Longtime Mob Reporter Can Cover Scarfo Trial, Judge Rules

By: Julia Terruso | Philly.com

A veteran reporter who has covered organized crime in Philadelphia and South Jersey for more than 40 years will be permitted to watch a white-collar mob trial despite his name's appearing on the witness list, a federal judge ruled Thursday.

George Anastasia, who wrote for The Inquirer until October 2012, was put on the defense's witness list in State v. Scarfo et al. The federal case alleges that reputed mobster Nicodemo Scarfo, son of jailed Philadelphia mob boss Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo Jr., and an associate, Salvatore Pelullo, along with several attorneys, orchestrated a racketeering scheme netting them millions.