Who is Punicki from The Mysteries of Pittsburgh and what is their importance?

Carl Punicki is present in the room when Cleveland and Art force their way into the gangster's meeting. Punicki and Frankie Breezy are in the midst of a territorial dispute. When Art tells the men they've come because Cleveland wants a job, Frankie Breezy and Bechstein get angry. Carl Punicki, however, steps in and promises Cleveland a job. The fact that Cleveland is already working for Frankie doesn't set well with Frankie or Joe. In the end, Carl teaches Cleveland how to be a "jewel thief," and sets him up with his first burglary job.... an event that gets him killed.