PHILADELPHIA, May 23 (UPI) -- Reputed Philadelphia crime boss Joseph Ligambi and several associates were arrested in raids Monday, the FBI said.
The arrests followed a five-year investigation of "Uncle Joe" Ligambi and his organization, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Law enforcement sources said the charges involve a gambling and loan-sharking ring.
Other reputed mob figures arrested include Anthony Staino, Martin Angelina, Gaetan Lucibello and Louis "Bent Finger Lou" Monacello.
Monacello was convicted in an organized crime case in Pennsylvania's Delaware County on gambling counts two years ago and put on probation. That investigation gave the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office and state police information leading to the new case.
Ligambi, 71, has been the mob chief in Philadelphia since Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino went to prison for racketeering a decade ago, authorities say.
Ligambi, a former soldier in the Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo crime family, served 10 years on a murder charge until his conviction was overturned and he was freed in 1997, the report said.
