'Joey Electric,' 'Tony Meatballs' Among 15 Alleged Reputed Mobsters In Philly, South Jersey Facing Racketeering, Drug Trafficking Charges
PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) -- "Joey Electric" and "Tony Meatballs" are among 15 alleged members and associates of the Philadelphia and South Jersey mafia indicted by a grand jury on racketeering, extortion, gambling and drug trafficking charges. Federal prosecutors allege the crime family sought to use its "reputation and influence to exercise control over criminal rackets, like bookmaking and loansharking, in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey, particularly Atlantic City."
"The Philadelphia mob isn't what it used to be, and thank God for that," said U.S. Attorney McSwain in a statement. "But it is still a problem and is still allegedly committing serious federal crimes."
Among those charged is Steven Mazzone, who court documents identified as the underboss of the La Cosa Nostra organization.
Ten of the defendants are accused of engaging in racketeering and collecting unlawful debts. The remaining five are accused of running an illegal gambling business, conspiring to make extortionate extensions of credit and conspiring to distribute controlled substances.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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