Here's another article by Anastasia where he also calls Joey the "former" mob boss. He always calls him that. However, one of the sources he used for that article, says otherwise:

“It was a stupid thing to do,” said another underworld source while discussing the meeting.

The source, who has repeatedly scoffed at Merlino’s claim to have left the mob, added, “These guys can’t help themselves. They are who they are and that’s all they know.”

http://www.bigtrial.net/2014/09/joey-merlino-heading-back-to.html

See what I mean? It can go both ways. There is nothing "to taste" until Joey does his press release to announce that he is or isn't the boss of Philly.

Oops.