Mickey might have been a snitch but that doesn't take away his "prior" rep/ I mean same can be said for any mobster ie Sammy, crazy Phil, fat Joey etc. They were tough guys on the streets

As for self destruct- I don't buy that. Not saying i don't believe u personally

What I mean is, Paul was full of shitt. If he really felt that way he wouldn't have met them/ wouldn't deal with them or allow them to use the Gambino name... Or taking 10% off them

Yes it was done to control them which goes to show the might they wielded. If they are such small fries Paul would have whacked em for clipping their bookie Ruby

And going into business with such renegades as Paul would say- he was only setting himself up for a fall later on jail wise