Merlino and Chang history

[JeremyTheJew]

How did the Changs become close to Merlino after being on opposing sides and killing there bro/son and joeys best friend??

Also were the Changs close to Merlinos dad???

[DPG]

You may wanna reread the history of the Merlino-Stanfa conflict. Took me a while to understand as well.

[Mikeymike12]

Chuckie Merlino and Chickie Ciancaglini were basically counseling their sons Joey and Michael during the stanfa war. Without there fathers respect, pull, and the scoop (info) they gave on what was going on with everything .Plus I’m sure whatever guys
they had in there crews\ Associates (who wasnt locked up ) could be with their Sons

[dack2001]

This has been commented on numerous times so I'd check the old threads but really they worked together because of where they grew up and when their fathers went to prison. Chang is put in charge of his crew in 81 and his crew is the main shakedown crew in South Philly when the shakes get implemented. Salvy Testa also runs a shakedown crew and at the time is very close to Chuckie merlino, who is underboss. Chang gets indicted with Narducci, Bruno et al and ends up having to report to prison in 83/84 on his 1st Rico conviction. His sons Johnny Chang and Joe keep things moving and food on the table for their father. Salvy gets killed in 1984. The crews eventually get thrown under Del and Faffy but the Changs are still allowed to earn for their father. Johnny Chang goes to prison in on his own Rico in 86/87, I think on his own Rico. Chuckie gets broke in 1986 by Nicky Sr. and goes to prison himself around that time in Jersey for bribery. Everybody gets picked up in April, 87 on multiple murder and RICO charges. Mike Chang and Joey Merlino essentially take over their fathers old shakes and stop turning in the money to Nicky Jr because everyone blames Nicky for getting everyone indicted. I think Chang probably rode the fence between Michael and Joe until Johnny Chang got back on the streets.

[chin_gigante]

During the 2001 Merlino et al trial, Natale testified that Michael Ciancaglini was 'at odds' with his brother Joseph and their father and Tommy Scafidi also testified that Michael 'hated' his brother and father

[dack2001]

It would be interesting to know more from Mike's perspective. From Natale's perspective, his father was at odds with Mike. It makes sense to outwardly back Joe Chang and the new regime so the family can earn. Besides Michael wasn't following the "rules" when he and Joey took over in South Philly.

[NJShore4Life]

Johnny Chang's brother Michael is dead, his brother Joey cant walk and chew gum at the same time, and his Father was away for 40 years- The Life really did a number on Johnny Chang

[baldo]

Where is Joey living these days? I though I had read he was living in one of the Carolinas but could be wrong. Just how bad is his condition? Is he basically a vegetable or can he work?

[ShotgunTheRifle]

Where is Joey living these days? I though I had read he was living in one of the Carolinas but could be wrong. Just how bad is his condition? Is he basically a vegetable or can he work?

Last I heard was South Jersey

[Mikeymike12]

I believe Johnny was made first ,Michael second and then Joesph , right?
Who was the biggest earner out of the 3 of them ?
And Who would you say had the most pull

[chin_gigante]

I believe Johnny was made first ,Michael second and then Joesph , right?
Who was the biggest earner out of the 3 of them ?
And Who would you say had the most pull

Joseph was made in November 1991, Michael in September 1992 and John got made by Ralph Natale sometime after his January 1995 release from prison

[Chucky]

Merlino and Michael were made together, sponsored by Licata.

[chin_gigante]

Looked back at my notes. John Ciancaglini was made by Natale after the Billy Veasey murder but Natale provided 3 different dates for it: January, June and October 1996

[IrishDave]

Merlino and Michael were made together, sponsored by Licata.

Licata is "Scoops"? If so, why would the capo of the North Jersey crew sponsor them? Was Licata close to their fathers? Also, if Joe and Michael hated each other, why wouldn't Joe fight his brothers induction?

[chin_gigante]

Licata is "Scoops"? If so, why would the capo of the North Jersey crew sponsor them? Was Licata close to their fathers? Also, if Joe and Michael hated each other, why wouldn't Joe fight his brothers induction?

Stanfa wanted Merlino and Michael Ciancaglini made because he thought it'd make them easier to bring in and kill