Recently, I read an older article that tells how Chuckie Merlino brought Joe Ligambi into the fold. Uncle Joe was good at handicapping and became a bookie under Chuckies flag. Over time, Joey Merlino and Ligambi became very close. Ligambi became a surrogate father figure to Joey. Hence the nickname, 'Uncle Joe'. IMO, the two Joes have an arrangement/understanding in regards to the management of the family. The specific nature of the arrangement can only be speculated by us. There are no outward signs of problems between the two Joes.