Joey Merlino: Mafia Boss of the Philadelphia Crime Family? | PBD Podcast #762
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Joey Merlino denies being part of the mob, stating 'there's no mob' and that media reports are 'fake news'.
- ❖He launched 'Skinny Joey's Cheesesteaks' in South Philly, claiming to have 'buried' Pat's and Gino's in the local 'cheesesteak war'.
- ❖Merlino plans to franchise his cheesesteak business nationally, aiming to become 'the next Jersey Mike's' and sell for billions.
- ❖He expresses extreme disdain for 'rats' (informants) and pedophiles, stating he disowned his uncle for cooperating and believes pedophiles should be castrated.
- ❖Merlino served 22 years in prison across multiple sentences, including for an armored car robbery, and claims to have beaten three or four RICO cases and multiple murder charges.
- ❖He warns that legal online gambling will become 'the biggest epidemic ever,' worse than crack, due to easy access for minors and its addictive nature.
- ❖Merlino describes a South Philly 'code' based on loyalty, respect, helping neighbors, and never 'tattletailing'.
- ❖He claims that in federal prisons, pedophiles are protected, and assaulting one is considered a 'hate crime' punishable by five additional years.
Insights
1Denial of Mob Involvement and 'Fake News' Narrative
Joey Merlino consistently denies any connection to the mob, framing himself as an ordinary 'cheesesteak guy' and dismissing all allegations, documentaries, and books about his alleged mob leadership as 'fake news' or media sensationalism. He maintains this stance despite being labeled by the FBI as the current boss of the Philadelphia crime family.
Merlino states, 'No, there's no mob,' and 'Like Trump says, fake news' (, , ). He identifies himself as 'a cheesesteak guy' (, , ). The host notes the FBI calls him the 'current boss of the Philadelphia crime family' ().
2Entrepreneurial Pivot: 'Skinny Joey's Cheesesteaks'
Merlino has launched a cheesesteak business in South Philly, 'Skinny Joey's Cheesesteaks,' which he claims has 'buried' long-standing competitors like Pat's. He has ambitious plans to franchise the business nationally, aspiring to replicate the success of chains like Jersey Mike's and sell it for billions of dollars.
Merlino states, 'We buried him' regarding Pat's cheesesteak (, , ). He expresses his desire 'to be the next Jersey Mike' and 'sell it for billion dollars' (, , ).
3The 'Code' of Loyalty and Disdain for Informants ('Rats')
Merlino adheres to a strict code of loyalty, emphasizing that associating with an informant ('rat') makes one equally culpable. He disowned his own uncle for cooperating with authorities and criticizes other well-known figures like Michael Franzese and Sammy 'The Bull' Gravano for their cooperation and subsequent public careers.
Merlino states, 'If I know a guy's a rat and I hang with him, I'm a rat' (, ). He disowned his uncle for cooperating, saying, 'I'm glad he's dead' (, ). He criticizes Sammy the Bull for 'selling shirts that he killed 19 people' and Michael Franzese for 'found God soon as he got locked up' (, ).
4Critique of the Legal System and 'Hate Crime' Protection for Pedophiles
Merlino expresses deep distrust in the legal system, citing instances of alleged perjury by informants and FBI agents. He highlights a controversial policy in federal prisons where assaulting a pedophile is classified as a 'hate crime,' resulting in a five-year sentence, while assaulting other inmates does not carry the same penalty.
Merlino details how an informant, Ralph Natali, lied about a meeting at his grandmother's house, leading to his acquittal (). He claims FBI agents lied on work applications (). He states, 'If you hit one of them [pedophiles], you get five years. It's a hate crime' (, ).
5Warning on Legalized Gambling's Societal Impact
Merlino predicts that the proliferation of legal online gambling, particularly through platforms like FanDuel, will lead to a massive societal epidemic 'worse than crack.' He attributes this to aggressive marketing, free bets that hook young people, and easy access via smartphones, leading to financial ruin and increased crime.
Merlino states, 'This is going to be the biggest epidemic ever is this gambling with kids... It's going to be worse than crack' (, ). He compares free bets to 'giving you free crack' (). He recounts robbing an armored car for gambling debts ().
Bottom Line
Merlino's strategy of denying mob involvement while simultaneously leveraging his notoriety for a legitimate business (cheesesteaks) represents a unique brand pivot for a controversial public figure.
This approach allows him to capitalize on his fame without directly confirming illegal activities, potentially setting a precedent for other figures seeking to 'legitimize' their public image.
Businesses could study this unconventional branding strategy for controversial figures, focusing on how to reframe public perception and monetize notoriety in new, 'legitimate' ventures.
Merlino's strong condemnation of legal online gambling as 'worse than crack' due to its accessibility to youth and addictive nature, contrasts sharply with the industry's widespread acceptance and promotion.
This highlights a significant, under-addressed societal risk from a perspective rooted in extensive experience with various forms of addiction and crime, suggesting a future public health crisis.
Policymakers and public health organizations could use this 'insider' perspective to re-evaluate current gambling regulations and public awareness campaigns, particularly concerning youth access and addiction prevention.
Opportunities
National Cheesesteak Franchise Expansion
Joey Merlino aims to expand his 'Skinny Joey's Cheesesteaks' into a national franchise, emulating the success of chains like Jersey Mike's, with the ultimate goal of selling the business for billions. This involves opening multiple locations, potentially starting with regional expansion in the Northeast.
Lessons
- Cultivate a strong personal code of loyalty and integrity, as Merlino emphasizes 'your word is all you got'.
- Be wary of jealousy, as Merlino identifies it as 'worse than cancer' and a hidden threat in relationships and business.
- Develop 'street smarts' alongside formal education, as Merlino argues it is essential for navigating real-world challenges and presenting effectively.
- Actively engage in community support, as Merlino describes paying bills and giving turkeys as a way to earn genuine respect and love from the community.
- Maintain a clear stance against perceived injustices, even if it means challenging established narratives or systems.
Notable Moments
Merlino's reaction at his best friend Michael Chang's funeral, where he told a reporter to 'f*** off' amidst intense media scrutiny, denying any desire for vengeance despite public expectations.
This moment encapsulates Merlino's defiant public persona and his consistent denial of involvement in retaliatory actions, even in the face of immense personal loss and public pressure to conform to a 'mob boss' narrative.
Merlino's detailed account of how an informant, Ralph Natali, fabricated a meeting at his grandmother's house to incriminate him, only for Merlino's legal team to prove the house was sold years prior.
This highlights Merlino's central argument about the unreliability of informant testimony and the perceived corruption within the legal system, which he claims often relies on lies to secure convictions.
Merlino's passionate warning about the dangers of legal online gambling, predicting it will be 'worse than crack' due to its addictive nature and accessibility to children.
This provides a stark, experienced perspective on a rapidly growing industry, framing it as a looming public health crisis that is being overlooked or actively promoted by authorities for financial gain.
Quotes
"No, there's no mob. That's what the media does. Like Trump says, fake news."
"If I know a guy's a rat and I hang with him, I'm a rat. It's simple as that."
"This is going to be the biggest epidemic ever is this gambling with kids... It's going to be worse than crack. Listen to me. Mark my words."
"If I hit just say Joe Blow's here, I know he's a pedophile... and I crack him, it's a hate crime."
"Your word. Your words. That's all you got is your word."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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