Merlino must be well respected across the usa in the lcn circle and he isnt that in your face he doesnt do interviews. Look at the boss in buffalo he invites every cameraman his way. He gives a soundbite after leaving federal court that really isnt to much and hes barely says a thing. He does give george a a quick thing or 2. And if you notice george kinda takes his side on the last case or 2 almost like a mouthpiece