#35: Robert "Bobby" Simone: The Man Who Dared to Defend the Mob

The Gangland History Podcast: An Organized Crime & Mafia History Podcast

In this episode, special guest Tony Taouk and myself discuss the career of infamous Philadelphia mob lawyer, Robert "Bobby" Simone (1933 - 2007).

Robert F. Simone was known for winning a string of difficult cases for clients that included members of Philadelphia's organized-crime family such as Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo, Philip "Crazy" Phil Leonetti, Frank "The Baracuda" Sindone, union boss John McCullough, and many more.

We discuss many topics surrounding the life and times of Simone including:

• His law studies at Temple University
• The Pottsville Heist: His first big criminal defense case of Lillian "Tiger Lil" Reis
• How he began defending mobsters like Frank "The Barracuda" Sindone
• Meeting and beginning to defend Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo
• The 1980 defense of Scarfo, Philip "Crazy Phil" Leonetti, and Lawrence "Yogi" Merlino in the Vincent Falcone murder case
• Simone's defense and association with the Philly mob in the 1980's and 1990's
• Simone's defense of himself in his 1984 tax evasion case
• Simone's ability to tear down government informants such as Nick "The Crow" Caramandi
• The Martorano drug conviction in the mid-to-late 1980's
• Simone's conviction of racketeering in the early 1990's and his disbarrment from being a lawyer
• Simone's retirement, autobiography, and ultimate legacy

Link to Simone's book, "The Last Mouthpiece: The Man Who Dared to Defend the Mob" https://www.amazon.com/Last-Mouthpiece-Man-Dared-Defend/dp/0940159694

Link to "MOUTHPIECE: VOICE FOR THE ACCUSED" (2002)" * PRODUCED BY THE HISTORY CHANNEL (Used in this video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7hDUNfyRJc