At this point it should be called the MERLINO FAMILY...
They did this with:
1) No Money.
2) No backing from N.Y.
3) No real Cash Cow rackets. (from what I read)
4) No HUGE shy book.
5) No HUGE sports book.
6) N.Y. was trying to KILL Merlino.
7) A terrible Civil War broke out. (Brother's Killing Brothers).
8) The Feds have MORE of a "HARD ON" for Merlino than I think any other LCN, member today.
The Ciancaglini-Merlino faction were being backed by the Genovese Family. In 1994, the Genoveses approved Natale becoming the Boss and required him to run any major decisions by him. Natale and Merlino would send messages back and forth to the Genovese Family through Peter Caprio. The Gambino Family also approved Natale and Merlino taking over.
