That was me SB. Again, there's nothing to indicate in the slightest that Fredo was the family's underboss and we Board members have certainly concluded that Fredo was as capable as being an underboss as he was of giving birth.
Was Frankie the source of the FBI's info? Well, possibly. But, as you point out (and about which I have opined endlessly on this Board) how does the most power ful Mafia family in the country with 1,000 soldiers get along with just a couple of capos? If the chart omly illustrates the Nevada faction, why is Frankie part of it? Yes, it is a movie.
Vito had only two capos Tessio and Clemenza. both of those men controlled a ton of buttons so it was possible. From the 1970's to the present there were more capos because there were more rackets. Also remember Pantangeli had his own family in New york that was formely part of the Corleone family. Mike had Al neri and Racco who were both dangerous men. Also we saw glimpses of some of the soldiers and they looked like they were quite capable. Plus Mike was in vegas which was different than being in New York. Fredo was also the underboss in name only. So he didn't have the same control as other underbosses do. Mike gave Fredo the title of underboss as more of encouragement than anything else
