The Nation - News from Nov. 20, 1988

Seventeen defendants headed by reputed mob boss Nicodemo (Little Nicky) Scarfo were convicted in Philadelphia of a racketeering conspiracy that involved murder, extortion, drug dealing and other crimes. The government contended the 17 defendants are members of organized crime who conspired to participate in nine murders, four attempted murders, extortions, drug dealing, loan sharking and illegal gambling. They each face up to 20 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Franklin VanAntwerpen warned the crowd before the verdict was read that he would not tolerate any outcry or demonstration, and there was none. The jurors had to find each defendant guilty of at least two of the criminal charges against them to convict them of racketeering.