I think you are right in regards to the death of desimone, after all burke was in on the killing of billy batts also, and he had taken over batts loan sharking book while batts was in prison.

but, desimone was the one that got clipped. also he killed a guy named foxy that didn't sit to well with gottis crew.

but, no one seemed to ever bother jimmy burke no matter what he did. too big of an earner.