Recorded mob Conversations Could Play A Role In Racketeering Trial

 

George Anastasia, the veteran organized crime reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, offers an interesting piece on the recording of a dinner attended by alleged organized crime figures that prosecutors want to use in the Philadelphia Cosa Nostra trial.

It was just a bunch of guys sitting around a table, eating, drinking, and talking about the old days. There were a few bottles of wine, some antipasto, several nice entrées, and then a little anisette.

And all the while there was lots of conversation.

The talk focused on business - murders, robberies, "making" ceremonies - but then, what else would nine mob guys talk about over drinks and dinner? 

... The question now is whether any of that talk - secretly recorded by a cooperating witness - is relevant to the pending racketeering case against Philadelphia mob boss Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi and key associates Anthony Staino, Joseph "Scoops" Licata, and Louis "Big Lou" Fazzini, all of whom were at the meeting.

You can read the rest of the piece via the below link:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20120817_Recorded_mob_conversations_could_play_a_role_in_racketeering_trial.html