Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Merlino Heading Back To Philadelphia For Parole Violation Hearing

By George Anastasia


For Bigtrial.net

It looks like an encore is planned for U.S. District Court in the ongoing Skinny Joey Merlino saga.

U.S. District Court Judge R. Barclay Surrick issued a one-page ruling this morning denying a motion by Merlino's lawyer seeking to have his probation violation voided. Instead, Surrick set a hearing on the issues for Friday at 10 a.m.

Merlino, who has been living in Boca Raton for the past three years, drew a media horde when he appeared earlier this month for the first hearing in the case. That proceeding focused on a motion filed by defense attorneys Edwin Jacobs Jr. and Michael Myers who argued that federal authorities had failed to properly notify Merlino of the alleged violations.

Merlino, they said, had not been given a summons to appear in court prior to the expiration of his three-year probation. Prosecutors argued that the practice in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania was to file a notice of a violation rather than issue a summons. Merlino and his lawyer were informed on Sept. 2, five days before Merlino's probationary period ended, that a notice was to be filed and a hearing scheduled. Merlino's lawyer, Edwin Jacobs Jr., asked for a delay in setting a hearing date so that he could check his case load. The formal notice was not filed until Sept. 16.
Surrick, in a 13-page opinion filed later today, accepted the government's position, ruling that
"Merlino cannot complain that the official September 16, 2014, Notice was issued untimely...because it not was issued until the 16th at his request. Moreover, Merlino cannot credibly argue that he did not receive proper notice of his alleged violations and hearing prior to the expiration of his supervised release term. On September 2, 2014, Merlino was properly given notice of the alleged violations and received the opportunity to schedule the hearing at his availability."

Surrick's ruling sets the stage for a return trip to Philadelphia by the one-time celebrity mob boss. 

The hearing on Friday will focus on the specific charges leveled against Merlino. These include his failure to respond to questions about his financial dealings with an alleged mob figure and his association and meeting with mobsters and convicted felon, both violations of the supervised release.

Merlino, 52, was convicted of racketeering conspiracy in 2001 and sentenced to 14 years in prison. He served about 12 years before being released to a halfway house in Florida where he subsequently relocated.

He has been living in the Boca Raton area for the last three years and is currently involved in the opening of an Italian restaurant. The establishment will be called -- what else? - Merlino's and will offer "South Philadelphia-style" Italian cooking, according to the one-time mob boss.

Merlino, in an interview last year, insisted he has left the mob life behind and is trying for a fresh start in the Sunshine State. Law enforcement authorities are skeptical.

The probation violations cited in the pending case include Merlino's refusal to answer a question about his financial dealings with a suspected mob figure during a deposition taken in May. The deposition was part of a civil inquiry launched by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Philadelphia into Merlino's finances.

Authorities are skeptical about Merlino's claims of employment. His lawyer said he works in sales and advertising. The feds want to know how he has managed to live a comfortable lifestyle -- living in a posh condo and driving a late model SUV -- since his release from prison.

The second violation alleges that Merlino knowingly associated with mob figures and convicted felons on June 18. Under surveillance at the time of detectives from the Broward County Sheriff's Department, Merlino was spotted meeting with John "Johnny Chang" Ciancaglini and two other felons in the parking lot of a restaurant. The detectives then followed the group to Havana Nights, a popular cigar bar, where they reported that Merlino, Ciancaglini and the others were socializing in the VIP section of the bar.

Ciancaglini, a mob capo in the Philadelphia crime family, was convicted with Merlino in the 2001 case. While Merlino has claimed that he is no longer involved with the crime family, law enforcement sources have speculated that he continues to play a role and that he periodically receives cash from mob gambling and loansharking operations in the Philadelphia area.

Ciancaglini and Steve Mazzone, another co-defendant in the 2001 case, have been identified as two local mob leaders overseeing what remains of the Merlino organization.

George Anastasia can be contacted at George@bigtrial.net.

77 comments

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. Hmmm They are still looking to nail him on the expressway attempt. They have cooperating and potential cooperating figures incarcerated and/or under protection. That's what this is about!

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    1. Not positive but I thought the statue of limitations expired on that one.

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    2. No SOL on attempted murder

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  3. Nicodemo is going to squeal!

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    1. Hey slap dick the giy had done three yrs in jail if he was gonna talk he would.ve by now. Im pretty sure u wouldnt have been stand up

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    2. Hey Genius the FBI stopped approaching Nicodemo a LONGER time ago for reason you wouldn't understand because your so SMART.The FBI has Nicodemo RIGHT WHERE THE WANT HIM."SWEATING & LOSING ALOT OF SLEEP. Unfortunately there is no alcohol in jail or he would be drinking himself into a BLACKOUT every nite like the rest of the Boozers do. He wants to talk but the FBI has been ignoring him. He does not want to spend another holiday in a 2x4 smelly roach infested cell.The first chance he gets to sing he will be in line like a welfare recipient in line for cheese. You can rest a sure he is not going down alone.When the FBI come for you..you can best believe they have something worth putting you away for a long time.

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    3. Ok officer slap dick wishfull thinking

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    4. yo chief, go away!!

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    5. Slappy mo ---- me

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    7. What happen slappy get deleted again.

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  4. I wish the judge let us in on his reasoning. I thought Joey had half a shot on walking. Still, what's in store has got to be small potatoes for Merlino. All things considered.

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    1. This is just the beginning of a big change in store for
      The Mobsters of Brotherly love and its future exsistence in the philadelphia area. New york might be sitting back and ready to put somebody very close to them in charge of the So philly faction. Also rumor has it someone in the upper pecking order has been talking for yrs

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    2. The Genevese family top guys are out now therefore they would be the family in charge uf a move is made bye bye Christmas tree gang hello old school

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    3. I see the update to the story, Thanks.

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  5. Did Philip Narducci or Joe Pungittore have problems like these with their paroles

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    Replies
    1. Those guys dont want there names mentioned with those
      --- holes

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  6. Yo cuz, give me extra provolone

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  7. This ones a no brainer dont pass go and go directly to jail for 8 months.
    This has nothing to do with galati 'expressway and so on.
    Just pure ignorance again by the Skinny boss he just cant help himself
    he is what he is and the feds love it he.s so predictable. Cool hand luke
    He wants it so he gets it i do.t like this any more than u do. U run u get a set of chains. Run again u get a second set of chain. U won.t need no third set cause ur gonna get ur mind right. Cool hand luke got killed in the movie.
    Stay tuned for the philly version should be interesting.

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    Replies
    1. I agree with you but I think arrogant is the better word.

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    2. Uh yes it does. You just are not informed

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  8. As luck has it for Uncle Joe . Just in time for the Christmas collections.Joey will be away and Joe Ligambi will get all of the shake down money from the bookmakers, drug dealers and Prostitutes! ! Go UNCLE JOE! !!!!

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    1. Not so fast fellas BGB might have a little say in the christmas collections. For those who dont know BGB its uncle Joes favorite nephew.

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    2. The bookmakers don't get "shaken down" they simply work for the mob.

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    1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    2. John John that you?

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  10. Rico charges are coming next!

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  11. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  12. Replies
    1. Uncle Joe has to go!

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    2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    3. Gonna be around for awhile galati has nothing to offer and nicodemo isnt gonna talk

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    4. Your rite uncle Joe should retire..He not looking g good these days. Now is a good time for him to make up loss time that he NEVER spent with his sons Especially his daughters & grand kids before it's to late I mean come on he's lucky if he's got another 5 healthy yrs left. Make your REAL family come first.

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  13. Yea! Dis is Uncle Joe da boss of da South philly Mob! ! If I finds outs which ones of yous guys called me decrepits your done for. I thinks I looks greats!

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    1. Hi uncle Joe thought yous was a little under the weather after ur visit down the shore for OKTOBERFEST hopes ur feeling better always great to hear froms da boss.

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  14. 14years ain't too bad.....14 months is a piss off the curb

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    2. Just ask BGB he did his 15 yrs and how long is his parole he.ll be next in line for the feds for violation u think..

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  15. RatFellas selling chrismas trees this year?

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    1. Ya gotta raise that commisary
      money for the boys doing a stretch and looks like the boss is going back for parole violation imagine that uh.
      If any is left over may be will have a christmas party at the paladium

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  16. The Philadelphia Ratfamily!!!!.That's What They Are!!,,,,,

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  18. You can thank johnny Chang that moron for all this!! Is his wife going back on 60minns?

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    1. Maybe this is Johnny's way of getting back at Joey for shooting his brother, it's no secret he never liked anyone in that crew.

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    2. If you all remember Johnny told Fat Rat Previtti don't trust those guys especially Joey. Their all no good.So yeah Chang just might have something up his sleeve for Joey.

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    3. BGB is that u stiring shit again ^^
      Imagine that mad at Johnny for taking ur Delaware county accounts shame on u thought u were a team player

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  19. U might be right!!!!

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  20. Chickie Chang is gonna set every one straight

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  21. If he gets out!!!!!!!!!

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  22. Uncle Joe here da BOSS Of da South philly Mob! I beens up all night thinkin and I want Joey to no that im gona set asides 500$!! Froms da Christmas collections of all da book makers in da city! Also im gona raise Georgie Stumps street tax. Plz if anyone reads dis dont tells da Feds.

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  23. Worst case he gets 6 months for a parole violation. Big Deal. Wish the feds would spend our tax money in other ways.

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    Replies
    1. H & R Block called....still trying to locate ur W-2

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  24. 6 months to Joey is like , 10 hours at 24 th wolf to the average Street guy

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  25. Try 5 Years He Can Get

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    1. how can he get 5 yrs??? please explain

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  26. Now u guys are all lawyers truth is whatever he gets he deserves u reap what u sew boys. Just the beginning to an end period. No body to blame but the guy stairing back in the mirror

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  27. 10th and O taking over anyways for the washed up oldfellas

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  28. New boss Louie turra

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  29. Rico Gambling extortion lonesharking
    Charges coming soon for the wolf st boys don.t say i didnt tell ya .
    BYE

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  30. John John Veasy Should Bee Boss!! He Got More Balls Then All Of Them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  31. JOHN JOHN IS A RAT PUNK...........

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    1. Tell him to his face he.ll kick ur asses take names then bust a cap in ur ass u guys call people names and rats which he is but me and him would kick all ur asses and stack yas like a wood pile vomputer punks

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  32. georgie stump never did a day in JAIL..... A REAL LOUD MOUTH.. NO BALLS. NO CLASS.

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    1. You must not know what's going on our here, stumps is doing 10 months right now, only has a couple more to go.

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  33. gimme extra rabe on that sandwich cuz

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  34. How many months did he get george and when does he need to report

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  35. john john is YESTERDAYS NEWS... RAT FINK....

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  36. 4 months in prison

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  37. I saw Georgie Boy in his Sox hat on Oregon ave this morning

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  38. Better then getting his fed probation extended I guess

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  39. Who steps up as acting boss uncle Joe or BGB or does it stay as it is with the Christmas tree gang

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  40. Good job by John John standin up to the guinys. 4 months more, who cares, Joey gonna die in jail anyways. New RICO charges comin in 2015!! Book it with Joe Vito.

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