This article is about Joseph Merlino the gangster. For the New Jersey politician, see Joseph P. Merlino.
Joey Merlino
Merlino in a surveillance photo in the 1990s
Born
Joseph Salvatore Merlino
(1962-03-13) March 13, 1962 (age 62)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation
Crime boss
Spouse
Deborah Merlino
(m. 1997)
Children
2
Parent(s)
Salvatore "Chuckie" Merlino Rita Merlino
Allegiance
Philadelphia crime family
Conviction(s)
Interstate theft and conspiracy (1990) Racketeering (2001) Illegal gambling (2018)
Criminal penalty
Three years' imprisonment (1990) 14 years' imprisonment (2001) Two years' imprisonment (2018)
Joseph Salvatore "Skinny Joey" Merlino (born March 13, 1962) is an American mobster and reputed boss of the Philadelphia crime family.[1] He rose to power and seized control of the organization in the mid-nineties after he fought against the John Stanfa faction of the family. He has led the crime family in gambling, loan sharking, drug trafficking, and extortion.[2] In comparison to other traditional mob bosses who shunned the limelight, Merlino has interacted regularly with the media and the public, often openly providing charity and hosting events to benefit indigent people in Philadelphia, drawing comparisons to the similarly outgoing, conspicuous, and ostensibly charitable late New York crime boss John Gotti.[3][4] He is the son of deceased Philadelphia crime family underboss Chuckie Merlino.
With the help of boss-turned-informant Ralph Natale, Merlino was convicted of several RICO charges including racketeering, illegal gambling and extortion, in 2001, and sentenced to 14 years in prison.[5] Since his release from prison in 2011, the FBI and organized crime reporters believe he continues to run the Philadelphia–South Jersey Mafia. Merlino disputes this, saying he has retired from a life of crime. As of 2015, Merlino divides his time between south Florida and Philadelphia.[6][7][8]
^Brown, Julie K. (2012-10-02). "Boca Return: Is Joey Merlino back in charge?". The Miami Herald. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
^Anastasia, George (August 4, 2016). "Joey Merlino arrested in major mob bust". PhillyVoice. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
^"Joseph Merlino: The mobster next door | Miami Herald". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on 2021-01-08. Retrieved 2017-10-05.
^Kent, Bill (October 28, 2001). "IN PERSON; The Mouthpiece". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
^"'Skinny Joey' Merlino released from prison". Philly.com. Laura McCrystal. Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
^"Merlino's Restaurant". Merlino's. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
^"Philly Mobster Merlino Now a Florida Maitre D'". Thomas Fitzgerald. NBC News Philadelphia. November 23, 2014. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
^"Merlino's back story as big as its food". South Florida.com. John Tanasychuk. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
Joseph Salvatore "Skinny Joey" Merlino (born March 13, 1962) is an American mobster and reputed boss of the Philadelphia crime family. He rose to power...
the Philadelphia family in 1991. A faction of young mobsters led by JoeyMerlino disputed Stanfa's ascension, however, launching another war in the family...
married to Rita Giordano, and fathered three children, Joey, Natale, Maria, Liza Ann and Jason. Merlino's brother Lawrence, was also a mobster who later turned...
American Mafia boss to turn state's evidence. Natale helped sentence JoeyMerlino to a 14-year sentence in 2001, but in January 2005, was also sentenced...
the Philadelphia Mafia between rival factions led by John Stanfa and JoeyMerlino left the organization in disarray and allowed Alite to take control of...
group of mobsters led by JoeyMerlino openly rebelled against him. The "Young Turks" as the press would eventually dub Merlino's tight-knit crew, struck...
interviewed reputed Philly mob boss JoeyMerlino about the Mafioso's sitting in Lindros' seats at a Flyers' game. Merlino denied getting the seats from Lindros...
during mob trials, which helped convict over 50 mobsters, including JoeyMerlino and Ralph Natale. Following the trials, Previte turned down offers for...
organized crime figure in Philadelphia. Mazzone is a childhood friend of JoeyMerlino. They both grew up in South Philadelphia and started their criminal careers...
Heart", "Volare") and actor (The Godfather, The Godfather Part III) JoeyMerlino, alleged mafia boss of the Philadelphia Crime Family. Pat Martino, jazz...
McGriff (born 1960), serving life sentence in prison Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino (born 1962), serving two-year prison sentence Gerlandino Messina (born...
served as a chauffeur and bodyguard to Philadelphia family boss JoeyMerlino while Merlino was on trial on racketeering charges in New York in 2018. On January...
being run by Ralph Natale and JoeyMerlino, the son of Ligambi's mentor Salvatore. While Ligambi was in prison, Merlino led a crew of young mobsters who...
Lovaglio testified against Philadelphia crime family boss JoeyMerlino and recounted befriending Merlino in 2015. Eugene "Gene" Borrello - former associate,...
peppers, a dish that he later said Merlino particularly enjoyed. In November 1995, he played Santa Claus at JoeyMerlino's Thanksgiving dinner party for the...
website published an article falsely claiming that Philadelphia mafia boss JoeyMerlino was paid $3 million to forge 300,000 votes for Joe Biden in that year's...
hangouts in South Philadelphia. Another member was seen in the company of JoeyMerlino at local sporting events. The JBM is estimated to have approximately...
Lanzetta—Philadelphia Leo Lanzetta—Philadelphia John LaRocca—Indiana County JoeyMerlino—Philadelphia Ryan Samsel-Bucks County Jerry Sandusky—Washington Frank...
singer, actor Pat Martino, jazz guitarist John Marzano, baseball player JoeyMerlino, Don of Philadelphia crime family Mike Missanelli, sports radio personality...
the federal murder trial of Philadelphia crime boss Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino in Newark that ended in acquittal. 2004 – Covered the NJPAC first-day-of-issue...
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