thank You for the full insight. I am a great grandson of Sabella.

[@danielowens6312]

What's up guys!! Good to see you

[@Calihustla]

Nice video 👍 I've been watching philly mob vids for a few years now.I like how all the bosses ran the show unique in their own way,but my personal favorite is none other than Scarfo he was real cosa nostra.

[@sociallyburnss]

Do a Part Two: covering Marco Reginelli and the Greaser Gang

[@chestercopperpot4455]

Great content. Really appreciate your work.

[@flashloc7734]

You better keep posting this great content or it’s this 👉 (Nicky Scarfo Voice)

[@danevertt3210]

…….and he made the sign of the gun

[@erics7763]

In order to get this🤌, you have to do this 👉

[@flashloc7734]

@@erics7763 keep up the great work. You guys are appreciated.

[@luciano496]

You guys give new meaning to deep dive. I love it ❤.

[@christianburk7309]

Merlino got word about amusso not recognizing him or something to that affect and Merlino sent a message back to him in prison if any luchesse guys come to Philly they are going back in body bags. Ha. Joey being Joey.

[@jamessteele394]

Looking forward to this one

[@liam5382]

This channel should have 100k subs

[@Reils223]

Great show as always guys I always look forward to the new episodes.. just a sidenote, I heard in the beginning of this, that Magliocco and Bruno had a sit down over the linen business. Did you guys know that his family still owns Arrow Linen? one of the biggest companies in the NYC area? I also believe they own a big liquor distribution company. It’s amazing that he died in the 60s and they’re still reaping the rewards of his legitimate businesses.. Profaci and Magliocco were brilliant legitimate businessmen..

[@erics7763]

Yep, Magliocco's brother Ambrose and Ambrose's son John ran Arrow. Scarpa said John Magliocco was a made member but he barely gets mentioned. Pennisi said Arrow is still "with" the Colombos.

[@Reils223]

@@erics7763 I have a small exterminating business in New York City and I do a lot of restaurants and they have just about every account I have.. it’s multi million dollar business I heard they have hundreds of trucks

[@Reils223]

@@erics7763 looking forward to a new video!

[@CheechNewHaven22]

My favorite ep!

[@erics7763]

Thanks, my friend.

[@UncleJunior240]

I own Before Bruno and will have to look it over again

[@erics7763]

The third and last one is the most accessible since it deals more with names/events we're familiar with.

[@Christopher-xe2ts]

I grew up in chamberburg little Italy in Trenton after long John went away ally red pontani was very close with my family took over long johns meth business they corrupted the airforce base in south jersey we had free reign there getting all the precursors for the meth in 50 gallon drums was wild bro shot ton of money love this channel Godbless boys

[@demeocrew666guru]

Guy's I love your channel I want you to do more episodes please!!!!!!

[@luciano496]

OC Shorts how I found you guys love the podcast.. I'm absolutely hooked.. shout out to OC Shorts

[@MikeyScarsNOEXCUSES]

I LEARNED A LOT WITH EPISODE!

[@themobarcheologists]

Wow... Eric and myself, take that compliment as a badge of honor quite humbly. You rode the the roller coaster, we just described it. Grazie and a salut.

[@ericcrotts1328]

Have you ever dove into the Dallas Crime Family/glorified crew? I’m from Dallas and ate at The Egyptian Lounge/Campisi’S all the time and the owner was known as the Godfather of Greenville. The Jack Ruby connection and so on. But I haven’t been able to find more than surface level things.

[@Reils223]

Where are you guys?!?!

[@liam5382]

Hope there's a new video coming soon. Love you guys

[@claysnwingsshotgunning]

So much went on in my old neighborhood, to think I grew up on the same streets

[@borgatadiroseo4911]

Many of the decavalcantes trace their roots back to avellino, vallata specifically, in Campania

[@tomjones5650]

Avellino is east of Naples. So Napletion

[@erics7763]

Yeah interestingly Elizabeth's largest Italian populations came from Ribera and Vallata. We can see it in the membership of the Family. John Riggi's heritage came from both.

[@456casino6]

Great channel great content very interesting

[@cornbread2554]

Harry Riccobene of the Riccobene faction was made at the age of 16 or 17, due to his relationship with Lucky Luciano and Vito Genovese.

[@gurnblanston5000]

Any thoughts on doing a show on the Neopolitan presence in the States? It would be informative as not much is published comparatively.

[@erics7763]

Would love to cover the Neapolitans and Calabrians in more detail.

[@gurnblanston5000]

@Eric S And how the Harrison Act played into trafficking. Up to 1931 course.

[@AristotleSanchez1000]

@@erics7763 Have read that Philadelphia was home of one of the factions of Camorra that was linked to the Brooklyn faction who fought war with Morello

[@Oneleven1]

@@AristotleSanchez1000 Yes, the “Navy St gang” was documented to have had connections to Philly.

[@gurnblanston5000]

@Eric S Andraginaw (Saginaw) any of the 6 cities of that name in the States, one should have a clan. Texas and Michigan especially. Any Detroit, St Louis, and Houston links? Hint: Find a Grave is a great site.

[@DaveSCameron]

Decent work fellas 👍

[@tomjones5650]

The Lanzetti Brothers like 6 of them were a big mover in Philly. Eventually they all got clipped.

[@gurnblanston5000]

Calabrese or Neopolitan?

[@Oneleven1]

Neither. All of the Lanzetta brothers were born in the US but their parents were from Foggia province in Puglia. Interesting to note that their mother’s surname was Luisi, and she was from the town neighboring the hometown of Chicago member Salvatore “Sam Lewis” Luisi, so they may well have been related.

[@DeLuca101]

Killer stuff fellas! No pun haha. From philly and it was a pleasure

[@UncleJunior240]

Where do you get the Bruno tapes? I’d like to read the transcripts of if you can give me the info

[@erics7763]

They're all over the Mary Ferrell archives. You can look through the Angelo Bruno section here: www.maryferrell.org/php/showlist.php?docset=1218

[@josephsierzengaIV]

@@erics7763 are there any tapes involving the Detroit Partnership?

[@themobarcheologists]

On MF, yes, Giacalone's office was wiretapped and Tony Zerilli was picked up saying things.

[@UncleJunior240]

@@erics7763 thanks!!

[@UncleJunior240]

@@erics7763 this is like opening a Christmas present! Lol

[@luciano496]

Finally somebody says that about Testa he was not a good guy. He easy scapegoat for the snitches

[@danevertt3210]

You guys really need to put out another video……..please

[@fed9186]

Do you guys have any info about the bufalino family?

[@ruigdidbjrgx]

Do a vid on the Irish Mob would be interesting

[@kentjones7080]

Can someone please explain to me how Joe Valachi was a Genovese member but testified that he was made by and his godfather was Joe Bonano?

[@thoughtcriminal7571]

Good work guys. How much do you know about Rochester, NY?

[@themobarcheologists]

We're planning on, but we'd like to get an author on for it who wrote about that Family.

[@thoughtcriminal7571]

That is a tough one since there are so few. Around here we all know things from growing up around it but only pieces. The whole is much harder to see.

[@AristotleSanchez1000]

@@themobarcheologists There was struff going on all over Upstate NY by very early 1900s.

[@CarlettoPuglia]

Tommy Del Giorno was half Polish (mom's side) but if I recall correctly, I read that the Mafia in the 1980s in the US decided to make members even if they were only half Italian, the important thing being that the Italian bloodline is on the father's side. So according to this theory Tommy Del Giorno could be made. Maybe that's why they didn't investigate his mom's side of the family?

[@MikeDiNatale-bz3tv]

Thag happened in the 90's starting with Gotti Jr who was 75% Napoliton

[@nuffsaid783]

Is Junior's mom half Napoletana ?@@MikeDiNatale-bz3tv

[@ewanfarrell346]

Can't believe I haven't heard of this podcast before now. Apologies if I'm not spelling it correctly, but where would I find Celeste Morello's books? Apologies if that name is spelled incorrectly

[@MafiaMancave]

Hey guys. If you have ever seen the film "WITH HONORS" I feel like I have found my own Joe Pesci..I am a faithful follower of the show and I have been in contact with RJ and Michael for some time. I am trying to get my own channel and merch site up and running MafiaMancave I have been having some writers block on my project on Salvie Testa and then I watched the video about Philadelphia you guys put out and I just watched it for the past 5 days over and over and I have 3500 words on the clanish ways of Philadelphia that I have been trying to incorporate Messina and Caccamo into the Testa/ Bruno/ Gambino clanish ways of incorporating their own into their families.

[@brians7901]

This could have been 4 hours long And I would have listened to the whole thing. great job.

[@matthewpomara6347]

I agree david,great shows

[@betmulligan6192]

I didn't know the format was a lengthy lecture. You might want to get other voices in here and make it conversational. IMHO, that would make the avalanche of information much easier to to listen to and get engaged with. Just an idea.

[@A.rothriguez]

Would love to have a meet and greet with yall

[@BostonsF1nest]

Idk if I agree with “Scarfo liberally making guys”- the ones who cooperated against him were made either under Bruno or Testa and the ones made under Scarfo are either still active or were very much involved until recently. It’s not like he was out on the corner handing out buttons. I always thought he was very conservative when it came to that. The fact that he was as trigger happy as he was should tell you that he valued managing a very tight ship, and having full control over every solider vs power in numbers- because he was clearly someone who sought quality over quantity.

[@Guillermo_Carratero]

DelGiorno and Caramandi were made under Scarfo and they started the trainwreck.

[@BostonsF1nest]

@@Guillermo_Carratero ok sure lol I never said there weren’t but you’re always gonna have informers whenever you’re the boss. In total I think there were 5. That’s pretty good considering the amount of bodies Nicky piled up over the years. But the ones who did had definitely proven themselves beforehand to be loyal soldiers. Ultimately it was Nicky himself who caused his downfall.

[@ciaranfox2925]

And Milano was made by him, Lawrence was part of scarfos inner inner circle and was made because of his relationship to scarfo

[@ciaranfox2925]

And Phil, his nephew , so that's the whole 5 you are talking about, bad point although I know what you mean by the rest, alot of the guys who didn't rat or are still active had family in the mob already

[@CC-se2we]

Guys got anything new coming soon i hope?

[@nastynickftw6410]

I always wanted to know the history before bruno

[@Guillermo_Carratero]

What's up with you guys? Really missing your content..

[@cornbread2554]

No clan from the old days has been able to remain tight as the Detriot family remains today.

[@danevertt3210]

Come back guys, please

[@paulc7791]

Great content, where did you get the map of the Sabella family members in the 1920's?

[@themobarcheologists]

I made it. Glad you enjoyed.

[@paulc7791]

Do you have anywhere I could view it? I tried to pause the video and look but it was blurry when I zoomed in.

[@Christopher-xe2ts]

How about Charles pinky Costello, Johnny keys Simone and my guy ally red pontani fcking all legends in my neighborhood TRENTON NJ

[@wkrapek]

I found out Thanksgiving Day Bruno’s cousin Johnny Keys was my grandfather. I hate to sound like a jerk… but I always wondered where I got my crazy high IQ from. And my mouth, too. Both Grandpa and Angelo have it. I *specifically* never liked my mouth. I always thought it was too small. And it’s asymmetrical. And from listening to how Angelo balanced the power struggle between the two ethnic factions… that’s *exactly* how I am.

[@nastynickftw6410]

I wanna know about skinny razor

[@kennethbubser9601]

The most history ever on philly. I’m in south jersey

[@halfdayofthejackal9372]

Bravo gents!

[@glendenton3193]

Funny they still have paul tanso as a unknown soldier lol i dought it idk if he proffered like Bobby did

[@kalishakta]

"Whispers. No, the other Whispers." 😝😝😝😝

[@marqueswilliams345]

Wow okay dare I say can we can get some North Jersey love?

[@drewdodson3102]

Where are you guys? 😩

[@Bluecollar711]

Spoiler alert That guy never took his hands off of his chin once always did he have his left hand around his chin area throughout this entire video??

[@jonathangatto]

25:44 father only had to be Italian

[@beefbruno7505]

Good jawn

[@maxpuppy96]

Don't kid yourself the Docile Don was a killer

[@Bobby-uk2wo]

I love your take on Scarfo’s reign, no mob historian points out what you do here

[@brianpothead11]

South Philly all day!

[@billythompson6656]

Really enjoyed this thanks alot guys

[@Mac324]

Do you have a email address ?

[@drewdodson3102]

😩

[@blincx1]

Shall some yt channel gathers some BALLS and put out the present day mob affairs by the family... The mitigating circumstance is that the murders are strongly forbidden by the unilateral decisions of the commission... So...let see those investigating journalists 😂

[@TedTucholski]

His mother was a mudder.

[@myriaddsystems]

Distorted sound

[@JT-zv2ff]

And why does anyone care what these two birds have to say? 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅