Mob Associate Arrested After Mobster-Turned-Informant Kills Self

The associate is believed to have helped the informant carry out a murder last month.

A mobster-turned-FBI-informant who is believed to have carried out a killing while helping the FBI track Mafiosos from Boston to Philadelphia was found dead in a New Jersey hotel. And now New Jersey police have arrested an alleged mob associate who is believed to have helped carry out the Bloomfield, N.J. murder.

Nicholas “Nicky Skins” Stefanelli was found dead in an apparent suicide after allegedly killing mob rival Joseph Rossi, whom he blamed for getting him into trouble in the first place.

Stefanelli is believed to have worn a wire for the FBI for at least two years, targeting suspected mobsters in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania.

With some investigations nearing an end, officials said they believe Stefanelli snapped and went after Rossi. 

Police sources said they believe another man, Jose Rivera, may have accompanied Stefanelli at the Rossi murder.

Rivera is being questioned and charges are pending in connection with the Feb. 24 Rossi killing, officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The name of his attorney was not immediately available.

A spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman declined comment, as did an FBI spokesman. 

Law enforcement officials are now concerned some long-term organized crime investigations could be at risk with their informant dead.

But tapes made during those investigations still exist.  News of these developments were first reported by Jerry Capeci’s Gangland website. 

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