Joey Merlino: Mafia Boss of the Philadelphia Crime Family? | PBD Podcast #762

Joey Merlino, often labeled by the FBI as boss of the Philadelphia crime family, joins the PBD Podcast to reject those claims outright. He describes himself as a cheesesteak guy from South Philly—someone who grew up street-smart, worked as a jockey, gambled, served 22 years in prison across multiple stints, beat several RICO cases, and now runs a successful cheesesteak spot near Philly stadiums. Throughout, he dismisses mob narratives as media inventions like "fake news," insists he never killed anyone or joined any organization, and emphasizes a personal code shaped by his upbringing.

Denials of Mob Ties and Acquittals

Merlino repeatedly states there's no mob, calling documentaries, books, and shows fiction that sells. He grew up in a close-knit South Philly where everyone had street smarts—knowing respect, minding business, and avoiding tattletales—but denies structured crime involvement. The FBI's labels tie to rumors from alleged associates like Ralph Natale (a "habitual liar" and drug dealer he met in jail) and Phil Leonetti (a "nut" who robbed his uncle). Merlino beat three or four RICO cases, including charges for seven murders (acquitted each time, even when the same murder was tried twice in Philly and Newark courts with 24 jurors finding him not guilty). He claims witnesses like Natale lied—e.g., alleging a post-murder meeting at his grandmother's house, sold thr