Nicky Scarfo Jr now a Lucchese mobster has his Luck continue for now

Nicky Scarfo Jr the son of once Philadelphia Mafia boss Nicodemo Scarfo – “Little Nicky” dodged a bullet as he was targeted in the racketeering case last week where Andrew Merola of the Gambino Crime family was indicted. Scarfo Jr was a target in the sting but was not charged in the end. Merloa who was inidicted is said to be a long time friend and business partner of Scarfo Jr.

At one time Nicky Scarfo Jr was considered the nest in line to take over the Philadelphia Mafia family that his father ran. In 1988 Nicodemo “Little Nicky” Scarfo and a dozen other Philly Mafia members were indicted and sent to prison with very lengthy sentences. This left a leadership void in the family and it was thought that Scarfo Jr would step in as he was the heir apparent. But there was a split in the crime family with a young upstart names Joseph Merlino or “Skinny Joe” Merlino was also making a push to take over.

Merlino is thought to have given the order to whack out Scarfo Jr making it easier for him to gain control of the top spot in the family. Scarfo Jr dodged a bullet then also as the murder attempt on him at Dante & Luigi’s Restaurant on Halloween failed. A man carrying a Halloween trick or treat bag walked into the restaurant where Scarfo Jr and friends were eating and pulled out a gun and opened fire , Scarfo Jr was hit multiple times but none of the injuries were serious and he survived.

After the failed hit on his son Scarfo Sr from his jail cell reached out to the Lucchese Crime Family to which he had ties from prison. Scarfo Sr has become friends while serving time with once Lucchese Family boss Vic Amuso also serving a prison sentence. The Lucchese Family agreed to list Nicky Scarfo Jr as an associate and he then moved out to North Jersey. Scarfo Jr then began operating in North Jersey and it is said thats where he became friends and started doing business with high ranking Gambino Family member Andrew Merola. Scarfo Jr and Merola became close enough friends that Scarfo would take over Merola’s gambling operations and extortion collections and various other mob scams while Merola would serve a 42 month prison sentence in 2007.

Scarfo Jr would later become a soldier and “made man” in the Lucchese Crime Family which would solidify his safety from any possible Philly Mafia factions. Based on Mafia rule and laws Scarfo Jr would now be considered untouchable without having permission from either the commission or the boss of the crime family. Scarfo Jr friend and partner pleaded guilty tuesday to a racketeering conviction admitting he headed his own crew in the Gambino crime family , he was among 22 other defendents who have already submitted guilty pleas. Merola faces any where from 10-12 yrs as to the sentencing guidelines of his crimes.