Raid at City Hall: The FBI Steps In
When I first began investigating Councilman Anthony DeRosa’s connections to South Philly’s construction boom, I knew it would ruffle some feathers. I didn’t expect it to trigger a federal raid just weeks after my initial story.
If you’re just joining this investigation, catch up on the first two articles:
Yesterday morning, federal agents stormed DeRosa’s office at City Hall, seizing computers, documents, and personal devices. The speed of their response caught even me off guard. I had planned to spend weeks, maybe months, peeling back the layers of this story. Now, it seems, those layers are unraveling faster than anyone anticipated.
The Call That Changed Everything
The day before the raid, I received a phone call. It was from someone claiming to represent federal law enforcement. They didn’t mince words.
“We’ve been following your investigation, Mr. Ryland,” the voice said. “We need your files.”
I was taken aback. I’ve had my share of run-ins with law enforcement during past investigations, but this was different. There was no offer of collaboration, no acknowledgment of shared goals—just a firm request that I turn over every document, every email, and every lead I’d gathered so far.
As a journalist, my instinct is to protect my sources, even from those wearing badges. But the call confirmed what I’d suspected: this story is bigger than just one councilman.
What the Feds Found
While details of the raid are still emerging, a source close to the investigation confirmed that agents were acting on information that implicated DeRosa in a web of corruption far deeper than my reporting initially suggested.
Among the items seized were campaign finance records, emails, and hard drives containing communications between DeRosa’s office and Southside Development LLC—the same company at the center of my earlier investigation.
Federal agents also removed several boxes labeled “Confidential,” which reportedly contain documents linking DeRosa to payments funneled through shell companies tied to the Marcuccio crime family.
The Councilman’s Response
DeRosa has maintained his innocence, issuing a brief statement through his attorney:
“These allegations are baseless. Councilman DeRosa has always acted in the best interests of his constituents and looks forward to clearing his name.”
It’s a familiar refrain, one I’ve heard from others who found themselves on the wrong side of the law.
The Fallout
The raid sent shockwaves through City Hall. Staffers described the scene as chaotic, with agents combing through desks and files as shocked employees looked on. One aide, who asked to remain anonymous, described the atmosphere as “surreal.”
“You could feel the weight of it,” they said. “This isn’t just about DeRosa. It feels like the whole system is under scrutiny.”
What Happens Next?
The speed of the federal response raises questions about what they already know—and what they’re still trying to uncover. While the raid may seem like the climax of this investigation, it’s likely just the beginning of a much larger story.
As for my role, I’ve made it clear to federal authorities that I won’t compromise my sources. Journalism thrives on trust, and I intend to honor mine. That said, the questions they’re asking suggest that this investigation has struck a nerve.
Who else is implicated in this web of corruption? How deep does the Marcuccio family’s influence run? And what does this mean for South Philly’s political landscape?
The answers are out there, and I intend to find them.
Stay vigilant,
Will Ryland