The K&A Gang, currently known as the Northeast Philly Irish Mob, is a predominantly Irish American criminal network based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To atone, Sheeran is ordered to kill Whispers. Mafia Gangster Wise Guys Whitey Bulger is now 88 years old and serving out two life sentences, but the gang continues to operate in the Boston area under different leadership. Please visit ourmembership pageto learn how you can invest in our work by subscribing to the magazine or making a donation. He was the purported head of the Philadelphia mafia already (Mr. Stanfa having been sent to prison for life), but he was also fairly young and quite the partier. The nicknames of Mr. Merlinos alleged associatesare straight out of central casting: Beeps, Horsehead, Snitch, Scoops, Chickie, Mousie, Penknife, Windows, Handsome Stevie,Baby Dom, Uncle Joe and many more. It was the gang's legendary propensity for the extreme violence that . Also some area in south Philly around 2nd street. Paul A. Tenkotte and James C. Claypool (2009) The Encyclopedia of Northern Kentucky. 10 Unsolved Mob Murders. After having pushed his luck one too many times in Philadelphia, he went to New York City, where he would live only two years before being killed in a bar fight by Bowery Boy member Reddy The Blacksmith. You can act like a boy scout. An official website of the United States government. George Holmes alleges that a showgirl named Lillian Reis and Vickie Mason(AKA, Viola Lorenzo) gave the gang the tip they needed to pilfer $478,000 in cash and jewelry from the home of John B. No news on what the actual Irish mobsters think of this! One day in the 1980s, this Irish American gang nearly changed gangland history by wiping out the entire New York Mafia. By the early 1980s, Frank "The Beard" Zappacosta and John Carlyle Berkery had close ties with Angelo Bruno and Raymond Martorano of the Philadelphia crime family, as well as John McCullough, union boss of the Roofers' Union, Local 30. Kenneth Miller - Cook for Carl Jackson's operation. They have held strongholds in the Northeast, Kensington and Port Richmond. In 1921, Al Capone was forced to leave New York City after an altercation with a member of the White Hand Gang. The group broke down when almost all members were taken into custody in the 80s, and given long prison sentences for their crimes. After this ceremony, these men (who must be of 100% Italian ancestry) are then referred to as made members of the LCN. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. They are known to have amicable ties to the La Cosa Nostra, namely the Scarfo crime family, but also the South Jersey faction of the New York City-based Genovese crime family,[3] the local Greek mob, local Jewish-American gangsters, and various independent drug and hijacking gangs of various European ethnicities in the Greater Philadelphia area. New York mobster and enforcer for mobster Mickey Spillane during the 1960s and 70s, New York mobster and brother of Jack "Legs" Diamond, Philadelphia/New York mobster involved in bootlegging during Prohibition. Carl "Better Days" Jackson and Zappacosta assumed control of the group. Adapt or die. These days, different Irish cities are run by different groups, and its not always peaceful relationships between them. James McKenzie - Carl Jackson's key distributor. In [] The Irish Mob is the oldest criminal society in the U.S. We can't do it without youAmerica Media relies on generous support from our readers. This is a list of Irish-American mobsters which includes organized crime figures of predominantly Irish-American criminal organizations or individual mobsters from the early 1900s to the present. NYC mobster involved in drug dealing, numbers rackets, and illegal gambling. From Chicago to Boston to Philadelphia, Irish mobsters have controlled everything from bootlegging (during Prohibition years) to horse racing, and everything in between. Check out some of the. But is Mr. Merlino a gangster in the mold of notorious mob bosses like John Gotti or Russell Bufalino (played by Joe Pesci in "The Irishman") orVincent The Chin Gigante? Updated. Many friends and relatives in South Philadelphia of Mr. Merlino seehim and his associates asthe corner boys who grew up with them in the tight-knit Italian-American Catholic neighborhoods of South Philly. Copyright 2023 America Press Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 10 Mobsters Unique Nicknames. In North Carolina, several members were known as the "Hallmark Gang" and would collaborate with the Dixie Mafia. Swing dance had made a comeback in the late 1990s, and the hottest place for it in Philly had previously been the reputed lair of two different Philadelphia mob bosses. The members headquarted on Center Street (now Worth St.) at Rosanna Peer Grocery Store. Powerful ties to the Montreal Italian mafia, as well as motorcycle gang the Hells Angels, and other street gangs have kept them well-protected from legal consequences. And have a social code of conduct among those in there crime families. This is a list of Irish American mobsters which includes organized crime figures of predominantly Irish American criminal organizations or individual mobsters from the early 1850's to the present. A mobster since the Prohibition era, Riccobene was finally brought to justice when he was convicted of a murder during the internal Philadelphia mafia conflict of the early 1980s. Or of 1983? They also traded the clich burglary attire for professional suits, while on the job, in case they were stopped. If you have not done so already, follow @USAO_EDPA and @USAttyMcSwain on Twitter to get the most up-to-date information about big cases and community news. If youve seen Boardwalk Empire, you know that it didnt work out too well for the Irish! Like any criminal gang, the Irish mafia operate under a set of unwritten rules. The K&A have long held traditions, and a rich history. The beer names are equally Irish-strong, with options like the Mighty Ego, Devoted, and Irish Loyal. Hit TV show Sons of Anarchy devoted an entire season to a gang war with rival Irish motorcycle members. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. This Italian seafood spot, also located in South Philadelphia, was a favorite haunt of Nicodemo S. Scarfo in the 1980s. Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL Veronica Guerin was a crime reporter working in Dublin who had a particular passion for investigating the Irish mob. We great like-minded persons narrowed by standard frames of society. ", "Long John Lead - Was Ray Martorano's shooting a message? But Weisman may actually have been named Max Willie Weisberg. Lillian "Tiger Lil" Reis and Her good friend Vickie were well-known nightclub entrepreneurs and former showgirls who had ties to the gangsters. The Greeks, perhaps. He was a hitman for the Bufalino crime family, and was allegedly mentored by Russell Bufalino, who played a very patriarchal role in Franks life. Meet Paul Haring, the CNS photographer who covered the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of Francis, numerous international papal trips and the daily action of Vatican life for over a decade. The Irish mob is the oldest organized criminal gang in the history of the United States. philadelphia irish mobstersduck jerky dog treats recall. This was largely due to the liability of increased jail time if caught with a firearm. PHILADELPHIA United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that a Superseding Indictment was unsealed today against 15 defendants, including alleged members and associates of the South Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey-based criminal organization La Cosa Nostra (LCN), known as the mafia or the mob. The Superseding Indictment charges various crimes including racketeering conspiracy, illegal gambling, loansharking, extortion, and drug trafficking. Rich. The 3 1/2-hour story follows Frank Sheeran (De Niro), who becomes a hitman for the Bufalino crime family, led by Russel Bufalino (Pesci), and spends time working for union leader Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino). As the unwritten rules point out, this is a huge no-no within your own gang, and almost a guaranteed death sentence if the woman in question is part of a rival gang. My office was just a couple of blocks from the Italian Market; I ate at Dante and Luigisand loved Villa di Roma (which also is the locale ofseveral scenes in "The Irishman"). George Anastasia, a former Philadelphia Inquirer reporter who has covered Philadelphias organized crime beat for decades, has frequently made another point in print: Many of the traditional criminal enterprises with which Mr. Merlino and his South Philly associates have been charged over the years now have their counterparts in the legitimate world. Organized Crime, Mafia and Gangsters; NYC Gangsters; Search this Guide Search. One Local 107 official and his secretary/girlfriend were shot to death in the union's offices on Spring Garden Street. It turns out that the laundry is owned not only by the Jewish mob, but also by Bruno and his Italian gangsters. Cleveland's Irish American mobster Danny Greene - aka "The Irishman"- was a formidable force to be reckoned with. The neighborhoods of South Philly, a stronghold of Italian-American culture for over a century, have always been a place where law enforcement and neighborhood customs have uneasily coexisted. But it is still a problem and is still allegedly committing serious federal crimes, which is why we at the Department of Justice are focused on stamping it out. A lock ( The Irish Mob is one of the oldest organized crime groups in the United States, in existence since the early 19th century. Coonan was sentenced to 75 years in prison for racketeering in 1988 . Philadelphia Teamsters Local 107 was considered one of the most corrupt and violent locals in the country. Based on author Charles Brandt's 2004 book I Heard You Paint Houses, the film takes place across several decades, but of particular focus is Sheeran's . With the violence and armaments necessary to defend a drug market, the K&A Gang became more appropriately known as the Northeast Philly Irish Mafia. as the unofficial head of the Philadelphia mob. Robert "Irish Bobby" Kallaur - Former professional boxer and enforcer for Roy Stocker. List of American mobsters of Irish descent. Shout Box 21 40,833 Posts 1,017,804 Members 10,092 Most Online 796 Jan 21st, 2020 Previous Thread Next Thread Print Thread Page 2 of 5 1 2 3 4 5 Page 2 of 5 1 2 3 4 5 Because Mr. Merlino is from Philadelphia and was residing in Florida at the time of his most recent arrest, the connection with the Southern District of New York was tenuous, and press coverage and public interest were fairly muted. 25 titles. The Irishman Review: An epic look at death, sin and organized crime from Martin Scorsese, Cardinal McElroy responds to his critics on sexual sin, the Eucharist, and LGBT and divorced/remarried Catholics, Worried you retired too early? The economy was in the tank, and people were once again desperate. When magic returned to the world with a vengeance in the Awakening, the La Cosa Nostra took advantage of the chaos and opened its doors to the smaller criminal . Kerryonians existed in New York about 1825, one of the earliest organized crime gangs. We have all the dirt on their past, their present and their most powerful players. Members also have relationships with other gangs, such as the Italian mafia and the Hells Angels motorcycle gang. John Gilligan also uttered many death threats, including threats to harm her son. [9] It is widely held that this was made possible due to the K&A Gang, and the Junior Black Mafia, among others.[10]. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency in its obituary called Lansky an acknowledged financial wizard and one-time reputed czar of organized crime in the U.S. and many points overseas., Joe Pesci, left, and Robert De Niro star in Martin Scorsese's "The Irishman." Boston mobster and member of the Winter Hill Gang, Cleveland mobster involved in union racketeering, Providence mobster and associate of the Patriarca crime family, New York mobster and associate of the Lucchese crime family, Organized crime figure involved in bootlegging in St. Paul during Prohibition, Boston mobster and hitman for the McLaughlin Brothers with his brother Stevie Hughes, Boston mobster and, with his brother Corneilius Hughes, a hitman for the McLaughlin Brothers, Boston mobster believed to be the Winter Hill Gang's present boss, New York labor racketeer who, with his cousin Harold Bowers, was a major power on the New York waterfront though the, Boston mobster and head of criminal activities in South Boston, bootlegger and organized crime figure in northern Illinois during Prohibition, New York organized crime figure involved in bootlegging and former leader of the, Younger brother of Johnny Martorano; Winter Hill Gang associate and member of the, Hitman for the Winter Hill Gang and older brother of James Martorano, One of the earliest organized crime figures in Chicago, Chicago mobster and partner of bootlegger, A Cleveland organized crime figure. The group was mainly a burglary ring for much of its early history, but shifted into loansharking . Of the 46, only Mr. Merlino and one other defendant refused deals. To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article and/or references showing the person is Irish American and a mobster. 10 Chilling Last Words of Mobsters. Edward Loney was to arrange the procurement of 50 gallons of P2P, a precursor chemical, along with Waldemar "Walter" Roeder from Toronto, while Jackson sold mass quantities to contacts in New York. Police, security agencies advise Jews to be on alert ahead of planned National Day of Hate on Shabbat, March comes in with a roar of new Yiddish music, A graphic novel of the Purim story, from a Batman comics editor, In Mel Brooks History of the World Part II, Jewish jokes reign from BCE to the Beatles. investigations in his hometown, and a future indictment in Philadelphia is rumored to be in the works. UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE Irish Mob Boss James "Whitey" Bulger Arrested. Their name was specifically chosen to provoke the Sicilian Black Hand gang, and definitely had some racist implications. Although some of the involved parties escaped the authorities, many people were charged with planning and executing her murder. More than a dozen members of alleged members and associates of the south Philadelphia and southern New Jersey organized crime family are looking at federal racketeering and other related charges . And those that . Their founder and leader, John Morrissey, was politically active; he was a Democratic State Senator and member of the U.S House of Representatives who advocated on behalf of Irish-Catholic Americans. 13 Places Mobsters Got Whacked. Over the years, some fantastic films have been released that deal with the naughty Irish. In 1981, the New York Times reported that Philip C. Testa, the new head of organized crime in Philadelphia, was killed at age 56. Henry Saby - Member of Carl Jackson's meth ring. 10 of The Mob's Most Deadliest Hitmen . Daniel 45 books Why, then, does the government continue to pursue Mr. Merlino and his associates? The crew was adamant about not carrying weapons with them while they burglarized. I met Skinny Joey back then, by accident. Associates are men who engage in criminal activity on behalf of LCN but who have not been formally made, either because they are up-and-coming and aspire to full membership, or because they are ineligible to be made because they lack fully Italian ancestry. We ask our visitors to confirm their email to keep your account secure and make sure you're able to receive email from us. Media Contact The purpose of the LCN in Philadelphia and elsewhere is to make money through the commission of various crimes, including illegal gambling, loansharking, drug trafficking, and extortion. And the K&A Gang has learned to make new alliances. This Thing of Ours. It is a phrase I am convinced is only used by mobsters and Jesuits. 12 GARY HUTCH - Gerry and Eddie Sr's nephew,. William Stearn - Former Roofers' Union Local 30 president & member of the Stocker meth ring. The Irish Mob is still active in Philly. James Hope was born in Philadelphia to Irish parents in 1836, the family were poor and Jimmy took a job as a machinist. words that have to do with clay P.O. Brown, aka Dom14, age 41; Joseph Servidio, aka Joey Electric, age 60; Salvatore Mazzone, aka Sonny, age 55; Joseph Malone, age 70; Louis Barretta, aka Louie Sheep, age 56; Victor DeLuca, aka Big Vic, age 56; Kenneth Arabia, aka Kenny, age 67; Daniel Castelli, aka Danny, aka Cozzy, aka Butch, aka Harry, age 67; Carl Chianese, age 81; Anthony Gifoli, aka Tony Meatballs, age 73; John Romeo, age 58; Daniel Malatesta, age 75; Daniel Bucceroni, age 66; and John Michael Payne, age 34. The trial lasted less than three weeks, after an initial delay because Mr. Merlino was hospitalized in Florida for heart trouble. Swing dance had made a comeback, and the hottest place for it in Philly, The Five Spot, had previously been Virgilios, the somewhat-distant lair of two different Philadelphia mob bosses. "NY Feds Tickled Pink About Eddie Boyle's Brooklyn Case", "Feds Stack the Deck Against a Junior Gambino Hoodlum", "On the trail of 'Mad Dog' Sullivan, Mafia hit man", "Howie Winter, 83 and ex-head of Winter Hill Gang, arrested for alleged organized criminal activity - Metro Desk - Boston.com", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_American_mobsters_of_Irish_descent&oldid=1137221302, Legendary Boston mobster and former leader of the, Organized crime figure who controlled in bootlegging Boston with partner, St. Louis organized crime figure and one time leader of, New York mobster and freelance enforcer during Prohibition, New York mobster and leader of the Westies during the 1970s and 80s. Copyright 2015 - 2023. Why am I being asked to create an account? It was then that the K&A Gang turned to narcotics, particularly to amphetemines. Testa was assassinated on March 15, 1981. Like most Americans, I love mobster movies. [15] The meth rings were sanctioned by the Scarfo crime family, who received a cut of the profits. [14], After the downfall of Carl Jackson, Roy Stocker, Frank "The Beard" Zappacosta became the dominant K&A member operating a methamphetamine manufacturing enterprise. In February 1991, Roy Stocker and three others were found guilty of operating a ring that sold $52 million worth of methamphetamine between 1981 and 1987. Mobster Gangsters John Gilligan "Factory John" is an Irish equestrian rancher and convicted criminal. Originating in Irish American street gangs of the 19th centurydepicted in Herbert Asbury's 1928 book The Gangs of New Yorkthe Irish Mob has appeared in most major American cities, including Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago and New Orleans. Official websites use .gov Friend and Associate of Hughie Breslin, Jimmy Laverty, John McCullough, Jack Johnston, Eddie Berkery, Charles "Chicky" Shaeffer, James "Junior" Smith and Pete Logue. Mr. Sullivan finally gave the jury an Allen charge, exhorting them to try to reach a consensus, and then relented and declared a mistrial. Director Martin Scorsese's latest epic, The Irishman, hits Netflix on Wednesday to tell the tale of reputed Philadelphia mob associate Frank Sheeran. In fact, many Irish-American gangsters chose to ally themselves with the Italians, and acted as racketeers, bootleggers and hitmen for the Italian mob. One person who knew the real-life mob families that show up in The Irishman is President Donald Trump. Like other LCN families, the Philadelphia LCN is operated through a defined hierarchical structure, including a Boss, an Underboss (defendant Steven Mazzone), and Captains (defendant Domenic Grande), who oversee crews consisting of soldiers and associates. As detailed in the Superseding Indictment, soldiers are members of the family who have been formally initiated through a ritual called a making ceremony, during which they swear allegiance to LCN above all else, take a vow of secrecy about the organization (the Code of Silence or Omerta), and agree to commit violence on behalf of the LCN, if necessary. I think its a little more complicated than just a question of what the government thinks Joey might have done, Mr. Anastasia cautioned in a phone interview with America in 2018 during Mr. Merlino's most recent trial, in a quote that could have come straight out of The Irishman: James T. Keane is a Senior Editor at America. Box 4666, Ventura, CA 93007 Request a Quote: comelec district 5 quezon city CSDA Santa Barbara County Chapter's General Contractor of the Year 2014! Talking to police officers or other members of the judicial system is highly discouraged. Leader of the Ryan gang, Eddie Ryan, tried to take out the leader of the Keanes, which provoked the ensuing Limerick feud. Yes, there are Irish mobsters operating in Ireland, but they have only been around over the pond since the 1960s. [11] After spending five years on the run, he was captured in June 1987 and subsequently faced trial in the fall of 1987. The author appears in the center background of the photo(AP Photo/Kathy Willens). Please contact us at members@americamedia.org with any questions. 9 New York Mafia Social Clubs. (See Hornblaum book - various references and clippings below upon release and marketing of the book), Green Street Counts. Between the post war period and 1970, the K&A gang operated almost entirely off the proceeds of their burglaries and subsequent liquidation of stolen property. Pressed for comment after the declaration of a mistrial, Joseph "Skinny Joey Merlino had only one thing to say: God bless the jury.. Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino, right, leaves federal court in Lower Manhattan with his wife Deborah after a mistrial was declared in his racketeering case onFeb. 20, 2018 in New York. [4], Their reach even extended outside the boundaries of Philadelphia as they targeted other ventures. By the 1980's, Philadelphia was in the running as the Meth capital of the world, a fact fueled heavily by the K&A Gang and its affiliates. The former died in prison in 2012, and the latter became a government witness and lived out the rest of his life in the Federal Witness Protection Program. In the aftermath, Mr. Merlino accepted a plea deal whereby he would serve time on gambling charges. And while The Irishman does not get into it because many were in power before the film was set, New York was home to many famous Jewish mobsters. They also began official ties with the Irish Republican Army, funneling cash and arms in both directions. Their longstanding alliance with the Philly Greek Mob remains an uneasy one, as does their ties to the Philly Black Mafia. In an effort to be even more comprehensivefrom sources listed below as well as the Inquirerwe located an additional 14. During a period beginning in August 2015, ten of the defendants allegedly conspired to conduct and participate in the affairs of the Philadelphia LCN through both a pattern of racketeering activity and through the collection of unlawful debts. Weisberg was the chief lieutenant for a prominent mob boss named Harry Stromberg, known as Nig Rosen, based out of Philadelphia. PHILA.-Philadelphia has seen it's share of mofioso over the years and with a fight for power over the reigns of Philadelphias organized crime syndicate and the power that goes with it, the money, gambling racquets, extortion and the respect of the streets and the soldiers sworn to protects it's activities and code of silence. After deliberations had begun several days before, the jury had told the judge four times that they were impossibly deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict on any of four counts against Mr. Merlino; each time Judge Sullivan had asked them to continue deliberating. Today, the Northeast Philly Irish Mafia is experiencing a crisis of self. He was tried for & acquitted of the murder of investigative journalist Veronica Guerin. The gang has an estimated 150 members, primarily made up of Irish descendants and some French Canadians. Due to their representation in popular TV shows and movies, the Irish mob is seen as the coolest and toughest of the bad guys. There was drama (Skinny Joey wasnt pleased), and we fled. It was the third violent death linked to Bruno's shooting . Also uncle of John and Mark Goodwin from the Traitz Brothers RICO Trial. The universal story in the mafia is that Tony Jack had Hoffa killed, not Frank Sheeran as told in The Irishman. May have been chosen as a "soft target". After this look at mob hits of decades past, learn about the most brutal gangs around the world. He claimed to have killed Teamster frontman Jimmy Hoffa, but that has never been proven. 75K views 1 year ago The Philadelphia mob had the most power in its home city, but their desire to expand brought them to Atlantic City in the early 1970s. The Irish Mafia is said to be the oldest organized crime group in the United States, dating back to the early 19th century. The K&A Gang was started following World War II and controlled the city's Irish-American criminal underworld for much of the late 20th century. Not to mention, a ton of famous actors have Irish-American roots, so these films hit close to home for many. Their main activities were rigging horse races and shipping illegal weapons overseas to the IRA. 2023 jewish telegraphic agency all rights reserved. This group of gangsters was led by Bernie McLaughlin and didnt survive the Irish Gang Wars of the 1960s. 9 Places Where Mobsters Were Whacked For many of the Irish in Northeast Philadelphia, the appeal of organized crime far exceeded the monotony of wage slavery and eight hours on some shop floor. Mob history tells of two famous occurrences in now-famous locales. The real Frank Sheeran recounts in I Heard You Paint Houses, the source material for The Irishman, that two Jewish mobsters did in fact own Cadillac Linen Services: Cappy Hoffman and Woody Weisman. His second cousin is the pastor of one of South Phillys most prominent parishes. The war allegedly began when a member of the Charlestown Mob tried to hit on the girlfriend of a White Hill member. The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Philadelphia Daily News both had reporters dedicated almost exclusively to the mob beat in those days. Around 1980, the group switched to methamphetamine and with it came the need for a more hierarchical organization: John "John L" McManus - Former K&A Burglar of repute. By submitting the above I agree to the privacy policy and terms of use of JTA.org. (When that parish church burned down in 1971, Philip Testa, a decade before he was murdered, donated so much money for its restoration that the churchs facade is called by locals the Testa Towers.). The gang had committed "at least 28 unsolved murders," he said. But you aren't one. Lets turn to the book on which the film was based. PHILADELPHIA - United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that a Superseding Indictment was unsealed today against 15 defendants, including alleged members and associates of the South Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey-based criminal organization La Cosa Nostra (LCN), known as the "mafia" or the "mob."