Joey Merlino, widely known as “Skinny Joey,” is a mafia don with deep ties to organized crime, particularly within the Philadelphia crime family.
His notoriety stemmed from his involvement in various criminal activities, including extortion, drug trafficking, and illegal gambling.
Merlino’s rise to fame began in the early 1990s, following in the footsteps of his father, Salvatore “Chuckie” Merlino, a notorious mafia boss.
Unlike many of his predecessors, Merlino has always attracted media attention, making frequent public appearances and even participating in charity work, which has contributed to his public image as a “famous gangster”.
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- Full name: Joseph Salvatore Merlino
- Nickname: Skinny Joey
- Date of birth: March 13, 1962
- Age: 62 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Mafia
- Height: 5 feet 7 inches
- Parents: Salvatore “Chuckie” Merlino and Rita Merlino
- Siblings: Maria Merlino
- Spouse: Deborah Merlino
- Children: None
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: None
- Ethnicity: Italian American
- Net worth: $1.81 million
Early life and education
Joey Merlino was born on March 13, 1962 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He grew up in South Philadelphia and Ventnor City, New Jersey, in a family deeply involved in organized crime.
His father, Salvatore “Chuckie” Merlino, was a notorious boss of the Philadelphia crime family, and his uncle, Lawrence “Yogi” Merlino, was also a mafia boss.
Joey’s childhood was filled with figures from the criminal underworld, including future mafia members Michael and Joseph Ciancaglini, whom he befriended during his years at St. Thomas Aquinas School in Philadelphia’s Point Breeze neighborhood.
Personal life
Joey Merlino is married to Deborah Merlino and they have been together for over a decade.
Despite his lavish lifestyle, Merlino has managed to keep much of his private life, including information about his children, away from the public eye.
The couple’s relationship remained strong despite Joey facing numerous legal challenges and years of incarceration.
Career
Merlino’s criminal career began in the early 1990s, shortly after his father’s conviction.
He initially served as a deputy boss before formally taking control of the Philadelphia crime family.
Known for his flamboyant public persona, Joey frequently appears in the media, hosts charity events, and lives a lavish lifestyle.
His criminal activities included extortion, drug trafficking and illegal gambling.
Despite being arrested and embroiled in numerous lawsuits, Merlino avoided a murder conviction, although he was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 1999 for other crimes.
He was released from custody in 2011.
Net worth
Joey Merlino’s net worth is estimated to be $1.81 million.
His wealth came primarily from his involvement in organized crime activities, including illegal gambling, extortion, and racketeering.
Despite his criminal record, Merlino maintained a degree of financial success, allowing him to live comfortably and continue to operate within the Philadelphia crime family.
Argumentative
Joey Merlino’s life was controversial, largely due to his deep involvement in organized crime.
He rose to prominence in the 1990s as a central figure in the Philadelphia crime family, known for his open defiance of the Mafia’s traditional secrecy.
His public image as a “celebrity gangster” was reinforced through frequent media appearances and charitable activities, in stark contrast to his criminal activities.
One of the most significant controversies surrounding Merlino was his 1999 arrest on drug charges, which resulted in a 14-year prison sentence.
The arrest followed a decade-long FBI investigation that included wiretaps, traitor confessions and close surveillance.
The investigation aimed to break up the Philadelphia crime family, and Merlino was charged with a range of crimes, including racketeering, extortion and conspiracy to commit murder.
Despite overwhelming evidence and multiple charges, Merlino avoided conviction on the most serious charges, including murder.
Merlino’s legal troubles continued after his release. In 2016, he was arrested again, this time in a major crackdown on organized crime across multiple states.
The charges included illegal gambling and health care fraud, and Merlino was sentenced to two years in prison in 2018.
Throughout these legal battles, Merlino maintained his innocence on the more serious charges, while his lawyers argued that the charges were exaggerated or based on unreliable witnesses.
Social media
- Instagram: None
- Twitter: None
