Jury reviewing FBI wiretaps in Philly mob case

PHILADELPHIA - January 9, 2013 (WPVI) -- Jurors in a mob racketeering case in Philadelphia are rehearing several FBI wiretaps involving video poker machines on their second day of deliberations.

Federal authorities are hoping to take down the latest reputed leaders of La Cosa Nostra.

The lead defendant is 73-year-old Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi, the alleged boss since 1999.

The three-month trial covers more than a decade of FBI wiretaps and undercover work. But there are no murders or shootings alleged.

The case focuses on sports betting, loansharking and extortion, along with some threats of violence.

Defense lawyers say the mob is broke and the charges are overblown. And they say mob informants who testified in exchange for leniency are "playing the FBI."

The other six defendants include alleged underboss Joseph "Moussie" Massimino and Ligambi nephew and reputed consigliere George Borgesi.

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philadelphia, organized crime, local/state

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