As for the article: keep in mind that (save for a limited few knowledgeable reporters) Italian media is blatantly ignorant about the American side of the LCN.
I highly doubt Lanni is the actual boss. If reliable posters positioned him as a capo of the 18th Ave crew (aka the Sicilian faction within the Gambinos) it could mean that he is “in charge†of the American-Sicilian pipeline.
Remember, they labeled Frank Lupoi as someone with a “boss†status when he was arrested a couple of years ago.
Not to mention that top tier Italian news outlets described Gambino soldier Francesco Palmeri as both a “boss†as well as an “underboss†(!) too.
It’s a sad mix of ignorance and media sensationalism.