Caught Red-Handed: The Councilman’s Downfall
Councilman Anthony DeRosa's fall from grace has been swift, but the latest evidence to emerge cements what many have long suspected—corruption was woven into the fabric of his career. New photos and documents, recently leaked to Exposure, offer irrefutable proof that DeRosa accepted bribes tied to South Philly’s construction boom and the shadowy world of organized crime.
If you’re just joining this investigation, catch up on the first three articles:
The Anonymous Source
The new evidence arrived in an unmarked envelope left outside my office late last night. Inside were photographs and financial documents linking DeRosa to payments funneled through shell companies.
The photos show DeRosa meeting with a known Marcuccio associate in a private club. In one image, DeRosa appears to shake hands with the associate while holding an envelope in his other hand. Another photo, timestamped just weeks before a controversial zoning decision, shows the two men laughing over drinks at the same location.
Alongside the photographs were bank statements showing deposits into DeRosa’s personal accounts. The amounts, often tens of thousands of dollars, align suspiciously with key council votes in favor of Southside Development LLC, the company at the center of this scandal.
What the Evidence Reveals
These documents corroborate earlier reports of bribes funneled through Harbor Solutions, a shell company tied to Southside Development. The trail of money—from Southside Development to Harbor Solutions to DeRosa’s accounts—lays bare the mechanisms of corruption.
One document, marked “Confidential,” details a payment labeled as a “consulting fee.” The timing coincides with a city council vote that awarded Southside Development a multi-million-dollar contract.
Even more damning is the inclusion of handwritten notes scrawled on the margins of one document, referencing a meeting with “A.D.” and a “final arrangement.”
The Marcuccio Connection
The leaks further implicate the Marcuccio crime family in this scheme. The associate seen in the photographs with DeRosa has a long history of ties to the Marcuccios. Known for overseeing the family’s Pennsport operations, this individual has been implicated in previous investigations involving racketeering and labor union manipulation.
The Marcuccios’ influence over South Philly’s construction industry is nothing new, but this case underscores their ability to co-opt public officials to further their interests.
The Fallout
DeRosa’s legal troubles are mounting. Federal prosecutors are reportedly preparing additional charges based on this new evidence, which they claim reveals a “systematic abuse of public trust.”
Meanwhile, City Hall is in turmoil. The photos and documents have sparked outrage among residents, who are demanding answers not only about DeRosa’s actions but also about the systems that allowed this corruption to flourish.
In a brief statement, DeRosa’s attorney dismissed the evidence as “circumstantial” and claimed the councilman was the victim of a politically motivated smear campaign. But with every new piece of evidence, that defense grows weaker.
Reflections on the Investigation
As I sift through these leaks, one question keeps coming to mind: Who else knew? Corruption at this level rarely operates in isolation. DeRosa may be the one under the microscope now, but the web of influence extends far beyond him.
This investigation has been a lesson in the lengths people will go to protect their power and the risks others are willing to take to expose the truth. To the anonymous source who sent these documents: thank you for trusting me with this information.
What’s Next?
With DeRosa’s trial set for 2025, this story is far from over. The photographs and documents are likely to play a key role in the prosecution’s case, but they also open the door to new questions. Who else in City Hall has been compromised? How deeply are the Marcuccios embedded in South Philly’s political landscape?
The answers are out there, and I intend to find them.
Stay vigilant,
Will Ryland