They say,"I'd rather be lucky than good".Merlino is a throwback gangster that shot his way to the top.And he is a "gangster" without a doubt.He didn't fear prison.He didn't fear death.He was robbing Leonetti and Scarfo as an 18 year old.Like Serp says he has the pedigree.He earned his respect on the streets by going out on these hits himself and doing the work.He wanted to be the shooter with Scarfo Jr.So he got respect and loyalty.He never got tripped up on wiretaps like some of the mobsters that were supposed to be "smart".Nah,he learned from dad and uncle and others and he was a true gangster and both lucky and good.From Tony Ducks to Castellano they were tripped up on those wiretaps.Now,I aint saying Merlino is comparible to these guys but the Feds sure went after his ass just as bad and never got his ass on those wiretaps.If he don't spend the rest of his life in prison he is a success story as far as that life goes.
Merlino has been recorded on wiretap many of times. It's just the fact that he barely says anything and is vague with his comments. He knows better. Even Ron Previte, who managed to get Merlino convicted for dealing in swag based off of Merlino's words during wiretapped conversations, says the guy is very wary of surveillance. But he's been recorded on wiretap before, and it has hurt him in the past.
