Ralph Natale
Encyclopedia
Ralph Natale is a former American mobster. He was the leader of the Philadelphia crime family
from 1995 until 1999, when he became the first American Mafia
boss to turn state's evidence.
Natale was initiated
into the faction of the Philadelphia family led by Joey Merlino during the latter's power struggle with boss John Stanfa
. Upon Stanfa's 1994 arrest Natale began to assume the duties of boss while Merlino, concerned over attention from law enforcement, took the position of underboss
. Merlino's associate's would later describe Natale as primarily a front boss for Merlino.
In June 1998 Natale was jailed for parole violation when the government proved his continued association with Philadelphia mobsters; Merlino subsequently took control of the family and cut off support to the imprisoned boss. Angered by this, Natale offered to secretly record conversations with Merlino, but it was not until September 1999, when he was indicted for financing drug deals, that he formally struck a deal to cooperate.
Natale testified against Merlino during his 2001 racketeering trial, but was unable to secure a conviction for the murders he alleged Merlino committed.
In 2005 Ralph Natale was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.
Philadelphia crime family
The Philadelphia crime family, also known as the Scarfo crime family, Bruno crime family, Philadelphia Mafia, or Philly Mob, is an Italian American criminal organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is one of the most active American Mafia families outside of the Five Families of New York...
from 1995 until 1999, when he became the first American Mafia
American Mafia
The American Mafia , is an Italian-American criminal society. Much like the Sicilian Mafia, the American Mafia has no formal name and is a secret criminal society. Its members usually refer to it as Cosa Nostra or by its English translation "our thing"...
boss to turn state's evidence.
Natale was initiated
Made man
A made man, also known as a Mafioso , made guy, man of honor, or uomo d'onore , is someone who has been officially inducted into the Sicilian or American Mafia . They may also be referred to by some as a goodfella or wiseguy...
into the faction of the Philadelphia family led by Joey Merlino during the latter's power struggle with boss John Stanfa
John Stanfa
Giovanni "John the Dour Don" Stanfa is a former acting boss of the Scarfo crime family. Convicted of multiple charges in 1995, Stanfa is currently serving five consecutive life sentences.-Early life and Mafia member:...
. Upon Stanfa's 1994 arrest Natale began to assume the duties of boss while Merlino, concerned over attention from law enforcement, took the position of underboss
Underboss
Underboss is a position within the leadership structure of Sicilian and American Mafia crime families. The underboss is second in command to the boss...
. Merlino's associate's would later describe Natale as primarily a front boss for Merlino.
In June 1998 Natale was jailed for parole violation when the government proved his continued association with Philadelphia mobsters; Merlino subsequently took control of the family and cut off support to the imprisoned boss. Angered by this, Natale offered to secretly record conversations with Merlino, but it was not until September 1999, when he was indicted for financing drug deals, that he formally struck a deal to cooperate.
Natale testified against Merlino during his 2001 racketeering trial, but was unable to secure a conviction for the murders he alleged Merlino committed.
In 2005 Ralph Natale was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.