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'Bent Finger' Lou Monacello Released From Prison
Schratwieser: Release Could Mean He's Cooperating
PHILADELPHIA - We have a major development in the federal racketeering case involving 13 reputed Philadelphia wiseguys and associates.
Fox 29's Dave Schratweiser reported Tuesday morning that "Bent Finger" Lou Monacello, an alleged top mob associate, was released overnight from a federal detention center, documents from the federal bureau of prisons show.
"It might be the first break in the case for the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office," Schratwieser reported. "… Now, what does that mean? That could mean that he is cooperating."
Monacello's lawyer, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office weren't commenting Tuesday morning.
A few months ago, undercover Fox 29 cameras spotted reputed mob boss Joe Ligambi and Monacello arguing over something at Ligambi's South Philadelphia home.
Ligambi, 72, is facing possibly 10 to 15 years in prison in convicted in the racketeering case.
"If Monacello is cooperating, he could bury mob boss Joe Ligambi. … If he is, he could give crucial information to federal prosecutors that would hurt Ligambi," Schratwieser said.
Monacello could also cause problems for George Borgesi, an alleged "capo" in the organized crime family. Monacello was also charged in the well-known "Delco Nostra" gambling case that Borgesi was allegedly running from prison.
Borgesi could have information about violence and potentially murders during the Joey Merlino organization, of which he was a former top-ranking member.
"This could be an interesting little opening for the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office, if he's cooperating, but again they're not commenting this morning," Schratweiser reported.