Mob Associate Had Fraudulent City Contract, Scammed Insurance Firms
By William Bender, Philadelphia Daily News | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
This is
"We are here today to announce the arrest -- once again -- of
Galati, 63, an auto mechanic with ties to mobsters including
City prosecutors piled on yesterday with a 69-page grand-jury presentment that accused Galati and dozens of cohorts -- including his son, his wife, Ligambi's son and a Philly cop -- of perpetrating a "staggering amount of insurance fraud" at American Collision & Auto Center, the shop at
"I live my life to cheat insurance companies. My high every day is to cheat insurance companies," Galati is quoted by cooperating witnesses as saying.
Williams said American Collision raked in about
Galati is known for befriending cops and repairing their personal cars at a discount. Williams himself attended a block party near Galati's home last summer and was seen "palling around with Galati," according to a party attendee. Williams' spokeswoman has acknowledged that he was there and met Galati, but said the two men had no prior relationship.
The city stopped sending business to Galati's shop in December after the
During the past four years, insurance companies paid about
"They actually kept deer carcasses at the shop and they would simulate accidents and take photographs they called '
Galati's attorney,
And don't worry, South Philly wiseguys: Voci said that Galati has no plans to rat on the mob -- even if he knew anything.
"My client is not cooperating with city, state or federal law-enforcement agencies, has not considered it and likely will never consider it," Voci said.
On
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