Accused Philly mob boss Joey “Skinny Joey” Merlino wants to stay close to the cheesesteaks.
Merlino filed papers in Manhattan federal court Monday requesting that his racketeering trial be moved from Manhattan to his hometown Philadelphia.
Merlino, known for his flashy clothes and cars, says the basis for the request rests with the feds who, in a criminal complaint, accused him of being the boss of the “Philly Mob.”
Merlino, 55, is one of the last defendants left from a massive roundup of 46 wiseguys from four out of the five major crime families, including reputed Genovese capo and Arthur Avenue restaurateur Pasquale “Patsy” Parrello.