Joey Merlino is a 62-year-old American podcast host and media personality. He is well known because of his previous profession as a mobster.
He is married to Deborah Merlino and father of two daughters Sophia Merlino and Nicolette Merlino.
Who is Joey Merlino?
Joey Merlino, also known as Skinny Joey and his full name is Joseph Salvatore Merlino, is an American mobster and podcast host who gained fame in the 1990s and early 2000s for his flashy lifestyle and media attention.
Joey has been involved in illegal activities like extortion, loan sharking, and gambling, which got him noticed by police and the public.
Despite facing many legal problems and spending time in jail, Merlino has kept a strong hold on the Philadelphia crime family.
His leadership style and ability to avoid long prison terms have made him a notable figure in American organized crime history.
Joey Merlino Early Life
Joey Merlino was born on March 13, 1962, in Philadelphia, United States. His full name is Joseph Salvatore Merlino, and he holds American nationality and his ethnicity is Italian-American. He grew up in a family involved in organized crime.
Joey was raised by his parents in Philadelphia. His father, Salvatore Joseph Merlino, also known as Chuckie Merlino, was born on June 29, 1939, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
He was a prominent figure in the Philadelphia crime family. Chuckie passed away at the age of 73 on October 22, 2012, in Fort Worth, Texas. Joey’s mother’s name is Rita Merlino.
Joey had an uncle named Lawrence who was like his father he was also involved in organized crime. However, Lawrence later cooperated with the government as a witness.
Joey grew up with three siblings, including his sisters Maria Merlino and Natalie Merlino. Maria is known for her work as an actress, particularly for her role in the film No One Lives Forever.
Natalie is also an actress, recognized for her performances in movies such as Karma Road, Containment, and The Tunnel.
Joey attended St. Thomas Aquinas School and later continued his education at Bishop Neumann High School.
Despite his upbringing in a family associated with crime, Joey followed in his father’s footsteps and became involved in organized crime himself.
Joey Merlino Age
Joey Merlino is 62 years old as of 2024 because he was born on March 13, 1962, in Philadelphia, United States. According to his birthday, he falls under the Pisces zodiac sign.
Joey Merlino Early Career
In the 1980s, Joey Merlino began to establish his own reputation within the Philadelphia crime family.
He quickly became known for his brash and flamboyant personality, which set him apart from many of his more discreet peers in the mob world.
Merlino was involved in various illegal activities, including extortion, loan sharking, and illegal gambling. The late 1980s and early 1990s were turbulent times for the Philadelphia crime family.
During this period, Merlino allied himself with Ralph Natale, who eventually became the boss of the family. In 1994, after a series of murders and betrayals, Merlino emerged as a powerful figure within the family.
He became the de facto leader and was later recognized as the official boss after Natale’s arrest and cooperation with the authorities. His high-profile lifestyle and media presence made him a target for law enforcement.
In 1999, Joey was convicted on various charges, including racketeering, and was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison.
During his time in prison, Merlino continued to keep his influence over the Philadelphia crime family, maintaining his position as boss.
Joey was released from prison in 2011. Upon his release, he claimed to have retired from organized crime and moved to Boca Raton, Florida. However, law enforcement officials remained skeptical of his retirement.
In 2014, Merlino was arrested again for allegedly violating the terms of his supervised release by associating with known felons. He was sentenced to four months in prison.
In 2016, Merlino was once again indicted on racketeering charges as part of a major federal investigation into organized crime.
Joey was accused of being involved in illegal gambling, healthcare fraud, and other criminal activities. In 2018, he reached a plea deal and was sentenced to two years in prison for illegal gambling.
Career After Imprisonment
After getting out of prison, Joey Merlino now lives in Florida. Joey says he has not done any crime, but police still watch him closely, thinking he might still be involved in illegal activities.
Merlino opened a restaurant called Joey’s Italian Restaurant in Boca Raton in 2017. It was known for Italian food and Philly-style cheesesteaks, which reminded him of his hometown, Philadelphia.
The restaurant got attention not just for its food, but because of Joey’s past as a famous mobster. Even though he says he has retired from crime, the restaurant mixes his old reputation with a new, legal business.
Joey also hosts a YouTube podcast show called The Skinny with Joey Merlino, with his friend Lil Snuff. Through his new beginning, he likely starts a new life far from the crime world.
Why Did Joey Merlino Restaurant Get Banned?
Joey Merlino’s restaurant in Boca Raton, Florida did not get banned. It closed because it could not make enough money.
It opened in 2017 with Italian food and Philly-style cheesesteaks, hoping to draw customers due to Merlino’s reputation.
However that was not enough to attract customers, and the restaurant struggled financially. Eventually, in 2018, they had to shut it down.
The reason Joey’s restaurant closed was not because of any legal problems, but it was because they did not make enough money to keep it going.
Running a restaurant is tough, and even with Merlino’s name, they could not attract enough customers to stay open.
Joey Merlino Net Worth
Joey Merlino has an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2024. He generates income through his various sources of income including, hosting a podcast show, media presence, and other ventures.
How is Joey Merlino Make Money?
Joey Merlino makes money through his different sources of income. He opened an Italian restaurant in Florida called Merlino’s in 2017, but it closed in 2018 due to financial problems.
Joey often makes money by appearing in public, giving interviews, and other media-related activities because people are interested in his mobster past.
He might have money invested in real estate or other businesses that provide a legitimate income.
Sometimes, former mobsters can make money by advising on security or consulting on projects related to crime prevention or entertainment.
Joey Merlino Wife and Daughters
Joey Merlino is married to Deborah Merlino. They tied the knot in 1997. Together, they have two daughters, Sophia Merlino and Nicolette Merlino.
Their family life has been relatively private compared to Joey’s public notoriety in organized crime.
Sophia Merlino and Nicolette Merlino have grown up under the shadow of their father’s reputation. Despite his past and the scrutiny it brings, Joey has expressed his commitment to his family.
While details about their personal lives are not reportedly publicized, their family unit has navigated challenges together, including Joey’s periods of imprisonment and ongoing legal issues.
Joey Merlino’s relationship with his wife and daughters represents a quieter aspect of his life away from the public eye. Despite his controversial career, his family remains a central part of his identity.
Joey Merlino Social Media
Joey Merlino is an active user of social media. He has made his online presence on various platforms of social media with a massive following.
On Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, he shares his professional insights, podcasts, and creative content, which make him represent as a new Joey Merlino among people.
In 2023, Joey gained widespread attention on social media by posing a picture with former President Donald Trump at Trump’s Golf Club.
Joey Merlino Height and Weight
Joey Merlino stands tall at a height of 5 feet 6 inches which is equal to 167 centimeters or 1.67 meters. He weighs around 75 kilograms which is equal to 165 pounds.
Bottom Line
In the Bottom line, Joey Merlino remains a significant figure in the history of the Philadelphia crime family. His career reflects the experience presence and adaptability of organized crime in the United States.
His ability to navigate the violent power struggles of the mob, maintain a high-profile public image, and repeatedly evade long-term imprisonment has made his reputation as a notorious mobster.
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