Philly mob said down to a few members

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- The Philadelphia mob is a shadow of its former self, with only about 20 members, nine of whom are in jail, authorities say.

Officials testifying Monday at an ongoing hearing into a casino service industry license for Joseph Merlino, cousin of jailed mob leader Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino, said the once-powerful underworld La Cosa Nostra clan has been decimated by arrests, blood feuds and competition from violent drug gangs, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

The newspaper said Merlino, 42, and his mother have twice been denied a service-industry license because of suspected ties to organized crime. The state Division of Gaming Enforcement, presenting police testimony and other evidence, contends the pair have continuing organized crime associations.

Sgt. Daniel McCullough of Philadelphia Police Department's intelligence unit, reportedly presented an organizational chart that showed the crime family currently is operating without a "consigliere," or counselor. That post is listed as vacant as the struggling Philly-South Jersey mob is allegedly run by 70-year-old Joseph Ligambi, the Inquirer said.