Joseph Salvatore "Skinny Joey" Merlino is an American mobster and reputed boss of the Philadelphia crime family. He rose to power and seized control of the organization in the mid-nineties after he fought against the John Stanfa faction of the family. He has led the crime family in gambling, loan sharking, drug trafficking, and extortion. In comparison to other traditional mob bosses who shunned the limelight, Merlino has interacted regularly with the media and the public, often openly providing charity and hosting events to benefit indigent people in Philadelphia, drawing comparisons to the similarly outgoing, conspicuous, and ostensibly charitable late New York crime boss John Gotti. He is the son of deceased Philadelphia crime family underboss Chuckie Merlino.
Merlino in a surveillance photo in the 1990s
Gaetano "Horsehead" Scafidi (left) was a childhood friend of Merlino. He eventually switched allegiance to John Stanfa (right) in the 1990s. In 2000, he became a government witness and testified at Merlino's trial.
Philadelphia crime family
The Philadelphia crime family, also known as the Philadelphia Mafia, Philly Mob , Philly Mafia, Philadelphia-South Jersey Mafia, or Bruno-Scarfo family is an Italian-American Mafia family based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formed and based in South Philadelphia, the criminal organization primarily operates in Philadelphia, South Jersey, and the Greater Philadelphia metropolitan area. The family is notorious for its violence, its succession of violent bosses, and multiple mob wars.
An FBI photo of the Philly Mob congregating, including Phil Leonetti, Joey Pungitore, Philip Narducci, and Nicholas Milano
Salvatore Testa, gunned down in Gloucester Township, New Jersey, September 14, 1984, on orders from Philly Mob Boss Nicodemo Scarfo
John Stanfa (right) talking to Tommy "Horsehead" Scafidi
John Stanfa recruited John Veasey as an enforcer during the war with Chuckie Merlino. Veasey later became a government turncoat, testifying for the prosecution at Stanfa's trial.
