Joey Merlino

This article is about the mobster. 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(s)Podcaster, Former Mobster
Spouse
Deborah Merlino
​
(m. 1997)​
Children2
Parent(s)Salvatore "Chuckie" Merlino
Rita Merlino
AllegiancePhiladelphia crime family
Conviction(s)Interstate theft and conspiracy (1990)
Racketeering (2001)
Illegal gambling (2018)
Criminal penaltyThree years' imprisonment (1990)
14 years' imprisonment (2001)
Two years' imprisonment (2018)

Joseph Salvatore "Skinny Joey" Merlino (born March 13, 1962) is an American former mobster who was the reputed boss of the Philadelphia crime family from the 1990s until 2024.[1][2] 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.[3] 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.[4][5] 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.[6] Following his release from prison in 2011, the FBI and organized crime reporters believed he continued to run the Philadelphia–South Jersey Mafia. Merlino disputed this, saying he had retired from a life of crime. As of 2015, Merlino divides his time between south Florida and Philadelphia.[7][8][9] After beginning a career as a social media personality, Merlino was reportedly demoted and expelled from the Philadelphia Mafia in 2024.[2]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b Philadelphia Mob Puts Skinny Joey 'On A Shelf' Jerry Capeci, Gang Land News (September 12, 2024) Archived September 13, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Joseph Merlino: The mobster next door | Miami Herald". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on 2021-01-08. Retrieved 2017-10-05.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "'Skinny Joey' Merlino released from prison". Philly.com. Laura McCrystal. Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  7. ^ "Merlino's Restaurant". Merlino's. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "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.