REPUTED PHILADELPHIA MOB BOSS INDICTED

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - A reputed Philadelphia mob boss and 10
members of his alleged crime family were indicted on Friday on a host
of federal charges including murder, attempted murder, extortion and
drug trafficking.

Authorities said a 37-count indictment against alleged kingpin Joseph
``Skinny Joey'' Merlino covered virtually the whole of the suspect's
career as an up-and-coming figure in the underworld of South
Philadelphia.

``During the 10-year period of criminal conduct charged here, Joseph
Merlino rose through the ranks ... from associate to soldier to
under-boss and then acting boss,'' U.S. Attorney Michael Stiles told a
news conference.

The indictment expands two earlier sets of federal charges alleging
that Merlino and his associates were involved in drug trafficking and
dealing in stolen property.

Merlino, 38, is already in federal prison awaiting an April 10 trial
on the earlier counts. The charges, which encompass three murders,
including the 1995 slaying of a government witness, raise the
possibility that the alleged kingpin could face the death penalty.

His attorneys could not immediately be reached for
comment.

Federal investigators said much of their evidence had come from
former Philadelphia mob boss Ralph Natale, who began cooperating with
authorities after his arrest on drug charges last June.

Authorities also indicated that more charges could be coming against
Merlino as investigators win new cooperation from his alleged inner
circle.

One federal official said Merlino's alleged crime family did business
``the old-fashioned mob way'' by systematically profiting from
extortion, bookmaking, heroin trafficking, theft and murder.