I would like to comment that while some early in this thread gave me shit for saying the Feds had a hard on for Joey, let me refer you to pages 84-85 of The Last Gangster (which I'm currently reading).

"Getting Joey- wiping that silly smirk off his face, sticking his fancy clothes and lavish lifestyle up his ass- became as important as building a criminal case. It wasn't about justice. It was about winning. It was personal. The FBI had a hard-on for Joey Merlino."