FBI Help for Alleged Mob Figure Cited

The FBI bailed Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino out of a $15,000 gambling debt at the same time it was gathering evidence against him, a witness testified at the trial of the reputed Philadelphia mob boss.

Merlino had borrowed the money from Philadelphia mob boss Ralph Natale and lost it all during a gambling trip to Las Vegas, mobster-turned-informant Ronald Previte testified.

Previte said Merlino asked him for a loan in 1997. Previte, then a mob captain leading a double life as an informant, approached the FBI about Merlino’s request. FBI agents decided to give Previte $15,000 to give to Merlino, Previte said.