Jimmy was involved in the murder of Billy Butts, a friend of John Gotti, he also killed one or two Gambino made man after the Lufthansa heist, didnt the gambinos find what he had done?
There might be rules to how the mafia operates, but ultimately, an individual is on their own, and will be considered on the merits of their strength or weakness. The weak get killed off simply because they can be. Excuses are made after the fact. Fake charges. Those perceived as strong are basically avoided and given leeway.
Even in an organization, where a higher up can summon an underling at any moment to dispose of them, the fearsomeness of that underling is considered before taking that risk.
In plain English, gangsters like Burke tended not to get whacked because it was too dangerous to try.
That's only my opinion.
