Anxious to hear the story behind this when it surfaces. I suspect Merlino & crew helped themselves to not only $$$ but the use of investors credit worthiness.

Not sure in this case if my thoughts are far fetched. Stein fronted the $$ for many things to Merlino to include the restaurant. I believe a safe bet is there was some falling out between the two. Call me crazy but I think my "hunch" is correct.
Whose credit do you think was used for all the luxury autos Joey, Deb and daughters were driving?

I think some of you fellas have a point.

AS far as the cars go, one night Joey would be in a Masarati, the next time he'd be in a two door Bentley or a Ferrari. I seriously doubt he owned all these super high end cars he was driving.

Weird, you'd think they'd keep it around to just wash money and give joey a place to hang a legitimate job.

yea I kinda thought that also. these two probably don't get along after I read this story yesterday. he got used credit destroyed an practically stolen from.. I personally feel he should stop all payments on all vehicles. or if paid for he should hold title to these all the free merlino cars.. If I were stein, I would say givem back.. Or call them stolen if he dont get vehicles them back.. but he got no nut or nutsack what so ever.. just lost millions prob.. The FBI might talk to this
stein about merlino.. he ought drop dimes like a cash register.. ought send that non workin punk back up the river.. and wait until the FBI gets a hold of that fat little grande boy for murder.. they all be peeling potatoes in the can.. an giving head to other inmates.. they will turn grande into a women in about his first night..

Dom Grande

Who the fuck in their right man is some successful business man seeks out a convicted high level mobster and decides hes a good guy to go into business with?..and dont gimme that shit that its cuz lf Rita Merlinos outta this world gravy..there has to be some sort of connection...has anyone found out how this Stein guy is connected to Joey? Ive never read anything concrete about how and when they met?

If im guessing id say Stein owed joey or someone big time shy or bookmaker proceeds and he agreed to set him up when he got outta the can? Maybe even kept the juice rolling

@Mikey that's funny and made me laugh. But in all seriousness I've thought the same thing. I've heard people say oh it's just an old rich guy who is enamored with the mob and he just wants to hang with Joey etc. However, would it be worth $2mm to this guy and maybe even a federal conspiracy charge just to hang with this guy? I don't know. What I do know is the Stein guy is a Philly native. He started and founded his nursing care home business out of Plymouth Meeting (Philly suburb) and even has the LLC out of his law firm in Plymouth Meeting. He's rich now but there's a chance based on the geographic link only that there was some gambling or maybe even early partnering with the mob. If any of you read blood and honor Nicky crow was setting up these Medicare scams through shell doctors offices or offices/nursing homes that would play ball. All this is lofty speculation, but I'm just saying the geographic link is there which would lead one to speculate if there's was already a relationship well before Joey was even convicted in 2001 let alone some sort of indebtness.

PHL- haha thanks buddy..but seriously like I mean im interested in OC and im a lawyer have no desire what so ever to fuckin go into business w people whos sole reason for getting up in the morning is to cheat and steal ...makes zero sense

I had no idea that Stein was a lawyer thats all the more idiotic on his part...but based on your solid info and recall buddy id have to think there's definitely a logical link between those businesses and Stein.

There has to have been some sort of prior relationship and he had to owe Joey in some way shape or form..otherwise this fuckin dipshit had 1-2 mill in liquid assets lying around and thought to himself " i could invest this in a mutual fund with moderate growth potential and low risk.. Or I could contact this fella from South Philly fresh outta Federal prison for racketeering and an alleged mafia boss/killer and front a high end restaurant in Jew Heaven putting up all my own money b/c his wackadoo mother has some good gravy recipe?"

I think some of you fellas have a point.

AS far as the cars go, one night Joey would be in a Masarati, the next time he'd be in a two door Bentley or a Ferrari. I seriously doubt he owned all these super high end cars he was driving.