Ralph Natale simply says: ‘I will take care of business. Kill them immediately!’
Ralph Natale 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’s mob association began when he became boss of the Bartenders Union Local 170, allegedly running it on behalf of Philadelphia boss Angelo Bruno’s behalf. In 1979, Ralph Natale was convicted of firebombing a furniture store in an insurance fraud scheme and was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. In 1980, Natale was convicted of selling cocaine and received a 15-year sentence. He was released on parole in 1994.
In June 1998 Natale was jailed for parole violation when the government proved his continued association with Philadelphia organized crime.
Joey Merlino subsequently took control of the family and cut off support to the imprisoned boss. Natale responding by offering to secretly record conversations with Merlino, but he didn’t formally cooperate until September 1999, when he was indicted for financing drug deals.
Natale testified against Merlino during his 2001 racketeering trial, the murders Natale alleged Merlino committed did not result in a conviction.
Natale was released in May 2011 and is in witness protection. A biography Last Don Standing: The Secret Life of Mob Boss Ralph Natale was written by Larry McShane and Dan Pearson
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