Multiple sources tell Mobtalksitdown.com that reputed Philadelphia Mob Boss Joey Merlino, fresh off a two year federal sentence for gambling, may soon poke his head up at the Jersey Shore after his year long federal supervised release ends July 27th.
The flashy, media savvy mobster has been cooling his heels in Boca Raton and Del Rey Florida for the past year since being released from a federal prison in Florida following his New York guilty plea on gambling charges back in 2019.
Insiders say the 58 year old Merlino has been maintaining a low profile and keeping everything “legit” in the past year hoping to complete his supervised release and return to a normal lifestyle with his family down in South Florida. He was barred from associating with fellow wise guys and convicted felons during his supervised release.
Local mobsters and lawyers have been tightlipped about what Merlino has been up to in terms of employment and what his future plans are after he clears that July27th deadline.
This week several sources indicated that Merlino may return to the Jersey Shore after his release, again able to associate with whomever he pleases without any restrictions. He’s also been reportedly peddling plans for a new podcast with anyone who would cough up major money for his services.
The last time Merlino graced the Jersey Shore was in Ventnor and Margate where he was videotaped by Mobtalksitdown.com riding around the streets in a white Rolls Royce belonging to a close friend.
Merlino has made no public comments since his release from federal prison in Florida to house arrest a year ago. No new pictures of the man they call “Skinny Joey” have surfaced since his release. While several friends have traveled south to visit, few details of his life in South Florida have surfaced.
While Merlino chilled in Florida, several of his top lieutenants got jammed up in a wide sweeping federal racketeering indictment back in November. One time Acting Street Boss Steven Mazzone and up and coming Mob star Domenic Grande now face racketeering conspiracy and other charges that could result in double digit jail sentences if they’re convicted.
No date for a trial has been set at this time, but a status hearing in their case is set for next week in a Philadelphia court room.
The case is highlighted by a secret tape recording of a Mob Induction ceremony in 2015. Multiple sources say the recording was made by government cooperator and made guy Anthony Persiano, who wore a wire for the feds for several years, producing hundreds of hours of secretly recorded tapes.
Sources say Mazzone, Grande, retired Mob Boss Joe Ligambi and acting street boss Michael Lancelotti along with top ranking capos George Borgesi and John Ciancaglini were also in attendance, according to sources. Mazzone and Grande were captured on tape as was Lancelotti as he allegedly administered the mob’s sacred oath to several mob inductees.
That tape is expected to be played for a jury whenever the case goes to trial and could come back to haunt all those present at the ceremony, which took place at a home in South Philadelphia, sources say.
Merlino was not present at the ceremony and that was in fact duly noted by several attendees who were caught on tape.
Sources say Mazzone was caught on tape giving marching orders to the newly inducted mobsters and insisting the organization was ready to take back illegal gambling and loansharking operations the Atlantic City area. His comments are expected to be the center piece of the case against him when this goes to trial.
If Merlino does return to the Jersey Shore or Philadelphia next month, you can bet Mob circles will be buzzing and cameras will be clicking at local hotspots where Merlino is expected to frequent.
Federal and state authorities have been conducting several other related investigations during the past five years, but to date no details have been made public.
There have been several publicized raids over the past year related to those investigations, but federal investigators have refused comment except to acknowledge “court authorized law enforcement activity” at several of the locations. Sources say those raids have been related to gambling, loansharking and other crimes.
One of those raids was at the South Philly home of the father of Philly Mob Captain Anthony Nicodemo, who is currently serving 25-30 years in state prison for the murder of Gino DiPietro back in December 2012. Nicodemo still has more than 15 years remaining on his sentence.
Sources say that investigation and the raid are allegedly tied to gambling and loansharking operations in Philly and South Jersey. No charges have been filed.
