Joey Coyle – The South Philly Robinhood from TwistedPhilly Live at Philly Pod Fest

Episode 57 – Originally Published July 2017

Content warning: This episode contains adult subject matter including discussions about death as a result of suicide.  Listener discretion is advised.

On Sunday, July 1, 2018, I had the pleasure of participating in the 6th Annual Philly Podcast Festival.  This was my second year in the festival and my second time back at the best bar in Philly, Tattooed Moms on South Street.  Since I was in South Philly, I wanted to share a story from the neighborhood and I chose the story of Joey Coyle, a 28 year old South Philly man who in February, 1981, had the misfortune of finding $1.2 million on the side of the road.

What would you do if you found one million dollars?  Would you keep it, share it, turn it in?  Would you wait for a reward?  On the surface it sounds like that sort of a windfall would make all your dreams come true.  But for Joey Coyle, in 6 days he went from rags to riches to rags again and landed himself in jail in the process. TwistedPhilly is researched, hosted, and produced by me, Deana Marie, and available biweekly wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow me on Tiktok and Instagram at twistedphilly to see many of the locations and histories I discuss in the show.