Mob War: Where Is Joey Merlino Now and What the Netflix Docuseries Didn’t Tell You
Netflix’s Mob War: Philadelphia vs. the Mafia has viewers hunting for answers about Joey Merlino, the 1990s Philadelphia mob figure. Here’s where he is now—and what unfolded after the events covered in the docuseries.
If you just watched Netflix's 'Mob War: Philadelphia vs. the Mafia' and found yourself asking, OK, but where is Joey Merlino now?, here is the quick, no-BS catch-up: he is out, in Florida, and very much trying to brand himself as a legit guy. Yes, the same Joey from the 90s headlines.
Quick refresher: who is Joey Merlino?
Joseph Salvatore 'Skinny Joey' Merlino grew up in a family already plugged into Philadelphia's underworld. Born in 1962, he was around the life early. His father and uncle were tied to the Scarfo crew; dad stayed loyal to the Scarfo family, while his uncle later flipped and cooperated with the feds. Not exactly a calm family dinner setup.
The 90s heat and the big case
- By the early-to-mid 1990s, Merlino had become one of the most visible mob figures in Philly, even as law enforcement kept him under a microscope.
- In 1999, after a lengthy FBI operation, he was arrested on 36 counts that included illegal gambling, drug trafficking, extortion, and attempted murder.
- The murder-related charges did not stick with a jury, but he was convicted on racketeering offenses.
- He was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison.
So where is he now?
At 63, Merlino is living in Boca Raton and says he is done with the old life. He said as much back in a 2013 interview with reporter George Anastasia for Bigtrial.net, and the line still sums up his stance:
'Too many rats. I want no part of that.'
What he is doing these days
Merlino is attached to a food venture called Skinny Joey's Cheesesteaks and has talked up plans to grow it. He also co-hosts a podcast, 'The Skinny with Joey Merlino & LIL Snuff,' where he riffs on a little of everything. The show pitches him as a 'Voice for the Voiceless' type, leaning into prison reform, community issues, and cases of alleged wrongful conviction.
However you feel about the pivot, that is the update: the former Philly headline magnet from the doc is now a Florida resident selling cheesesteaks and hosting a mic, while insisting the mob chapter is closed.