Investigators say they followed reputed former Philadelphia mob boss for unspecified probe
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Detectives with an FBI task force say they followed a reputed former Philadelphia mob boss in Florida as part of an unspecified investigation — not to catch him in a parole violation.
The alleged breach landed Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino in federal court Friday in Philadelphia.
Prosecutors say the 52-year-old Merlino met up with fellow mobsters during his three years of supervised release in the Miami area. He wasn't supposed to have contact with them.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The detectives testified Friday they saw Merlino talking to an ex-codefendant for about 10 minutes at a cigar bar. Defense attorneys characterize it as a chance encounter.
Merlino is free after about a decade in prison following a 2001 racketeering trial. But a parole violation could send him back behind bars.