Nicodemo Scarfo

Nicodemo Domenico Scarfo Sr. (March 8, 1929 – January 13, 2017) also known as "Little Nicky", was a figure in the Italian-American mafia who was the boss of the Philadelphia crime family between 1981 and 1990. Infamous for his violent tendencies, Scarfo led the family through its bloodiest period until his conviction. During his criminal career, Scarfo engaged in organized crime activities such as drug trafficking, extortion, racketeering and illegal gambling. In 1988 he was convicted of multiple charges including racketeering, conspiracy and first-degree murder. His trial consisted of the damaging testimonies of several informants, who had carried out his murders. Scarfo died in prison on January 13, 2017, while serving a 55-year sentence. Scarfo was the father of Nicky Scarfo Jr., a soldier in the Lucchese crime family of New York City, who himself was sentenced in 2015 to thirty years in prison for racketeering, illegal gambling and securities fraud.