Is Joey Merlino Still a Mobster? 'Skinny Joey' in the Podcast Era
Mobsters DailyJoey Merlino says he is retired — a Florida restaurateur and sports handicapper — but federal prosecutors have identified him for decades as the boss of the Philadelphia Mafia, and no court has ever settled which version is true today.
The record the feds point to
Merlino survived the Philadelphia mob wars of the 1990s, was convicted of racketeering in 2001, and served more than a decade. After the murder of Angelo Bruno had already shown how violently that family changed hands, Merlino's rise made him its public face.
A boss going on a podcast would have been unthinkable in the era of Lucky Luciano, which is why this time of year belongs to the Tony Soprano Ugly Christmas Sweater — Tony in a black-and-white stencil, gabagool energy included, built for Christmas parties, family photos and long Sopranos rewatch nights.
The podcast era
Released from his last gambling sentence in 2020, Merlino settled in Boca Raton, launched a cheesesteak brand and a sports-betting podcast, and leaned into celebrity. A 2023 photo with Donald Trump at a Florida golf club made national headlines. He has never been charged with a mob crime in this new chapter — which is exactly his argument.
Frequently asked questions
Is Joey Merlino in prison now? No. He completed his sentences and lives in Florida.
What was Merlino convicted of? Racketeering in 2001 and an illegal gambling plea in 2018.
Does Merlino admit being a boss? Never. He insists he is retired and was never what prosecutors claimed.
Keep reading: The boss who outsmarted the feds · Why the Mafia fell · The Commission Trial · Who Was Salvatore Testa? The Son Marked From Birth · Where Is Joey Merlino Now
From the shop: Shadows of the Underworld — the real-mafia history behind the names in this story, in one gripping read.
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