Yes, as DonMichaelCorleone correctly stated the Feds knew that Don Carlo had passed away. They also knew that the position of Don would be between Mr. Neil and Big Paul once Don Carlo passed away. In the MOVIE, knowing that Don Carlo had died and then watching John Gotti lose his mind outside the club, they realized that Mr. Neil did not get the Donship. As DMC stated, they put two and two together.

Lets not forget though that we are seeing this in a Hollywood movie. While I've read that John Gotti did almost lose his mind when he found out that Big Paul was the new boss and that it was not Mr. Neil, and the feds were filming this outside the club, I don't ever recall reading anywhere that the feds knew exactly why he was kicking garbage cans, etc. That probably was added for a hollywoodesque touch.


Don Cardi