Uncle Joe, the reputed Philadelphia mob boss, beat the rap for a second time
Friday at his retrial on gambling and racketeering charges that stem from a long-time FBI investigation.
A jury acquitted 74-year -old Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi of witness
tampering, but deadlocked on three other charges. It's not clear if
prosecutors will try him a third time on the 2009 indictments.
Mob turncoats and other government witnesses painted Ligambi as the head of a fading La Cosa Nostra crime family in Philadelphia. The FBI has been investigating him for more than a decade, since he allegedly took over when Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino went to prison.
The Ligambi case largely involves the collection of small gambling debts
and loans, and the operation of video poker machines at neighborhood
bars.
The retrial was a pared-down version of last year's trial, when
Ligambi's reputed underboss, enforcer and several associates were
convicted. Underboss Joseph "Mousie" Massimino ended up with a
15-year-sentence, while the enforcer got 11 years.
That jury acquitted Ligambi of five counts, while deadlocking on four.
"Now we've won a sixth of nine counts," defense lawyer Ed Jacobs told
reporters after Friday's verdict. "Both times the jury was unable or
unwilling to accept the government's theories on racketeering conspiracy
and gambling."
He's called the case a witch hunt, and pointed out the lack of
bloodshed. However, prosecutors pointed to the alleged threats and tough
talk heard on FBI tapes to argue that the group remains dangerous.
The jury on Friday also acquitted Ligambi's nephew, 50-year-old George
Borgesi, of racketeering conspiracy. He was being released after 13
years in prison from an earlier mob case.
Both juries deliberated for several weeks.
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