Mario Riccobene
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Mario "Sonny" Riccobene (1933 Enna, Sicily- January 28, 1993, Brooklawn, New Jersey)[1] was a member of the Philadelphia crime family. He later became a federal witness after his son Enrico committed suicide with the fear of being killed by Nicodemo Scarfo and his fellow gangsters.[2] Mario Riccobene later returned to his old lifestyle and in 1993, was murdered by his old associates for cooperating as a government witness.[2] Riccobene had been in the witness protection program but eventually removed from the program because he was unable to follow the rules.[3]
Early life
[edit]Born in Philadelphia to Sicilian immigrant parents, he was the half-brother of Harold Riccobene. He joined the Bruno family in the 1950s, frequently working as a driver for Angelo Bruno.[1] He was a partner with his half-brother Harry in a loan-sharking and numbers businesses that they operated out of the DeNittis Talent Agency in South Philadelphia.
Criminal life
[edit]During the Bruno-Scarfo war, the violence was increasing and Mario was approached by Scarfo's consigliere Frank Monte[4] to "(turn) over his brother" but he refused. Riccobene ended up telling his brother. In May 1982, Monte was fatally shot in response.[1]
In 1983, he and Harry were convicted of racketeering. He was sentenced to 4 1/2 years in jail and a $10,000 fine.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d La Cosa Nostra
- ^ a b He Dared To Die Mob 'Snitch' Slain In N.j. M. Riccobene Spurned Fbi Protection
- ^ Slaying Raises Fear Of Return Of Riccobene-scarfo Warfare After Violence Between Mob Factions Claimed Two Riccobenes, Mario Became a Government Witness. He Testified Against His Half Brother, Harry.
- ^ Robbins, William (29 October 1984). "WITNESSES TESTIFY ABOUT MAFIA LIFE (Published 1984)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2023-04-04.
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