Story perspectives

Mobster Joey Merlino Claims Retirement Amid Netflix Spotlight

10/25/2025

Summary

Story summary

Joey Merlino, a 63-year-old mob figure from Boca Raton, Florida, operates Skinny Joey's Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia.
He asserts he has retired from crime, saying, "I’m not in crime no more!"
Merlino is featured in Netflix's docuseries Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia, revisiting his 1990s involvement in organized crime.
He has multiple convictions, including racketeering.
Merlino hosts a podcast and maintains a public presence amid ongoing federal scrutiny.

History

Historical Context

The Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 was a pivotal U.S. law aimed at dismantling organized crime, particularly targeting the Italian-American Mafia. This legislation empowered federal agencies like the FBI to prosecute mobsters, resulting in thousands of convictions. Figures like Joey Merlino, active in the 1990s, exemplify the ongoing battle against organized crime, which continues to shape law enforcement strategies today.

1 of 2

Story summary

Joey Merlino, a 63-year-old mob figure from Boca Raton, Florida, operates Skinny Joey's Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia.
He asserts he has retired from crime, saying, "I’m not in crime no more!"
Merlino is featured in Netflix's docuseries Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia, revisiting his 1990s involvement in organized crime.
He has multiple convictions, including racketeering.
Merlino hosts a podcast and maintains a public presence amid ongoing federal scrutiny.

1 / 2