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Revision as of 07:02, 20 March 2007
Joseph S. Merlino, nicknamed Skinny Joey, is an American mafioso, member of the U.S. Cosa Nostra, and head of the Philadelphia Crime Family which controlled organized crime as far as southern New Jersey. He is the son of former Nicky Scarfo underboss/soldier Salvatore "Chuckie" Merlino. He is also the nephew of deceased former Capo Lawrence Merlino.
Under Angelo Bruno the Philadelphia Crime Family was among the most powerful Families in the US. His death signaled the beginning of a violent era that continued until the mid-1990s. Nicky Scarfo was one of the most violent mob bosses in US history, but was sentenced in 1988 to 55 years in prison.
When John Stanfa emerged as the new leader, an all-out war broke out between Stanfa and the so-called "Young Turks" led by Merlino. Stanfa was convicted to several life sentences for RICO violations in early 1994, and Ralph Natale (who was subsequently jailed in June 1998) and Merlino took over. It became clear later that Merlino was really the power, and heading what a "kill happy" mob.
Merlino was the boss of the Philadelphia crime family that engaged primarily in extortion, bookmaking, drug trafficking, and loan sharking.
Merlino was a particularly vicious mobster, obsessed with his own public image. Merlino has been described as another version of John Gotti. He is flashy, stylish, flamboyant, and "in your face." “Joey was a party guy,” said "Big Ron" Previte, cop-turned gangster-turned government witness. “He liked to go out. He liked to gamble. He liked the high life.” Merlino patterned himself after New York City's John Gotti. He invited TV crews to his annual Christmas party for the homeless, and he was a fixture at the city's nightclubs, restaurants, and sporting events.
Merlino almost murdered the son of Nicky Scarfo, Nicky, Jr., on Halloween 1989 in an Italian restaurant. Although police never charged anyone with the attempted murder, police and FBI believe Merlino was behind the shooting to avenge an earlier plot by Scarfo Sr. on Merlino's father. Another motive for the attempted hit was to send a clear message that neither Scarfo nor his son were any longer in charge of South Philadelphia. Fearing another Mafia war, Scarfo Sr. he got him out of town and inducted him into the Lucchese crime family of New York for protection.
In August 1993 Merlino survived a drive by shooting assasination attempt by Stanfa, only taking a bullet in the buttocks, as Michael "Mikey Chang" Ciancaglini was killed.
In November 1993, Merlino was arrested by the FBI and charged with Violation of Parole, and went back to prison.
According to witnesses, the Louis Turra, a reputed Philadelphia drug lord, was severely beaten by Merlino’s soldiers in 1995 for failing to pay a Mafia street tax on his illegal earnings. Angered by the beating, he sought vengeance. His father Anthony Turra was accused of hosting a meeting at his house where his son and his gang discussed killing Merlino, and of suggesting methods they might use to kill him.
The younger Turra was found hanged in a prison in New York City in January 1998, an apparent suicide, while awaiting trial.
In March 1998 Anthony Turra, on trial on charges of plotting to kill Merlino, was shot to death outside his home by a gunman in a black ski mask. He was shot twice, once in the eye, as he left for the federal courthouse, where a jury was deliberating in the racketeering and drug case against him and four other men. “We consider this an organized crime assassination, a mob hit,” Police Inspector Jerrold Kane said.
In the late 1990s he allied himself with Steve "Gorilla" Montevergine, boss of the Pagans motorcycle gang.
In June 1999, Merlino was indicted on charges he conspired with the Boston mob to purchase and distribute cocaine.
He was was sentenced to 14 years in prison on December 3, 2001, on racketeering charges, including extortion and illegal gambling. He was acquitted of murder charges. He is scheduled for release in 2011. "Ain't bad," Merlino said. "Better than the death penalty."
In August 2001 Merlino was charged with taking part in the murder of Sodano, but a federal jury acquitted him in March 2004.
Links
- The Philadelphia Crime Family
- The Philadelphia Family
- State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation Report, "The Changing Face of Organized Crime in New Jersey," May 2004