That's Joey being reckless as always. I can say this isn't just about money for him, he has a genuine vendetta. Ridiculous, but genuine.
He just hates rats. Thats not unlike the overwhelming majority of devoted, stand-up streets guys. Especially guys who have ever experienced rats getting up on the witness stand and testifying against them personally. They know first hand the damage these lying weasels can do.
Merlino did a lot of time in the can, and I'm sure the feds had a long line of rats who spilled theirs guts to put him there.
So what's he supposed to say and do, talk nice about them and coddle them? Of course not! It's not hard to understand his distain for them, is it?
