Viewers are wondering where Netflix’s Mob War: Philadelphia vs. the Mafia’s Joey Merlino is now. The docuseries showcased that he was part of the mob in the 1990s. So, viewers are curious what happened to him after the events shown in the documentary.
Here is a brief on Joey Merlino’s past and where he is now.
What happened to Joey Merlino from Mob War: Philadelphia vs. the Mafia?
Joseph Salvatore “Skinny Joey” Merlino, prominently featured in Netflix’s Mob War: Philadelphia vs. the Mafia, has had a life deeply rooted in Philadelphia’s organized crime scene.
Born in 1962 into a family with strong mob connections, he was exposed to the criminal underworld from a young age. His father and uncle were a part of the Scarfo gang. While his father was loyal to the Scarfo family, his uncle later turned into an FBI informant.
Despite having the constant scrutiny of the FBI and other authorities, Merlino was reportedly involved in multiple serious criminal acts. By the 1990s, Merlino emerged as one of the most prominent mobsters in the city.
However, his illegal activities eventually caught up with him in 1999 after an extensive FBI operation. This led to his arrest on 36 counts, including illegal gambling, drug trafficking, extortion, and attempted murder (via ABC). However, Merlino was ultimately acquitted of murder charges but convicted on racketeering offenses, resulting in a 14-year prison sentence.
Now, at 63, Merlino lives in Boca Raton and claims to have left his criminal past behind. During his interview with George Anastasia for Bigtrial.net in 2013, Merlino stated that there are “too many rats” and he wants “no part of that.”
He is said to be currently running Skinny Joey’s Cheesesteaks, a business he plans to expand significantly. Furthermore, he also co-hosts a podcast, The Skinny with Joey Merlino & LIL Snuff, where he discusses a wide range of topics.
The official description of the channel reads, “He uses his platform to be the ‘Voice for the Voiceless,’ speaking out on prison reform, community issues, and fighting for the wrongly convicted.”
