Ralph Natale | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | March 6, 1935 South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | January 22, 2022 (aged 86) |
| Occupation | Crime boss |
| Spouse | Lucy Natale |
| Children | 6 |
| Allegiance | Philadelphia crime family |
| Conviction(s) | Arson (1979) Drug trafficking (1980) Racketeering (2005) |
| Criminal penalty | 12 years' imprisonment 15 years' imprisonment 13 years' imprisonment |
Ralph Samuel Natale[1] (March 6, 1935 – January 22, 2022) was an American mobster. He was the boss of the Philadelphia crime family from 1995 until 1999, when he became the first American Mafia boss to turn state's evidence.[2][3] Natale helped sentence Joey Merlino to a 14-year sentence in 2001, but in January 2005, was also sentenced for racketeering, receiving a 13-year sentence. He was released in May 2011 and entered the witness protection program.
- ^ Organized Crime in America: Hearings Before the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, January 27, February 16, March 2 and 3, 1983. United States: United States Government Publishing Office. 1983. p. 189.
- ^ Anastasia, George (May 23, 2011). "Ligambi was 6th boss to follow Bruno". Philly.com. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ Braun, Stephen (May 4, 2001). "This Mob Shot Its Brains Out". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 13, 2011.