It's obvious who his father was, but according to Leonetti and guys like Nicky The Crow & Tommy Del, Merlino did minor scale things, like robbing legitimate people, and guys got on him for it. They never used him for anything of substance, he was a driver to guys like Tommy Del. Of course you have to get your start somewhere, but Johnny Chang was actually called upon a few times for some real heavy shit. Merlino was never used in that capacity. His attitude was partly why. Not to mention Scarfo wanted to kill him, long before the Nicky Jr. situation.

Merlino & Johnny Chang weren't made in the same ceremony. I could be wrong but Johnny Chang got his button via Scarfo. When he got out and was on the street in '96, Ralph Natale made him the official consigliere. You're right that Merlino & Joey Jr. was, but Joey Jr is also Johnny Changs "little" brother. There's really not much out there supports Merlino & Johnny Chang having a close relationship prior to Ralph Natale. But I'm sure they knew each other.