Joey Merlino is a notorious yet rich criminal from Pennsylvania. He was born on March 16, 1962, into a crime family in Philadelphia, PA. Also popular as Skinny Joey, Merlino was involved in crime since the early 80s and became the head of the Philadelphia crime family in 1999. He served in prison multiple times for assault and other crimes. Joey Merlino made money by gambling, extortion, racketeering, and loan sharking. This article tells you about Joey Merlino’s net worth and his career in detail.
Who is Joey Merlino?
Joseph Salvatore Merlino, commonly known as Joey Merlino, is one of the most notorious and richest criminals in the United States. He is also called “Skinny Joey.” Merlino was born on March 16, 1962, in Philadelphia, PA, USA, to parents Salvatore “Chuckie” Merlino and Rita Giordano. His father operated the 9M Bar in Southwark, which was the headquarters of his criminal activities. Joey attended the St. Thomas Aquinas grade school in Philadelphia where he made friends with Michael Ciancaglini and Joseph Ciancaglini.
Joey Merlino married Deborah Merlino in 1997; they have two kids together, Nicollete Merlino and Sophia Merlino. The couple has been married for over 25 years.
Here’s Joey Merlino net worth before we share more about his life.
Joey Merlino Net Worth
According to sources, Joey Merlino has a net worth of $5 million.
He is one of the richest and most popular mafia. Joey made this money through illegal activities, including extortion, cocaine, gambling, fraud, and loan sharking.
Joey Merlino’s Mafia Life
Joey Merlino appeared on the crime scene in the mid-nineties after fighting for control of the criminal organization. Opposed to other mafia and mob bosses, Merlino enjoys the limelight and often interacts with the media.
He was the head of the Philadelphia crime family and was detained for purchasing and selling cocaine. Moreover, he was involved in gambling, racketeering, and extortion.
Joey has been arrested on various accounts for different felonies. In 1984, he was found guilty of two counts of aggravated assault after stabbing two men in the Lido Restaurant in Atlantic City. Later, he was charged with conspiracy and theft in 1989 and planning a heist the following year; the court sentenced him to prison for three years.
When Merlino was in jail, John Stanfa became the new Philadelphia family head in 1991; Joey returned in 1992 and rebelled against John. John realized the rebellion and took Merlino into the crime family to keep him close and prevent harm. John’s gunmen made an assassination attempt on Joey in 1993, resulting in four bullets in his legs and hips. Afterward, Joey conducted a drive-by shooting on John that the FBI arrested him for in 1993; John survived, and Joey spent time in prison.
John’s arrest for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act violations in 1994 led to a life sentence in 1996. Meanwhile, Joey was released from jail in 1994 and positioned himself as the boss. In 1999, he officially took over the Philadelphia crime family.
Police detained Joey in June 1999 without bail on account of distributing over five kgs of cocaine. Later, the charges of ordering and attempting murder and racketeering were also added.
Joey was also found guilty of extortion, receiving stolen property, gambling, and bookmaking. He received a 14-year sentence in prison and was placed in the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was released in 2001 after spending 12 years in prison.
Post-Release Life of Joey Merlino
Joey moved to Boca Raton, Florida, 2011 after his release from prison. Crime reporters shared Merlino ran the Philadelphia-South Jersey Mafia after release, but in 2013, he denied the allegations. Joey Merlino said that he has retired from criminal life. In 2014, he opened a restaurant named “Merlino’s” in Boca Raton. However, his involvement in a RICO indictment led to the shutting of the restaurant.
He was charged with illegal gambling, racketeering, and fraud. Refusing to plead, Joey went to trial in January 2018. However, he made a plea deal with federal prosecutors in April of the same year. He agreed to plead guilty and was sentenced to 2 years in prison in October 2018. However, the court granted him an early release and sent him to a halfway house.
Bottom Line
Joseph Salvatore Merlino, aka Joey Merlino, is a crime family head from Philadelphia. He was first convicted of assault in 1984. Later, he served in prison for various other felonies. He became the head of the Philadelphia crime family in 1999. Joey Merlino net worth is estimated to be $5 million. He has made this money through loan sharking, fraud, selling cocaine, illegal gambling, and racketeering. Merlino is one of the most popular and rich mafias in the USA.
FAQs
How does Joey Merlino make money?
Joey Merlino makes money from extortion, selling cocaine, and illegal gambling. He often made bets with big bookies and refused to pay when he lost. Merlino was also involved in racketeering and loan sharking.
Who was Joey Merlino’s crew?
Joey Merlino’s crew and associates included George Borgesi, Michael Ciancaglini, Martin Angelina, Steven Mazzone, and Gaetano “Tommy Horsehead” Scafidi. They all were involved in criminal rackets in Philadelphia with Merlino.
Does Joey Merlino have Instagram?
While you might not find many mafia and crime heads on social media, Joey Merlino does not shy away from public appearance and interaction. Find him on Instagram by his username “@therealskinnyjoey.
