Joaquin Garcia - Joaquin Garcia is a retired FBI agent who infiltrated the Gambino crime family of the Italian Mafia under the alias of Jack Falcone beginning in 2002. Greg DePalma, the Gambino family capo, offered Garcia the position of made man, which would have made Garcia the first federal agent to achieve this position in the Mafia. However, the FBI investigation ceased in 2005 when Garcia's cover was in danger of being blown. But, with sufficient evidence to convict DePalma and several other high-ranking mafiosi, DePalma was arrested and convicted to twelve years in federal prison thanks in large part to Garcia's efforts.
Philip P. Scala - Prior to forming Pathfinder Consultants International, Philip Scala served the United States both as a Commissioned Officer in the US Army for Five years followed by his 29 years of service with the FBI.
Mr. Scala served in the United States Army from 1974 through 1979. He graduated from the Airborne, Ranger, and Pathfinder Schools (Honor Graduate) at the Fort Benning Infantry School, and served with the First of the Sixth Infantry, First Armored Division, in the Federal Republic of Germany (1974-1977). During his service, he was promoted to the rank of Captain. Upon acceptance in to the FBI academy, Captain Scala resigned his commission, and entered the FBI Academy located on the United States Marine Corps Base at Quantico, Virginia; graduating and being appointed as a Special Agent of the FBI, in April of 1979
Throughout his 29-year career with the FBI, he worked, supervised and lead investigations on nearly every type of federal crime, including securities fraud, white collar crime, money laundering, tax violations, narcotics, racketeering, homicide, violent crime, firearms, and public corruptions. Mr. Scala has been the recipient of numerous commendations and awards for outstanding service, notably the FBI Shield of Bravery, as a group commendation, as the SWAT team leader of the Al-Qaeda Bomb Factory Raid, on June 3, 1993.
Mr. Scala was assigned to the Criminal Division of the New York Office. He served in numerous assignments within the Organized crime branch and was sent to the Defense language Institute in Monterey, California to gain proficiency in the Italian/ Sicilian languages. Mr. Scala participated in the investigations of the La Cosa Nostra Commission, “the murder of Paul Castellano”, “the investigation, and cooperation of Sammy Gravano”, the investigations and convictions of Gambino leaders, Neil Dellacroce, and John J. Gotti. As part of the investigations of the La Cosa Nostra, Mr. Scala and his team infiltrated both the Italian and Russian Mob which lead to numerous convictions for Tax Violations, Racketeering as well as change IRS code to prevent these activities in the future. In addition, he served five years in numerous undercover positions in the national security and criminal divisions.
Mr. Scala served 15 years in the New York SWAT team, including the leadership of the Brooklyn-Queens team and Senior team leader for the New York Division from 1990-1995. His training included certifications as Rappel-Master, Tactical Instructor, Sniper, and Firearms instructor. He has participated in numerous SWAT operations, arrests, skyjackings and raids, including the Hell’s Angels HQ., the Atlanta Prison uprising, and the rescue of a mutinied oil tanker (Liberian-flagged, “Ypapanti”), in the Atlantic Ocean. In 1993, he led the raid on the Al-Qaeda bomb factory, where five terror operatives were arrested, and seized five explosive drums intended to destroy the United Nations, Federal Plaza, and the city’s tunnels.
On May 10, 1998, Mr. Scala was selected as a Supervisory Special Agent for the Gambino La Cosa Nostra Squad (C-16). During his tenure, the squad successfully investigated and prosecuted the Mob infiltration of Wall Street, the New York Waterfront investigation, “Murder Incorporated,” labor racketeering, the NY Construction Industry, dismantlement of the Gambino family in NY and Sicily, the NBA referee case, and the largest consumers’ fraud ($1 billion) in US history, which involved the mob’s infiltration of the internet, telecommunications, and banking industries.
From 2003-2008, Mr. Scala, developed and implemented the NY Office’s Leadership Development Program, which assisted relief supervisors develop excellence in leadership through mentoring, journalizing, “Best Practice” experiences, and accountability tools. The program was designed to be continuous, progressive, and measurable in assisting the FBI leaders maximize their leadership potential throughout their careers.
Mr. Scala received his Bachelor degree and Master of Business Administration in accounting from St. John’s University, he also earned a Master of Arts degree in Psychology from New YorkUniversity.
Former FBI agent Jack Garcia describes his years spent undercover with various crime syndicates, including the famed Gambino Family. He gives insights into the inner workings of the mafia, and describes his struggle to maintain five identities at once.
