Infamous Philly Mob Boss “Little Nicky” Scarfo Dies At Age 87

CBS News(Philly) ^ | 01/15/2017 | Molly Daly

[Kid Shelleen]

Notorious former Philadelphia mob boss Nicodemo “Little Nicky” Scarfo has died in a federal prison medical facility in North Carolina. He was 87.

A family attorney confirmed to CBS Philly on Sunday that Scarfo passed away Friday at the Butner Federal Prison.

Scarfo, who had been banished from Atlantic City, became head of the Philadelphia crime family in 1981 after the murders of Angelo Bruno and Phil “Chicken Man” Testa.

[null and void]

[exinnj]

And why this a news of any importance?

[jmacusa]

May he rot in Hell.

[Dog]

He was one of the most vicious mob bosses..ever.

[Maceman]

And why this a news of any importance?

It may not be of any importance, but it is certainly of interest, especially to those of us who have followed (or lived through) the history of the La Cosa Nostra.

You obviously don't share that interest. But for those who do, there is an excellent series of 45-minute documentaries on YouTube called "Inside the American Mob."

One of those videos that I find of particular interest is entitled: "Taking Down the Mob" which tells about how then-U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani led the charge on taking down the Mafia "Commission" of family bosseds back in the early 1980s. An older Guiliani is featured prominently on this video talking about that experience.

[Kid Shelleen]

There are lots of fascinating sub plots.
Scarfo's construction company controlled AC construction and many corrupt politicians from New York to Philadelphia. Entertainment types like Bruce Springsteen and society in general are intrigued with celebrity gangsters.

Some may find it interesting as a human interest story about how evil can destroy a family or some people like myself find it interesting as a case study FOR the death penalty.

[M Kehoe]

I wonder how many people / victims will piss on his grave.

5.56mm

[Kid Shelleen]

CORRECT.. he is the poster boy FOR the death penalty, a cold blooded psychopath who admitted he enjoyed murdering people and a far cry from the way Hollywood portrays mob bosses.

[donozark]

He was and enforcer/tool of the Democrat Party/unions for decades.Democrats, unions, and mafiosi are inseparable....

[fieldmarshaldj]

*ping*

[a fool in paradise]

[major-pelham]

Good answer, it’s of obvious interest. Some weird stuff comes from that FR handle.

[dainbramaged]

Nicodemo Scarfo was a nasty piece of work, even for the mafia. There is an episode of “Mobsters” that tells his story.

[wally_bert]

I love history in general.

Will have to look that series up.

Can’t say I ever heard of this guy.

[heterosupremacist]

“I wish that motherfucker was alive so I could kill him again.” - Salvatore Testa on Frank Narducci.

[heterosupremacist]

Goodfellas, right?

[Magnatron]

I lived in Philly during all that. Very entertaining. One of the more interesting events occurred after Scarfo went to prison. A hit was made on his son in a south Philly restaurant. The assaillant entered the restaurant and opened fire with an Uzi at Scarfo, who had just started eating. Junior was hit nine times in the neck and upper chest. The bullets missed every major organ in his body and he survived.

I'm thinking the hitman didn't last long after that blunder.

[Maceman]

Can’t say I ever heard of this guy.

The episode that talks about him is here:

Inside the American Mob - New York-Philly War

[wally_bert]

Thanks Maceman.

I’ll get around to watching it.