Joey Merlino

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/joey-merlino

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Joey Merlino born?March 13, 1962
2. Where was Joey Merlino born?Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
3. What is the reputed role?Boss of the Philadelphia crime family from the 1990s until 2024
4. What is the key activities?Gambling, loan sharking, drug trafficking, and extortion
5. Who is Joey Merlino?Joey Merlino, also called "Skinny Joey," was a leader of the Philadelphia crime family and was born in 1962.
6. What was Joey Merlino known for?He was known for being very visible in the media and public events, which was unusual for someone in his position.

Organized Crime: Criminal activities conducted by structured groups, often for profit and power.
Philadelphia Crime Family: A notorious organized crime syndicate based in Philadelphia and surrounding areas, historically involved in various illicit enterprises.
RICO Act: The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a U.S. federal law used to prosecute individuals involved in organized crime.
Loan Sharking: The illegal practice of lending money at exorbitant interest rates, often with threats of violence.