A federal judge ruled Monday that Nicodemo "Junior" Scarfo should not be allowed to post bail because he is a danger to the community.
Scarfo was arrested in November on charges that he and other reputed organized crime figures took over an Irving, Texas-based mortgage company and raided its assets.
His lawyer argued that Scarfo was being held because his imprisoned father is a mob boss. But government lawyers say Scarfo traded on the family name to perpetuate crime.
Eleven other defendants in the case, including four lawyers, an accountant and Scarfo's wife, have been released on bail.