Philly Prime Podcast

Who's really the Boss of the Philly Mob? Is Joey Merlino Out? If so, who's running the show? A not-so-new leader has emerged. Is It Mike Lancelotti, George Borgesi or Steve Mazzone? We'll break down why these boyhood friends appear to be jockeying for position. Who's now running the day to day operations? Recent meetings and Mob get togethers are painting a new picture for the Philly Mob. George Anastasia joins the podcast as we take a deep dive into the latest comings and goings in the Philly LCN. Please join us.

A sweeping raid by NJ State Police across North & Central Jersey snares four top Lucchese Crime Family members, including two ranking leaders in a widespread, multi-million dollar gambling & racketeering operation. Mob expert George Anastasia joins the podcast as we break down the 39-defendant investigation, where else it could lead and the possible ramifications for the wiseguys caught up in the alleged scheme.

A busy week in the Philly Mob World. The former Underboss returns, The Feds execute search warrants in South Philly in an ongoing investigation and a Gambino Crime Family Soldier gets sentenced in a huge Philadelphia based fraud case. Plus Johnny Alite gets a new, controversial title. Mob expert and author George Anastasia joins the podcast to break it all down

We'll take a look at the highlights and the low lights for the Philly Mob this year, the ins and outs of 2024 as well as who's up and who's down in the local LCN. From the latest escapades of former Mob Boss Joey Merlino to the latest rankings for the Philly Crime Family. George Anastasia and Dave Schratwieser break it all down and look ahead to 2025. Who might go the jail, who might be getting out and some thoughts on Mob podcast mania dominating the headlines.

Former President Donald J. Trump sweeps his way back into the White House with a nationwide comeback victory over Kamala Harris spurred on by a victory in Pennsylvania. FOX29 Political Analyst Bruce Gordon joins the podcast to break it all down. We'll discuss Trump's Pennsylvania triumph, how he won here and across the country and where he takes the Nation next.

With just a couple of weeks to go, Trump vs Harris, Casey vs McCormick. Two huge races attracting lots of national and local attention in the red hot state of Pennsylvania. FOX29 veteran political expert Bruce Gordon joins the podcast to break it all down. The races, the TV ads and the candidates. Please Join us

A political bombshell this week. South Jersey Democratic Political Powerbroker George Norcross and 5 others are indicted by a state grand jury on racketeering charges stemming from an alleged multi-million dollar tax credit scheme involving properties on the Camden Waterfront. The 13 count, 111-page indictment outlines the serious charges in this huge political corruption case. The former Camden mayor Dana Redd is also charged. My former colleague, Legal expert & former federal prosecutor Fred Tecce joins the podcast to break this all down along with the far reaching impact these charges could have.

Jailed Lucchese Crime Family Captain Martin Taccetta finally gets his day in court and presents evidence as he looks for a new trial or his release from prison after 28 years. The day long hearing featured a showdown between the prosecutor who handled the case in 1993 and the defense team that claims the state withheld evidence that could have helped the defense and destroyed the credibility of two government informants who testified against Taccetta and three others. Mob expert George Anastasia and I will break it all down and reveal some new details in the ongoing case.

Gun violence across our region is being fueled by illegal weapons on the streets and so called “Ghost Guns”. They're untraceable and dangerous. Now there's trafficking in “ switches” than can make semi-automatic guns into fully automatic weapons. Edwin Torres from the NJ State Commission of Investigation joins the show to discuss how easy it is the get these guns and switches. He takes us inside the SCI investigation of the problem following a recent SCI public hearing on the issue. Please join us.

The 3-decade old judicial saga for jailed Lucchese Crime Family Captain Martin Taccetta takes a turn and support for his bid to be set free gains support from non other than one time reputed Mob Boss, turned podcaster Joey Merlino. Plus the Feds go digging for bodies again in upstate New York at two sites linked to the Gambino Crime Family. And a key figure in the Par Funding half-billion dollar alleged fraud case in Philly is set to plead guilty to federal charges. Mob expert George Anastasia joins the show with new details you don't want to miss.

Federal authorities in Philadelphia dropped a massive 60-count Racketeering indictment on Brothers Joseph and James LaForte this week after hundreds of investors and clients were allegedly defrauded to the tune of $550 Million. One of the brothers in the “LaForte Enterprise” has been publicly identified as a soldier in New York's Gambino Crime Family. Author and Mob expert George Anastasia joins the podcast to discuss the indictment, the ramifications in Philly & New York and what's next. We'll also take a deep dive into the life and times of government informant Anthony Persiano, who recorded a Philly Mob Making Ceremony on tape for the FBI. Please join us. Contributors:

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro is drawing lots of attention for his new PA state budget, quick repairs to I-95 and all sorts of other key issues facing Pennsylvania. He's even getting some mention as a potential Presidential candidate. FOX29 Political analyst Bruce Gordon joins the podcast to break it all down and share his opinion on Shapiro's political future in 2024 and beyond.

A New Jersey judge this week ordered a full blown hearing into defense claims that dental records that could have provided an alibi for Lucchese Crime Family leader Martin Taccetta were tampered with in a 1984 murder case and a report saying so was withheld from the defense. Lawyers say the doctored documents and questionable testimony from 2 government cooperators could help set the 72-year old Taccetta free from his 30- year sentence. Mob expert and author George Anastasia joins the show to break it all down.

Eagles, Eagles, Eagles. Love em or hate em, they are the talk of the town this week. A bad run of losses and an upcoming playoff game vs.The Tampa Bay Bucs has everybody tossing around opinions. Bill Colarulo Jr., Host of The Legalhandstotheface podcast and Philly Sports Power Hour, joins the show to chat it up on the ugly loss to the Giants and The Birds chances against the Buccaneers. Please join us.

A Changing of the Guard At Philadelphia City Hall. Mayor Jim Kenney in his final weeks in office as Cherelle Parker gets ready to take control of the city. A new Police Commissioner and promises to crack down on gun violence top the new mayoral agenda. FOX29 Political Analyst Bruce Gordon joins the Philly Prime Podcast to take a look at the old and the new. What's Jim Kenney's future and how will Cherelle Parker come out of the gate as the city's first female mayor, She's facing some major issues right from the start.

In an amazing twist of fate and some great detective work, Philadelphia Police now believe they have the alleged Fairmount Park rapist in custody, 20 years after he first struck. Elias Diaz was arrested for a series of slashing incidents over the weekend in Pennypack Park. Investigators say DNA tests and other long sought evidence now has detectives convinced they have their man in a series of rapes and the strangulation murder of Rebecca Park. Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore breaks down the arrest and the evidence.

The Feds swoop in and bust Bloods Street Gang 5-Star General Edwin Spears with 500lbs of pot, 28lbs of Coke and 1,000 cartridges of THC. Arrested boarding a chartered jet to London. What lead to the arrest, where did the drugs come from and where could this arrest lead. Plus a look back at Spears ties to the Lucchese Crime Family. Mob/Crime Expert Geirge Anastasia joins the podcast to break it down.

Philadelphia has a new Mayor-Elect. Cherelle Parker, who this week won election to replace Jim Kenney. Fox29's Jeff Cole's been covering the campaign and has interviewed Parker on a multitude of topics. He joins us to talk politics, Parker's crime/gun violence plan and her other top challenges. Cole also brings us up to date on the corruption trial of embattled and convicted Labor Leader John “ Johnny Doc” Dougherty. His federal trial started this week

It was a Mob hit that rocked Philadelphia. A daring, rush hour drive by shooting on the infamous Schuykill Expressway. The target was Mob Boss John Stanfa. The shooters, allegedly his rivals from the Merlino Mob faction. Now 30 years later, one of the cops assigned to the case delivers new details and Mob expert George Anastasia,who was on the scene that day in 1993, opens up about the Mob hit heard round the nation.

On April 10,1999 little known mob associate Gino Marconi stepped out onto his front porch on 20th Street near Porter Street followed by a female friend and was promptly shot to death by an assassin using a rifle. His friend was seriously wounded. The daring Mob hit has never been solved, no one has been charged. Marconi's murder is one of six the Philly Prime Podcast & Mobtalksitdown.com are delving into with veteran and retired Philly Crime Scene Unit investigator John Taggart who was involved in these cases. We will talk about the murder, the motive, the rifle that was recovered and the suspect's van that was torched right in front of Marconi's house seconds after the crime.

The 20-year anniversary of the murder of Philly Mob Associate Johnny “Gongs” Casasanto is coming up next month with lots of questions still unanswered and no one charged with the gangland style killing. Casasanto was gunned down in his kitchen after sources say he let someone he knew and two others into his Durfor Street home in the early morning hours. This is one of half a dozen mob hits that have gone unsolved since Mob Boss Joey Merlino and Acting Boss “Uncle Joe” Ligambi began running the Philly Crime Family from the mid 90s. Crime scene expert John Taggart, who processed the Casasanto crime scene joins the show once again to talk about what many describe as a Mob murder committed for many reasons.

Longtime Philly Mobster Raymond “Long John” Martorano was gunned down in a gangland style hit in January of 2002 in the Washington Square West section of Philadelphia. Two gunmen allegedly opened fire on Martorano's Lincoln Towncar as he drove from his upscale home to a doctor's appointment on Spruce Street. He had been out of prison less than three years. The unsolved murder made headlines for days. Martorano survived, but died several days later. There are multiple theories over the motive for the high profile murder. Retired, veteran Philly Crime Scene Investigator John Taggart processed the crime scene and the victim's car. He joins Mob Talk Sitdown and The Philly Prime Podcast to discuss the murder.

Mobster Ronald Turchi was murdered in late October 1999 after what many believed was a falling out with the Philadelphia Crime Family. Turchi was shot to death, hog tied and left naked in the trunk of a car in South Philly. His murder is still unsolved 24 years later. Retired, veteran Crime Scene Investigator John Taggart processed the car Turchi was found in as part of the investigation. He joins Mob Talk Sitdown & The Philly Prime Podcast to discussed the case and why so many Mob murders go unsolved.

The Philly Prime Podcast meets MobTalk Sitdown.com this week. Mob expert George Anastasia joins the show to talk about Philly Mob Boss Joey Merlino's new podcast, website and Instagram page dubbed “The Skinny with Joey Merlino”. We'll break it all down on this gambling centric venture. Since Joey is stepping into the odds making spotlight again, we'll take a look at the Philly Mob. Who's in. Who's out. And who's running the show. Join us as we launch our 100th Philly Prime Podcast. Back where it all started with George Anastasia.

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Veteran Philly Anti-Violence advocate Bilal Qayyum joins the show with some interesting new information on the violence problem in Philly. He will discuss new programs to help at risk teens and what's ahead for stemming the shootings and murders in Philadelphia.

This week on the Philly Prime Podcast we will dig deep into last week's mass shooting in Philadelphia that left 5 people dead and 2 others wounded. Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore, a 30 + year veteran of the force, joins us the discuss this horrific crime, the suspect and the “ghost guns” used to carried out the shootings. Please join us as we breaking all down.

Dangerous Drifting, drag racing and massive crowds jamming Philly Highways. One incident actually shutdown I-95 and lead to a fatal police involved shooting. Philadelphia, Delaware and PA State Troopers are investigations and cracking down. Veteran Philadelphia Police Captain Jason Smith of the Major Crimes Unit joins the podcast to break it all down. Please join us on The Philly Prime Podcast.

A rash of separate incidents across the region this past weekend involving teenagers from Bucks County to Chester, Philadelphia and Ocean City NJ. Large crowds of kids gathering, Drinking, fighting, shooting, even stealing guns in one instance. Local Authorities investigating and cracking down. Philadelphia School Police Chief and former Deputy Philly Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel joins the show to discuss this growing problem.

After a wide open primary election Cherelle Parker emerges as the Democratic nominee for Mayor of Philadelphia. How did she win? How will the November general election race with GOP nominee David Oh shape up? What Parker's mayoral platform could look like going forward and a whole lot more. FOX29 Political analyst Bruce Gordon joins the podcast to break it all down.

It's down to the wire in the race for the Democratic nomination for Mayor in Philadelphia. New polls, new TV ads and a race to the May 16th finish line. Who can win it? We will break it all down with FOX29s senior correspondent Jeff Cole and FOX29s political analyst Bruce Gordon. Their thoughts, insights & predictions on who walks away with the nomination as well as the challenging times ahead for the next mayor.

Violent suspects targeting Police in Philadelphia. Officers fired on 3 times in 3 weeks. We will explore the latest violence against police here with FOP President John McNesby. We will also discuss the looming problem of too few officers on the streets, recruiting new officers and filling the shrinking ranks in the next few years. McNesby also weighs in on the upcoming Democratic primary for Mayor after the recent debate and we'll discuss the candidates plans to combat gun violence.

Another mass school shooting leaves 3 children and 2 school administrators & a teacher dead in Nashville. The heavily armed shooter is tracked down and killed still inside the school, preventing even more casualties. Three weapons are recovered inside. Former Philly Police Lieutenant and current Florida Sheriff Mike Chitwood Jr. joins the podcast to discuss the shooting, the quick and deadly response by police and school security. He has a new security program designed to safeguard schools and students. Please join us.

The Philly Mayor's race heats up. The primary is May 16th. 12 Democrats, 1 Republican vying to replace Jim Kenney. FOX29 Political analyst Bruce Gordon joins the podcast to discuss the candidates, the top issues, TV ads, debates and how this race could shake out over the final six weeks. Please join us as city voters get ready to pick their next mayor.

The Philadelphia Police Department's dwindling ranks and a pressing need to quickly recruit more qualified officers leads to a big move to beef up the number of police of the streets of Philly. Captain John Walker is now charged with over hauling the recruitment of new officers. He joins us to discuss attracting new candidates to join the police academy. Who is the department looking for, what impact can new officers have and just how fast can the city fill the ranks to get the PPD back to full strength. It's all on the Philly Prime Podcast this week.

The murder of Temple University Police Sgt. Christopher Fitzgerald. Inside the investigation and a closer look at the 18 yr old suspect charged in this murder. Former Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, now the head of Philly school security, joins the show to discuss this tragic case and why so many officers are being killed in the line of duty. Also a discussion on why young people are engaged in gun violence. Join us on The Philly Prime Podcast.

Sadly, The Eagles run for a Super Bowl Championship is over, but the memories will live on forever. Joining us this week to recount this incredible journey to the Super Bowl is Fox29's Chris O' Connell who covered the whole amazing ride to the Big Game. Chris will take us behind the scenes with the fans, the players and look ahead to next year. Plus the Phillies are about to open training camp. Will they make another run to the World Series, Chris will weigh in.

The murder of Tyre Nichols allegedly at the hands of 5 Memphis Police Officers over a traffic stop. Criminal charges filed, officers dismissed and the elite unit they belonged to is now disbanded. Former Philly Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey joins the podcast to discuss Nichols' horrific death, the tactics used by police and what needs to be done to prevent these violent encounters in the future. Don't miss this episode. Join us on Philly Prime.

George Anastasia is a former Philly Inquirer reporter. Expert on the Mob. Author of a several books including Blood and Honor, The Goodfella Tapes, The Last Gangster and Gotti Rules. He's currently an adjunct professor at Rowan University. Guest speaker and lecturer. Guest on multiple Mob-related documentaries. Co-host of Mob Talk Sitdown. 

Chief Inspector Chris Werner. 30+ years on force. He's the new Chief of Detectives  Former Head of the Narcotics Unit. Former Assistant DA.

A real treat this week. A look back at the Phillies 2022 World Series run with The Philly Phanatic's "best friend" Tom Burgoyne. The highlights, the thrilling moments and his unforgettable takeaways from this year's phenomenal season. We'll take a look at the team's off season moves and look ahead to the 2023 season. Please join us for a special Pre-Christmas show with Tom Burgoyne ,

Three top Philly Mobsters, including the former Underboss, are now headed to federal prison after a highly publicized racketeering indictment that garnered guilty pleas from 14 out of 15 defendants. How does the local Mob fill those high level vacancies, who's moving up and what impact does this have on Philadelphia's struggling, cash strapped crime family? Former Lucchese Crime Family soldier, podcaster & government cooperator John Pennisi joins the show to discuss. Please join us.

The Election results are in across Pennsylvania for the US Senate race and the race for Governor. We'll talk winners & losers this week with FOX29 Political Analyst Bruce Gordon. He'll break down the races, what went right, what went wrong and what's the next hot political race in our region. Join us on The Philly Prime Podcast.

With the midterm elections right around the corner, we're going to break down the race for the US Senate seat from Pennsylvania. Democrat John Fetterman vs Republican Mehmet Oz. Fresh off their only debate, FOX29 Political analyst Bruce Gordon joins the podcast to discuss this hotly contested race. We also discuss the Phillies and the great run they are on.

Outrage after Gun violence against teens jumps to a whole new level when a 14 yr old football player is murdered and four other teens are wounded as 5 gunmen open fire after a high school football scrimmage at Roxborough HS. Philadelphia School Safety Chief and former Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel joins the show to break it all down, discuss why this is happening and what are the potential solutions. Join us this week on The Philly Prime Podcast

As Murders, shootings & carjackings continue to skyrocket in Philadelphia, city officials launch a new cold case homicide squad to look at over 4,000 unsolved murders. What's the plan and how will detectives wade through the mountain of unsolved cases? Fox29 Crime Reporter Kelly Rule just produced a half-hour special looking at the problem, talking with victims' families and interviewing the head of the Homicide Unit. She will join the podcast and give us her insights on this new initiative.

Inside The Philadelphia Mayor's Race. City Council members resigning left and right to run for the Democratic nomination for Mayor in 2023. Who are the potential candidates, what are the top issues and what impact will these resignations from Council have on City Council. FOX29 Political Analyst Bruce Gordon joins the show to lay it all out and give us the latest on statewide races for Governor and the U.S. Senate. 

This week we dive into the raid and execution of a search warrant at former President Donald Trump's South Florida estate. Attorney/Legal Expert Jim Leonard joins the show to discuss search warrants, the FBI actions and where this could all lead next. Please join us on the Philly Prime Podcast.

Philly Fraternal Order of Police President John McNesby joins the show to discuss the state of the Philly Police Department, murders, shootings, attacks on police and a recent call for more stop and frisk tactics. Always candid, always outspoken, always interesting and sometimes controversial. Don't miss this week's show.

The Return of Stop and Frisk. Philadelphia's City Council President proposes a return to the controversial police tactic known as " Stop & Frisk". Former Deputy Police Commissioner and head of the Patrol Division Joe Sullivan joins the show to talk about how the current form of stop and frisk works. We'll discuss both sides of the issue as well as whether this could actually help get more guns off Philly's crime plagued streets.

The Mazzone Brothers pleading out in that big 2020 Philly Mob Racketeering Conspiracy case. What does it mean for Steve & Sonny? What impact does it have on the local LCN and is there still more to tell. In the end, how big was that 2015 Mob Induction Ceremony caught on tape by the FBI to this case and others. Mob expert, author & former Inky reporter George Anastasia joins us.