Oli, as I'm sure you know, Johnny Ola is based on a real-life character: Vincent (Jimmy Blue Eyes) Alo (name is an anagram), long-time associate and friend of Meyer Lansky. Alo was a captain-level Mafioso who basically ran interference for Lansky with the Mob. He was not subservient as Johnny Ola is portrayed. Why'd FFC portray Ola that way? Made for a more interesting character is my guess.