If you guys ever read George Fresolones "Blood Oath" book, he says towards the end that he was the one who was tasked by Nicky Sr. & Tony Piccolo to kill Merlino after he was released from jail. Of course Fresolone was wired and cooperating then, but he was put in charge of the Patty Specs crew, by the man himself, Specs supposedly was going to knock down Scoops Licata, and place Fresolone as his acting captain. History showed that Fresolone was placed in witsec and his operation was ended shortly after his induction ceremony. But had he not been wired and a rat the whole time, Joey Merlino was going to get what was coming to him for the Nicky Jr attempt. Fate just so happened to work out in Merlino's favor.