Joseph Ligambi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Joseph Ligambi | |
 |
|
| Born | August 9, 1939 South Philadelphia, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
Joseph Anthony Ligambi (born August 9, 1939) is a made member and current reputed boss of the Philadelphia crime family.[1] Ligambi is known among law enforcement circles to have a more "old school" approach, in sharp contrast to the former boss, Joseph Merlino's, flamboyant, high-profile style. Ligambi is credited by the Philadelphia Police Department's Criminal Intelligence Unit to be "quietly bringing stability back to the troubled Philadelphia-South Jersey branch of La Cosa Nostra". The New York Mafia Families have been pleased with Ligmabi and his approach, as well as his ability to turn the Philadelphia crime family from near extinction to a quitely powerful group that may now consist of 50-60 made men.[2] He is also the uncle of former Philadelphia consigliere George Borgesi.[3]
Contents |
[edit] Childhood
Ligambi was born in the South Philadelphia neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 9, 1939 to strict "old world" parents. His father was a cab driver. He attended South Philadelphia High School before dropping out his junior year to join the United States Air Force, where he eventually earned his high school diploma.[4]
[edit] Criminal Career
On April 5, 1989, Ligambi was convicted alongside Nicodemo Scarfo, the current boss at the time, and several others, for the 1985 murder of Frank D'Alfonso. After serving 10 years the conviction was overturned, and in 1997 Ligambi returned to South Philadelphia. Upon his return, Ligambi was viewed as one of the few soldiers left from the Bruno era, and era which saw the Philly family gain enormous power and wealth.
After the convinction of Joey Merlino in 1999, Ligambi was chosen by both his peers in the crime family and the heads of the New York families to take over as boss of the family. Merlino was sentenced to 14 years, and was still facing a murder indictment as well, and as such was no longer looked to as the boss of the family. Ligambi has remained in the shadows, rarely being mentioned in the media, while taking a much less "trigger-happy" approach to running a Mafia family.
Ligambi is believed to have brought the family back from the brink and is consoldating his power, waiting for the time when Merlino will be released from prison. After Merlino's arrest Joseph Ligambi took over as standing boss, also known as uncle Joe, he's more interested in making money than making headlines, low-key, and happy to stay in the shadows. Ligamgi is doing a good job in rebuilding a family, that was almost destroyed. Ligambi has done so well that the New York families have taken notice, and it appears unlikely that Merlino will resume the title of Boss when he is released.
[edit] References
- ^ Volk, Steve. "A Wiser Guy", Philadelphia Weekly, August 18, 2004.
- ^ Anastasia, George. "A 'Family Man' Who's Content In Shadows", Philadelphia Inquirer, December 2, 2007.
- ^ Barry, Jim. "The Boys of Summer", Philadelphia City Paper, August 2001.
- ^ Porello, Rick. "Meet The New Boss", AmericanMafia.com, December 17, 2001.
