Good assessment Don Pep, the only thing I'd differ with you on is the fact that in the last few decades almost simultaneously to a guy getting his button the FBI knows it. There are SOOO many inducted rats around today that you'd think a FeeBee was in the room doing the pinching (maybe he is)?

Because of it as soon as a guy gets made LE knows it. That fact immediately brings much heavier scrutiny on the guys activities and operations. The feds open a new "jacket" on him, and do their very best to form a anti-racketeering profile on him in hopes of nailing him.

As an associate you generally don't garner that kind of scrutiny, regardless of who are, unless you're right up the ass of a boss in which case you're gonna be in trouble in short order anyway.