Reputed mob boss ‘Skinny Joey’ Merlino to be released on $5 million bond

Reputed Philadelphia mob boss Joseph Merlino, who works as a maitre d’ at a Boca Raton restaurant that bears his name, is to be released from the Palm Beach County jail on Friday on a $5 million bond to await trial in New York on racketeering charges.

The bond deal was hammered out at a two-hour hearing before U.S. Magistrate William Matthewman. Once known as “Skinny Joey,” the flamboyant 54-year-old Boca Raton resident was among 46 men — with nicknames like “Tony the Cripple” and “Nicky the Wig” — who were arrested last week in a multi-state round up involving five organized crime families.

Noting Merlino’s previous 12-year sentence for racketeering and his subsequent return to prison for violating the terms of his probation for associating with known mobsters, Matthewman said he was reluctant to approve his release.

“What I’m concerned about any condition I set is Mr. Merlino going to follow it or will he simply do as he pleases?” Matthewman asked.

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