Alleged Crime Boss with Ties to Atlantic City NJ Indicted for Racketeering

Federal prosecutors recently secured grand jury indictments 46 men in a major racketeering bust. Among those indicted was Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino, an alleged Philadelphia mob boss who used to have ties to organized crime in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Diego Rodriguez, the person who heads the NY office for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), issued a statement highlighting the very serious nature of the crimes that the suspects allegedly committed. According to Rodriguez, the indictment “reads like an old school Mafia novel,” with the suspects reportedly committing arson and threatening to murder anyone who crossed them.

The suspects were placed under arrest by federal authorities. The alleged mobsters are said to include a number of individuals with prominent roles in illegal gambling operations located in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Florida.

One of the suspects is Merlino, who currently lives in South Florida and who allegedly runs a Philadelphia crime family. He was previously connected to a mob syndicate operating out of Atlantic City, NJ.

Another suspect named in the recent federal indictments is Pasquale “Patsy” Parrello, a man reported to be a member of the Genovese crime family that operates out of New York. Parrello allegedly used strong-arm tactics to collect on debts, including ordering associates to assault individuals who failed to make good on payments.

The indictments against the suspects were handed down in a Manhattan court. The suspects face a range of charges related to racketeering, including illegal gambling, extortion, credit card fraud, and health care fraud. Many of the suspects were allegedly involved in running gambling operations that included casino games and sports betting. Additionally, some of the suspects allegedly engaged in loansharking at exorbitant rates.

For more information, read the Press of Atlantic City article, “Former Atlantic City Mob Figure Joseph Merlino, 45 Others Arrested in Mob Bust.”

If you have been charged with a criminal offense in New Jersey, you need to talk to a qualified criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of John W. Tumelty are prepared to help you fight your criminal charges and avoid the most severe penalties. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.