Isn't there like a rule that a non-American cannot become boss of an American Cosa Nostra family? Stanfa was put into power in end of 1989/early 1990 by Gotti and Leonetti even says Gotti liked Scarfo and wanted to support him, but his priority was to appease the Sicilan faction of the Gambinos who were pushing for Stanfa whom he was a relative and/or close friend of. Gotti was most certainly powerful to put him in place when Stanfa took the reigns and wasn't even a arrested until literally then end of 1990 (Dec. 1990). On the flip side, @Sinatra your point on Natale and Merlino is very much valid....