Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino the former boss of the Philadelphia mafia is headed back to a Philly court room for a hearing where the feds want to revoke his probation. But lawyers for Merlino in court filings urged that the prosecutors efforts against their client claiming the feds were out of time. They claim that since Merlino was not issued a summons to appear in court until Sept. 16 that his probation had already ended and he should be a free man.
“Joey Merlino enjoying the life down in Boca Raton, Florida”
According to probation officers Merlino violated the terms of his probation by meeting with fellow Philly mob captain John Ciancaglini and another known felon at a local Cigar bar in Boca Raton. But Skilly Joey’s attorney’s are arguing that their client was not aware that Ciancaglini was even at that location and claim that he was simply greeted by the bar owners as any regular customer is not knowing his criminal past.
A probation revocation hearing is scheduled for Friday in Philadelphia but lawyers for Joey would like to have things halted before that point although it seems unlikely. Ever since Merlino was released after finishing a 14 year sentence federal investigators have seemingly kept a close eye on him. Even going as far as sending down a wired mob turncoat in an attempt to trap Merlino into admitting any new misdoings.
But Skinny Joey did not fall for it and promptly reported the meeting to his probation officers as required. Many believe that Merlino is still the official head of the Philly mafia running the show from Florida using guys he trusts on the streets including current acting boss Steve Mazzone to run things. Although Merlino since his release has maintained that he is done with the mob life.
I don’t think the prosecution will win there is no evidence he has been up to anything wrong.To be honest i think he is done with with mob but still who knows for all i know he will take over philly mob again
I think its kind of a shot in the dark by feds before he gets completely off of probation and is free and clear. I am not sure if he is out as far as things go with the Philly mob but it would make sense if he is as there isn’t a ton left out there to be fighting for and risking another long prison stretch. But as ya said ya never can tell.
He saw/met these guys in April or May, probation ended Sept 1 then wasn’t asked to come in until Sept 16. Why the time lapse if he had all these Feds following him? His probation was over. Leave him alone, since if he’s still in they would’ve heard about it by now, with all the “rats” in Philly. He’s smart, but “rats” always hear everything. Ppl change plus the weather is better in Boca. So is the money.