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Retired mobster “Skinny” Joey Merlino, 52, is set to head back to prison, at least for a brief time.
Now living in Boca Raton, Florida, Merlino will be surrendering to the feds after a judge determined the one time mobster violated his parole after meeting for dinner with former mafia associates and convicted felons. Merlino, who had been sentenced to 14 years for gambling and racketeering, was set to complete his three years of supervised probation in just nine more days.
Once out, he is scheduled to begin working at Merlino’s Italian Restaurant in the heart of Boca at 39 SE First Ave. That dining establishment is set to open in two weeks. And while named after the one time mobster, "Skinny" will be working as a host and paid a regular hourly salary.
"I don't think Mr. Merlino has ever worked a job in a very long time, if ever," Assistant U.S. Attorney David Troyer said sarcastically when approached by reporters.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
