Pete, as I and some others have opined over the years, both Vito and Michael had their own definition for legitimate. Despite his protestations to the contrary, Michael never gave up ultimate control and some of that control was exercised through the Family's regimes whether in New York or Nevada. I have stated several times that Michael was like Tony Accardo in Chicago who supposedly retired as Don of the Outfit, but retained considerable power behind the scenes. That power eventually resulted in Giancana's removal as the Outfit's boss.

Although there was Pentangeli and Zasa (and probably others) in NY, Michael could pull the strings anytime he wanted.