I read somewhere, maybe in an LE OC report that scarfo had family who were bookmakers in Pittsburgh area. Given the way all us calabrese say we all are cousins, it's plausible philly may have/had some connection to Pittsburgh. Do I think merlino has those connections? Nope. Unless he met them in the can. Merlino family is new to the mob. Chickie knew only local guys and anyone else outside was thru scarfo. But scarfos extended family appear to have been in OC since the 40s.