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Jurors hear closings in trial of Philly mob boss, Joey Merlino

Published  February 13, 2018 1:02pm EST
U.S.
FOX 29 Philadelphia

NEW YORK (AP) -- A prosecutor says a reputed Philadelphia mob boss profited from health insurance and gambling schemes despite his claims he had retired from his life of crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Schorr made the accusations Tuesday in closing arguments at the New York City trial of Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino.

Defense attorney Edwin Jacob countered by telling jurors that they were being misled by "compromised" turncoat mobsters who testified against Merlino.

MORE: Joey Merlino returned to crime after prison stint | Reputed Philly mob boss, Joey Merlino, faces fraud trial

The 55-year-old Merlino was among nearly four dozen defendants arrested in a 2016 crackdown on an East Coast crime syndicate. Prosecutors say it committed crimes including extortion, loan-sharking, sports gambling and insurance fraud.

Most of the defendants pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Merlino is the only one so far to go to trial on conspiracy charges.