From a 1996 article
http://articles.philly.com/1996-10-21/ne...ny-joey-merlinoMost authorities believe reputed Philadelphia-South Jersey mob boss Ralph Natale and his alleged underboss, Joseph ``Skinny Joey'' Merlino, are backed by the Genovese organization.
In fact, some sources speculate that the beleaguered Philadelphia organization has become little more than a satellite for the Genovese mob and its wiley boss, Vincent ``Chin'' Gigante
Anyway maybe Fiumara was angry that joey was the boss and not the siggy Stanfa but if the genovese wanted to kill him, merlino would be dead.
Maybe thanks to Ligambi that rebuilted the relations with NY and that in in 1999 merlino went to jail, the things are changed.
