They didnt know he was the real boss, they did know he was faking but couldnt prove it. He was very low key when conducting business. Agents saw several times he was wearing a suit under his bathrobe. He was one of the last major leaders, even Gotti feared him. Gotti was famous for talking behind the other bosses backs like Casso and Amuso. He even talked behind the back of his "friend" Massino calling him a whale if i remember correctly. But he never had any disrespect for the Chin, he feared him. Gotti told him once why he wasnt inducting new made guys, he told Gotti that its his business not Gottis.