Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino the alleged boss of the Philadelphia mafia has been released from prison on $5 million dollars bail.
Merlino has been in prison since he was arrested along with more than 40 other alleged mafia members and associates on August 4th. Merlino is allowed to work from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at his restaurant “Merlino’s” and travel to NY, NJ, and Pennsylvania including attending a family day at his daughter’s college according to reports. But Merlino is being required to live in his Boca Raton home and wear an ankle bracelet. U.S. Magistrate Judge William Matthewson asked the 54-year-old mobster for assurances that he would obey the conditions of his release to which Merlino replied: “Don’t worry your honor, you won’t.”
“Joey Merlino”
Merlino is facing up to 20 years behind bars for federal racketeering charges which claim he was one of the leaders of an East Coast Cosa Nostra network labeled “East Coast LCN Enterprise” by the feds. Health-care fraud and illegal gambling are among the charges in the racketeering case against Skinny Joey. According to prosecutors the mob enterprise led by Merlino and New York mafia based Genovese family capos Eugene “Rooster” O’Nofrio and Pasquale “Patsy” Parrello operated in Florida, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. The group engaged in extortion, illegal gambling, loansharking, casino-style gambling, credit card and health-care fraud.
Prosecutors originally fought to deny Merlino bail calling him a flight risk and a danger to the community but shifted their position on Friday agreeing to his release. When opposing bail earlier in the week they noted in the indictment that Merlino had been caught on recordings supervising a number of individuals, questioning whether or not certain associates were rats. They also noted some of his recent illegal activities took place while he was on parole restriction administered upon his release from prison in 2011 after serving a 12-year sentence. In fact, Merlino spent three months in prison in 2014 for violating his parole by socializing with Philly mobster John Ciancaglini in Florida.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aurora Fagan was asked about the change of heart and said she could not explain it and that the decision was made in New York where the investigation was based. Merlino’s lawyer, David Roth said: “Mr. Merlino knows he will be under a microscope and that if he commits any violations of the conditions of his release he will face the full consequences of the law.”
Since there were no violence crimes associated to Merlino he seemed like a lock to get bail. But i would think he is a long shot to beat this case and would probably settle for a solid plea deal of the feds extent an offer for one. He could roll the dice but with the hard on the feds have had for him over last few years i doubt they are going in with anything less the a load of evidence against him and we already know of the existence of at least 1 rat and insider agent.
5 million is a steep bail for non violent crimes. Kudos for having $500,000 around to pay the 10%. Didn’t realize he was doing so well. I guess healthcare fraud pays well. This dude is an idiot. 15 years didn’t teach you anything? Some asked why he was personally involved. I think it’s because Genovese captains are a big deal. They are the big dogs. I’m sure Joey enjoyed the ego from being with the rolls Royce of the mafia. Ego is this dudes downfall. He earned the Gotti Jr nickname. I would never discuss business in front of anyone but my inner circle. Send Mazzone or Ligambi to meet the guys. His personal crew is solid. Ego is his end
He was driving around in a new Rolls Royce and traveling back and forth from Fla up and down east coast regularly before he was popped, so seemed like he was earning some solid cash. But your right those years in pen didn’t effect his mindset at all Joey is a mobsters and seemingly won’t ever change from being that.
Yes he’s a mafioso.
But definitely not a bright one.
He’s a gangster. Gotti was a gangster. Look at Bellomo and Crea. Two guys who did a good stretch, learned, got out and kept their heads down. Smart, crafty. Joey is not in their league. Hotheads who love the limelight never last.
Agreed he def isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to learning how to duck and stay off the radar. He just loves the attention way too much as did Gotti.
Spot on!
Merlino would of been a gofer for the chin… Nothing more.
Agreed. He’s got a solid crew in his family. Doesn’t this guy do any counterservellaince? Audio and video? C’mon, wtf. ” East Coast LCN Enterprise “. I love how the Feds got to give it a moniker make it sound more nefarious. Greed and ego get you everytime. He needs to go on his Instagram and post the name of the rat, lol.
Yeah hes right a chance to step up and work with a couple Genovese captains is a big deal for anyone especiialy Patsy who is a big name over there. The way Joey is, he couldsnt resist working with them, you kind of cant blame him you can make alot of money with those guys but either way looks like Joey is going back to prison for a bit. Should of get one of his captains to do the dirty work, the boss of any family should never get their hands dirty, thats what they got guys for. BB also made another good point looks at guys like Bellimo, Cali & Crea guys are so underground you never hear a peep about them, thats the way a boss should move. Take notes Joey, your gonna need them.
Bellomo.. Cali… All Sicilians… Not sure about crea… Not that it matters.. But Sicilians especially Ol school tend to stay low key.
I know the Gambino’s are back to the Sicilians controlling the family… With the *zips* out of Brooklyn.. Curious to know if the genovese have their pipeline to the old country..