Some people are saying that what Joey is doing with the social media and the interviews is no different than what John Gotti Jr. did when he wrote that book and appeared on 60 Minutes. Do you agree? Is there a difference?

They're both attention whores !!

The difference is that Junior admits that there is a mafia and that his father and so many others (alive and dead) held positions in that life. He's a rat

Joey left the life and did all his time and never gave any information to law enforcement whatsoever. So, what is wrong with what he is doing? Absolutely nothing.
By the way, even hinting that what Joey is doing is ratting sound like something a true rat like Alite or even Cicale would espouse.

What does Joey do now specifically? What does he do for a living?

Is he still involved in the restaurant business around Boca?

I mean as far as we know, his legit job is his podcast.

Unless he's a silent partner, I think he's out of the restaurant game.

I was meaning to get down to Boca and try his food. Too bad he's out.

Anyone here ever go to his restaurant in Boca? If so how was it?

If you do make it to Boca, Trattoria Romana is a phenomenal spot,

. True

I will and make sure to do that. Boca is my favorite area in Florida. Thank you!

Everybody knows there is Cosa Nostra since The Godfather lol..

Gotti jr never risked his life while Merlino declared war to a borgata that was plenty of killers and survived despite being wounded lost his chilhood friend and won the war (the last that tried the same thing was Joseph Gallo and konw how ended) made 15 years,take the mouth shout and now is enjoying the money. Of course no boss should make podcast and stay in the shadows but hey its 2024 not 1964.

I'll give Merlino that...He didn't just live off his fathers name like Gotti..he actually did work and made his own name

Putting in work is one thing, this guy is next level when it comes to balls. If all the stories are true he personally shot one of the most violent bosses ever’s son in public, basically made himself and his best friends, manipulated a fairly well known older gangster into being his lightning rod, went to war with a crew backed by the Gambinos, gave the nod and probably participated in a bunch of hits where nobody has talked for decades, did a long bid in tough places and repeatedly told NY to fuck off. And now he has wide wiseguys talking about bullshit on a podcast and will probably rake in a ton of legit cash if he keeps going at it. Not everybody was hiding in the shadows back when this thing started. He’s not admitting to anything. He’s a gangster through and through in my eyes until he proves otherwise. And this ain’t it.

There are many similarities their father's were both heavyweights I can imagine they had big shoes to fill.

I do think there are a few differences.
1) Merlino was always a trouble maker. Gotti jr seems to have some brains and could have made it in life as a legit person.
2) Merlino's father didn't bring him into the life whereas Gotti sr did.

RIght or wrong, Joey has the reputation and image of being a stand up guy, someone who has put in work, and has been a strong leader, while Jr has the opposite, was not a strong leader, most likely didnt put in work, yea he did some time but he tried his best to get out if it, these guys are not the same.

If Joey wants to talk, he has a higher level of repsect among us viewers and his peers than Jr ever did or will have.

Did Joey go through all his $$$ down in Florida? He has to have some investments still that are putting food on the table and a roof over his head.