Valuetainment
Joey Merlino: Mafia Boss of the Philadelphia Crime Family? | PBD Podcast
Episode Summary
AI-generated · Apr 2026AI-generated summary — may contain inaccuracies. Not a substitute for the full episode or professional advice.
This episode features a candid interview with Joey Merlino, famously known as "Skinny Joey" and alleged by federal authorities to be the boss of the Philadelphia crime family. Merlino, however, consistently and firmly denies any involvement with "the mob," dismissing such claims as "fake news" and "movies" propagated by the media and government to sell papers or justify arrests. He presents himself as a "Cheese Steak guy" and a man of the people, offering an unfiltered perspective on his life, legal battles, and deeply held personal code of ethics.
Throughout the conversation, Merlino delves into his experiences with the justice system, including beating three to four RICO cases despite claiming he still doesn't "know where Rico is" [16:17], and his acquittal on all alleged murder charges. He expresses extreme contempt for "rats" or cooperating witnesses, singling out figures like Ralph Natali—whom he calls a "habitual liar" [00:15]—and Phil Leonetti, whom he labels a "nut" for allegedly robbing his uncle and blaming others for his own crimes [10:24, 80:03, 83:44]. He also criticizes Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, calling him "sick" for profiting from his past actions and for alleged recent misconduct [12:17, 13:13]. Merlino even recounts disowning his own uncle for cooperating and expresses no desire for vengeance after his best friend, Michael Chang, was murdered [34:41].
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Merlino's "cheese steak war" in South Philly, where his business, Pat's, competes fiercely with local establishments like Pat's Steaks. Merlino proudly states, "Yeah, you invented it. We perfected it" [01:05] when referring to Pat's invention of the cheese steak, claiming his business has "buried him" [01:05, 55:06] through superior quality and local support. He attributes his popularity in the community to a long-standing tradition of helping people, including paying electric bills and distributing turkeys since the 1980s, emphasizing that these acts were done genuinely, not for "views and likes" [30:38].
Merlino reflects on his 22 years spent in prison [02:02, 77:34], lamenting what he perceives as a corrupt system that protects pedophiles (where hitting one can result in a "hate crime" charge and five years in jail [91:54]) and enables informants. He also voices strong concerns about the societal impact of legalized gambling, predicting it will become "worse than crack" [73:30] due to its accessibility to children. Listeners will walk away with an intimate, if controversial, understanding of Merlino's world, his unwavering loyalty to his personal code, and his current endeavors beyond the shadow of his alleged past.
👤 Who Should Listen
- Listeners interested in firsthand accounts and perspectives from figures often associated with organized crime.
- Anyone curious about the cultural nuances and unwritten 'codes' of South Philadelphia street life.
- Entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts looking for insights into competitive market strategies, especially in the food industry.
- Individuals concerned about the societal implications of legal gambling and the workings of the justice system.
- Fans of true crime stories seeking unique viewpoints from controversial and alleged figures.
- Those interested in personal values such as loyalty, integrity, and disdain for betrayal.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 1.Joey Merlino adamantly denies being part of "the mob," referring to such accusations as "fake news" and "movies" perpetuated by the media and government.
- 2.Merlino expresses profound contempt for cooperating witnesses, or "rats," extending to disowning family members and criticizing public figures like Ralph Natali, Phil Leonetti, and Sammy "The Bull" Gravano.
- 3.He asserts that he was acquitted of all alleged murder charges and multiple RICO cases, maintaining his innocence despite widespread allegations.
- 4.Merlino credits his enduring support and respect in South Philly to a lifetime of helping the community, including acts like paying utility bills and distributing turkeys, which he claims were done without seeking recognition.
- 5.He discusses his aggressive competition in the Philadelphia cheese steak market, boldly stating that his business has "buried" long-standing rivals by perfecting the classic sandwich.
- 6.Merlino warns that legalized gambling, particularly through apps, will lead to a societal epidemic "worse than crack" due to its easy accessibility and addictive nature for minors.
- 7.He criticizes the prison system for what he sees as excessive protection of pedophiles, where assaulting one can incur a "hate crime" charge and a five-year sentence, unlike other inmate conflicts.
- 8.Merlino adheres to a strict personal code emphasizing loyalty, keeping one's word, and avoiding jealousy, which he considers "worse than cancer."
💡 Key Concepts Explained
The 'South Philly Code'
This refers to an unwritten set of values and principles, cultivated from childhood in South Philadelphia, that Merlino adheres to. Key tenets include unwavering loyalty, respect, minding one's own business, and a strict aversion to 'tattletailing' or cooperating with authorities, which he deems a profound betrayal.
The 'Rats' Phenomenon
Merlino uses the term 'rats' to refer to cooperating witnesses or informants, expressing intense disdain for individuals who testify against others to reduce their own sentences. He views this as the ultimate transgression, leading to disownment of family members and severe public condemnation of alleged figures like Sammy Gravano and Phil Leonetti.
The 'Cheese Steak War'
This is a competitive rivalry in the Philadelphia food scene, specifically between Merlino's cheese steak business and iconic establishments like Pat's Steaks. Merlino asserts his business has 'perfected' the cheese steak, claiming to have significantly impacted his competitors' business through superior quality and local popularity.
⚡ Actionable Takeaways
- →Cultivate "street smarts" as a practical life skill, recognizing its value in navigating the world effectively beyond formal education [09:12].
- →Prioritize loyalty and uphold your word in all dealings, as Merlino emphasizes, "That's all you got is your word" [86:50].
- →Practice generosity and community support, drawing inspiration from Merlino's tradition of helping those in need without seeking public recognition [25:33, 30:38].
- →Avoid jealousy towards others' success, as Merlino strongly advises against it, calling it "worse than cancer" [49:59].
- →Exercise extreme caution with readily available legal gambling platforms, considering Merlino's stark warning about their potential for addiction and societal harm, especially for youth [73:30].
- →Observe how people react to both your setbacks and successes to gauge their true feelings, as suggested by Robert Greene's concept mentioned by the host [51:03].
- →Uphold a strict personal code against being an informant or "tattletail," a value deeply ingrained in Merlino's South Philly upbringing [22:28].
⏱ Timeline Breakdown
💬 Notable Quotes
“"No, there's no mob. Why do they make documentaries and talk about you? That's what the media does. Like Trump says, fake news." [00:09]”
“"I never killed nobody. You never killed nobody? No. Never. You've never killed nobody? No. I was never guilty of nothing." [00:19]”
“"Yeah, you invented it. We perfected it." [01:05]”
“"Jealous is worse than cancer." [49:59]”
“"It's going to be worse than crack. Listen to me. Mark my words. This 2020. Watch. Another couple years." [73:30]”
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Joey Merlino
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