Gangland Wire

The Treehouse Gang: Inside a Master Criminal's Mind

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 09:00:18 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins is joined by retired FBI agent Shawn Johnson and retired bank robber Stephen Myers to examine one of the most sophisticated bank robbery investigations in modern American history. The discussion focuses on the notorious career of Scott Scurlock, known as the "Hollywood Bandit," and the law enforcement effort that ultimately brought the robbery spree to an end.

Get the book, Click Here on The Treehouse: The True Story of Hollywood the Bank Robber.
Shawn Johnson begins by discussing his career with the FBI, including assignments involving violent crime, counterterrorism, instruction at the FBI Academy, and his work training new agents after retirement. His experience provides insight into the methods and challenges of major federal investigations.

Stephen Myers recounts his unusual path from Kansas City to a life of architecture, sculpture, furniture design, and restoration work around the world. He explains how he first met Scott Scurlock while helping build a treehouse compound in Washington State and how that relationship eventually drew him into a criminal enterprise.

The conversation explores Scurlock's early involvement in methamphetamine production and the development of the remote treehouse property that served as a base of operations. After a violent incident ended that chapter, Scurlock turned his attention to bank robbery, approaching it with meticulous planning and extensive research. Stephen describes how Scurlock studied failed robberies, developed disguises using prosthetic masks, conducted surveillance operations, mapped escape routes, and used radios and communications equipment to reduce the chances of capture. The pair discuss the first successful robberies and the methods that allowed the crew to evade authorities.

Shawn Johnson explains how the FBI investigation evolved into a major task force operation. Investigators analyzed robbery patterns, vehicle purchases, tire records, witness statements, and other forensic evidence to identify the perpetrators and understand their operating methods. The episode examines the robbers' transition from traditional teller robberies to more ambitious vault takeovers. Stephen discusses the use of insider information, surveillance of cash deliveries, and careful target selection designed to minimize risk and avoid unnecessary violence.

The discussion also highlights the emotional impact of bank robberies on victims. Shawn explains how repeated robberies affected tellers and customers and how investigators worked to document both the physical evidence and the human consequences of the crimes.

A key breakthrough came through the use of ProNet tracking devices secretly placed inside bank vaults. Shawn details how these tracking tags helped investigators close in on the suspects and ultimately unravel the robbery operation.

The episode concludes with the dramatic final robbery on Thanksgiving Eve, the ensuing shootout, Stephen Myers' arrest, and the death of Scott Scurlock. Both guests reflect on the investigation, the lessons learned, and the unlikely friendship that later developed between a former FBI agent and a former member of the robbery crew.

They also discuss Stephen's book, The Treehouse, which provides a detailed account of the case and its aftermath.

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From Temple Raiders to Elite Collectors: The Artifact Smuggling Pipeline

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:00:13 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins welcomes journalist and author Matthew Campbell to discuss one of the largest antiquities trafficking scandals of modern times. Drawing on his book The Man Who Stole the Gods, Campbell explains the rise and fall of Douglas Latchford, a British art dealer accused of orchestrating an international network that moved looted Cambodian treasures from ancient temples into private collections, museums, and auction houses worldwide.

The conversation explores the decades-long theft of priceless Khmer artifacts from Cambodia during periods of war and instability. Campbell describes how looters stripped ancient temple sites, often under dangerous and violent conditions, while middlemen and dealers created false ownership histories to conceal the artifacts' origins.

Gary and Matthew examine the mechanics of the antiquities black market, tracing the path from local thieves and smugglers to wealthy collectors and major institutions. They discuss how fake provenance documents helped stolen treasures enter the legitimate art market and how federal investigators eventually built fraud and conspiracy cases against Douglas Latchford.

The discussion also covers restitution efforts involving museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and examines the role of private collectors whose acquisitions helped fuel demand for looted artifacts.

Beyond Cambodia, the conversation expands into broader issues of organized crime, corruption, and conflict. Campbell explains how war zones and unstable border regions—from Cambodia's jungles to the Golden Triangle and beyond—have long provided opportunities for traffickers, smugglers, and criminal enterprises.

Additional topics include legendary silk merchant Jim Thompson, notorious artifact thief Tuk-Tik, attorney Bradley Gordon, and the continuing effort to recover stolen cultural treasures from collections around the world. This episode provides a fascinating look at a criminal enterprise that operated far from traditional organized crime but employed many of the same techniques of deception, laundering, and international trafficking.

Get Matt's book The Man Who Stole the Gods.

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The Secret Six: Chicago’s Vigilantes Who Took on Al Capone

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:00:16 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with author Kevin E. Meredith to examine a little-known but highly influential force in Chicago’s Prohibition-era crime wars—the Secret Six. Click here for a link to get the book The Secret Six: The Rise and Fall of Chicago's greatest Vigilantes

Meredith, a former newspaper reporter turned historian, explains how he uncovered the story while researching another project. What he found was a group unlike any other: wealthy businessmen who stepped outside traditional law enforcement to combat the chaos of organized crime and corruption gripping Chicago in the early 1930s.

The Rise of the Secret Six
The conversation begins with the conditions that gave rise to the Secret Six—widespread corruption, violent labor disputes, and a city dominated by gangland power structures. A key turning point was the murder of construction supervisor Philip Meeker, which galvanized prominent business leaders into action. Rather than working quietly, the Secret Six operated in full public view, using media attention as a weapon. They were not truly “secret,” nor limited to six members, but their branding captured public imagination during a time of fear and instability. Vigilantes with Resources: Meredith details the group’s unconventional tactics: running a covert jail inside the St. Clair Hotel; financing independent investigations; using early lie-detection technology; coordinating with local law enforcement. Their financial power allowed them to function almost like a parallel police force, blurring the line between legal authority and private enforcement.

High-Profile Cases and Mob Pressure
The Secret Six became entangled in some of the most notorious events of the era, including fallout from the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Their aggressive tactics earned both praise and criticism. One of the most striking episodes discussed is their involvement in an extortion case tied to socialite Marian Wright. Their heavy-handed investigative style brought results—but also legal and ethical scrutiny. Their existence also intersected with figures like Al Capone, who recognized the group as a legitimate threat to organized crime operations.

The Fall and Legacy
Operating from roughly 1930 to 1933, the Secret Six ultimately collapsed under mounting criticism and suspicion. Deals that appeared questionable—such as the recovery of stolen bonds—raised doubts about their methods and motives. Despite their short lifespan, they had a significant impact. Meredith emphasizes how their story reflects enduring tensions between public safety and civil liberties—questions that remain relevant today.

Final Takeaway
This episode explores a unique chapter in American crime history where private citizens took the fight to organized crime, raising complex questions about justice, power, and accountability. Get this great book The Rise and Fall of Chicago's Greatest Vigilantes

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Chicago Heights Mob History: Al Capone, Frank LaPorte, The Chicago Outfit & The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Connection

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 09:00:19 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins welcomes author Ray Franze to discuss his historical fiction novel The Heights, a story inspired by the real-life mob figures who controlled Chicago Heights and Northwest Indiana for much of the twentieth century. Drawing on FBI files, family stories, and historical research, Franze explores the rise of Frank LaPorte and the Chicago Heights crew, one of the most influential factions associated with the Chicago Outfit.
The conversation begins with the famous 1928 photograph showing Al Capone and several future participants in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Franze explains the long-standing belief that members of the Chicago Heights crew may have been involved in planning the infamous gangland murder and discusses the crew's close relationship with Capone and his associates.
Gary and Ray examine the unique position of Chicago Heights, located south of Chicago near the Indiana border, and how the area developed its own powerful criminal organization before eventually becoming part of the Chicago Outfit. They discuss the role of the Union Siciliana, the Beer Wars of Prohibition, and the alliance between Capone and local leaders such as Dominic Roberto, Jimmy Emery, and Frank LaPorte.
The discussion also covers the expansion of organized crime into Northwest Indiana, Calumet City, and Joliet. Ray explains how gambling, vice, and bootlegging operations flourished in these territories and how Chicago Heights became a major power center within the Outfit structure.
The conversation explores Frank LaPorte's leadership style and his remarkable ability to avoid publicity and law enforcement attention. Unlike many notorious gangsters, LaPorte remained largely unknown to the public while building a powerful organization through trusted family members, loyal associates, and strategic insulation from criminal activity.
Gary and Ray also discuss the Outfit's transition into seemingly legitimate businesses, including jukeboxes, vending machines, and cigarette distribution, as federal investigators increased pressure on traditional gambling operations. The evolution of mob-controlled businesses reflects the Outfit's efforts to adapt to changing law enforcement tactics.
Click here to get Ray's book, The Heights.
Another fascinating topic is the legendary Villa Venice nightclub, opened by Sam Giancana with appearances by Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. Ray shares family memories of the grand opening and explains how these firsthand accounts became one of the most authentic scenes in his novel.

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The Chicago Outfit During the 1960s: Sam Giancana, Anthony Accardo, and Mob Power

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:00:15 +0000

Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins welcomes back organized crime historian and author John Binder for an in-depth discussion about his new book, The Chicago Outfit During the 1960s. Together, they explore one of the most important yet often overlooked decades in the history of the Chicago mob.

The conversation examines how the Chicago Outfit evolved during the 1960s under powerful figures like Sam Giancana and Anthony Accardo. John Binder explains how the Outfit expanded beyond traditional rackets into massive gambling operations, Las Vegas casinos, labor racketeering, prostitution, truck hijacking, and narcotics trafficking. Gary and John discuss the transition from the old Prohibition-era gangsters to a new generation of mobsters emerging from the infamous 42 Gang. The episode details how Giancana cultivated loyal associates, enforced discipline through violence, and helped reshape the Outfit’s power structure during a turbulent period marked by gangland murders and internal rivalries.

The discussion also explores the Outfit’s extensive network of political corruption in Chicago. Binder explains how mob-controlled wards, corrupt politicians, and labor influence allowed organized crime to manipulate elections and maintain enormous influence over city government and law enforcement.

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Prohibition Chicago: How Al Capone Created America’s Most Powerful Crime Syndicate

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:00:24 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with organized crime historian and author John Binder to explore the violent and chaotic world of Prohibition-era Chicago. Drawing on his acclaimed book Al Capone's Beer Wars, Binder traces the explosive rise of organized crime in the 1920s and how bootlegging transformed local street gangs into powerful criminal empires.

The discussion examines how Prohibition reshaped America’s underworld, creating unprecedented opportunities for ambitious gangsters like Al Capone. Gary and John trace the roots of Chicago’s infamous gang wars, focusing on the bitter conflict between Capone’s organization and the North Side Gang. Central to the story is the assassination of Dion O'Banion, a murder that ignited a bloody cycle of revenge killings and permanently altered the balance of power in Chicago’s criminal landscape.

The episode dives into the roles played by immigrant communities, particularly Italian and Jewish gangs, who entered the bootlegging business during a period when economic opportunities were limited. Gary and John discuss how organized crime flourished in poorly policed neighborhoods, where gangs established territorial control and built sophisticated alcohol distribution networks spanning multiple states.

Listeners also hear detailed stories about notorious gangland figures including Machine Gun Jack McGurn and the fearsome Frank McErlane, whose violent reputation became legendary even within criminal circles. The conversation reveals the ruthless tactics these men employed as rival factions fought for dominance in the lucrative bootlegging trade. The episode also explores the blurred line between organized crime and legitimate business during Prohibition, showing how gangsters used political influence, territorial control, and business alliances to expand their operations. Gary and John discuss the strategic importance of places like Cicero, which became critical strongholds for Capone’s growing empire.

John Binder also discusses his Chicago Prohibition Gangland Tour, which allows participants to visit the streets, neighborhoods, and historic locations where these infamous events unfolded. The tour provides a rare opportunity to experience the physical landscape of Chicago’s mob history while learning about the real people behind the myths. This episode offers a compelling look into the rise of organized crime during Prohibition, separating fact from fiction while uncovering the brutal realities that created some of America’s most notorious gangsters.

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From Cuba to Amsterdam, Netherland: Lansky Cellini in the Netherlands

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 20:54:44 +0000

Gary Jenkins celebrates the Netherlands, who are in Kansas City for the World Cup. He has a discussion with a Dutch organized crime researcher, David Amoroso, and they trace how the American Mafia expanded its gambling empire after losing Cuba. The episode explores how Meyer Lansky's vision of luxury casinos evolved into an international operation spanning the Bahamas, London, and Amsterdam.

David explains how the Genovese crime family, under Meyer Lansky, relied on the Cellini brothers from Steubenville, Ohio to establish professional casino operations throughout Europe. The discussion examines the logistics of exporting experienced casino managers, dealers, and security personnel while navigating cultural differences and working alongside local criminal organizations.

The conversation also explores the unique gambling laws across Europe, where many governments controlled legal casinos while organized crime filled the demand through illegal gambling operations. Gary and David compare these European developments with the early growth of casino gambling in Las Vegas and the influence of American mob figures.

The discussion shifts to the modern era, where organized crime has increasingly focused on online gambling, sports betting, and international drug trafficking. David describes how ports such as Rotterdam and Antwerp became major hubs for global narcotics smuggling and explains why European criminal organizations have embraced these lucrative markets.

Another major topic is the growing threat of match-fixing in international sports. The hosts discuss how Italian Mafia groups, Chinese gambling syndicates, and other criminal organizations manipulate soccer, tennis, and other sporting events through bribery and coercion. They explain how athletes can become trapped through seemingly minor requests that eventually lead to long-term criminal control.

Gary and David conclude by examining the challenges European law enforcement faces when investigating cross-border organized crime, comparing the fragmented legal systems in Europe with coordinated enforcement efforts in the United States. The episode provides an insightful look at how organized crime has adapted from traditional casinos to today's global gambling and sports betting networks.

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From Albert Anastasia to Joe Colombo: Joey Gallo’s Deadly Mob War

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:00:16 +0000

In this replay, as a tribute to Camillius "Cam" Robinson, Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins, and co-host Cam dive deep into the wild life and violent death of one of the Mafia’s most unpredictable figures—Crazy Joey Gallo.

From Brooklyn’s Red Hook streets to the bloody wars of the Colombo crime family, Joey Gallo built a reputation as a fearless outlaw who challenged Mafia bosses, embraced celebrity culture, and became a folk hero to outsiders and artists alike. Gary and Cam explore Gallo’s transformation from street gangster to media sensation, his fascination with philosophy and existentialism, and his notorious appearances before the McClellan Committee wearing dark sunglasses and mocking authority.

The episode examines the Gallo crew’s role in the assassination of Mafia boss Albert Anastasia inside the Park Sheraton barber shop, including insider accounts from Pete “The Greek” Diapoulas and theories involving Carmine Persico and the Patriarca family. Gary and Cam break down how the Gallos evolved into a rogue faction willing to kidnap capos, challenge Joe Profaci, and wage war against the Colombo family itself.

The conversation also explores Joey Gallo’s prison years, his relationship with Harlem heroin kingpin Nicky Barnes, and the intellectual awakening that shaped his later persona. The hosts discuss Gallo’s ties to New York celebrities, including Jerry Orbach, Pete Falk, Ben Gazzara, and Neil Simon, along with the cultural impact that inspired Bob Dylan’s famous song “Joey.”
Gary and Cam revisit the unsolved shooting of Joe Colombo at the Italian-American Civil Rights League rally and examine competing theories involving Jerome Johnson, the Gambino family, and the Gallos themselves.

They also unpack the dramatic final hours of Joey Gallo’s life at Umberto’s Clam House in Little Italy, where Colombo gunmen allegedly tracked him down during his birthday celebration and opened fire in one of the Mafia’s most legendary assassinations.

Using firsthand accounts, old newspaper reports, and mob insider testimony, this episode paints a vivid portrait of Joey Gallo’s rise, wars, betrayals, and enduring legend in organized crime history.

Buy Cam's book Chicago Swan Song: A Mob Wife's Story the story of Frank Calbrese's wife and living in a Chicago Outfit family

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The Joe Colombo Assassination Attempt: Mafia Conspiracy, Italian Unity Day Shooting & The Unsolved 1971 Mob Mystery

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:00:17 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins examines one of the most puzzling events in organized crime history—the 1971 shooting of Joe Colombo.
At the height of his influence, Colombo stood before a crowd of nearly 50,000 at Italian Unity Day in New York City when he was gunned down by Jerome A. Johnson, a man posing as a journalist with a camera. The brazen daylight attack shocked both the public and law enforcement, immediately raising questions about motive, planning, and whether larger forces were at work.

Drawing on insights from Chief by Albert A. Seedman, Jenkins breaks down the NYPD's investigation. Despite intense scrutiny, detectives found no clear ties between Johnson and organized crime, a fact that complicated the case from the outset.

The episode explores:
The chaotic scene at Italian Unity Day and Colombo’s shooting
Johnson’s background, including his strange attempts to break into filmmaking
The investigative work of Detective John Weber and the efforts to link Johnson to militant or political groups
The difficulty in determining whether Johnson acted alone or as part of a larger conspiracy
Although authorities ultimately concluded Johnson was a lone gunman, lingering questions remain. Was he truly acting independently, or was he manipulated or used as a disposable asset?
Jenkins also examines the broader consequences of the shooting. Colombo’s incapacitation triggered instability within the Colombo crime family, leading to internal conflict and a significant shift in New York’s organized crime landscape.
This episode provides a detailed look at an unresolved mystery that continues to spark debate among historians, law enforcement, and mob insiders alike.

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Mob Fences, Cocaine, and Prison Ministry | Bill Corum Interview

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 09:00:26 +0000

Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with former criminal and prison minister Bill Corum for one of the most unusual conversations ever featured on Gangland Wire.
Bill Corum recounts his journey from car theft and prison escapes in the early 1960s to his deep involvement in Kansas City’s criminal underworld in the 1970s and early 1980s. He describes his work around pornography, prostitution, stolen property, cocaine trafficking, and his connections to notorious Kansas City underworld figures.
Gary and Bill discuss legendary Kansas City mob fence Sol Landi and his murder by assassins sent by the mob, the River Quay era, Junior Bradley, corrupt influences in local politics and the courts, and the explosive cocaine culture that swept through Kansas City during the 1980s. Bill also shares stories involving Weld Wheels founder Kenny Weld, cocaine trafficking operations, and the dangerous atmosphere surrounding organized crime in Kansas City.
The conversation dives into:
Bill’s prison escape and stolen car career
The prostitution business in Independence, Missouri
Mob-connected fences and stolen property rings
Cocaine trafficking in Kansas City during the early 1980s
The murder of Saul Landy
River Quay nightlife and mob influence
Corrupt officials and criminal networks
Kansas City organized crime personalities
Prison life and criminal culture
Bill Corum’s dramatic religious conversion in 1983
His decades-long prison ministry work across America
Bill also explains how he transformed his life after addiction, violence, and years in the criminal world, eventually dedicating his life to prison outreach and ministry programs throughout the United States.
You can learn more about Bill Corum and his book at either The Ultimate Pardon or Bill Corum Official Website

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Hoffa’s Connections: Mob, Unions, and Sylvia Pagano

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:00:16 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with author Frank Hayde to explore his latest book, Hoffa’s Connection. Hayde, a Kansas City native and noted mob historian, brings forward a largely overlooked figure in organized crime history—Sylvia Pagano.

The conversation centers on Pagano’s rise from Kansas City to Detroit, where she operated at the intersection of organized crime and labor unions under Jimmy Hoffa. Known for her effectiveness as a union organizer, Pagano infiltrated workplaces, signed up members, and quietly maintained ties to powerful mob figures. Her ability to navigate both worlds made her a key behind-the-scenes operator during a volatile era in American labor history.

Hayde details Pagano’s role in helping broker alliances between the Mafia and the Teamsters during a turbulent strike, marking a turning point in the relationship between organized crime and labor. Drawing from FBI wiretaps, he reveals candid conversations that shed light on her relationships with influential mob leaders like Tony Giacalone and Moe Dalitz, emphasizing her strategic importance across multiple crime families.

The episode also explores the life of Chucky O'Brien, who grew up surrounded by Hoffa and organized crime figures. Through Hayde’s research and interviews, listeners gain insight into the generational impact of mob ties, as well as the strict code of silence that governed both mother and son.

Beyond individual stories, the discussion expands to the broader national network connecting crime families and labor unions. Pagano’s reach extended well beyond regional boundaries, illustrating how organized crime leveraged union influence across the country.

This episode offers a fresh perspective on the enduring mystery surrounding Hoffa’s disappearance by examining the deeper historical context—and the overlooked players like Sylvia Pagano who helped shape it. It’s a detailed look at power, loyalty, and survival within the American Mafia.
The book is Hoffa's Connection: The Story of Sylvia Pagano: the Kansas City Girl at the Center of the Mafia's Alliance with the Teamsters Union

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From Black Liberation Army Cop Killers to the Mafia: An NYPD Detective's Prison Ministry

Mon, 25 May 2026 09:00:19 +0000

Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with former NYPD officer Jimmy Dennedy and NYC Brooklyn prosecutor Michael Vecchione for a gripping discussion on violent crime, justice, and redemption.

Jimmy recounts the shocking murder of NYPD officers Rocco Laurie and Gregory Foster by the Black Liberation Army, while Michael reveals the challenges of prosecuting those responsible. The conversation then shifts to something unexpected—redemption. After retiring, Jimmy began working in prison ministry, where he witnessed firsthand how even hardened criminals, including mobsters, can change their lives.

This episode dives deep into:
The reality of cop killings in New York City
The struggle to prosecute violent offenders
Inside stories from mob cases
Redemption and transformation inside prisons

If you’re interested in true crime, mafia history, and real law enforcement stories, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Subscribe for more mafia history and true crime stories every week.

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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Louis “Streaky” Gatto: New Jersey and the Genovese Mob

Fri, 22 May 2026 18:00:02 +0000

Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins examines the rise and influence of Louis “Streaky” Gatto and the Genovese crime family’s powerful New Jersey faction. Drawing from a 2004 New Jersey Crime Commission report, this episode explores how Genovese crews operated across multiple counties while controlling illegal gambling, loan sharking, and waterfront rackets through intimidation and organized violence.

Gary breaks down the structure of Gatto’s Bergen County crew, including the involvement of his son Joseph Gatto and son-in-law Alan “Little Al” Greco. The discussion details how the crew maintained control over bookmaking and gambling operations and how prosecutors later tied key members to murders connected to their criminal enterprises.

The episode also dives into the federal RICO prosecution and the dramatic courtroom testimony of witness Robert Belli. Gary explains allegations that associates of the Gatto crew attempted to pressure and intimidate witnesses before testimony, including claims involving the infamous “evil eye” or malocchio. Prosecutors argued that subtle intimidation tactics, courtroom stares, and indirect threats were all part of an effort to influence testimony.

Another major focus is Moe Brown, a reputed associate connected to the Gatto organization. The episode explores how prosecutors used recordings and testimony to connect Brown to the defendants and how his conduct in court became part of the government’s intimidation narrative.

Finally, Gary examines the subsequent criminal cases involving Joseph Gatto, including offshore sports-betting operations, convictions, prison sentences, and the eventual decline of the family’s gambling empire. The episode concludes with the deaths of both Joseph Gatto and Louis “Streaky” Gatto, marking the end of an era for one of New Jersey’s most feared Genovese crews.

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Jerry Catena and the New Jersey Genovese Empire

Mon, 18 May 2026 09:00:21 +0000

Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins sits down with returning guest Scott Deitch for a detailed exploration of one of the more understated yet influential figures in organized crime—Jerry Catena.

Deitch, known for his deep research and engaging storytelling, brings insight from his books Cigar City Mafia, Garden State Gangland, and his upcoming release Jersey Boss. The conversation moves from Tampa’s mob history to the inner workings of the Genovese crime family, with a focus on Catena’s calculated rise through the ranks.
🔍 Episode Highlights
Scott Deitch’s Mafia Journey Deitch outlines how he became one of the more respected voices in mafia history, driven by a fascination with overlooked mob figures and untold regional stories. Who Was Jerry Catena? A key but often underreported power broker, Catena rose during Prohibition-era influences and mentorship, eventually becoming a major figure within the Genovese hierarchy.

Mob Influence in New Jersey & Tampa

The discussion connects Catena’s operations to broader organized crime networks stretching from Florida to the Northeast.

Hollywood vs Reality

A look at how The Sopranos drew inspiration from real mob figures, including possible parallels to Catena and New Jersey crime families.

Las Vegas & Gambling Operations

Catena’s involvement in early Las Vegas casino ventures reveals the mob’s hybrid model of legitimate business and illicit skimming operations.

The Businessman Mobster

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Catena relied more on relationships and financial acumen than violence, aligning himself with figures like Frank Costello and Longy Zwillman.

A Different Ending

Catena’s relatively peaceful retirement contrasts sharply with the violent ends typical of organized crime figures.

Personal Side of a Mob Figure

Stories of Catena’s love for golf and generous personality add nuance to an otherwise complex criminal life.

Tampa Mafia Tours Deitch shares details about his immersive mafia history tours in Tampa, offering listeners a chance to experience this world firsthand.

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Boston's Pinball Rackets, IRS Wars, and Mob Secrets

Mon, 11 May 2026 09:00:17 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins interviews Eddie Inserra, author of Confidence of the Mob: The IRS Agent Who Took down the Mob - Then Advised Them, a deeply researched account of his grandfather, Fred G. Pastore, a key figure in early IRS efforts to dismantle organized crime.

Fred Pastore was part of the IRS’s early “racket squad,” targeting illegal enterprises that fueled the American Mafia’s power. His work paralleled the groundbreaking financial investigations that helped bring down figures like Al Capone, demonstrating how financial crimes could succeed where traditional policing struggled.

Eddie recounts how he uncovered his grandfather’s story through a remarkable archive of family documents, photos, and recordings. These materials revealed a complicated dual life: Fred was both a relentless investigator and, later, a trusted confidant to certain mob figures. This paradox sits at the center of the book and this conversation.

A major focus of the discussion is the “pinball racket”—a widespread illegal gambling operation hidden in plain sight within bars and storefronts. Fred’s investigations exposed how these machines generated significant underground revenue streams for organized crime, particularly in Boston. Eddie details the innovative and often risky techniques the IRS used to infiltrate these operations, including undercover work within corporations like Raytheon, where illegal gambling rings had taken root among employees.

The episode also explores the institutional challenges Fred faced. His aggressive tactics and unconventional relationships eventually brought him into conflict with IRS leadership and political figures, forcing his resignation.

In a striking turn, Fred leveraged his deep knowledge of organized crime to advise former mob associates—highlighting the blurred moral boundaries that often exist in this world. Eddie adds a personal dimension, sharing memories of growing up around his grandfather and describing the cultural landscape of Boston’s North End, where family, community, and organized crime often intersected.

These stories provide insight into how relationships between law enforcement and mob figures could be shaped by proximity, respect, and shared environments. The conversation concludes with a look ahead at Eddie’s upcoming podcast, which will expand on these themes through interviews with former IRS agents, mob associates, and others connected to Fred Pastore’s extraordinary life. This episode offers a rare look at the gray areas of justice—where the line between hunter and ally becomes increasingly difficult to define.

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Before Whitey Bulger: The Hidden Power of Joe Mac in Boston’s Underworld

Mon, 04 May 2026 09:00:24 +0000

In this episode, host Gary Jenkins, a retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective, sits down with author and mob expert Springs Toledo and discusses the Boston Winter Hill Gang and its notorious members. Springs’ book, "Don't Talk About Joe Mac: The Life, Wars, and Secret History of the Man Behind the Winter Hill Gang"

Springs Toledo provides an exhaustive look at Joe McDonald aka Mac, a pivotal yet often overlooked figure in the Boston criminal landscape, especially during the 1960s-1990s. Springs, a Boston native, brings a unique perspective and personal anecdotes that enrich our understanding of the intersections of crime, family, and community within the city.

They explore Joe Mac's early life and how his background shaped his role in organized crime. Springs shares how Mac was an elder statesman in the underworld, feared and respected for his ability to organize the rackets in Somerville and maintain a significant network of relationships across various neighborhoods.

Joe Mac’s methods of operation were emblematic of a time when the Irish underworld was gaining ground in a city dominated by Italian crime families. Springs discusses the stark differences in these organizations, from their cultural practices to their hierarchies.

Springs also highlights the complexities of Joe Mac’s personal life, discussing his relationships with his family, especially his daughter Jacqueline. Their conversations reveal a side of Mac rarely seen in crime stories — a devoted father struggling with his dual identity as a loving parent and a cold-blooded criminal. Throughout the episode, Springs captures the essence of Mac’s character, noting that while he was involved in heinous acts, he also exhibited genuine love for his family, a contradiction that adds depth to his narrative.

As the conversation unfolds, we examine the dynamics within the Winter Hill Gang, particularly the relationships among Joe Mac, prominent figures like Whitey Bulger, and Howie Carr. Springs shares fascinating insights into Mac’s cautious nature and strategic approach to power. He articulates how Mac operated in the shadows, steering clear of public scrutiny while effectively managing the group’s criminal enterprises. The episode paints a vivid portrait of a gang operating amid violence, betrayal, and survival.

In addition to discussing the various criminal exploits, Springs shares some gripping anecdotes that illustrate the real-life implications of this lifestyle. His stories about Joe's attempts to balance family life while dodging law enforcement showcase the constant threat that loomed over their lives, encapsulating the dangerous allure and traumatizing consequences of organized crime.

We also touch upon the significant events that defined the gang wars in Boston, including Joe Mac's suspected involvement in notorious hits and how the landscape of crime shifted in response to law enforcement’s increased focus on organized crime. Springs dives into the enigmatic character of Joe Mac, unraveling his military background, his unyielding commitment to the underworld, and how he managed to stay a step ahead of rivals and authorities alike.

In closing, Springs reflects on the motivations behind his book—his desire to portray the human side of a man branded a monster while exploring the broader themes of morality, family, and the haunting legacy of crime. As we wrap up, it becomes clear that "Don't Talk About Joe Mac" is not just a biography of an infamous crime figure, but a complex narrative that invites readers to ponder the true cost of a life steeped in organized crime.

This episode is a riveting exploration of character, culture, and crime, offering audiences an engaging glimpse into the storied history of organized crime in Boston through the lens of one of its most pivotal figures, Joe Mac.

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Joe Massino's Silence: The Missing Truth Behind the Carmine Galante Assassination

Fri, 01 May 2026 22:18:46 +0000

Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins reports his previous contributor, Matt, who he interviewed on a new theory on the Carmine Glante hit, answers questions we have seen on various social media outlets. Matt claims the U.S. attorney and the FBI got it wrong when they alleged and convicted Bruno Indelicato for this murder. Challenging the official story, Matt reveals new theories, missing evidence, and the role of younger mobsters in one of the Mafia’s most infamous assassinations.

In this bonus episode, I had Matt record his answers to the doubters of his theory.
Click the title to purchase.
Made In Long Island: Boss of All Bosses Carmine Galante

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John Gotti, Sonny Red, Bonanno Family, and the Truth Behind the Galante Murder

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:00:20 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins takes a deep dive with his guest Matt into the assassination of Carmine Galante—one of the most infamous mob hits in American history. Matt co-authored a book about the men he beleives really killed Carmine Galante titled Made In Long Island.

Matt begins by analyzing the controversial footage captured at the Ravenite Social Club shortly after the murder. While federal investigators interpreted the scene as a celebration by those responsible, Matt challenges that narrative. He breaks down the body language and behavior of key figures, including Bruno Indelicato, suggesting the footage actually reflects anger and exclusion—not guilt.

The episode introduces guest Matt, author of Made on Long Island, who provides an insider’s perspective on the inner workings of organized crime. Matt prefers to not give his last name. Together, they explore how the Galante hit fit into a broader power struggle within the Bonanno crime family and beyond. Matt cowrote this book with Bartley Scarbrough.

Matt tells a little-known story about Mob dealings with Fireworks around the 4th of July. One story is about a closed store and how they made up for the closed store and gave a fireworks show on the 5th and most of the kids never knew.

The conversation expands to include major mob figures such as John Gotti and Sonny Red Indelicato, examining the shifting alliances and rivalries that shaped the events leading up to the assassination.

Matt shares firsthand stories of mob life, detailing how communication relied on coded language and payphones—tools that kept operations hidden in plain sight.

Gary and Matt dissect the planning behind the hit, revealing a calculated operation involving surveillance, weapon disposal, and carefully constructed alibis. They also address the aftermath, focusing on law enforcement’s inability to definitively link the crime to certain suspects—raising questions about whether individuals like Indelicato were wrongly accused. A central theme emerges: the gap between official narratives and the complex realities of organized crime. Matt argues that investigative misinterpretations—particularly by federal authorities—led to flawed conclusions and, potentially, unjust prosecutions.

This episode challenges long-held assumptions about the Galante murder, offering listeners a more nuanced view of Mafia politics, loyalty, and betrayal. It’s a detailed reexamination of a landmark mob hit—and a reminder that the truth is often far more complicated than the headlines.

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Jimmy Hoffa, Russell Bufalino, and the Mob's Biggest Unsolved Mystery

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:00:12 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with Charles Bufalino, a relative of notorious Mafia boss Russell Bufalino. What begins as a family history discussion quickly expands into one of the most enduring mysteries in organized crime—the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa.
Charles recounts how, in 2011, he uncovered information that unexpectedly tied his own family to the Hoffa case. That discovery set him on a path of research that ultimately led to his upcoming book, Revelations of a Mafia Family, the Teamsters, and the Final Resting Place of Jimmy Hoffa, scheduled for release April 28. While he stops short of revealing his conclusions, he makes clear that his findings point toward new insights into Hoffa’s fate.
The conversation provides a detailed look at the Bufalino family’s Sicilian roots and their migration to Pennsylvania’s coal regions. Charles explains how these immigrant communities, bound by kinship and necessity, became intertwined with labor struggles, violence, and early organized crime. The discussion highlights the 1902 anthracite coal strike and the broader environment that allowed criminal networks to gain influence within unions and local industries.
Gary and Charles examine Russell Bufalino’s rise from these beginnings into a respected and highly effective Mafia figure. Known more for his discretion and organizational skill than overt violence, Bufalino developed a reputation as a trusted “utility man” across multiple crime families, including connections in Detroit and Buffalo. His ability to navigate alliances and maintain loyalty made him a quiet but powerful force within the national Mafia structure.
The episode also explores the transition from coal and labor rackets into the trucking industry and the Teamsters Union, a shift that significantly expanded organized crime’s reach and profitability. Charles offers personal reflections on his family, including his relationship with Bill Bufalino, and describes the dual nature of their lives—family men on one side, deeply connected to organized crime on the other.
As the discussion turns back to Jimmy Hoffa, Gary and Charles analyze longstanding theories and newer leads regarding his disappearance. Charles suggests that his forthcoming book will provide a more definitive perspective on Hoffa’s final resting place, adding another layer to a mystery that has persisted for decades.
This episode delivers both historical depth and personal insight, offering listeners a closer look at how family loyalty, organized crime, and American labor history intersect—along with a compelling preview of potential new answers in the Hoffa case.

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How Ice Pick Willie Worked with Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, and Dave Berman

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:00:16 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, I sit down with Salt Lake City author Flats to discuss his book, Ice Pick Willie: The Life and Times of Israel Alderman. We take a deep dive into the shadowy world of Israel “Icepick Willie” Alderman—a largely forgotten but deeply embedded figure in early 20th-century organized crime.
Willie’s criminal career traces back to Prohibition-era New York, where he began as a jewelry thief before evolving into something far more lethal. His nickname came from his preferred weapon: an ordinary household ice pick.
In the 1920s, it was common, inconspicuous, and devastatingly effective. Flats explains how Willie’s method allowed him to carry out murders quietly and efficiently, often avoiding the attention that accompanied more public gangland shootings.
We follow Willie’s movements from New York to Minneapolis and eventually into the orbit of Chicago’s violent underworld. Along the way, he intersected with major figures of organized crime, including Meyer Lansky, Charles Luciano, and Bugs Moran.
Flats outlines the shifting alliances and rivalries that defined the era, placing Willie within the broader context of gang wars that culminated in events like the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. The conversation also examines Willie’s transition from violent enforcer to gambling operative as organized crime evolved and shifted westward.
As Las Vegas rose with legalized gambling, figures like Willie adapted—moving from street-level brutality to more structured rackets under established mob leadership. Despite brushing against major historical events and powerful crime bosses, Icepick Willie faded into relative obscurity.
Flats and I explore why certain gangsters become legends while others—equally dangerous and influential—slip into the margins of history. We also touch on Willie’s odd cultural afterlife, including regional pop-culture references that keep his name alive in unexpected ways.
This episode provides both a character study of a cold, calculating killer and a broader examination of how organized crime adapted from Prohibition-era chaos to structured syndicates. It’s a detailed look at a man who operated in the shadows—lethal, efficient, and nearly forgotten.Flats’ book, Ice Pick Willie: The Life and Times of Israel Alderman, is available now on Amazon.

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The War on Drugs: A Smuggler’s Inside Story

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:00:15 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence detective Gary Jenkins sits down with former drug trafficker Carlos Perez for a direct, unfiltered discussion about the evolution of the drug trade in America. Carlos has a new book out titled Pedro Pan: The Product of a Revolution Gone Bad
The conversation opens with recent controversy surrounding the reported death of **Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader El Mencho, and what that development signals for the balance of power among modern Mexican cartels. From there, Gary and Carlos trace the arc of the drug trade from the Caribbean smuggling routes of the 1970s and 1980s to the dominance of today’s cartel-controlled corridors.
Carlos reflects on the era of Ronald Reagan and the early “War on Drugs,” describing a time when enforcement was uneven and smugglers routinely exploited weak regulatory environments in places like the Bahamas. He explains how traffickers adapted faster than policymakers, using maritime routes, small aircraft, and coordinated pickup operations to move multi-ton quantities of narcotics. Gary and Carlos contrast those earlier days with modern interdiction efforts—advanced Coast Guard surveillance, satellite tracking, military-grade radar, and cross-border intelligence sharing. What was once opportunistic smuggling has evolved into highly structured cartel logistics supported by corrupt officials and narco-state dynamics.
Carlos provides a candid account of his own rise in the trade. Starting as a construction laborer, he moved into pickup crews retrieving floating bales of drugs in open water. Over time, he became involved in larger-scale operations involving aircraft and organized distribution networks. He details the operational mechanics, the risks, and the constant calculation between profit and prison—or worse.
The discussion also explores the blurred lines between political authority and cartel influence. Carlos explains how governments in certain regions became intertwined with trafficking operations, illustrating how power, money, and violence intersect across borders.
In the second half of the episode, Carlos shifts to a personal reckoning. He discusses the moral compromises required in the drug trade and the toll it takes on family and identity. Ultimately, he chose to step away, prioritizing stability and long-term survival over fast money.
Now living a legitimate life, Carlos has documented his journey in his book Pedro Pan, offering readers a firsthand account of smuggling culture, Cuban heritage, revolution-era influences, and the psychological weight of that world. His story reflects both personal accountability and a broader commentary on the human side of organized crime.
This episode blends law enforcement perspective with insider testimony, giving listeners a rare dual lens: the cop who chased traffickers and the man who once outran them.

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The Russian Mob in Los Angeles

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:00:27 +0000

In this episode, Gary Jenkins, retired intelligence detective sits down with veteran true crime authors Frank Gerardot and Burl Barer to examine their book Where Murder Lies, a case that intersects Russian organized crime, Italian mob connections, and a troubling claim of wrongful conviction.

At the center of the story is Jimmy Kitlas, a young man who struggled with learning disabilities and instability after aging out of a rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles. Facing homelessness and limited options, he gravitated toward individuals connected to the Russian mob, seeking protection and belonging. Instead, he was drawn into criminal schemes—including check fraud and drug trafficking—engineered by experienced mob figures who exploited his vulnerabilities. Frank and Burl provide historical context on the rise of Russian organized crime in the United States, particularly in neighborhoods like Brighton Beach.

Unlike the rigid hierarchy of traditional Mafia families, these groups often operated through looser networks, engaging in lucrative scams such as gas tax fraud alongside Italian crime figures. The authors explain how these alliances blurred lines between ethnic crime groups and created new power structures within the American underworld.

The discussion then shifts to the murder that reshaped Jimmy’s life. What began as manipulation and grooming evolved into betrayal, jealousy, and ultimately violence. The authors detail how Jimmy’s arrest followed a carefully orchestrated narrative that shifted blame onto him while shielding more powerful figures. Through examination of court records and transcripts, Gerardot and Barer argue that investigative failures and prosecutorial decisions compounded the injustice.

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Body in the Barrel: A Las Vegas Mob Mystery

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:00:21 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with author Aaron Mead to discuss his gripping novel Body in the Barrel, a story inspired by a real-life discovery in Lake Mead that shocked the nation.
In 2022, as water levels at Lake Mead dropped to historic lows, authorities discovered a body in a barrel with a gunshot wound to the head—a killing style that many investigators immediately linked to organized crime. The discovery triggered speculation that the remains could date back to the 1970s or 1980s, the heyday of mob activity in Las Vegas.
Aaron Mead explains how this discovery sparked the idea for his novel. Although Mead is a longtime water engineer for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the mystery of the barrel victim and the history of mob activity in Las Vegas inspired him to craft a fictional story grounded in real events.
Gary and Aaron dive deep into the Chicago Outfit’s influence in Las Vegas, discussing figures like Tony Spilotro and hitman Frank Cullotta, whose violent methods and stories helped shape the mythology of organized crime in the desert.
They also explore the long-standing mob practice of disposing of bodies in barrels, including the infamous case of mobster Johnny Roselli, whose body was also discovered stuffed in a drum. The conversation examines several possible identities of the Lake Mead victim, including casino insiders and Outfit associates who disappeared during the era of casino skimming.
Mead’s novel follows a fictional mob associate named Lenny Battaglia, who becomes terrified when news breaks about the barrel discovery. The reason? He knows there’s another barrel—with his victim—still resting somewhere in Lake Mead.
The discussion moves beyond mob history into the psychological consequences of violence, comparing Mead’s story to classic works like Crime and Punishment. Rather than focusing on a traditional “whodunit,” the novel explores what happens after the crime, examining guilt, fear, and the moral weight carried by those who commit violence.
Gary and Aaron also discuss the broader context of violence in American culture, including parallels between organized crime murders and modern tragedies such as the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting.
Finally, the conversation shifts to Mead’s professional expertise in Western water law and the Colorado River, explaining how drought and declining water levels at Lake Mead are literally revealing pieces of hidden history—sometimes including crimes buried for decades.
This episode blends mob history, real crime mysteries, and fiction inspired by true events, offering listeners a fascinating look at how the past can resurface in unexpected ways.
Body in a Barrel by Aaron Mead

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Nicola Gentile: The Mafia Godfather Who Knew Al Capone and Lucky Luciano

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:00:19 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins sits down with author and historian Gary Clemente for a deep dive into the remarkable life of Nicola Gentile, one of the most influential yet little-known figures in early American organized crime.
Gentile was no street thug. Born in Sicily in 1884, he immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s and became a roving Mafia diplomat—trusted to mediate disputes among crime families in cities such as New York, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Kansas City, Pueblo, Chicago, and beyond. Known as Zio Nicola (“Uncle Nick”), Gentile operated as a stabilizing force during the most violent period of Mafia history, including Prohibition and the Castellammarese War.

Clemente reveals that Gentile’s story survives largely because Gentile broke the ultimate Mafia rule: he wrote memoirs. Those writings—published in Italy in the 1960s—were seized by the FBI and later translated by Clemente’s father, Peter Clemente, one of the first Sicilian-born agents assigned to the FBI’s elite Top Hoodlum Squad. The episode offers rare insight into those translations and the intelligence value they held for federal investigators.

The discussion traces Gentile’s interactions with legendary figures such as Carlo Gambino, Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, and Vito Genovese, as well as his behind-the-scenes role in shaping the Mafia’s modern organizational structure—including the creation of the national Commission.
The episode also explores Gentile’s personal contradictions: a lifelong criminal who saw himself as an honorable man, a mediator capable of violence, and a romantic who later believed a lover betrayed him to federal authorities. After fleeing the U.S. under indictment, Gentile returned to Sicily, where he later provided intelligence to Allied forces during World War II—another unlikely chapter in an already extraordinary life.

Despite being sentenced to death by Mafia leaders for publishing his memoirs, Gentile was spared due to the respect he commanded on both sides of the Atlantic. He died peacefully in Sicily in 1970, leaving behind a story so expansive it feels tailor-made for film.

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Dust Bunny Mafia: Real Mob Stories Told Through Comics

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 21:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history through his unique perspective on the mafia. In this episode of Gangland Wire, Gary Jenkins welcomes an unusual guest from the world of organized crime storytelling—cartoonist Brett Juliano, creator of the Dust Bunny Mafia comic series. Instead of traditional books or documentaries, Brett tells real Mafia stories through short, three-panel comics featuring his unique cartoon characters while staying grounded in historical research and documented sources. Brett explains how his lifelong interest in animation and storytelling evolved into a project that blends true crime history with visual humor and commentary. After moving to Chicago, he became fascinated with the city’s underworld history and began transforming real mob stories into illustrated comic strips that challenge Hollywood myths and highlight lesser-known facts about organized crime. His work draws on true crime books, FBI files, court transcripts, and podcasts, including Gangland Wire itself.

Each comic strip distills a real historical moment into a visual gag or ironic twist that reveals the strange reality behind mob legends. Gary and Brett discuss several Dust Bunny Mafia comics and the real events behind them: The “Sicilian Flu” Courtroom Act A humorous look at a tactic sometimes used by mob figures: appearing frail in court to gain sympathy or delay proceedings. Wiseguys who were partying the night before might suddenly appear in a wheelchair, wrapped in blankets or hooked to oxygen tanks when they walked into court.

Lucky Luciano and the Myth of “Lucky” Brett examines the legendary story that Charles “Lucky” Luciano got his nickname after surviving a brutal kidnapping and beating. His comic plays with the idea that mobsters often exaggerated their own legends—especially when trying to impress people. The Kansas City Mob Search – Carl “Tuffy” DeLuna One comic comes directly from Gary Jenkins’ own experience investigating the Kansas City mob. When police searched DeLuna’s home in 1979, the mobster calmly offered coffee and eventually led investigators straight to the basement, where incriminating notes were stored. The scene shows how, sometimes, the truth of organized crime investigations is stranger than fiction.

Bugsy Siegel in Rainy Portland Another comic explores the obscure story of Bugsy Siegel visiting Portland to meet local crime boss Al Winters, only to endure two straight weeks of rain—highlighting the contrast between Hollywood-style mob glamour and the less glamorous reality of underworld negotiations.

A New Graphic Anthology on Kickstarter Brett is now launching a major new collection of his comics titled: “Family Business: An Offer You Can’t Refuse.” The book will include: 130+ pages of full-color comics More than 230 true crime strips Historical commentary explaining the real story behind each comic Additional artwork parodying mob businesses and underworld culture The project will be funded through a Kickstarter campaign beginning March 24, with the finished book expected to ship later in the year once printing is completed. Click here for 👉 Kickstarter Campaign:

Where to Find Brett Juliano You can explore Brett’s comics, books, and merchandise here: Dust Bunny Mafia Website: Online Store:

Brett also shares his comics across social media platforms including Instagram, Threads, and Facebook groups focused on organized crime history. For fans of Mafia history, Dust Bunny Mafia offers a refreshing twist—true crime storytelling through comics that balance humor with serious historical research. As Gary notes during the interview, separating myth from reality is essential in mob history, and Brett’s work uses a creative medium to do exactly that.

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The Truth Behind the Gardner Museum Theft

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:00:17 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, I sit down with retired FBI agent Geoff Kelly, a specialist in art theft investigations who inherited one of the most notorious unsolved cases in American history—the 1990 robbery at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. He recently wrote a book about this theft titled 13 Perfect Fugitives: The True Story of Mob, Murder, and the World's Largest Art Heist.

Kelly’s law enforcement career began as a New York City transit police officer before transitioning to the FBI. Like many agents, he initially sought violent crime work. Instead, he was assigned economic crimes before eventually transferring to a violent crime squad. It was there that he encountered the Gardner case—a cold case largely untouched by senior agents at the time.

The robbery itself remains extraordinary: two men posing as police officers gained entry to the museum and stole 13 works of art, including masterpieces by Rembrandt. More than three decades later, none of the works have been recovered. Inside the Gardner Heist 4 Geoff explains how art theft is often misunderstood. Popular culture portrays refined, sophisticated criminals orchestrating elaborate capers. The reality, he says, is usually more opportunistic and frequently violent. Art theft often intersects with organized crime, drug trafficking, and even homicide. Massachusetts has a documented history of art-related crimes, and several individuals connected to the Gardner investigation met violent ends. The criminal underworld surrounding stolen art is less about wealthy collectors hiding paintings in private vaults and more about leverage—using artwork as collateral in criminal negotiations.

The FBI’s Art Crime Evolution
Following the 2003 looting of Iraq’s National Museum during the Baghdad invasion, the FBI formalized its Art Crime Team. Kelly discusses how intelligence gathering, informants, and international cooperation became central tools in recovering stolen artifacts. He emphasizes that solving art crimes often depends less on forensic breakthroughs and more on human intelligence. Informants remain essential, especially in cases where organized crime overlaps with high-value theft.

Kelly also discusses his upcoming book, 13 Perfect Fugitives, which explores the intersections of mobsters, murder, and the illicit art market. Organized Crime and the Reality of Stolen Art Drawing on my own experience working organized crime in Kansas City, I found clear parallels between traditional mob rackets and art theft networks. The same structures—intimidation, secrecy, and violence—apply. Once a painting disappears into criminal circulation, it becomes a liability as much as an asset.

Kelly challenges the myth that thieves profit easily from masterpieces. High-profile works are difficult to sell. The black-market art world is volatile and dangerous. In many cases, the artwork becomes bargaining collateral rather than a cash windfall. A Case Still Waiting for Closure More than 30 years later, the Gardner Museum still displays empty frames where the paintings once hung. Kelly remains committed to the idea that public awareness may eventually generate new leads. The Gardner heist stands as both a cultural tragedy and a criminal mystery—one that continues to intersect with organized crime, violence, and international intrigue.

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Lefty Rosenthal and College Basketball

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:00:12 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, I dive into the shadowy intersection of organized gambling and college athletics through the story of Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, one of the most influential—and elusive—figures in the American gambling underworld. During the early 1960s, Rosenthal built his reputation by identifying weaknesses in sports systems, particularly among college athletes vulnerable to pressure, temptation, and cash. He met one who could not be bought, Mickey Bruce of Oregon.
Rosenthal and his associate David Budin believed they had found an opening, but they ran headlong into the integrity of Oregon halfback Mickey Bruce. Bruce flatly refused the bribe, setting off a chain reaction that would help expose a much wider pattern of corruption in college sports. I break down how this wasn’t an isolated incident but part of a nationwide effort by gamblers to influence outcomes and exploit young athletes. The episode explores the mechanics of organized gambling, how fixes were attempted, and why college sports became such an attractive target for mob-connected bookmakers. The story reaches a dramatic turning point during U.S. Senate hearings on gambling in college athletics, where Mickey Bruce publicly identified Lefty Rosenthal as one of the men who tried to corrupt him. It’s a rare moment in mob history—one where a gambler is named in open testimony by a player who refused to bend. From there, I trace Rosenthal’s continued rise in the gambling world, from Miami to Las Vegas, where he would help shape modern sports betting while repeatedly managing to stay one step ahead of serious legal consequences. His story raises enduring questions about accountability, law enforcement limitations, and why some figures seem untouchable. I close the episode by reflecting on Rosenthal’s legacy—and on Mickey Bruce’s quiet heroism.

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From Capone to Genovese and Luciano: A Violent History of the Mafia

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:00:17 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective, continues his deep dive into organized crime history with prolific Mafia author Jeffrey Sussman. Sussman, the author of eight books on organized crime, joins Jenkins for a wide-ranging conversation that spans the rise, violence, prosecutions, and survival tactics of La Cosa Nostra in America. Drawing from works like Backbeat Gangsters and his latest release Mafia Hits, Misses Wars and Prosecutions, Sussman offers sharp insight into how the Mafia enforced silence, eliminated enemies, and adapted to government pressure.
The discussion opens with omertà, the Mafia’s infamous code of silence, and how mob warfare enforced loyalty through fear. Sussman recounts notorious hits and mob wars that shaped organized crime, then shifts to landmark prosecutions led by Thomas Dewey, whose relentless pursuit of Murder Incorporated dismantled the mob’s most feared execution squad.
The conversation moves through defining moments in Mafia history, including the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, the creation of New York’s Five Families, and the uneasy alliance between Italian and Jewish gangsters brokered at the Franconia Hotel. Figures such as Al Capone, Meyer Lansky, Lucky Luciano, and Lepke Buchalter loom large throughout the episode.
Jenkins and Sussman examine the disastrous Appalachian Conference, where Vito Genovese overplayed his hand, drawing national attention to the Mafia and setting the stage for informants like Joe Valachi to break decades of secrecy.
The episode also explores the Mafia’s darkest execution methods, including lupara bianca—murders designed to leave no body and no evidence—along with chilling stories involving Mad Sam DeStefano. The assassination attempt on Joe Colombo, and its ties to Joey Gallo, highlight how ego and publicity often proved fatal in the mob world.
The episode concludes with Sussman previewing his upcoming book on the Garment District, blending personal family history with organized crime’s grip on American industry. Together, Jenkins and Sussman deliver a sweeping, chronological look at how the Mafia rose, fractured, and endured—leaving a permanent mark on American culture. Get his book Mafia Hits, Misses, Wars, and Prosecutions.
⏱️ Episode Chapters
00:00 – Introduction and Jeffrey Sussman’s Mafia work
03:45 – Omertà and enforcing silence
07:30 – Mafia hits and internal wars
12:10 – Thomas Dewey and Murder Incorporated
18:40 – St. Valentine’s Day Massacre
23:30 – Formation of the Five Families
28:50 – Italian and Jewish mob alliances
34:20 – Capone, Lansky, and Luciano
39:45 – Appalachian Conference fallout
45:10 – Vito Genovese and Joe Valachi
50:30 – Lupara blanca and body disposal
55:20 – Mad Sam DeStefano’s brutality
59:40 – Joe Colombo assassination
1:05:30 – Betrayal and mob survival
1:10:50 – Sussman’s upcoming Garment District book

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The Million Dollar Car Detective: Inside the Market for Stolen Rare Cars

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:00:16 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective, steps outside traditional Mafia territory and into a shadowy world just as dangerous—and just as fascinating: the international theft of ultra-rare automobiles. Gary is joined by author Stayton Bonner, former senior editor at Rolling Stone, and legendary car-recovery specialist Joe Ford, the real-life figure behind Bonner’s book The Million Dollar Car Detective.
At the center of the story is a breathtaking pre-World War II automobile—the Talbot-Lago Teardrop Coupé—once described as the most beautiful car in the world. Stolen from a Milwaukee industrialist’s garage in 2001, the car vanished into the international underground of elite collectors, forged paperwork, and high-stakes deception. Joe Ford explains how he became the go-to investigator when rare cars worth millions disappear—and why stolen vehicles are far harder to recover than stolen art. What follows is a years-long global hunt involving disgruntled mechanics, fabricated titles, shell corporations, Swiss intermediaries, and a billionaire buyer now locked in civil litigation.
Bonner adds rich historical context, tracing the car’s glamorous past—from European aristocracy to Hollywood royalty—and exposing how loneliness, obsession, and greed often surround these legendary machines. The conversation expands into other notorious cases, including the disappearance of the original James Bond Aston Martin from Goldfinger, and how wealthy collectors sometimes knowingly harbor stolen artifacts.
This episode is a true-crime story without guns or gangs—but filled with deception, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of justice across borders.
If you love investigative work, high-end crime, and stories that feel like James Bond meets Gone in 60 Seconds, this one’s for you.

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FiFi Buccieri: Meeting at the Edgewater

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:50:01 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire,host Gary Jenkins takes listeners deep into one of the most chilling and revealing moments in Chicago mob history—a secretive 1967 party held at the legendary Edgewater Beach Hotel. What appeared on the surface to be a lavish celebration was, in reality, a tightly controlled gathering of roughly 300 mobsters, political figures, and underworld insiders. The occasion marked the 40th birthday of feared Chicago Outfit enforcer Fiore "Fifi" Buccieri , a man whose reputation for violence made him one of the most dangerous figures in the city.

Despite not being invited, veteran journalist Bob Wiedrich managed to infiltrate the event, raising serious questions about security, secrecy, and the true purpose behind the gathering. This was no ordinary party. Federal surveillance later revealed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had the room bugged, capturing disturbing conversations—including laughter and casual recollections of torture and murder by Buccieri and his associates.

Central to this episode is Buccieri ’s alleged role in the brutal torture and murder of William "Action" Jackson, a crime that horrified even seasoned law-enforcement agents. These wiretap recordings provide rare insight into the mindset of mob enforcers and the normalization of extreme violence within the Chicago Outfit during the 1960s.

The timing of the party was critical. Chicago boss Sam Giancana had recently been released from prison, and rumors swirled that major power moves were underway. Evidence suggests this birthday celebration doubled as a covert mob summit, where leadership issues, alliances, and strategic decisions were quietly discussed away from public view. This party was a who’s who of the Chicago Outfit. Men like Mike Glitta, Teets Battalgia, Ceaser DiVarco, Ross Prio, Larry The Hood Bounaguidi, Irvin Weiner, Dominic DiBello, Wee Willie Messino, Joseph Cortino ( former chief of police in Forest Park and several others.

You will learn how Anthony Accardo and his driver Jackie Cerone avoided the scene when the cops started taking pictures and writing down names. I also explore the role of the Santa Fe Saddle and Gun Club, an organization tied to questionable fundraising activities that blurred the lines between organized crime, business interests, and local politics. These raffles and social events weren’t just about money—they were about influence, access, and control.

Throughout the episode, I break down the cast of characters who attended this gathering: loan sharks, enforcers, racketeers, and political fixers. Their interconnected stories reveal a dense web of loyalty, fear, and ambition that defined the Chicago mob scene at its peak. This episode uses the Edgewater Beach Hotel as more than a setting—it becomes a symbol of mob glamour masking ruthless criminal reality. It’s a reminder of how deeply organized crime once penetrated American society, and why these stories continue to fascinate, disturb, and resonate today.

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The Mafia in Colorado

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:00:20 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins talks with author Linda Stasi about her historical novel The Descendant, a story inspired by her own Italian-American family history. Stasi traces her ancestors’ journey from Sicily to the Colorado mining camps, revealing the brutal realities faced by immigrant laborers in the American West.

The conversation explores the violent labor struggles surrounding the Ludlow Massacre and the role of powerful figures like John D. Rockefeller, as well as the diverse immigrant communities that shaped Colorado’s mining towns. Stasi challenges stereotypes about Italians in America, highlighting their roles as workers, ranchers, and community builders—not just mobsters.

Jenkins and Stasi also discuss Prohibition-era bootlegging and the early roots of organized crime in places like Pueblo, weaving together documented history with deeply personal family stories of survival, violence, and resilience. Drawing on her background as a journalist, Stasi reflects on loss, perseverance, and the immigrant pursuit of the American dream, making The Descendants both a historical narrative and an emotional family legacy.

Find the Descendant by clicking here.

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The Agent Who Discovered Roy DeMeo

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:00:20 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, Gary Jenkins sits down down with author Craig McGuire to discuss his gripping book, Empire City Under Siege, a deep dive into three decades of FBI manhunts, mob wars, and organized-crime investigations in New York City.

Craig explains how the project grew out of his collaboration with retired FBI agent Anthony John Nelson, whose career spanned the most violent and chaotic years of New York’s Mafia history. From Nelson’s early days as a radio dispatcher in 1969 to his transition into undercover and frontline investigative work, the book captures the gritty reality of law enforcement during the 1970s and 1980s.

We explore how Nelson’s career mirrored the evolution of organized crime and law-enforcement tactics, including the rise of undercover stings, inter-agency cooperation, and the increasing role of technology. Craig highlights the close working relationship between Nelson and NYPD detective Kenny McCabe, whose deep knowledge of Mafia families and quiet professionalism led to major breakthroughs against organized crime. He tells how these two investigators wathced and uncovered the Gambino Family Roy DeMeo crew under Paul Castellano and Nino Gaggi.

Throughout the conversation, Craig shares vivid, often humorous slice-of-life stories from the book—tense undercover moments, dangerous confrontations, and the emotional toll of living a double life. These anecdotes reveal not only the danger of the job, but the camaraderie and resilience that sustained agents and detectives working in the shadows. The episode closes with a reminder that Empire City Under Siege is as much about honoring unsung law-enforcement professionals as it is about mob history. Craig encourages listeners to support true-crime storytelling that preserves these firsthand accounts before they’re lost to time.

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Marijuana Mercenary - Ken Behr

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:00:17 +0000

In this powerful and wide-ranging episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins sits down with Ken Behr, author of One Step Over the Line: Confessions of a Marijuana Mercenary. Behr tells his astonishing life story—from teenage marijuana dealer in South Florida, to high-level drug runner and smuggler, to DEA cooperating source working major international cases. Along the way, he offers rare, first-hand insight into how large-scale drug operations actually worked during the height of the War on Drugs—and why that war, in his view, has largely failed.

From Smuggler to Source Behr describes growing up during the explosion of the drug trade in South Florida during the 1970s and 1980s, where smuggling marijuana and cocaine became almost commonplace. He explains how he moved from street-level dealing into large-scale logistics—off-loading planes, running covert runways in the Everglades, moving thousands of pounds of marijuana, and participating in international smuggling operations involving Canada, Jamaica, Colombia, and the Bahamas. After multiple arrests—including a serious RICO case that threatened him with decades in prison—Behr made the life-altering decision to cooperate with the DEA. What followed was a tense and dangerous double life as an undercover operative, helping law enforcement dismantle major trafficking networks while living under constant pressure and fear of exposure.

Inside the Mechanics of the Drug Trade This episode goes deep into the nuts and bolts of organized drug trafficking, including:

How clandestine runways were built and dismantled in minutes
How aircraft were guided into unlit landing zones
How smuggling crews were paid and organized
Why most drug operations ultimately collapse from inside
The role of asset seizures in federal drug enforcement

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IRS Underecover on Frank Schweihs

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:00:19 +0000

In this bonus episode of Gangland Wire, I take listeners back to 1970s Chicago for a series of lesser-known but revealing stories about the Chicago Outfit, centering on violent enforcer Frank Schweihs, also known as “Frank the German.” The episode begins with a personal side quest—tracking down the mystery of Tony Accardo and his rare red 1950s Mercedes sports car, possibly a 300 SL. These exotic cars were produced in limited numbers, and with Accardo’s history attached to it, the vehicle could be worth a fortune today. The question is: where did it go? From there, the story moves deep into Outfit territory. Schweihs was a feared figure who worked under Joseph Lombardo and alongside other notorious mobsters. I recount an undercover operation involving a wired Old Town business owner who helped federal agents capture Schweihs extorting money—one of the cases that eventually put him behind bars. The episode also explores a remarkable undercover IRS investigation, where an agent posing as a criminal associate gained Schweihs’ trust. Listeners hear about crooked real estate deals, political corruption, bribe demands, and just how casually violence was discussed inside the Outfit’s inner circle—including talk of bombing a politician’s car when business deals stalled. These stories offer a raw, street-level look at how the Chicago Outfit operated during its peak years—how intimidation, corruption, and violence were everyday tools of business—and why figures like Frank Schweihs remain symbols of the Outfit’s brutality.

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Did the Mafia Queen Open Springfield to the Genovese Family

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:00:17 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City poilice Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins is joined by mob historian and genealogist Justin Cascio to explore one of the most remarkable—and overlooked—figures of the Prohibition era: Pasqualina Albano Siniscalchi, the so-called Bootleg Queen of Springfield, Massachusetts.

At the dawn of Prohibition in 1921, Pasqualina was a young widow living in Springfield’s South End when she inherited her late husband’s powerful bootlegging operation—one of the largest in western Massachusetts. Rather than step aside, she took control. Pasqualina ruled a crew of toughs and bootleggers, oversaw liquor distribution, and launched a relentless campaign of vengeance against rivals who challenged her authority.

Newspapers dubbed her The Bootleg Queen, but her fight went far beyond rival gangs. She clashed with lawmakers, battled competing bootleggers, and even faced resistance from within her own family—all while operating in service of a secret society that would never fully accept her because she was a woman. Her story exposes the contradictions of organized crime: loyalty demanded without equality, power wielded without recognition.

Cascio draws from years of meticulous research and family histories to bring Pasqualina’s story to life, revealing her pivotal role in early Mafia expansion in New England and the hidden influence women could wield behind the scenes. His book, Pasqualina: The True Story of the Bootleg Queen of Springfield, challenges long-held assumptions about gender, power, and the Mafia during Prohibition. If you’re interested in Prohibition-era crime, New England Mafia history, or the untold stories of women who shaped organized crime from the shadows, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

Listen now on Gangland Wire — available on all major podcast platforms and YouTube.
0:02 Introduction to Mafia Genealogy
1:16 Pasqualina Albano's Story
2:30 Family Reunion Revelations
4:56 The Impact of Prohibition
7:45 Prejudice and Organized Crime
10:50 Connecting the Genovese Family
12:34 Views from Sicily
13:50 Cultural Differences in Dress
16:37 Encounters with Modern Gangsters
18:36 Gina's Documentary and Art
23:53 The Romance of the Gangster
27:24 The Nature of Risk
28:46 The Evolution of Organized Crime
33:16 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

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Chicago Outfit Informants

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:00:18 +0000

In this episode, we delve into the intricate world of the Chicago Outfit's informants, featuring insights from my late friend, Cam Robinson, and Paul Whitcomb, a well-respected expert on the mob. This special compilation draws from past interviews and shorts that once highlighted various informants who operated during the notorious 1980s era of organized crime in Chicago. Through a series of concise segments, we explore the lives of key players who chose to turn against the Outfit, revealing the complex motivations and consequences of their decisions.

We kick things off by revisiting the tale of Paul "Peanuts" Pansko, an influential figure leading the Polish faction of the Outfit. Pansko’s criminal activities, including a racetrack heist, not only placed him in dangerous territory but also set into motion a chain of events that would later link to the infamous Family Secrets trial. It’s during this journey that we outline how interconnected the informants' narratives are, showcasing how Pansko's actions inadvertently unraveled parts of the organization. The discussion shifts to more dramatic stories, including Mario Rainone. Rainone’s infamous decision to cooperate with the authorities opened the door to significant revelations about Lenny Patrick, one of the highest-ranking Outfit members to switch sides. Rainone’s tapes ultimately led to the dismantling of major sections of the Outfit's operations, including political connections that had long shielded them from legal repercussions. We also explore the tale of Ken "Tokyo Joe" Eto, a Japanese mobster who thrived within the Outfit's ranks. His attempts at self-preservation after surviving an assassination effort highlighted the stark realities faced by those who navigated the perilous landscape of organized crime. As he eventually became a witness for the prosecution, Eto's insights illuminated the internal workings of one of Chicago's most feared organizations.

The episode further examines dramatic betrayals and deadly encounters that shaped the Outfit's legacy. From the chilling events surrounding the murders of the Spilotro brothers, orchestrated by their own associates for reasons steeped in loyalty and betrayal, to the grim fate that met informants like Al Toco and the impact of domestic discord on organized crime, each tale is a window into the bleak realities faced by both mobsters and informants alike.

As we round out the episode, we reflect on the cultural dynamics surrounding informants, particularly how personal relationships and family ties heavily influenced their decisions to cooperate. It becomes clear through the interviews that while fear of retribution often compels loyalty, the specter of betrayal looms large within the mob. This multifaceted examination blends personal stories with historical context, providing a deeper understanding of the Chicago Outfit's complexity and its operatives. Join us in this retrospective journey through the shadows of organized crime as we pay homage to those who bravely shared their stories, revealing the inner workings of a criminal empire that continues to fascinate and terrify in equal measure.

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Bob Cooley and the Deadliest Man Alive

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 10:00:16 +0000

In this special short episode of Gangland Wire, Gary Jenkins presents a wild and largely forgotten chapter from Bob Cooley's life—the former Chicago Outfit fixer, gambler, and lawyer whose career straddled the worlds of organized crime, corruption, and courtroom drama.

Fresh off a long-form interview with Cooley, Gary pulls out a standalone story that feels almost too strange to be true: Cooley’s first real legal case, involving the infamous Chicago martial arts cult figure Count Dante, self-proclaimed “Deadliest Man Alive.”

The episode revisits 1970s Chicago, when Count Dante ran multiple dojos across the city and cultivated a fearsome public image. A rivalry with a competing martial arts school—the Green Dragon Dojo—boiled over into violence when Dante and his followers stormed the school armed with medieval-style weapons. The confrontation ended with one man dead, and Dante charged with murder.

At the time, Bob Cooley wasn’t even officially a lawyer yet—he had just taken the bar exam and was still working as a Chicago police officer. Despite that, Count Dante tracked him down, hired him on the spot, and insisted Cooley would be his attorney. What followed was a surreal two-year relationship involving Chicago nightlife, the Playboy Club and Mansion, mob figures, bar fights, and mounting public attention.

When the case finally went to trial, the courtroom devolved into chaos as rival martial artists from both sides reenacted the violence with shouting, threats, and theatrical testimony. The judge, fed up with the spectacle, dismissed the case outright—instantly launching Bob Cooley’s reputation as a lawyer who had “beaten” a murder charge.

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Robert Cooley Outfit Fixer Part 2

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:00:17 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, Gary Jenkins sits down with Bob Cooley, the once–well-connected Chicago lawyer who lived at the center of the city’s most notorious corruption machine. After years out of the public eye, Cooley recently resurfaced to revisit his explosive memoir, When Corruption Was King—and this conversation offers a rare, firsthand look at how organized crime, politics, and the court system intersected in Chicago for decades.

Cooley traces his journey from growing up in a police family to serving as a Chicago police officer and ultimately becoming a criminal defense attorney whose real job was quietly fixing cases for the Chicago Outfit. His deep understanding of the judicial system made him indispensable to mob-connected power brokers like Pat Marcy, a political fixer with direct access to judges, prosecutors, and court clerks.

Inside the Chicago Corruption Machine
Cooley explains how verdicts were bought, cases were steered, and justice was manipulated—what insiders called the “Chicago Method.” He describes his relationships with key figures in organized crime, including gambling bosses like Marco D’Amico and violent enforcers such as Harry Aleman and Tony Spilotro, painting a chilling picture of life inside a world where loyalty was enforced by fear. As his role deepened, so did the psychological toll. Cooley recounts living under constant threat, including a contract placed on his life after he refused to betray a fellow associate—an event that forced him to confront the cost of the life he was leading.

Turning Point: Becoming a Federal Witness
The episode covers Cooley’s pivotal decision in 1986 to cooperate with federal authorities, a move that helped dismantle powerful corruption networks through FBI Operation Gambat. Cooley breaks down how political connections—not just street-level violence—allowed the Outfit to operate with near-total impunity for so long. Along the way, Cooley reflects on the moral reckoning that led him to turn on the system that had enriched and protected him, framing his story as one not just of crime and betrayal, but of reckoning and redemption.

What Listeners Will Hear
How Bob Cooley became the Outfit’s go-to case fixer
The role of Pat Marcy and political corruption in Chicago courts
Firsthand stories involving Marco D’Amico, Harry Aleman, and Tony Spilotro
The emotional and psychological strain of living among violent criminals
The decision to cooperate and the impact of Operation Gambat
Why Cooley believes Chicago’s corruption endured for generations

Why This Episode Matters
Bob Cooley is one of the few people who saw the Chicago Outfit from inside the courtroom and the back rooms of power. His story reveals how deeply organized crime embedded itself into the institutions meant to uphold the law—and what it cost those who tried to escape it. This episode sets the stage for a deeper follow-up conversation, where Gary and Cooley will continue unpacking the most dangerous and revealing moments of his life. Resources Book: When Corruption Was King by Bob Cooley

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Bob Cooley Chicago Outfit's Chief Fixer Part 1

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:00:18 +0000

In this gripping episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins sits down with Robert “Bob” Cooley, the Chicago lawyer whose extraordinary journey took him from deep inside the Outfit’s criminal operations to becoming one of the federal government’s most valuable witnesses against organized crime.

Cooley pulls back the curtain on the hidden machinery of Chicago’s underworld, describing how corruption, bribery, and violence shaped the Chicago Outfit’s power in the 1970s and beyond. As a lawyer, gambler, and trusted insider, Cooley saw firsthand how mob influence tilted the scales of justice—often in open daylight. Inside the “Chicago Method” of Courtroom

Corruption
Cooley explains the notorious system of judicial bribery he once helped facilitate—what he calls the “Chicago Method.” He walks listeners through: How defense attorneys worked directly with Outfit associates to buy favorable rulings. The process of approaching and bribing judges. Why weak forensic standards of the era made witness discrediting the key mob strategy. His personal involvement in the infamous Harry Aleman murder case, where clear guilt was erased by corruption.

Life in the Outfit: Gambling, Debt, and Mob Justice Cooley recounts his early days gambling with Chicago Outfit associates, including Marco D’Amico, Jackie Cerrone, and John DeFranzo. Notable stories include: The violent implications of unpaid gambling debts in mob circles. Tense interactions with bookmaker Hal Smith and the chaotic fallout of a bounced check involving mobster Eddie Corrado. How D’Amico often stepped in—sometimes with intimidation—to shield Cooley from harm. These stories reflect the daily volatility of life inside the Outfit, where money, fear, and loyalty intersect constantly.

Bob Cooley has a great book titled When Corruption Was King where he goes into even greater detail and has many more stories from his life inside the Chicago Mob.

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James Ragen Chicago Race Wire Story

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 10:00:18 +0000

Retired Kansas City, Missouri, Police Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins tells the story of the unsolved murder of James Ragen.

Gary Jenkins digs into an old-school Chicago Outfit story pulled from a vintage newspaper clip by legendary columnist Drew Pearson. The article centers on James M. Ragen, a key figure in the Continental Press and Racing Wire, and what happened when the Outfit decided it wanted total control of the race wire business.
This is a gritty snapshot of how Chicago’s underworld allegedly dominated legitimate businesses in the 1940s—bars, taverns, suppliers, and especially gambling infrastructure—then used violence and influence to keep it that way.
Gary returned to Chicago Outfit history after spotting an old Drew Pearson column: “A Songbird Who Sang, Murdered”
He tells how race wire services powered mob-controlled bookmaking across U.S. cities The Outfit’s push to muscle in with a competing racing wire—and the warning: don’t compete with Chicago Mob-linked figure Mo Annenberg and the money behind race wire “tolls” and kickbacks.

Outfit names mentioned in the takeover fight, including “Greasy Thumb” Jake Guzik and others from the era Pearson’s claim that Ragen gave information about mob domination in Chicago to the U.S. Attorney General Tom Clark The broad daylight attack: a fruit truck pulls alongside, and a machine gun ambush erupts at a stoplight nd James Ragen goes down in a hail of .45 bullets. The “stranger-than-fiction” twist: Ragen later dies, and an autopsy allegedly finds a tube of mercury in his stomach

Why the case remained murky: the coroner allegedly refused to pin it cleanly as murder (per Pearson’s reporting) Gary frames it as a reminder of how profound Outfit influence ran in city systems and politics.

This bonus episode connects the dots between information networks (race results), organized gambling, and the Outfit’s approach to business: control the pipeline, control the profit—and crush anyone who won’t move aside.

Visit The Chicago Outfit-Old and Current news and articles Facebook Group for many other stories like this.
Gary reminds everyone to check out his books and films (search Gary Jenkins on Amazon or visit his website). www.ganglandwire.com

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Gianni Russo: The Hollywood Godfather, Mafia Secrets

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:00:19 +0000

In this explosive episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins sits down with actor, entrepreneur, and mob insider Gianni “Johnny” Russo, best known for his unforgettable role as Carlo Rizzi in The Godfather.
Russo pulls back the curtain on a lifetime of stories that stretch from Frank Costello and Joe Colombo to Las Vegas skimming, the Vatican Bank, Marilyn Monroe, Jimmy Hoffa, and even Pablo Escobar.
Russo discusses his new book, Mafia Secrets: Untold Tales from the Hollywood Godfather, co-written with Michael Benson—an unfiltered account of power, violence, politics, and survival inside the criminal underworld and Hollywood royalty. This is not recycled mythology—this is Gianni Russo’s personal version of history from the inside. Whether you believe every word or not, the stories are raw, violent, and utterly fascinating.
This episode discusses:
The Godfather, The Kennedy assassinations, Vegas skimming, Marilyn Monroe, Jimmy Hoffa, the Chicago Outfit, Pablo Escobar

🔥 Episode Highlights
🎬 How Gianni Russo REALLY Got Cast in The Godfather. Russo reveals that Joe Colombo personally helped secure his role. Paramount Studios negotiated directly with Colombo to avoid trouble. The real-life mob influence behind Carlo Rizzi's casting. Initially, James Caan was slated to play Michael Corleone
🏛️ Growing Up Under Frank Costello Russo describes how Costello became his protector. Living for decades in a Manhattan apartment, Costello employed him as an errand runner and messenger for influential mob figures
💰 Vegas Skimming & Vatican Money Laundering Russo details moving hundreds of millions of dollars through the Vatican Bank. How casino cash from Las Vegas was “cleaned” overseas, and how Chicago Outfit figures like Jackie Cerone were tied to the financial pipeline.
🎭 Marilyn Monroe, the Kennedys & a Dark Secret Russo claims Marilyn was pregnant with Bobby Kennedy’s child. The explosive fallout and her alleged assassination. Why her body would never reveal the truth, according to Russo. The mysterious death of journalist Dorothy Kilgallen
🚬 Jimmy Hoffa’s Fate Russo shares what he says is the real story about Hoffa’s murder, the crushing and disappearance of the body. Why Hoffa was marked for death after returning to union power
🔫 Pablo Escobar & the Vegas Casino Shooting Russo describes killing Pablo Escobar’s underboss in a self-defense shooting. The terrifying private meeting that followed—with Escobar himself, how respect between two men prevented a bloodbath
⚰️ Tony & Michael Spilotro: What Casino Got Wrong Russo disputes Scorsese’s version of the murders. First-hand account of seeing the brothers after their brutal beating. The real setup and why Tony Spilotro sealed his own fate

Mafia Secrets: Untold Tales from the Hollywood Godfather by Gianni Russo & Michael Benson

A memoir covering: The Mob, Hollywood, Politics Vatican corruption, Murder, betrayal, and survival 👉 Available now wherever books are sold

🎯 Why You Should Listen
Few guests in the history of Gangland Wire have touched so many legendary crime stories in one lifetime.

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Did Marcello have RFK Assassinated?

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 10:00:16 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, Gary Jenkins interviews bestselling author Mark Shaw about his explosive new research into the JFK and RFK assassinations — and the hidden role of New Orleans Mafia boss Carlos Marcello. Shaw breaks down newly uncovered FBI documents, including Marcello’s alleged 1985 prison confession claiming involvement in JFK’s murder. We explore Marcello’s long-running war with Robert Kennedy, the suspicious death of journalist Dorothy Kilgallen, and significant inconsistencies in the official story of RFK’s assassination. This conversation challenges the lone-gunman narrative and exposes how organized crime, politics, and government investigations may have collided to shape American history.

0:10 The Kennedy Connection
21:37 Sirhan's Background Uncovered
31:56 The Role of Marcello in Assassinations
44:54 The Quest for Justice

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Undercover with the Crips: The Tegan Broadwater Story

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 10:00:19 +0000

In this powerful episode of Gangland Wire, retired Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with Tegan Broadwater, a former Fort Worth Police officer, musician, and undercover operative whose story reads like a movie script.

Broadwater takes listeners on a riveting journey from his early years as a professional musician to his dramatic turn infiltrating one of America’s most dangerous street gangs—the Crips. Drawing from his book Life in the Fishbowl, he details how music, culture, and human connection became unexpected tools for survival and success inside the underworld. Listeners will hear:

How Tegan Broadwater transitioned from touring musician to undercover police officer, bringing creativity and adaptability to the streets.

The story of his two-year infiltration into the Crips—posing as a South Texas drug dealer with the help of a trusted informant. His insights into gang hierarchy, loyalty, and manipulation, and how understanding culture was key to earning trust. The moral challenges of living undercover—forming friendships with men he would eventually arrest. The emotional impact of a major gang raid that ended with over 50 arrests, and how it changed his outlook on justice and humanity.

His decision to donate proceeds from his book to the children of incarcerated parents aims to break the cycle of violence. He continues to share lessons on leadership, empathy, and cultural understanding through his private security firm and new podcast projects. Broadwater’s story isn’t just about crime and undercover operations—it’s about identity, compassion, and the human cost of violence. This episode offers a rare look at what it means to live behind a mask while still holding onto one’s purpose.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube 📘

Order Tegan Broadwater’s book, “Life in the Fishbowl” 🔗

Visit GanglandWire.com for more true crime stories and interviews from the world of organized crime and law enforcement.

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Taking Down the Real Sopranos

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 10:00:21 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins sits down with former FBI agent Séamus McElearney, author of Flipping Capo, for a deep dive into one of the most remarkable Mafia investigations and how he took down the DeCavalcante Family.
McElearney recounts his unlikely path from banking to the FBI, driven by a lifelong fascination with law enforcement. Despite being told he didn’t have the “right background,” he pushed forward—eventually landing in New York’s Organized Crime Squad C-10, where he investigated both the Bonanno and DeCavalcante crime families. He describes the rare and demanding experience of working two Mafia families at once, and the teamwork required to dismantle them from the inside out.
As the conversation turns to his book, Flipping Capo, McElearney explains the years-long process of writing it and the rigorous FBI review needed to ensure no sensitive investigative techniques were revealed. He shares early memories of notorious boss Joe Massino, and the high-stakes surveillance and arrests that defined his career.
A major focus of the episode is the arrest and flipping of Anthony Capo, a feared DeCavalcante soldier—and the first made member of that family ever to cooperate with the government. McElearney walks listeners through the tension of that operation, his calculated approach to treating Capo with respect, and the psychological tightrope that ultimately persuaded Capo to talk. That single decision triggered a domino effect of cooperation that, many believe, helped bring down the New Jersey mob family, which inspired The Sopranos.
Gary and Séamus dive into the proffer process, cooperation agreements, and the behind-the-scenes strategies used to turn high-level mobsters. McElearney also draws comparisons between real mob figures and the fictional world of The Sopranos, revealing how much of the hit series was grounded in the actual cases he worked.
The interview closes with McElearney’s reflections on how organized crime continues to evolve. While today’s mob may look different from the one he battled in the ’90s, he stresses that the methods—and the money—still flow. His candid insights offer a rare look into the changing face of the American Mafia and the ongoing fight to contain it.

Click here to get the book Flipping Capo

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Mob Life: The Private World of Capone, Lansky, Gotti & Castellano

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:00:17 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with author Jay Baer to explore the hidden, human side of organized crime’s biggest names — Al Capone, Meyer Lansky, John Gotti, and Paul Castellano.

Jay’s book, Mob Life: The Private World of Capone, Lansky, Gotti, and Castellano, takes a unique look beyond the murders, rackets, and headlines to reveal how these mobsters actually lived — what they ate, how they dressed, their relationships with religion, and how they handled immense power and wealth.

Listeners will hear:
How Al Capone’s family sold his spaghetti sauce recipe to Ragu — their first commercial product.

Why Meyer Lansky, the most devout of the four, was denied the right to die in Israel by Prime Minister Golda Meir.

The lavish lifestyle and fatal missteps of Paul Castellano, the “Howard Hughes of the Mafia.” The contrast between Gotti’s flamboyance and Lansky’s low profile — and how each approach shaped their downfall.

The staggering fortunes these men built — and how, in the end, they all lost it.

Jay also shares his own lifelong fascination with organized crime, his career outside writing, and his upcoming project, How to Live Like a Gangster — No Prison Required, a look at mob values like loyalty, respect, and power through a modern lens.

Gary and Jay swap mob history from New York to Kansas City, including a discussion of the real story behind scenes from Casino and Kansas City’s own underworld power struggles.

ON AMAZON Wayne

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Facts on the Mob
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2021Format: Kindle
If your looking for a good fast interesting read on the Mafia, this is the book for you. Full of information on mob types that most have no clue about.
You can't lose with this book I believe.

🎧 Listen now to uncover the side of the mob you’ve never heard before.

📘 Get the book: Mob Life: The Private World of Capone, Lansky, Gotti, and Castellano by Jay Robert Baer on Amazon
00:00 – Intro: Gary Jenkins welcomes Jay Baer 01:00 – Why Jay wrote Mob Life and his lifelong fascination with gangsters 03:30 – From detailing cars to writing true crime books 05:30 – Gary and Jay’s early mob reading influences 07:00 – Researching Al Capone’s private life 08:00 – Capone’s secret spaghetti sauce recipe sold to Ragu 09:00 – John Gotti’s love for Cracker Barrel and biscuits & gravy 10:00 – Meyer Lansky’s religious life and denied burial in Israel 12:00 – Castellano’s wealth, arrogance, and fall 14:00 – Jay’s next book: How to Live Like a Gangster — No Prison Required 15:00 – Loyalty and respect in the mob vs. business life 16:00 – How Castellano’s aloofness led to his murder 18:00 – The real Joe Watts story — the German who made millions 20:00 – Gary shares Kansas City mob stories and Casino connections 23:00 – The failed car bombing of underboss Tuffy DeLuna 25:00 – The Mob Museum and modern mob myths 26:00 – Jay shows his book Mob Life and shares fun mob trivia 28:00 – How much money mob bosses really made — and lost 30:00 – Why law enforcement didn’t chase mob money before the drug era 31:00 – Joe Massino’s $10 million cash and gold surrender 32:00 – Final thoughts: The mob’s empire always ends the same way

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Inside Miami’s Drug War: Cops On the Front Lines

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:00:17 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence detective Gary Jenkins sits down with Burt Gonzalez, a veteran officer from the Miami-Dade Police Department, for an unfiltered look inside one of the most violent and chaotic eras in American law enforcement history.

With decades of experience spanning multiple divisions, Burt recounts the transformation of Dade County’s police force—from Metro-Dade to Miami-Dade—and now back to an elected sheriff. He walks us through the gritty evolution of policing in South Florida, where the drug trade fueled daily violence and cartel wars left bodies in the streets. Burt shares firsthand stories from Miami’s cocaine-crazed years, including a shocking drug bust that netted 208 kilos of cocaine and over a million dollars in cash, offering a vivid glimpse into the unpredictable and dangerous life of a street cop.

Beyond the shootouts and seizures, we explore the human side of policing—the growing mental health crisis in Miami-Dade, the deadly unpredictability of domestic violence calls, and the emotional toll that constant exposure to trauma takes on officers. Burt emphasizes the importance of training, de-escalation, and support systems for those on the front lines.

The conversation also previews Burt’s upcoming show, Sergeant Maverick, a podcast where he’ll tackle everything from police work and politics to financial advice for first responders—and even the decline of customer service in America. Join us for this candid, eye-opening conversation as Burt Gonzalez pulls back the curtain on the realities, dangers, and hard-earned lessons of Miami policing during the height of America’s drug war.

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Monkey Morales: The Mob, CIA, Castro, and the JFK Connection

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:00:13 +0000

In this explosive episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins dives deep into one of the most complex and mysterious figures of the Cold War era—Ricardo “Monkey” Morales, a Cuban exile whose life intersected with the CIA, the anti-Castro underground, Las Vegas mobsters, and even the JFK assassination. Gary welcomes Rick Morales Jr., son of Monkey Morales, and author Sean Oliver, co-writer of the new book Monkey Morales: The True Story of a Mythic Cuban Exile Assassin, CIA Operative, FBI Informant, Smuggler, and Dad. Together, they unravel the incredible life of a man who was at once a patriot, a spy, and a killer. Rick recounts growing up in Miami’s Little Havana, where his father’s shadow loomed large—rumored to have ties to the JFK assassination and known for his secret missions across the world. From escaping Cuba as a disillusioned Castro loyalist to training as part of the CIA’s Operation 40 assassination unit, Monkey Morales lived a life that reads like a spy thriller. Sean Oliver walks listeners through Monkey’s covert missions in Africa’s Congo, his deep ties to other operatives like Frank Sturgis and Barry Seal, and the secret wars that connected Cuban exiles, the CIA, and organized crime. The conversation also explores how Monkey became entangled with Lefty Rosenthal, the Chicago Outfit’s Las Vegas gambling mastermind, and how his bomb-making skills were used in mob turf wars across Florida. The discussion culminates with Morales Jr.’s chilling memory of his father confessing he was in Dallas on the day President Kennedy was shot—and that he had seen Lee Harvey Oswald in a CIA training camp. Whether you believe Morales was a hero, a villain, or both, his story weaves through some of the darkest and most intriguing chapters of 20th-century American history.

📘 Get the book: Monkey Morales: The True Story of a Mythic Cuban Exile Assassin, CIA Operative, FBI Informant, Smuggler, and Dad 🎙️ Highlights include:
·       How Monkey Morales went from a Cuban intelligence officer to a CIA-trained operative ·       The secretive Operation 40 and its links to the Bay of Pigs, Watergate, and Dallas
·       Morales’s work for the FBI and the CIA—and his dangerous double life in Miami ·       His connection to mob figure Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal and the Outfit’s Florida operations
·       A firsthand account from Morales Jr. about his father’s claim to have seen Oswald in CIA training
·       The moral code of Miami’s Cuban bombers—and how it vanished when Colombian cartels arrived

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Anthony Russo: The Real Soprano

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 09:00:16 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins welcomes author Gregory Macalino, whose book “Little Pussy and Long Branch: Perfect Together” offers a deep dive into New Jersey’s underworld and the life of one of its most notorious figures—Anthony “Little Pussy” Russo.

Gregory begins by sharing his own story, growing up in Monmouth County amid the Italian-American enclaves where whispers of mob activity were part of daily life. His firsthand familiarity with the gambling, politics, and personalities that shaped the Jersey Shore inspired him to explore Russo’s remarkable and brutal reign.
Gary and Gregory trace Russo’s rise from a small-time Newark street thief to a powerful player in the Genovese crime family, detailing how he infiltrated Long Branch’s political and law enforcement circles to control the town for over twenty years. Gregory explains Russo’s business acumen, his use of gambling and real estate ventures to mask criminal operations, and the dangerous rivalries that emerged with independent drug dealers who threatened his dominance.

Listeners will hear how Russo’s empire ultimately unraveled amid violence, betrayal, and federal pressure. Gregory recounts dramatic gangland episodes, family connections, and the eventual collapse of a criminal fiefdom that had once seemed untouchable.

The conversation also touches on how Russo’s world parallels modern portrayals of mob life—especially The Sopranos—revealing just how much real New Jersey mobsters influenced America’s favorite mafia fiction. As the discussion closes, Gregory reflects on the lasting cultural footprint of men like Russo and what their stories teach us about power, corruption, and community identity. This is a must-listen for true crime fans, Mafia historians, and anyone fascinated by how organized crime once ruled the Jersey Shore.

Click here to buy the book.

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Inside the St. Louis Mob: Crooks, Killers, and Cops

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:05:38 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with Tim Richards, a former St. Louis intelligence officer and author of Crook’s Kill and Cops Lie. Tim brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge from his years investigating the mob and navigating the thin line between law enforcement and organized crime.
We dive deep into the history and dynamics of the St. Louis crime families and their ties—or lack thereof—to Kansas City and Chicago. Tim reveals how the St. Louis mob and the Syrian mob was into labor racketeering, ghost workers, and union control, profiting off federally funded projects.
Click here to buy Crooks Kill and Cops Lie and to see all of Tim’s books
• Listeners will hear gritty stories about:
• The interplay between Kansas City, St. Louis, and Chicago mob families.
• The “Syrian” mafia’s role in local unions, vengeance, and violence.
• St. Louis mob figures like Paul Leisure, Mike Trupiano, and Jesse Stoneking.
• An unforgettable encounter with Trupiano during a traffic stop.
• The challenges police faced without legal wiretaps, relying instead on FBI intelligence.
• The ripple effects of mob influence reaching as far as Las Vegas gambling operations.
From bloody reprisals to uneasy alliances, Tim shares not just history but lived experience—vivid accounts of hit jobs, betrayals, and the complexities of policing organized crime. As he reflects on how law enforcement strategies and technology have evolved, Tim leaves us with a powerful reminder of the mob’s enduring mark on Midwestern history.
If you want an insider’s perspective on St. Louis mobsters and the Midwest underworld, you won’t want to miss this one.
Subscribe to get more stories every week.

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Did The Colombo's Own an FBI Agent?

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:00:19 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins pulls back the curtain on one of the FBI’s most troubling scandals—the case of Joe Stabile, a corrupt FBI agent whose fall from grace revealed just how deep organized crime’s influence could run.
The story begins in November 1978, when Stabile pled guilty to corruption charges. But as Gary explains, that plea was only the tip of the iceberg. Behind it lay years of whispered rumors, shady deals, and quiet payoffs—stories that painted Stabile not as a straight-arrow G-man, but as a hustler working both sides of the law.
Drawing on conversations with retired FBI agents who once worked alongside Stabile, Gary delves into the complex web of mob connections and compromised investigations. Listeners will hear how mobsters slipped him bribes to make gambling cases disappear, and how his background as a New York City cop may have set the stage for the choices that pulled him deeper into the mob’s orbit.
The episode also highlights the work of honest agents, such as Tony Villano, who began piecing together the truth about Stabile’s corruption. Through case files, informant accounts, and law enforcement interviews, Gary demonstrates how the FBI struggled with a culture of silence that often protected its own—even when integrity was at stake.
As the story unfolds, the lines between right and wrong blur, exposing systemic cracks inside federal law enforcement during a time when the Bureau was shifting its focus and fighting for credibility.
Gary closes with reflections on the lasting impact of the Stabile case: what it meant for the FBI’s war on organized crime, and how Stabile himself may have continued to live in the shadows after his conviction—a man caught between two worlds, crime and law enforcement, never fully belonging to either.

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Chinatown Sting Bonus

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 09:00:21 +0000

The Chinatown Sting is a gripping investigative show about a group of mothers who took down Manhattan Chinatown's drug kingpin, Machine Gun Johnny. Lidia Jean unravels an entire network of women who were roped into Johnny's criminal underworld and found themselves playing the ultimate high-stakes game. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Listen to a preview of The Chinatown Sting now and find it wherever you get podcasts. Binge the entire season, ad-free, with a Pushkin+ subscription—sign up on The Chinatown Sting Apple Podcasts show page or at pushkin.fm/plus.

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Machinegun Johnny in Chinatown

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 09:00:18 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, Gary Jenkins, former KCPD Intelligence Detective, is joined by Lydia Jean Kott (LJ), a producer at Pushkin Industries, the company founded by Malcolm Gladwell. LJ brings us inside the making of Chinatown Sting, a gripping new podcast that uncovers the fascinating and little-known story of Chinese organized crime and China White heroin in New York’s Chinatown during the 1980s.
LJ explains how her interest in the case was sparked by a personal connection—her boyfriend’s mother was a federal prosecutor involved in the original sting. That legendary case centered on heroin smuggled from Hong Kong into Chinatown, hidden in packages and distributed through a network of mahjong-playing mothers. What began with a flagged parcel at the post office unraveled into a high-stakes undercover investigation. We explore how law enforcement managed to penetrate this tight-knit immigrant community, the risks taken by prosecutors like Beryl Howell, and the difficult moral choices faced by those caught in the middle—including a woman forced to choose between betraying a friend or saving herself. LJ also dives into the history of Chinatowns in America, where family associations and Tongs—originally formed as mutual aid societies—became intertwined with vice industries. She connects this legacy to gangs like the Flying Dragons and their ties back to organized crime in Hong Kong. Our discussion is not just about drugs, gangs, and federal stings—it’s about storytelling, community, and the pursuit of survival.
LJ shares how she and her co-reporter pieced the story together over years of interviews and archival digging, giving voice to people often overlooked in the larger mob narrative. If you’re fascinated by organized crime, hidden histories, or the way law enforcement takes on international networks, Chinatown Sting is a podcast you won’t want to miss.

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Dan O'Sullivan and The Outfit Podcast on Ken Eto

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 09:00:19 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with Dan O’Sullivan from the new podcast The Outfit to discuss the incredible story of Ken Eto—known in Outfit circles as “Tokyo Joe.” Ken Eto was unique: the only Japanese American member of the Chicago Outfit, and the only man to survive being shot three times in the head. Eto was the Outfit’s gambling kingpin on Chicago’s North Side, controlling operations along Rush Street, policy wheels in Black neighborhoods, Chinese games in Chinatown, and the Puerto Rican “bolita” numbers racket. His empire generated millions of dollars each year, placing him among the highest-ranking members of the Outfit. But success had its price. In 1980, the FBI caught Eto in a sting, and his Outfit bosses grew nervous—especially since he had ties to a cocaine deal with the Genovese family. Invited to dinner by a mobster who had never broken bread with him before, Eto knew it was a setup. Two gunmen shot him three times in the head. Miraculously, he lived, and his survival changed the history of the Outfit.

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The Pittsburgh Mafia Running, and Castro

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 09:00:17 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins sits down with journalist and author Rich Gazarik to explore a little-known corner of mob history—one that ties the Pittsburgh Mafia to Fidel Castro, stolen guns, and even the Kennedy assassination.
Rich’s latest book, Gun Smuggling, Castro, and the Pittsburgh Mafia, shines a spotlight on Sam Mannarino, a Pittsburgh mob captain under boss John LaRocca, who hatched a wild plan in the early 1960s: supply Fidel Castro with hundreds of stolen weapons in hopes of carving out a piece of Cuba’s casino action. The scheme included an audacious plot to rip off 300 rifles from a National Guard armory in Ohio—an operation that quickly unraveled into chaos.
From there, the conversation broadens into the Pittsburgh mob’s stranglehold on its city, including political corruption, bribery, and intimidation that reached into the mayor’s office and the police department. Rich recounts how Mannarino and his crew maintained a façade of respectability while ruling through violence and fear, leaving a lasting mark on Pittsburgh’s civic life.
Drawing on decades of investigative journalism and declassified JFK assassination files, Rich also connects the dots between the Pittsburgh Mafia and broader mob influence in the 1960s. We discuss how figures like Carlos Marcello and Santo Trafficante emerged in congressional investigations, feeding speculation that the Mafia’s reach extended into Dallas on November 22, 1963.
This episode reveals a previously overlooked chapter in organized crime history, where local corruption, mob ambition, and Cold War politics intersected. If you want to understand how Pittsburgh’s underworld tied into national events, you won’t want to miss this deep dive with Rich Gazarik. And get his book Gun Smuggling, Castro, and the Pittsburgh Mafia here.

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Greg Scarpa: The Grim Reaper’s Double Life

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 09:00:17 +0000

In this gripping episode of Gangland Wire, retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins sits down with author Jonathan Dyer to explore one of the most complex and dangerous figures in Mafia history—Greg Scarpa, the Colombo family enforcer known as The Grim Reaper. Dyer, whose career spans military intelligence, law, and education, brings deep insight into Scarpa’s remarkable—and chilling—dual role as both a ruthless mob killer and a prized FBI informant. Together, they unpack the moral ambiguities, betrayals, and calculated violence that defined Scarpa’s career in the turbulent world of organized crime.
Listeners will hear:
How Scarpa balanced loyalty to the mob with his covert cooperation with the FBI. The structured, almost corporate way his crew operated—and how he enforced discipline with fear and bloodshed.
The darker corners of his personal life, including family ties, marriages, and the impact of his choices on his children.
The violent episodes, such as the murder of Mary Bari, underscore his brutality and the Mafia’s code of protection.
From Cold War–era law enforcement collusion to the inner workings of New York’s underworld, this episode reveals how Scarpa manipulated both sides of the law to maintain power.
Jonathan Dyer’s latest book, Greg Scarpa: Legendary Evil, offers the foundation for a conversation that will leave you questioning where law enforcement ends and organized crime begins.

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A Narc's Tale: Stories From the Underbelly

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 09:00:17 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, I sit down with Keith Grounsell, a veteran law enforcement officer whose career spanned patrol, specialized units, and high-stakes undercover work with the DEA. Keith takes us inside the hidden world of narcotics investigations, sharing stories that reveal both the danger and the human toll of living a double life.
We talk about how Keith’s upbringing as the son of a Marine pushed him toward public service, and how his path eventually led him into the shadowy world of drug traffickers. He recalls the adrenaline of undercover drug deals, the razor’s-edge risks, and the constant challenge of protecting his cover while maintaining his integrity as a cop.
Keith also reflects on the strain this life put on his family and the psychological pressure of staying in character for months at a time. His advice to new officers is candid and practical, emphasizing the need for physical fitness, strong community ties, and good mental health to survive the job's demands.
Our conversation widens to the broader impact of drug trafficking on crime and communities, and the need for law enforcement to adapt to ever-changing threats. Keith also shares his writing journey, a four-book series titled Narc’s Tale, which chronicles his undercover assignments and the lessons he carried forward.
This episode offers both gripping stories from the field and a rare inside look at the toll—and the nobility—of narcotics enforcement.

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Chuck Goudie talks Chicago Outfit

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 09:00:15 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence detective Gary Jenkins sits down with veteran Chicago journalist Chuck Goudie, whose decades of reporting have made him one of Chicago’s most respected voices on organized crime. A fan of the show asked for more Chicago stories—and this conversation delivers.
We dive into the legacy of the Spilotro family, sparked by the recent passing of John Spilotro, brother of the infamous Las Vegas mob figure Tony Spilotro. Chuck shares his reflections on how the Outfit has evolved, from its heyday of dominance in gambling, loansharking, and union racketeering to its much smaller—yet still persistent—presence today.
Together, we revisit the Outfit’s historic ties to the Teamsters, the Strawman trials, and the legendary names like Anthony Accardo who shaped Chicago’s mob identity. Chuck solves a mystery and provides the name of the man who killed Sam Giancana.
Chuck also offers personal insights into how mob families navigated the push and pull of blood ties, with some members rising into notoriety. In contrast, others tried to lead straight lives under the shadow of organized crime.
Our conversation shifts to Chuck’s recent investigative work on the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa, exploring the long-standing theories and mob connections that keep the story alive decades later.
This episode blends history, reflection, and storytelling—offering both an inside look at Chicago’s Outfit and a reminder of why these stories still captivate us today.
1:02 The Legacy of John Drummond
4:11 Current Status of the Outfit
7:28 The Last of the Spilotro Family
10:02 Family Dynamics of the Spilotros
13:18 Frank Calabrese's Las Vegas Fame
13:25 Giancana's Murder Investigation and who did it
18:18 Surveillance in the Giancana Case
22:03 The Straw Man Trials
25:40 Ken Eto's Gangland Story
27:52 Investigating Jimmy Hoffa's Disappearance
31:03 Closing Thoughts with Chuck Goudie
Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.

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Jimmy the Gent: The Rise and Fall of James Burke

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 21:57:18 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins dives deep into the life of James “Jimmy the Gent” Burke. Prompted by listener Paul Blackwood of Edinburgh, Gary explores Burke’s world beyond the headlines of the Lufthansa heist. From his turbulent childhood in foster homes and orphanages to his rise as a feared and respected mobster in the Lucchese family, Burke’s story is one of violence, loyalty, and paranoia. Gary traces Burke’s early years of crime, his ties with Henry Hill and Paul Vario, and the meticulous planning of the Lufthansa heist that netted millions—and left a trail of blood in its aftermath. The episode also covers Burke’s role in gambling and drug rackets, his eventual downfall in the Boston College point-shaving scandal, and his complicated legacy in mob history. Was Jimmy the Gent a loyal operator, or a ruthless killer who trusted no one? Tune in for a gripping exploration of one of organized crime’s most enigmatic figures.

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Hollywood and the Chicago Boys: Stone Wallace on Mobsters in Tinseltown

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:00:08 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City intelligence detective Gary Jenkins sits down with writer and mob historian Stone Wallace—a man whose path has crossed acting, broadcasting, boxing, and a lifelong fascination with organized crime. The focus of today’s conversation is Stone Wallace’s latest book, Hollywood and the Chicago Boys, which uncovers how the Chicago Outfit quietly moved in on Hollywood in the 1930s. With Prohibition fading, figures like Frank Nitti and Tony Accardo shifted their sights to new rackets in film unions, projection booths, and studio lots. Stone Wallace's obsession with the mob began at age seven with a library book on the 1920s. It lit a fire that would eventually lead Wallace to explore the violent glamour of the underworld in both fiction and nonfiction. Stone Wallace shares how he created the fictional studio boss Sam Bast, modeled after several real-life moguls, and how mob-connected actors like George Raft blurred the lines between movie star and made man. From behind-the-scenes extortion to real-life gangland enforcers like Jack “Machine Gun” McGurn, this episode connects the dots between celluloid dreams and street-level muscle. Stone Wallace's Amazon author page. 🔍 Highlights: Why Frank Nitti saw Hollywood as the Outfit’s next goldmine The real mob ties of actor George Raft The creation of Sam Bast, a fictional composite of Hollywood studio heads Extortion in the projectionist booths and labor unions Mobster myths vs. brutal realities—how fiction reflects fact 📚 Featured Book: Hollywood and the Chicago Boys by Stone Wallace — a hardboiled blend of true crime and noir fiction 🎬 Notable Names Discussed: Frank Nitti, Tony Accardo, George Raft, Jack McGurn, Sam Giancana 💬 Quote of the Episode: “Hollywood wasn’t just glitz and cameras. It was a new racket—and the Outfit wanted in.” 0:02 Introduction to the Underworld 1:25 Early Fascination with the Mob 2:29 Hollywood and the Chicago Boys 5:34 The Allure of George Raft 7:22 Researching the Mob's Hollywood Infiltration 12:05 The Role of Unions in the Mob 14:51 Tony Accardo: The Complex Character 17:05 The Impact of the Mob on Society 23:04 Writing Westerns and a Modern Sheriff 25:43 Upcoming Films and Future Projects Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there, good to be back here in the studio. Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective, worked a mob in Kansas City for, I don't know, 14, 15 years. And now in retirement, I am still investigating the mob. So, you know, I interviewed different authors who've written mob books, and I've got one on the line right now, Stone Wallace. Stone Wallace, he's been an actor, a broadcast announcer, a boxer, a celebrity interviewer himself. I've interviewed a couple of celebrities No big ones But a creative writing guy Media instructor Written advertising. [0:38] For different companies And he really started out writing westerns If I remember right Oh yeah He wrote stories If you ever read Louis L'Amour Which I did when I was young He wrote those kinds of stories But later he got into the mob So Stonewallis, welcome Thank you very much, Gary. It's a pleasure to be here speaking with you on ...

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Tommy Greco Genovese Enforcer

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 09:00:15 +0000

In this episode, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence detective, Gary Jenkins, interviews Gary Clemente, who offers profound insights drawn from his father's legacy as a pioneering FBI agent in the fight against organized crime. Gary recounts his father's pivotal role during the 1957 Appalachian mob conclave, detailing his unique rapport with notorious figures like Carlo Gambino and the psychological dynamics of engaging with mobsters such as Tommy Greco. We explore the complexities of mob family structures across the U.S. and how Peter Clemente’s fluency in Sicilian and understanding of criminal culture enriched FBI operations. Gary shares stories from his father's extensive writings, promising future revelations about their historical battle against organized crime and the impact of these narratives on American history. 0:07 Introduction to Gary Clemente 2:45 Peter Clemente's Unique FBI Career 8:32 Encounter with Tommy Greco 12:50 The Threats of the Mafia 17:04 Respect Among Mobsters 24:00 The Mafia's Structure and Connections 29:48 Stolen Goods and Local Crime 32:47 Nicola Gentile's Memoirs 35:13 Hoover and the FBI's Golden Era Get Gary Clement's book: Untold Mafia Tales From the FBI's Top Hoodlum Squad Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. Transcript [0:00]Well, hey, all you wiretappers, good to be back here in the studio of Gangland [0:07]Introduction to Gary Clemente [0:02]Wire. I have a guest who has been on before, Gary Clemente. Now, Gary Clemente's dad was Peter Clemente, and he was one of the first members of the Top Hoodlum Squad in New York City and the first Sicilian FBI agent, I believe, that was assigned to the FBI anyhow. So, Gary, welcome. Thank you for having me back, Gary. Appreciate it. Long time no see. Yeah, really. Now, we talked about his investigation of Carlo Gambino before, and he was all over Carlo Gambino, and the Gambino squad even went down to Florida and ran some wires on him or hidden microphone down in Florida. Done. It was a pretty interesting story. So tell the guys a little bit, remind us a little bit about your father and what he was so unusual in that way. He was from Sicily, I believe, and spoke Sicilian, but was also attached to the Top Hoodlum Squad. So tell us about him. Exactly. Well, again, thanks for having me on, Gary. It's an honor to be on your program. You You've got a lot of great information. You've got a lot of mob guys on there. You're killing it on this program. No pun intended. Thank you. We like to kill it. [1:24]Kill it, but not really kill it. Yeah, really. I can't do the crime. I can't do the time. You know what Beretta said. If you can't do the crime, don't do the time. Well, I can't do the time, so I don't really physically kill it. But anyhow, thank you. Well, my pop was Peter C. Clemente, and he was a special agent with the FBI from 1950 to 1976. And in the early part of his career, he was doing security background checks to see if people were trying to get positions in the federal government that were very sensitive and whether they were members of the Communist Party USA and the Socialist Workers Party. So then 1957 comes around and they have the Appalachian mob conclave with all the top mobsters that were there that got together. Many of the big shots were there. Gambino was there,

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Bobby Manna: Genovese Consigliere

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 09:00:37 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins exposes the brutal fall of one of the Mafia’s most calculating figures—Louis “Bobby” Manna, the Genovese consigliere who wielded silent power until a single wiretap changed everything. I have to credit Stephen Popkin for much of the research in this show, thanks, Stephen. From the mobbed-up docks of Bayonne to the smoke-filled offices of Queens Borough Hall, we follow the story of Irwin “The Fat Man” Schiff, a civilian fixer with deep Mafia and political ties. Schiff played both sides—until the feds flipped him. And when Manna found out, it sealed Schiff’s fate. Bobby Manna’s Rise: From the 1950s onward, Manna ran the Genovese family’s New Jersey rackets—extortion, labor corruption, and construction scams. He was quiet, feared, and always in the background—until FBI bugs in Casella’s Restaurant picked up murder plots against Irwin Schiff and even John Gotti. Irwin Schiff’s Double Life: A Jewish outsider in an Italian world, Schiff was the ultimate connector—tying mobsters, politicians, and union bosses together in backroom deals and rigged bids. But when he became a government informant, he became a marked man. The Hit: On August 28, 1987, Schiff was gunned down in a Manhattan restaurant. Three bullets in under ten seconds—“clean, no mistakes,” just like Manna ordered. The killing shocked the city and became the linchpin in a massive RICO case. The Fall of Manna: In 1989, Manna was convicted and sentenced to 80 years in prison. He died a frail old man after being granted compassionate release in 2025—but his downfall was sealed decades earlier, the moment the FBI pressed "record." Highlights of the Episode: 0:06 Introduction to Bobby Manna 1:56 The Rise of a Crime Boss 7:06 The Role of Irwin Schiff 12:24 Corruption in Construction 15:42 Fallout from Political Scandals 19:23 Betrayal and Consequences 24:22 The End of an Era Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. XXXX [0:00] Hey guys, welcome back to Gangland Wire. This is your host, Gary Jenkins, [0:03] retired Kansas City Police Detective Intelligence Unit. And today we're going to dive into a deadly game of wiretaps, whispers, and betrayals and murder. This is the story of Louis Bobby Manna and really what brought him down. He was the feared consigliere of the Genovese crime family. And the one that was going to bring him down was the murder of Irwin, the fat man Schiff. He was a civilian fixer whose mouth got him killed. Now, from the mobbed-up docks in Bayonne to the backroom deals in Queensborough Hall, we'll trace how power was wielded in silence until the tapes started talking. And once they did, they were going to bring down one of the Mafia's most secretive tacticians, that's Bobby Manna. Bobby Manna once held one of the most powerful positions in the American Mafia in the 70s and 80s. He was the consigliere of the Genovese crime family when Gigante was in charge. He was the third in command. He also ran all the family's New Jersey operations, I mean, with some brutal efficiency. And he knew all the underworld's most feared players in the New York City area and that whole area. [1:13] And his influence stretched not only from the piers of Bayonne and the docks and the shipping industry,

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The Mob and the Savings & Loan Scandal

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 09:00:45 +0000

In this eye-opening episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins pulls back the curtain on a lesser-known chapter of American crime history — how the Kansas City mob capitalized on the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s to fuel its criminal empire. Gary takes listeners deep into the shadowy world of Nick Civella, the shrewd Kansas City mob boss whose knack for high-stakes financial deals made him a pivotal figure long after his rise to power in 1957. Discover how Civella leveraged massive loans — including the notorious $62 million from the Teamsters Pension Fund — to help finance Las Vegas casinos like the Stardust, creating opportunities for mobsters like Lefty Rosenthal to skim untold millions from the gaming floors. The episode traces how shifting interest rates and lax lending regulations cracked open the door for organized crime to exploit savings and loan institutions. Gary details how local mobsters compromised bank employees, funneled unsecured loans, and left behind a trail of financial ruin that reverberated far beyond Kansas City. You’ll hear gripping accounts of banks like Shawnee State Bank and Indian Springs State Bank, where insiders turned a blind eye — or worse — to the mob’s schemes. Listeners also meet Anthony Russo, a criminal attorney with deep ties to mob-run banking ventures, and Farhad Azima, a businessman whose name appears in allegations linking financial crime to covert government operations. These tangled connections paint a vivid picture of how the lines between legitimate business, organized crime, and shadowy politics can blur. Through vivid stories and insider knowledge, Gary breaks down how these Kansas City schemes mirrored the nationwide savings and loan crisis that ultimately cost taxpayers billions. From questionable loans backed by worthless assets to the fallout that reshaped the Teamsters Union and federal oversight, this episode reveals how deep the mob’s influence ran — and how fragile the American financial system can be when corruption goes unchecked. Tune in for a fascinating blend of true crime, history, and financial intrigue that exposes how power, money, and organized crime colluded behind the scenes to leave a lasting mark on American society. 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. 💬 Subscribe to Gangland Wire for more stories straight from the front lines of organized crime. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. Chapters 0:04 Introduction to Kansas City Mob 3:03 The Savings and Loan Scandal 5:45 The Shawnee State Bank Scheme 7:19 The Indian Spring State Bank 9:45 Anthony Russo: The Mob Lawyer 12:08 Russo's Legal Troubles 15:23 Global International Airways Connection 18:19 The Arms Smuggling Allegations 21:09 Azima and Russo's Partnership 25:10 Russo’s Goodwill Trip 26:44 The Rental Money Scheme 28:42 The Dunes Hotel Loan 32:16 The Savella Family Indictment 34:10 Conclusion: Mafia and Scandals 35:15 Final Thoughts and Recommendations Transcript Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers, good to be back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective, with another story, and it's going to be about Kansas City, but it's going to be how Kansas City was really, part of the, remember the big savings and loan debacle back in the 80s? Anyhow, we had a piece of that action here in Kansas City.

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The Man Who Ended Allie Boy Persico's Run

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:00:04 +0000

Gary and Mike also explore the uneasy dance between lawmen and mobsters—a world where unexpected moments of mutual respect could coexist with threats of violence. Mike shares stories of face-to-face encounters with figures like Rusty Rastelli of the Bonanno Family, offering rare insights into how respect, fear, and human decency sometimes blurred the lines between hunter and hunted. The episode dives even deeper into the chase for Alphonse “Allie Boy” Persico of the Colombo Family. Mike recounts the painstaking hours of investigation, the calculated street-level work, and the tension that came with tracking a fugitive deeply embedded in a culture of secrecy and retribution. His personal stories illuminate how local knowledge and personal relationships can make or break a case. This conversation crosses borders, too. Mike recalls his work in Sicily, where American and Italian law enforcement collaborated to disrupt crime syndicates that spanned the Atlantic. From tense raids to split-second tactical decisions, these stories reveal the global scope of the mob and the relentless pursuit of those who hunt them. Throughout the episode, Mike doesn’t shy away from the psychological cost of the job, navigating threats from criminal networks while maintaining unbreakable bonds with fellow officers. He reflects on these life-changing experiences in his book, Adapt and Overcome, which he describes as part memoir, part raw look at the human side of life on the front lines of America’s war against organized crime. For true crime fans, mob history buffs, or anyone fascinated by the delicate balance of law enforcement in high-risk territory, this episode is packed with vivid stories and personal reflections that remind us what it truly takes to track—and confront—the mob. 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. 📚 Pick up Mike’s book: Adapt and Overcome 💬 Subscribe to Gangland Wire for more stories straight from the front lines of organized crime. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. [0:00] Well, hey, welcome all you wiretappers out there. It's good to be back here [0:02] in the studio of Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective. And we're going to, you know, we talk about the mafia a lot, and we're going to learn a lot more about the mob, especially the New York City mob with a retired U.S. Marshal, Mike Pizzi. And I know I butchered that a lot, Mike, but come on. I really appreciate you coming on the show. Thank you. Thanks for having me. Well, Mike, I'm going to read you a little review I read on your book. A truly outstanding book not only gives the reader an understanding of what the U.S. Marshal Service does, it also takes you on a journey through its recent history that turned into what it is today. You come away from reading it with a true appreciation of the men and women [0:47] who serve in it. And I'll wholeheartedly agree with that, Mike. And you've got a lot of great stories about mob guys that you had something to do with. So let's start talking about kind of your early, you were raised around the mob. So tell us about that. [1:03] Yep. I was born in Brooklyn and raised in Brooklyn and lived there most of my life. And the house I was born in was one house off the corner of an infamous area known as 13th Avenue. And Sammy the Bull talks about it a lot because he was in a gang that was a little further down the street.

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A Mafia Counterfeit Ring

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 09:00:46 +0000

Hey Wiretappers, listen to my short bonus episode. I'm looking for mob fans to read the first half of a memoir about my life, which is partly about being a cop and mostly about the Civella Spero War. Email me at ganglandwire@gmail.com and I'll send you a pdf to read. It's about 22,000 words. Once it's done, I'll send you a copy This week, we journey back to the early 1900s—a time when the first wave of Sicilian immigrants brought more than just dreams of opportunity to America. They also brought with them an age-old criminal code that would lay the foundation for the American Mafia as we know it. Our story begins with the Mustache Petes—those old-world mafiosi who preyed on their own immigrant communities through intimidation, extortion, and a cunning knack for organized crime. One of their earliest rackets? Counterfeiting. 💵 A Nationwide Web of Fake Money In 1901, the Secret Service—then the only federal law enforcement agency with a national reach—uncovered a brand-new counterfeit $5 bill in circulation. This was no small operation. The National Iron Bank of Morristown, New Jersey, had unknowingly unleashed a run worth $250,000—millions in today’s money. Agents quickly linked the phony bills to a sophisticated, coast-to-coast counterfeit ring run by Sicilian gang leaders like Ignacio “Lupo the Wolf” Lupo and Giuseppe Morello. These men were more than petty crooks—they were the original godfathers of organized crime in New York City. 🔪 Violence and Betrayal in the Shadows As the Secret Service tracked counterfeiters from Yonkers to Pittsburgh to San Francisco, they met ruthless opposition. Notorious mobsters like Vito Catone didn’t hesitate to attack federal agents. One desperate fugitive even tried to escape by lunging at agents with a knife, fleeing through a rail yard, and getting knocked down by bricks thrown from a moving train. Law enforcement, often under-armed and outnumbered, were up against killers willing to silence anyone in their way. 🩸 The Barrel Murder This bloody saga culminated in one of the earliest and most chilling mob murders on record: the infamous Barrel Murder of 1903. When a New York City woman stumbled upon a barrel with a nearly decapitated body inside, investigators connected the corpse to the Morello gang’s counterfeiting operation. The victim, Benedetto Madonia, had apparently been lured to New York to help secure legal fees for his jailed brother-in-law, Giuseppe DiPrimo—only to be betrayed and butchered by the very men he’d come to help. 🕵️ Secret Service Stings and Underworld Justice The Secret Service made arrests and even staged elaborate stings, using marked bills and informants to infiltrate the gang. But corruption, fear, and an underdeveloped justice system left many ringleaders untouched. One killer, Tomasso “Petto the Ox,” was freed despite damning evidence, only to be gunned down years later in a revenge hit that many believe was ordered by DiPrimo himself after his release from prison. 🔗 A Blueprint for the Mafia to Come These early black handers and Mustache Petes were rough drafts of the organized syndicates that would soon flourish under Prohibition. Counterfeiting required a clear chain of command, trusted lieutenants, and loyal foot soldiers—known back then as “queer pushers” who spread the fake bills far and wide. In many ways, it was a proving ground for the hierarchy that would one day run America’s underworld. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. [0:00] Well, hey,

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The Murder of Teddy Deegan and the FBI

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 09:00:30 +0000

In this gripping episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins unravels one of the most damning scandals in FBI history—a chilling story of corruption, betrayal, and a sanctioned murder that would stain the Bureau’s legacy for decades. Gary examines the sinister role played by FBI agent H. Paul Rico in the 1965 murder of Teddy Deegan. You’ll hear how, back in October 1964, Rico learned Deegan had been marked for a mob hit—yet the Bureau did nothing. Why? Because the killers were protected informants. Gary breaks down how the FBI built its case on the false testimony of mob informant Joe Barboza. Instead of stopping the murder plot, the Bureau sat on exculpatory evidence and let Barboza’s lies send Louis Greco, Henry Tamaleo, Peter Limone, and Joe Salvati to prison—two of them to death row. The FBI’s Informant Obsession: The Bureau’s relentless protection of violent informants like Barboza and Vincent “Jimmy the Bear” Flemmi reveals how an obsession with “winning” overshadowed basic justice. The Justice Department’s own admission in 2000 that they knew the real killers exposes just how far the corruption ran. From Cover-Up to Vindication: Follow the twisted timeline of the Deegan murder, the courtroom betrayals, and the decades-long fight to clear the names of the wrongfully convicted. Gary explores the human cost of a system that chose loyalty to informants over the truth. Why This Story Matters: This episode forces listeners to confront a haunting truth: when law enforcement trades integrity for convenience, innocent lives pay the price. Gary challenges you to rethink the myth of the Bureau’s infallibility—and to remember the names of the men who spent their lives behind bars for a crime they didn’t commit. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there, good to be back here in the studio. This is Gary Jenkins, former Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective. I've seen a lot of things in my life, and I just heard something in that interview I just did with Detective Mike Huff from Tulsa that I had never heard before. [0:18] I mean, I've heard a lot of corruption things, but this one, it just went beyond the pale, especially there at the end where he said that this H. Paul Rico asked him about his kids and how old his kids were. That was like, you know, and I, you know, I talked with that guy long enough to know that he wasn't lying. You know, he wasn't making that up. That was, it was just beyond the pale, if you ask me. But today's episode is going to be a little bit more about H. Paul Rico and a dark chapter in the FBI history. Now, this is before John Connolly and the Whitey Bulger cover-up and all that. H. Paul Rico was the agent that really broke in Connolly, I think, and taught him the ropes. He was a slick FBI agent that had all the informants, that always had the inside track on everything, knew where the deals were. And so let's talk a little more about this one incident that we glossed over in that interview with Mike Huff about the murder of the Roger Wheeler down in Tulsa at the golf course, the Southern Hills Golf Tournament. [1:30] And it was all over control of Jai alai, all the money that came out of Jai alai. This thing, it just, it was a web of deceit that reached into the highest levels of federal law enforcement, as you could tell from what Mr. Huff was saying. [1:44] And so I'm going to tell you the story of t...

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Paul Rico: Crooked Agent Gets His Due

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 09:00:06 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Tulsa homicide detective Mike Huff joins host Gary Jenkins to break down one of the most shocking mob hits in U.S. history. Det. Huff tells about the 1981 murder of businessman Roger Wheeler at Southern Hills Country Club and the investigation that ended in the arrest of Boston F.B.I. agent Paul Rico. You can learn more about this story by reading Mike's book, Killing My Father: The Inside Story of the Biggest FBI Corruption Scandal in History. What started as a local homicide case quickly unraveled into a national organized crime conspiracy involving Florida Jai Alai gambling, the Winter Hill Gang, and notorious Boston mob boss Whitey Bulger. Huff shares how he uncovered links to FBI corruption, the Dixie Mafia, and hitman John Martorano, who eventually confessed to the killing. Huff also opens up about working with Roger Wheeler’s son, David, the emotional toll of the investigation, and how their joint efforts finally exposed the truth. His book Killing My Father reveals even more about this decades-long fight for justice. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers, good to be back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. I have another former cop, a retired copper from not too far away from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and he has a heck of a story. He's written a book about it, but it's a heck of a story. Down in Tulsa, Oklahoma, they've got a mob murderer. Well, now, mob murders don't just go down every day in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and it's a really interesting story that ties clear back to to the highlight business down in florida to the winter hill gang in uh boston massachusetts uh to whitey bulger really and and a hit man named john moderano and to a one of the infamous corrupt fbi agents out of boston you know they seem to have had a problem in the boston fbi for a period of years there and a couple three of their guys end up going to jail uh over probably being a little bit overly uh that they forgot where the line was it looks to me like but anyhow it was uh it's a retired detective mike huff welcome mike, Well, hey, welcome to U2. Thank you for doing this. All right, Mike. Now, tell us a little bit about your career. You know, how did you come up through the ranks in Tulsa PD? Well, I started in January of 1975. [1:20] I got promoted to a detective in 1980. I didn't much like it. It wasn't enough action. I had a good career on the street. But I like my supervisor a lot. So I stuck with this being a detective. [1:39] In May of 81, May 27th, you know, I just got to work. I was checking on a guy that I had shot three weeks earlier who was in intensive care. We're just sitting there and we're talking about we're going to eat supper. And I was on the phone with the hospital. Checking on this guy's condition, and police radio came on and said, we need all the homicide detectives to head out to Southern Hills Country Club on a shooting. I guess 5-0s that night, you know, we hit it out there, and, you know, Southern Hills, even at that time, before a lot of all the major golf tournaments they've since had, was a very, well, it was the kind of place that I wasn't familiar with. [2:34] Everybody with money was part of that country club, and I wasn't one of that crowd. There's a middle-aged man swamped over in a seated car. He'd been shot between the eyes. It was a little bit foreign to me. You know, I'd been a homicide detective for a year and had been to a good bunch of homicid...

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Gotti and Jimmy McBratney

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 09:00:21 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, I pull back the veil on one of the most pivotal moments in John Gotti's rise through the ranks of the Gambino crime family—the 1973 murder of Jimmy McBratney. As a retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective, I bring a lawman’s eye to the tangled web of revenge, power plays, and myth-making that surrounds this infamous hit. We start with the murky legend: that Gotti made his bones by taking out McBratney, earning Carlo Gambino’s favor. But like many mob stories, the truth is far more layered. I examine the wave of underworld kidnappings gripping New York in the early '70s, led by Eddie Maloney and his gang, who impersonated cops to abduct mobsters for ransom. Caught in that chaos was Jimmy McBratney—an Irish tough guy with a soft side, a devoted father who hoped to leave the life behind. Through Maloney’s own words, I draw a portrait of McBratney as more than a casualty of mob politics. We explore his role in the kidnapping racket, the deadly fallout from a botched grab, and the inevitable spiral toward vengeance that would seal his fate. This episode also delves into the mysterious death of Manny Gambino, nephew of the boss, and how his murder—whether linked to McBratney or not—helped fuel a narrative that demanded retribution. Was Gotti the hand of that justice? Or was the story reshaped later to burnish his legend? We follow the footsteps of NYPD Detective Raymond Taylor and the team that tracked Gotti down. Their investigation, pieced together from reluctant witnesses and underworld whispers, ultimately cracked open the case—and helped launch the myth of the "Teflon Don." In the end, this story is more than just a mob hit. It's a study in blurred lines—between law and lore, loyalty and survival. Through wiretaps, memoirs, and police reports, I unravel a tale that speaks to the human cost of life in the shadows—and the power of a story to outlive the truth. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. Transcript [0:00] Well, hey guys, welcome back to the show. This is Gary Jenkins, [0:02] retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective. Well, I have a story about John Gotti and how he made his bones with the murder of Jimmy McBratney and that whole backstory behind that. It seems like with most mob stuff, there's two or three different stories about it. You know, we just have to go with people's memories, but yet mob guys will throw out different stories and, you know, in order to maybe throw the cops off or the agents off. And so you never really know exactly, but you just have to go to the sources of each of these stories and work it back from there. So I'm going to tell you these different stories, and you let me know what you think happened here. You know, the story is he made his bones by killing this Jimmy McBratney and got the respect of Carlo Gambino, which, you know, is mob lore now. Now, in the early 1970s, there was a series of kidnappings of New York City wise guys. and there's a book out there called tough guy the true story of crazy Eddie Maloney and this book Maloney. [1:05] Discusses in detail some of these kidnappings that he and his gang were involved with and Jimmy McBratney was part of this gang. The two men had met when they were incarcerated at Greenhaven State Prison in New York and they became close friends. [1:20] Maloney in the book describes McBratney as a devoted family man who stood six foot three, weighed 250 pounds,

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Boston Crime Stories

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 09:00:04 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins sits down with author Daniel Zimmerman, whose investigative works dive deep into the dark corners of Boston's organized crime world. Zimmerman has written two gripping true crime books that reveal the raw and often tragic realities of life on the fringe of the Mafia. He recounts his research for his book, Shots in the Dark, which led him to an informal meeting with former New England boss Peter Limone. His first book, Shots in the Dark, tells the harrowing tale of Rocco Anthony Balliro, a Boston mob associate whose desperate and poorly planned rescue mission turned into a deadly shootout. Believing he was storming into danger to help a friend, Rocco unknowingly walked into an ambush set by Boston police. When the smoke cleared, the cost was unimaginable—his girlfriend and her young son lay dead. Zimmerman takes us behind the headlines, exposing the chaos, confusion, and heartbreak of that fateful night. Zimmerman’s second book, Chasson’s Run: The Prison Break That Captivated America and the Love Story That Fueled It, shifts focus to one of Boston’s most violent and manipulative criminals. This is the story of a man so dangerous, yet so persuasive, that he convinced a woman to help him escape from the infamous Walpole State Prison. It’s a tale of charm, obsession, and reckless loyalty—set against the backdrop of one of the most dramatic prison breaks in U.S. history. Join us as Daniel Zimmerman unpacks these explosive stories and reflects on the twisted loyalties, romantic delusions, and violent consequences that define Boston's mob lore. Click here to see Dan's books on Amazon. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. transcript [0:00] Hey, welcome all you wiretappers. Good to be back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. I have today Daniel Zimmerman, a little bit different sort of a story. Now, he has another book a lot of you guys might be a little more interested in. We're going to talk about that just a little bit. But the main book we're going to look at is Chasson's Run. I think I pronounced that right, Daniel. It's actually Chasson. Chasson's Run. Chasing somebody, which kind of fits the picture here. I think it's a story that, well, Daniel Zimmerman, welcome. I really appreciate you coming on. Well, thank you. I appreciate you having me for this talk. Yeah. Now, Daniel, tell the guys a little bit about yourself. So tell the guys a little bit about your story. Well, oddly enough, I am a newspaper writer, but not the type you would think. I've been writing for over 25 years now, actually, a column or columns for local newspapers. And I cover, of all things, high school sports. I go out to area high schools. I watch the games. I take notes, take interviews, grab comments from players [1:00] and coaches, go home and write it. And a couple of days later, it's in the newspaper. Is that in the Boston area? Yes. Great Boston area. 25 years I've been doing it. You know, it's funny you say that because I did a library presentation for my first book. And one of the questions in the audience from a woman was, how do I translate writing high school sports into writing mob books? Yeah. And I told her, you know, there's two aspects of both. You have to, number one, be able to research, find out information. [1:29] Keep track of information, and be able to do an interview with your subjects. And in this case, it would be athletes and coaches. On the book writing side,

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A Rhode Island Mob Story

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 09:00:10 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins welcomes Anthony Pesare, a retired Rhode Island State Police Intelligence officer turned crime novelist. Gary and Anthony dive into the notorious Providence neighborhood of Federal Hill, a hotbed of mob activity. Anthony offers first-hand stories of surveillance, navigating tight-knit communities, and the challenge of identifying criminals who blend seamlessly into everyday life. He based his recent true-crime novel, They Always Win, on the exploits of Frank “Bobo” Marrapese Jr., a member of the New England Mafia Family led by Raymond Patriarca in the Federal Hill neighborhood. Anthony also wrote Back in the Game in his series on Gino Peterson, a Rhode Island State trooper investigating organized crime. He recounts one of his most notable cases involving a coin shop owner named Stephen Saccoccia, who orchestrated a sophisticated multimillion-dollar money laundering scheme using “Smurfs” to move drug money back to Colombia. When a low-level Providence area mobster tried to move in and extract a tribute, Saccoccia made one phone call, and the guy backed off. It’s a fascinating look into how organized crime adapts and evades detection. After retiring from law enforcement, Anthony served as a professor and dean at Roger Williams University before returning to police work as the Chief of Police in Middletown, Rhode Island. These experiences further enriched his understanding of police culture—something he brings vividly to life in his fiction. His debut novel, They Always Win, features Detective Gino Peterson, a character shaped by Anthony’s real-world insights. Through Gino, Anthony explores themes like addiction, loyalty, and psychological strain—pressures many officers face behind the badge. The novel includes storylines inspired by the murder of mob figure Richard “Dickey” Calley, with confidential informants and witness protection playing key roles in the investigation. Gary and Anthony’s conversation blends crime history, insider law enforcement tales, and the craft of crime fiction. They reflect on the bonds between officers, the emotional toll of the job, and the blurred lines between fact and fiction when writing from experience. Don’t miss this episode if you're fascinated by mob history, police intelligence work, or how real investigations can fuel gripping crime novels. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers, it's good to be back here in studio on Gangland Wire. I have a man today who has a career somewhat similar to mine. He was with the Rhode Island State Police Intelligence Unit, Anthony Passare. Anthony, welcome. Thank you very much. It's a pleasure to be here. Thanks for the invitation. Love to talk about this stuff with you. Yeah, this has got to be fun, guys. It's going to be fun. I always like having these ex-intelligence unit mob cops on here because we have so much in common. It's like, you know, it's like we work together almost, but yet in different parts of the country. Now, Anthony is writing some books right now. He's turned a lot of his old experiences into fictional books with a fictional detective, but it's all based on real events. We'll talk about those books a little bit more later on. Anthony, you served, you were a college dean or a college professor, and you became a chief of police, and now you're writing novels. So tell the guys a little bit about your basic history. [0:59] Sure.

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Behind the Walls: Dave Grosky on Life inside with Chicago's Jerry Scalise

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 09:30:18 +0000

In this revealing episode of Gangland Wire, retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins sits down with Dave Grosky, a man who spent over a decade inside federal prisons—and came out with a story unlike any other. From FCI Loretto to Morgantown to Milan, Dave’s journey through the prison system introduced him to a cast of characters that included notorious organized crime figures—none more compelling than Chicago mobster Jerry Scalise. Dave opens up about the realities of prison life, shattering the myth of so-called "white-collar prisons." He recalls how he started off flying under the radar, eventually becoming the go-to jailhouse lawyer who helped fellow inmates with their legal battles. His insider knowledge of the prison legal system offers rare insights into the inner workings of federal institutions and the complex struggles inmates face daily. The heart of this episode centers on Dave’s six-year friendship with Jerry Scalise, a former Chicago Outfit member and mastermind behind high-profile heists—including the infamous Graff Jewelry store robbery in London. Dave paints a surprising portrait of Scalise, describing him as intelligent, generous, and deeply respected behind bars. Despite Jerry’s criminal history, his actions inside prison—mentoring others, offering legal guidance, and preparing inmates for life after release—reveal a more nuanced, human side of the mobster. We also revisit some of Jerry’s most notorious exploits, including the legendary Marlboro Diamond heist. The fate of that diamond still remains a mystery, and Dave offers a few tongue-in-cheek theories of where it might be hiding today. Beyond the stories of crime and camaraderie, Dave speaks candidly about the psychological toll of long-term incarceration and the steep challenges of reentering society—especially in a post-pandemic world. His reflections reveal a broken system where few resources exist to support real rehabilitation, leaving many former inmates at risk of falling back into old patterns. This episode offers more than just mob tales and prison anecdotes—it’s a raw, thought-provoking look at crime, punishment, and the long road to redemption. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers, good to be back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. You know, this is retired Kansas City Police Detective, Intelligence Unit Detective, I should add that, Gary Jenkins. A lot of y'all already know me, and if you don't, that's who I am. And I have a man here on the Zoom call that Dave Grosky, that Dave spent time with Jerry Scalise. He got a hold of me through LinkedIn, and he said, hey, I was in the penitentiary with Jerry Scalise, and he's a good guy. And I said, yeah, I'd love to tell his story. I said, can you get him to get on my show? Well, they can't get him to get on my show because I know Jerry's out and he's somewhere. I don't know where he is. I think he's in Chicago, but I don't know. And his old rap partner, Art Rachel's out. And Dave has met both those guys and other mob guys because he was in penitentiary with several of them. So Dave, welcome. I really appreciate you responding on the LinkedIn. Well, Gary, it's a pleasure. And, uh, yeah, I mean, I, uh, I was, uh, in several federal prisons for almost 11 years. I began at FCI Loretto in 2008 and there, there were some Gambinos and a variety of mob guys. I never really got to know them there. Well, I was, you know, I was new to prison, so I was really keeping quiet.

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The Smaldone Family: Denver’s Hidden Mafia Legacy

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 09:00:17 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins takes listeners deep into a lesser-known corner of American mob history—Denver, Colorado. While most think of Denver as a gateway to the Rockies and a hub for skiing, few realize it also served as the long-standing stronghold of the Smaldone crime family. Gary uncovers the roots of organized crime in southern Colorado, beginning in Pueblo, where early mobster James Coletti, a one-time associate of the Bonanno crime family, helped lay the foundation. He and the infamous Carlino brothers, including Pete Carlino—dubbed the "Al Capone of Southern Colorado"—dominated bootlegging during Prohibition and attempted to expand northward. But peace efforts failed, and bloody gang wars soon erupted, culminating in drive-by shootings, betrayal, and ultimately murder. From there, the story shifts to Joe Roma, Denver’s would-be peacemaker and one-time crime boss, whose 1933 assassination created a power vacuum. Into that void stepped the Smaldone brothers—Clyde (“Flip Flop”), Eugene (“Checkers”), and Clarence (“Chauncey”)—who would dominate Denver’s underworld from the 1940s through the 1980s. Their North Denver restaurant, Gaetano’s, became both a community staple and a notorious mob hangout. Gary details the family’s criminal enterprises, from gambling, loan sharking, and bootlegging to jury tampering and racketeering, including the high-profile 1953 gambling raid that brought federal heat. But the Smaldones weren’t just feared—they were admired by many locals for their generosity, community involvement, and quiet acts of charity. They donated to orphanages, covered college tuition, and ensured no one in the neighborhood went hungry, blurring the line between gangster and good neighbor. The episode also explores the Smaldones’ national connections, including partnerships with mob bosses in St. Louis, Detroit, and Chicago. Gary breaks down their Las Vegas Riviera Casino skim, in collaboration with Anthony Giordano, and how FBI wiretaps and surveillance exposed their involvement in one of the Mafia’s most lucrative rackets. Figures like “Fat Willie” Villano, a nephew of Checkers, handled casino marker collections, sometimes doubling as muscle for overdue debts. As always, Gary brings a thoughtful and grounded perspective, asking: Were the Smaldones cold-blooded criminals or Robin Hood-style community protectors? The truth lies somewhere in between. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. Transcript In this episode, I delve deep into the intriguing world of organized crime in Denver, Colorado, a city not typically associated with mob activities. The focus of my research centers around the Small Dome family, who dominated the organized crime scene for several decades. Many listeners are surprised to learn that organized crime had roots in Denver, often overshadowed by its reputation as a skiing and outdoor paradise. But as we explore the historical timeline, we uncover how mob influence permeated this seemingly tranquil landscape. To kick off the narrative, I introduce the criminal origins in southern Colorado with figures like James Coletti, who made his reputation in Pueblo during the late 1950s. We examine Coletti's ties to the Bonanno family and his subsequent move to Pueblo, where he became embroiled in local organized crime. The podcast elaborates on key players like Pete Carlino, dubbed the "Al Capone of Southern Colorado,

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From Homicide to Hollywood: Det. Don Tabak’s Journey

Mon, 26 May 2025 09:00:36 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins welcomes a special guest—Don Tabak, a former LAPD homicide detective whose life story bridges the world of real crime and creative storytelling. With decades on the force, Det. Don Tabak shares the emotional and technical complexities of working on some of Los Angeles’s most brutal homicide cases. He recounts haunting moments from the field, including a harrowing investigation involving a kidnapped woman who miraculously survived an attempted murder. Don walks us through the steps that led to justice—and the toll that work takes on those who pursue it. After retiring from law enforcement, Don founded a private investigation firm that defends police officers and municipalities. However, his career took a surprising turn when a Hollywood producer approached him about adapting his real-life cases. That partnership gave rise to The Wiggle Room—an interactive crime-solving experience where audiences step into the role of investigator, uncover clues, and solve cases rooted in reality. It’s part thriller, part education, and all authentic. The conversation also touches on Don’s take on the O.J. Simpson case, offering an insider’s look at how public pressure and procedural missteps shaped one of the most infamous trials in American history. He explains the razor-thin margin between justice and error, and why evidence integrity remains a detective’s most crucial tool. Finally, Don Tebak unpacks the psychology behind effective interrogation, revealing how detectives walk the fine line between coaxing out the truth and understanding the emotional terrain of a suspect’s mind. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, welcome, all you wiretappers. Good to be back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. I have a little different sort of a show for you today. We're not going to go down that path of organized crime. You probably get tired of that anyhow. And what I found, I found another retired copper named Don Tabak from L.A. Who's got in the entertainment business, just like yours truly. I guess I'm in the entertainment business. I'm in the entertainment hobby, as I just told Don. But, you know, anyhow, guys, welcome Don Tabak from LAPD. Hey, Gary, good to be here. Nice to meet you. Great, man. You got a good voice. You got a voice for radio. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Thank God. I have a good voice for radio, too. [0:40] Tell us what you're doing when you're retirement. Well, I opened up a private investigations business, Gary, when I left. And I primarily do police officer and municipality defense for critical incidents. So a lot of the things that happen across the country. After the fact, the lawsuit is filed, I'll be brought in to re-interview witnesses, talk to the officers, and try to mitigate what's going on with the lawsuit. And if the officer is in trouble with that as well, we'll represent the officer to try to make sure that we hopefully can clear him of any wrongdoing. You also, now how'd you get involved with this media business, the TV business? I got contacted throughout my career because of LA and some of the cases that we've handled in the past. It's media-friendly between law enforcement. So when I left about five years ago, A producer who had known a friend of mine had given this guy my name about, yeah, Don's had some unusual cases and worked this and that and whatever. And he called and we put together a couple of things that he wanted to try to ...

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Little Vic and the Great Mafia War with Larry McShane

Mon, 19 May 2025 09:00:44 +0000

In this gripping episode of Gangland Wire, retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins welcomes back veteran crime journalist and mob historian Larry McShane to discuss his latest book, Little Vic and the Great Mafia War. Together, they dive deep into the violent and chaotic period known as the Third Colombo War—a brutal internal conflict that nearly tore the Colombo crime family apart. Larry offers exclusive insights from his research, including rare interviews with Andrew Arena, one of the five sons of Victor "Little Vic" Orena, the acting boss at the center of the war. These firsthand accounts reveal the deeply personal toll the Mafia war inflicted on the Arena family and expose the raw emotions behind the headlines. Gary and Larry revisit the key flashpoints of the conflict, including the botched assassination attempt on Orena. On June 20, 1991, A five-man hit team waited in a car outside the Long Island home of Victor Orena, the acting crime boss of the Colombo crime family. Orena recognized the vehicle—and managed to escape with his lifethe bloody street warfare that followed. We explore the complex dynamics between longtime boss Carmine Persico, rising star John Gotti, and powerful enforcer Greg Scarpa—whose shadowy relationship with the FBI cast a dark cloud over the entire war. The conversation also tackles the shifting nature of mob alliances, how loyalty turned lethal, and how the RICO prosecutions of the early 1990s reshaped the Mafia’s grip on New York. As the war’s body count climbed, so too did its consequences—both for the Colombo family and the broader underworld. Don’t miss this deep-dive into one of the most explosive chapters in Mafia history. And be sure to pick up Larry McShane’s Little Vic and the Great Mafia War for an even more detailed look at the treachery, violence, and fallout of the Colombo civil war. Click here to get Larry's book Little Vic and the Great Mafia War. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. You know, this is retired Detective Gary Jenkins from the Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit. And I have a man on the line right now, as you can see. Now, we couldn't get the video. I apologize for that. We couldn't get the video. So you got a picture. I mean, I'll have other pictures in there, but he's got a heck of a story. He's a mob author, a well-known mob author from New York. He was on the show before, and we talked about Vincent the Chin Gigante. He wrote Chin, The Life and Crimes of Mafia Boss Vincent Gigante. And Larry McShane also wrote Last Dawn Standing, The Secret Life of Mob Boss Ralph Natal. So welcome, Larry. I'm really happy to have you back on the show. Oh, I'm happy to come back. Thanks so much for asking. All right. So you have written this book. Really, it's about the Third Columbo War. Would you say that's what this book was about? Well, yeah, the third Columbo war is kind of the centerpiece of the whole thing. And then, you know, later in the book, we get on to some other things. [1:07] Legal things, what happened to the arenas and that sort of thing. But, yeah, it's it's a mob war book. What this is, is the title is Little Vic and the Great Mafia War. And, you know, these, these Columbo's, I tell you what, this, they coined, they must've coined the phrase going to the mattresses because the entire community. Span of the colombo family both before joe died there was killed and and up until the e...

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Pete Rose: Baseball Legend, Gambling Scandal, and Mob Ties

Fri, 16 May 2025 09:00:07 +0000

In this special episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins takes a deep dive into the life, career, and controversy surrounding Pete Rose, the legendary Major League Baseball icon who recently passed away at 83. Known as “Charlie Hustle,” Rose’s name is forever etched in baseball history with franchise records in games played, hits, and runs scored—primarily during his storied tenure with the Cincinnati Reds. Gary reflects on Rose’s gritty, high-energy playing style, recalling key moments like his controversial performance in the 1980 World Series, a memory that holds special weight for Kansas City fans. But Rose's career wasn’t just about records and accolades—it was also marked by one of the most notorious scandals in sports history. This episode tackles the darker side of Rose’s legacy: his gambling addiction. Gary explores how Rose’s betting habits led him into dangerous territory, including associations with mob-connected bookies, mounting debts, and investigations that eventually culminated in the damning Dowd Report. With evidence linking his bets directly to baseball games—including some he played in—Rose’s choices ultimately cost him his place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Listeners will hear a detailed breakdown of Rose’s gambling spiraled out of control, the organized crime figures behind his wagers, and the broader integrity implications for the sport. Gary shares his perspective on the ongoing debate: Should Pete Rose be reinstated, or does the scandal outweigh his accomplishments? Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there, there's that little special extra for you guys. Because of the passing of Pete Rose, former MLB star, I want to talk about what happened to him. He died of natural causes last week at age 83. You know, this guy was a hell of a ballplayer. I'm sure most, I think everybody should know who he is, but if you don't, I'm going to tell you a little bit about him. He mainly played with the Cincinnati Reds. He also played with the Phillies and maybe the Expos for a short period of time, but mainly the Phillies and the Reds. He set Cincinnati Reds franchise records like you couldn't believe, and he became the face of the Reds. After he retired from baseball, he became the Reds' manager for a period of time. We remember him pretty well in Kansas City because he played for the Phillies in 1980, and they beat us in the seventh game of the 80s series. He's a Cincinnati native, and he was the all-time leader for the Cincinnati Reds in games played, 2,722, played appearances, 12,344. [1:08] Runs scored, 1,741, hits, 3,358, singles, 2,490, doubles, 601, and walks, 1,210. I guess he wasn't a big home run hitter, but anyhow, he was a hell of a player. Plus, defensively, he was magnificent. He was hustling all the time. And his whole career, he had 4,256 hits. Now, anybody that goes over 4,000 hits is a pretty big deal in baseball. He was a hustler like you couldn't believe, both on the field and off the field. You know, once early in his career, he drew a lot of criticism for taking out a catcher in an all-star game when, you know, there's nothing at stake there. But he is blasted home, and the ball beats him home, and he just takes out that catcher. He played with complete abandon, if you ever remember seeing him play. [2:05] But he had an Achilles heel, and that's why we're here today. He was either a gambling addict, or at the very least, he wanted to gamble on sports so bad that he r...

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The Kansas City Narcotics Syndicate

Mon, 12 May 2025 09:00:35 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary and retired FBI agent and mafia historian Bill Ouseley discuss the creation of the Kansas City Narcotics Syndicate, which emerged during the prohibition era as local mobsters adapted to the loss of revenue from bootlegging. The conversation explores how the organization capitalized on international trade routes—from Turkey to Sicily, France, Canada, and the U.S.—that were central to drug trafficking operations, including the infamous French Connection. Bill provides insights into the efforts led by Harry Anslinger, then-director of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, to combat these syndicates. Despite Anslinger's tenacity, the Italian-Sicilian Mafia managed to turn narcotics into a lucrative enterprise. Kansas City played a significant role in this operation, with mob figures like Joe and Frank DeLuca orchestrating the drug trade as a formal, business-like entity. Tune in to learn about the federal crackdown, spearheaded by local narcotics agents, which ultimately disrupted this shadowy chapter of organized crime history. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. So anyhow. Well, anyhow, that's a, that was a little aside folks. Uh, we're gonna talk about the Narcotic Syndicate in Kansas City as an example. We got you up to, you know, creating this, uh, uh. Organization to, to fight these narcotics organizations. And, and they were developed with international connections and, and trade routes from Turkey to Sicily to maybe France, uh, um, Canada to the United States. I believe that's the way the French connection kinda was, uh, part of their operation was through Canada, but part of it was directly from Marsai into, uh. To, uh, the port in New York City. And so, but Kansas City had a big piece of that. So, bill, let's talk a little bit about, you know, Harry Anslinger and the Yeah. Early narcotics, uh, uh, bureau and, and fighting, you know, these specific mafia gangs here in Kansas City. Bill: Anslinger is director of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics is going after. The, uh, trade routes. Of course, [00:01:00] they got narcotics agents in the various cities. They're establishing what's going on abroad. And at the same time, the uh, Italian Sicilian group, which is organized into what we call Cora, they're dipping their fingers into the drugs and making it a major operation. Anslinger, uh, his organization is truly the only one, I mean. Some local police departments, uh, uh, were involved certainly, but uh, on a federal basis they were the main stay. So, uh, while, while he's in working, the mob is working, you know, and Anslinger job is getting harder as they get better. What happened in Kansas City is our organization that consolidated during prohibition, seeing the end of prohibition, uh, the powers to be, uh, decide that losing [00:02:00] alcohol. They would replace it by going big time into a drug operation, and it was called the Kansas City Narcotics Syndicate. Our narcotics agent here, who was instrumental in, uh, breaking it up. Uh, he had another name for it, I forget right now, but it was like a, uh, subsidiary of the mob, which is what it was. They appointed one of the original founders of the organization, a guy named Joe DeLuca, and he was given the, uh, job. Of putting this together, he and his brother Frank, they put it together on a ba a criminal, I mean, on a business basis. Uh,

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The Mob and Narcotics: A Troubled History

Mon, 05 May 2025 09:00:02 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, Gary Jenkins sits down with retired FBI agent and organized crime historian Bill Ouseley for a deep dive into the Mob’s transition from bootlegging during Prohibition to dominating the narcotics trade. Ouseley, known for his books Open City and Mobsters in Our Midst, shares insights from his years investigating the Kansas City crime family and the Vegas skimming cases. The conversation traces how organized crime evolved after Prohibition, finding new profit in the rising black market for drugs. From the early days when narcotics were sold in pharmacies and corner stores to the complex, international networks run by the Mob, Ouseley explains how organized crime adapted and thrived. Jenkins and Ouseley discuss the rise of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in 1930, the societal shift in attitudes toward drug use, and how policy changes created a perfect storm for the Mob to exploit. Ouseley highlights how figures like Harry Anslinger pushed for punitive drug laws that unintentionally fueled organized crime, and how the government’s focus on punishment over treatment helped entrench addiction and criminal networks. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. 3:20 The Rise of Narcotics in the Mob 5:22 Early Drug Regulation and Public Response 8:23 The 1800s: Opium and Society 12:08 Government Approaches to Drug Issues 13:54 The Impact of Prohibition on Narcotics 17:42 Consolidation of Narcotics Operations 24:17 Anslinger and the Federal Response 36:26 Kansas City’s Narcotics History Ahead [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there, it's Gary Jenkins, [0:02] retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective and later sergeant. Welcome to Gangland Wire. I have a friend of mine that I'm interviewing today. You might notice there's not going to be any video with a bunch of images in there. It's FBI agent Bill Ouseley. Bill, he was the case agent for all the skimming from Las Vegas cases from the Kansas City end. We worked with him over the years hand in glove in the intelligence unit. And he's a good guy. He still lives in Kansas City. He's written a couple of books, by the way. He's got Open City, which is the history of the Kansas City mob, starting back in the Black Hand days and going all the way up till about the time he came here in the early 60s. Then he wrote a second book, which is really about his career and all the different cases he worked with additional information about the local Savella family, which would have been the Savella family by the time he got here in the, I think, 1964, maybe. I graduated from high school in 63. [1:02] Today, we're going to talk about the history of the mob and narcotics. You know, it's all a much-discussed subject that whether they approve of them dealing in narcotics. You know, they do on the QT, they do in different ways. They invest money, maybe loan money and high rates of interest, if you will, to narcotics dealers or some of them, you know, deal directly. You know, the Bonanno family was famous for dealing directly with narcotics. Genovese went to jail for dealing in narcotics. So historically. [1:34] Kansas City, I don't believe Nick Savella really, he did not approve of it. He didn't allow his guys to do it directly. There were some people that were indirectly involved in narcotics. Now, whether they kicked money up or whether they were using their own money or somebody else's money to invest in these narcotics operations,

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Inside a Chicago Mob Family with Kurt Calabrese

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 09:00:25 +0000

In this compelling episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City detective Gary Jenkins sits down with Kurt Calabrese, son of infamous Chicago Outfit enforcer Frank Calabrese Sr. Kurt opens up about what it was like growing up in the shadow of one of the most feared men in organized crime and living through the seismic fallout of the Family Secrets Trial. Kurt shares a deeply personal account of his childhood in Elmwood Park, an Italian-American neighborhood where the surface was peaceful but the undercurrent ran dark. He recalls days spent playing sports and evenings surrounded by neighbors who seemed like family—but behind the closed doors of their three-flat home, fear and control ruled. As the episode unfolds, Kurt discusses the moment he began to understand the truth about their father’s real occupation. Taught to lie and protect the family's image, they told classmates their dad was an engineer—masking a far more dangerous truth. The psychological burden of carrying this secret is a recurring theme in Kurt’s story. Kurt paints a vivid picture of mob family dynamics, the juxtaposition of family life and violence, and the emotional toll of being raised by a man, he both feared and revered. He reveals the lasting impact of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father and how it contributed to his own diagnosis of complex PTSD. Listeners will hear firsthand what living through the Family Secrets Trial was like, a landmark case that exposed the Chicago Outfit’s inner workings. Kurt Calabrese speaks candidly about the threats he and his family faced, the betrayal from his brother Frank Jr.’s cooperation with the FBI, and his complicated relationship with the truth, loyalty, and justice. We also learn about Kurt’s marriage to Angela LaPietra—the granddaughter of another mob figure—and the intense family conflict that followed. From physical altercations with his father to the ripple effects on his children, Kurt doesn’t hold back. Click here for Kurt's website. Finally, Kurt introduces his podcast, Underbelly: Killing Kurt, where he digs deeper into his story to expose the unseen scars left by a life entangled in organized crime. This episode is an emotional and eye-opening exploration of how mob life impacts not just communities but also the families at its core. Kurt Calabrese is not just telling his story—he’s reclaiming it. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! [0:00] Well, hey, welcome all you wiretappers out there. It's good to be back here [0:03] in the studio of Gangland Wire. I have a story today and an interview, as you can see. My interviewee is Kurt Calabrese. Now, Kurt Calabrese is from Chicago and he grew up in a Chicago outfit family. Now, a lot of you guys know, if you're real mob aficionados, you know about the Family Secrets Trial. And his father, Kurt's father, was Frank Calabrese Sr., his brother, Frank Calabrese Jr., who we had on the show several years ago. One of my earliest interviews, actually. And then his uncle, Nick Calabrese, ended up going to Witness Protection Program. And so that's why they called it the Family Secrets Trial, because it was all centered around the Calabrese family. So I really look forward to talking to Kurt. And Kurt, welcome. [0:53] Thank you, Gary. Thank you for having me. So, Kurt, we talked a little bit before the show. And, you know,

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The Mob and Rock and Roll

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 09:00:27 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins interviews the prolific chronicler of the American Mafia, Jeffrey Sussman. Listeners will learn about Morris levy and the mafia's influence on the roots of the world's most important cultural influences, American Rock and Roll. Two of the most important men who influenced the rise of rock and roll were Morris Levy and Alan Freed. Levy had close ties with the Genovese crime family. Levy was the notorious head of the record label Roulette Records. Reportedly, Morris Levy used illicit money from the family to fund his businesses, with several members of the mob said to be present at his meetings. At the time, Freed and other corrupt Disc Jockeys corrupted the entire industry with their "pay for play" of records, which became known as "Payola." Morris Levy terrorized young performers into giving up thier royalities. Meyer Lansky, AKA the “mob’s accountant,” was one of the most successful mafiosos in history and had many investments in jukeboxes. Reportedly, he “controlled every Wurlitzer jukebox in the New York area”. So too, did the Chicago Outfit (who rose to power under Al Capone) have many dealings with Lansky and his jukeboxes. A mob history book, The Outfit, argues that the Wurlitzer Corporation accused Lansky and his Chicago associates of disrupting the distribution of Wurlitzer jukeboxes. The Outfit is also said to have worked closely with Jules Stein, head of the Music Corporation of America. Apparently, Stein, the mob, MCA, and Meyer Lansky had all worked at least in some form with the mob fixer Sidney Korshak, a prominent mafia name in Los Angeles. Click here to get Backbeat Gansters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in Rock Music by Jeffrey Sussman. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here!

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Does Chris Franzblau Really Know the Exact Location of Jimmy Hoffa?

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 09:00:56 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins interviews Chris Franzblau, author of The Last Mob Lawyer. Franzblau represented Meyer Lansky in his deportation hearing, he represented Genovese labor racketeers like Anthony “Tony Pro” Provenzano and Jerry Catena. He knew Jimmy Hoffa very well. Chris shares his remarkable career as a defense attorney for prominent figures in organized crime, offering a firsthand look at the legal battles that have shaped mob history in his book, The Last Mob Lawyer: True Stories from the Man Who Defended Some of the Biggest Names in Organized Crime. The conversation begins with Franzblau’s background—his education at Duke University Law School, service in the Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps, and training in cryptography. He then details his transition from prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office to private practice, coinciding with the federal government's intensified pursuit of La Cosa Nostra under Attorney General Robert Kennedy. A twist of fate led him to represent high-profile mobsters when established defense attorneys left the scene, catapulting him into the world of organized crime defense. Franzblau shares captivating stories of his legal work with infamous figures like labor leader Jerry Catena and Anthony “Tony Pro” Provenzano. He sheds light on mob influence in unions and high-stakes power struggles, including the bitter feud between Anthony “Tony Pro” Provenzano and Jimmy Hoffa. He also discusses the FBI’s controversial surveillance tactics, J. Edgar Hoover’s wiretapping strategies, and how landmark legal battles helped expose the government's overreach in investigating organized crime. Adding to the intrigue, Franzblau touches on the mob’s connections to Hollywood and celebrities, including Frank Sinatra’s complex ties to the underworld. He also offers a compelling story surrounding Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance, hinting at new information that could reshape the narrative. Throughout the episode, Franzblau offers insight into the ethical dilemmas of defending mobsters, debunking the myths that attorneys are complicit in their clients’ activities. He also weighs in on the handling of Teamsters' pension funds, contrasting transparency in his experience with the corruption seen in other cities. This episode is a must-listen for true crime enthusiasts, mafia history buffs, and legal minds alike. Don’t miss Franzblau’s inside stories and deep knowledge of mob history—Click here to grab a copy of The Last Mob Lawyer to dive even deeper into these gripping tales. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] So, hey, welcome all you Wire Tappers. Good to be back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. I have The Last Mob Lawyer. Now, you know, we did a series on mob lawyers, Bruce Cutler and, what's his name, Jerry Nagel and a bunch of those guys. Well, I have Chris Franzblau. Now, he has written a book called The Last Mob Lawyer. And I really, I started looking at his stuff and the promos that his editor put out. And he really has had an interesting career. You know, he did some stuff with Mayor Lansky and around the Hoffa case. And he's got a lot of really interesting stories. So welcome, Chris. I'm really happy to have you on the show. [0:44] Thank you. Good morning. Chris, tell the guys a little bit about, you know, your law school experience and your early pract...

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Genovese Killer Anthony Arillotta and Mob Life

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 09:00:39 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this Gangland Wire Crime Stories episode, Gary Jenkins interviews Anthony Arillotta, author of South End Syndicate: How I Took Over the Genovese Springfield Crew. Arillotta shares his firsthand experiences within organized crime in Springfield, Massachusetts, offering a raw and authentic account of his rise through the ranks. Arillotta discusses the historical roots of the Springfield mob, tracing its ties to the Genovese family in New York. He provides insights into the city’s Italian American community, the evolution of ethnic gangs, and how he was drawn into the criminal underworld despite his family’s legitimate business background. From his early years in gambling and marijuana distribution to his close association with made member Al Bruno, Arillotta details the inner workings of the mob, including the delicate balance between financial success and violence. He sheds light on the mafia's induction ceremony, the betrayals, and the power struggles he faced. He discusses notorious figures like Freddie and Ty Geas and the murder of Whitey Bulger. Beyond the crime, Arillotta reflects on his post-mafia life, his current business ventures—including a wine brand called Pazzo—and his efforts in youth mentorship to steer others away from the path he once followed. Tune in for a gripping conversation that uncovers the realities of life inside the Genovese Springfield crew, the dangers of organized crime, and one man's journey from the underworld to redemption. Get a copy of Anthony's book click here on the title, South End Syndicate: How I Took Over the Genovese Springfield Crew. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there. Good to be back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. I am here with Anthony Arillotta. [0:07] As you guys, if you are on Facebook at all or on YouTube, you may know this name. He has been quite prolific, and he's got a great book out there, and he's got a hell of a story to tell. And he's a really – I just told Anthony, I said, you know, you're a great interview because you know your stuff. And, Anthony, you really do. Welcome, Anthony. Oh, thank you, Gary. Thank you for having me. Looking forward to this. Now, the book is South End Syndicate, How I Took Over the Genovese Springfield Crew. [0:37] And so, you know, I want to read just a little bit about one thing. I'm really impressed with this particular promos for your book, little blurbs that you get other authors to write in your book. T.J. English, who is New York Times bestselling author of The Westies and several others. And I just interviewed him recently, a prince of a fella. And this guy's word means something to me. And T.J. Writes, the last days of the Roman Empire if you were populated by snitches, gamblers, mobsters, lowlifes, and homicidal maniacs. In other words, this book is entertaining as hell, chronicling one small parochial, though notorious, faction of the American mafia in Springfield, Massachusetts. Ariadna tells the story of the whole damn thing. South End Syndicate is a worthy addition to any organized crime bookshelf. So Anthony, that's, that's quite a compliment from a guy like TJ English. Wouldn't you agree? Oh, I agree. Definitely.

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Did Alto Knights Replace the Ravenite?

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 09:00:06 +0000

In this bonus episode of Gangland Wire, I follow up on my interview with Mafia historian Anthony DeStefano to discuss New York City's organized crime more. One of the most significant topics Anthony and I covered was the Alto Nights social club. This was not only the title, but also the central character in the recent Mafia film written by Goodfellas scribe Nicholas Pileggi, who starred Robert De Niro in dual roles. Gary sets the record straight on two pivotal New York crime hangouts—the Ravenite Social Club and the Alto Knights Social Club—which the media frequently confuse. The Ravenite at 247 Mulberry, tied to Carlo Gambino, played a crucial role in his rise to power after Albert Anastasia’s assassination. Meanwhile, the Alto Knights Social Club, at 86 Kenmarre, emerged from the old Cafe Royale, a well-known bookmaking hub, solidifying its place in Genovese family history. Only three blocks separated these clubs, but they were miles apart in Mafia history. Listeners will hear about notorious gangsters who frequented the Alto Knights, including Vito Genovese, Michael Miranda, and infamous enforcer Buster Ardito. Through historical anecdotes and law enforcement surveillance records, this episode paints a vivid picture of mob life—its power struggles, criminal enterprises, and the relentless pursuit by federal authorities. Click the link on Anthony DeStefano's name to see his mob books. Subscribe to get gangster stories weekly Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers. Good to be back here in Studio Gangland Wire. A little bonus episode here. Hopefully, you just listened to or watched my interview with Anthony DeStefano, who had these books about Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, and from which Nick Pileggi researched to write his screenplay for the most recent movie that's just released, Alto Nights, It's a pretty interesting movie. We haven't seen a movie about the mob in the 50s since the 50s or the 60s, I don't think. And they talk about the Alto Knight Social Club. That's what this was all about, the Alto Knight Social Club. It was a Genovese social club. But what I've noticed is there's a lot of discussion about where was this club? And there's a whole school of thought, thanks to the New York Times or another New York newspaper, were obviously conflating the Ravenite Social Club and the Alto Knights Social Club. Two different clubs. So let's look at the Ravenite, which was at 247 Mulberry Street. And what the papers are saying, that the Alto Knights name was changed by Carlo Gambino when he inherited it from Albert Anastasia after he was killed. Barbershop Quartet, if you remember, murdered him in the Barbershare most famous mob photos ever, I think. Bosley Gambino changed it to the Raven Knights, Raven Knights, like, you know. [1:26] Knights with a sword and the raven, because he loved the Edgar Allan Poe poem so much, the one called the Raven, you know, the Raven, quote, the Raven nevermore. Now, it seems kind of weird that Gambino must have been a pretty erudite, sophisticated mob boss. If you read Edgar Allan Poe and poems, you know, I remember it because it's just so immensely popular. It got to, you know, quote the Raven nevermore. It's such a great line that, you know, you've heard of it. I don't think I ever read the whole thing. It's certainly not for fun, maybe in school.

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Anthony DeStefano on Mafia History & Alto Nights

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 09:00:38 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, I sit down with award-winning journalist and Mafia historian Anthony DeStefano to discuss New York City's organized crime. We discuss his meticulous research on New York’s most infamous mobsters and how his background in newspaper journalism has shaped his storytelling. One of the most significant topics we cover is Alto Nights, the highly anticipated Mafia film written by Goodfellas scribe Nicholas Pileggi and starring Robert De Niro in dual roles. Anthony shares how his books Top Hoodlum, which focuses on Frank Costello, and The Deadly Don: Vito Genovese Mafia Boss played a crucial role in Pileggi’s research. He also gives us an inside look at the film’s development, including how real-life mob history is translated to the big screen. We explore the legendary rivalry between Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, diving into their power struggles, assassination attempts, and Costello’s efforts to legitimize himself while staying deeply tied to organized crime. Anthony reveals new details from unseen FBI interviews, shedding light on Costello’s complex underworld dealings. We also discuss Costello’s mentorship under Lucky Luciano, the infamous Manhattan meeting that escalated tensions with Genovese, and how Vincent “Chin” Gigante played an unexpected role in Costello’s fate. Beyond the mobsters, we also examine the women behind the Mafia men, discussing how the personalities of Costello’s and Genovese’s wives influenced their rise and fall. Anthony breaks down the casting choices for Alto Nights and the creative liberties taken to heighten the drama. Finally, we reflect on why the public remains fascinated with Mafia history, from books to films to documentaries. If you love true crime, mob history, and behind-the-scenes Hollywood insights, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Click the link on Anthony DeStefano's name here to see his mob books. Subscribe to gangster stories weekly Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Well, welcome, all you wiretappers out there. Good to be back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. We have a show today with Anthony DeStefano. Now, any of you guys that read my books, and especially about the New York Mafia families, you probably know this name, Anthony DeStefano. And welcome, Anthony. I'm really glad to have you on the show, because you have been a huge contributor to the knowledge base of Mafia history in this country. Welcome. Well, thank you. Thank you for having me, and thank you for that very kind word. You know, I've read some of those books, and you're a good writer. You're like an old newspaper guy, right? [0:38] Well, yeah, I still am. That's right. You still are. You and, well, Nick Pileggiis an old newspaper guy. Larry McShane is a newspaper guy. There's several of you guys in New York that kind of cut your teeth on the mob news, and there's a lot of news there. And speaking of Nick Pileggi, you got involved with this movie that he's written a screenplay for called Alto Knights. It's creating quite a stir among mob fans right now. They're really anxiously waiting for this movie to come out with Robert De Niro playing two parts of [1:13] all things. I don't know how that works, but we'll see when the movie comes out. So how did you get involved with this? I'm sure you know Nick Pileggi and known him for quite a while.

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Did Frank Balistrieri Bomb My Cousin Augie

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 09:00:18 +0000

Gary interviews Mary Spicuzza, an investigative reporter with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who discusses her personal connection to the Milwaukee organized crime landscape through her cousin, Augie Palmisano. Augie was killed in a car bombing in 1978, an event that had a significant impact on Mary’s family, yet was rarely spoken of. Growing up, Mary’s father instilled in her a cautionary respect for organized crime, advising her to avoid falling in with the "wrong crowd." However, this left her with limited understanding of Augie's life and tragic death until she delved into extensive investigative research. Mary chronicles her journey into uncovering the mystery surrounding Augie's murder, citing familial silence and societal stigma against discussing such topics. With Augie being part of the Milwaukee crime family, the Balistrieri Family, his history revealed a world filled with complexity, where he was not just a victim but also an active participant in gambling. Mary emphasizes that Augie ran a bar and was deeply involved in the gambling scene, but he was also a caring figure in his community, known for his generous acts and connections with local residents. This narrative complicates the typical portrayal of organized crime figures and invites listeners to see them as multifaceted individuals rather than solely as criminals. The conversation touches on the broader context of organized crime in the 1970s, detailing how crime families in cities like Milwaukee, Kansas City, and Cleveland interlinked in schemes, particularly the infamous Las Vegas skim operation. Prominent figures like Frank Balistrieri, known as a ruthless mob boss in Milwaukee, are discussed, highlighting the violent measures he allegedly employed to assert his dominance. This included extortion and bombings, methods that claimed lives and instilled fear within the community. Augie's murder was surrounded by speculation; many believed it was due to a refusal to pay tribute or cuts to Balistrieri, who was known for his violent reputation. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Click here to listen to Mary Spicuzza's podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers. Welcome back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. This is retired Sergeant, Kansas City Police Department Intelligence Unit, Gary Jenkins, as you all know. And I have a really interesting show today and really interesting interview. I've not done much on Milwaukee. And you know, Milwaukee really was a part of the cartel, if you will, of Kansas City, Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Chicago that skimmed all that money from Las Vegas. And I've done a little bit on Milwaukee, and I've got one old show where we had a relocated witness from Milwaukee who was here in Kansas City, and we were starting to make a case on him, but then it came out he was a witness, and they sent him on to another city. But today I hear Mary Spicuzza. Mary, welcome. [0:42] Thank you so much for having me. Now, Mary, tell me how I should really pronounce Spicuzza. Well, if you're in Sicily, my family's from Termini Moresi, and I've gone back to visit a few times, and they will say, if they see my name or my passport, they'll say, ah, Maria Caterina Spicuzza. There we go. There we go. So I don't expect you to say that, but it's always lovely this time of year if you want to go and you can practice.

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Who Killed Superman? The Hollywood Moguls

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:00:44 +0000

Gary welcomes back Michael Benson, an author known for his insightful explorations of organized crime and Hollywood history. Benson has collaborated with Frank DiMatteo on several mob-related books, including The Cigar: Carmine Galante and Mafia Hitman, illustrating the intricate ties between criminal enterprises and key figures' personal stories. In Hollywood Moguls: The Lives and Times of Hollywood Film Pioneers Nicholas and Joseph Schenck, Michael documents stories of corruption and mob infiltration and reveals that Craig Reeves, Superman, was murdered and did not commit suicide. As the conversation unfolds, the host and Benson delve into the Skank brothers' encounters with organized crime. They recount how notorious Chicago Outfit extortionists sought to muscle in on the movie theaters by taking over the projectionists' union. The brothers cleverly turned this threat into an opportunity, negotiating a deal that ultimately benefited both sides while ensuring their continued financial success. This anecdote exemplifies the intertwining of crime and commerce during the era, showcasing how the Skank brothers operated in a morally gray space to maintain power. Benson narrates incidents from Hollywood's scandalous past, explicitly focusing on Fatty Arbuckle, one of the Skank brothers' most prominent stars, whose career unraveled due to a notorious scandal in the 1920s. Arbuckle’s involvement in a tragic incident highlighted the dark side of celebrity culture and the lengths to which the Skank brothers went to protect their financial interests, including paying for Arbuckle’s trials. Through Arbuckle's story, the conversation touches on the reputational risks that could derail even the most profitable careers and the measures Hollywood took to manage public relations crises. Click here to buy Michael's book: Hollywood Moguls Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there, it's good to be back here in Studio Gangland Wires. Colder in hell here in Kansas City today, as you can tell by [0:06] the flannel shirt I'm wearing. And I see my guest, Michael Benson, is wearing some more cold weather clothes, too. So anyhow, Michael Benson is our guest today. I've had him on before. He has written several mob books with Frank DiMatteo. I just actually just really read with, in detail, really read through this story of Carmine Galante's cigars. It's really, really a good book. It was kind of interesting to really sit and go through a book, you know, line by line rather than just, you know, going through it real fast is really good. Well-written. And then we got Mafia Hitman by Frank DiMatteo and Michael Benson. That's, that's the story of the guy that really killed Joey Gallo. Not the Irishman. So you got a couple more, I believe. We love Scorsese, but he prefers stories that aren't quite true. And he tells them really well. Yeah. But it's not history. Yeah. And Frank had a kind of a front row seat to a lot of these. You're a co-author. [1:05] He is the authority. Yes. He is. He truly is. He's a good guy too. The first book he wrote about his own father and a lot about that. It's got to be. Well, you know, the deal that he wrote a book called Lion in the Basement. About Joey Gallo and the lion in the basement on President Street. And Gary Goldstein at Kensington Books read it...

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The Sadistic Reign of Mad Sam DeStefano

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 09:00:46 +0000

In this episode, Gary takes a deep dive into the ruthless life of Mad Sam DeStefano, one of the most brutal enforcers in organized crime history. A notorious loan shark tied to the Chicago Outfit, DeStefano’s reputation for violence and torture made him a feared figure—even among his fellow mobsters. Born in 1909 in Illinois, DeStefano’s criminal career began early, leading him from street gangs to the infamous 42 Gang and eventually into the Outfit ranks. His path to power was paved with violence, intimidation, and a sadistic pleasure in collecting debts through extreme methods. From his days as a political fixer to his reign as a feared loan shark, we uncover the chilling techniques he used to maintain control, including stories of his soundproof torture chamber and psychological manipulation of victims. We also explore his relationship with Tony Spilotro, the mentee who would eventually play a role in his demise. As DeStefano’s erratic behavior and grotesque acts pushed him further into instability, his allies turned into enemies, sealing his fate in a brutal execution. Join me as we revisit the twisted legacy of Mad Sam DeStefano, a man who thrived on fear but ultimately fell victim to the same violent world he helped create. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:03]Introduction to Mad Sam DeStefano [0:00]Well, hey, all you wiretappers, welcome back to the studio of Gangland Wire. I have an old show that I did like seven or eight years ago, a long time ago, and I haven't retouched this guy since. So I went back in and looked at it and did some new stuff and re-edited it. So I have the story of Mad Sam DeStefano, who was a Chicago outfit loan shark collector. I'll tell you what, wait till you hear this guy's story. A lot of you may have heard of him. He's pretty well known, been pretty well reported on. But this guy is, he is what we call affectionately a piece of work. So settle back and listen to the story of the life of the most brutal loan shark collector and loan shark that probably ever was that I know about. He liked to torture. This guy is Sam, Mad Sam DeStefano. And I'd heard of Mad Sam. Of course, all you guys up in Chicago know about Mad Sam. He was kind of the guy that taught Tony Spilotro all the tricks of the trade on being a gangster. He was one of the first guys that Spilotro was given, was sent to his crew or Spilotro joined his crew. But Mad Sam, we'll tell you a little bit about the history of Mad Sam. Mad Sam was born in 1909. [1:21]And he would go on to become a big-time loan shark and a political fixer and a sociopathic killer for the Chicago outfit. I heard of, there's a guy a lot of you all know, a Chicago, former Chicago-based FBI agent named William F. Romer Jr. He wrote several books on the mob that a lot of people cuss and discuss and argue about whether he was telling the truth or making stuff up. But regardless what you think of Bill Romer, he did know Chicago Outfit better than anybody. And he considered DeStefano to be the worst torture murderer in the history of the United States. He said that this guy was a mentally unstable and sadistic person that was used by the Outfit as an enforcer and a juice loan collector. Sam, Mad Sam, was born in Streeter, Illinois. [2:09]His father was a laborer named Sam DeStefano Sr. His mother's named Rosalie. Both of them had been born in Italy and immigrated to the United State...

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Mafia Cops: NYPD Corruption and Murder

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 10:00:20 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. The Mafia Cops: NYPD Corruption and Murder with Michael Connell. In this explosive episode of Gangland Wire, I uncover the shocking true story of two NYPD detectives who became hitmen for the Mafia. Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa weren’t just dirty cops—they were fully embedded in the Lucchese crime family, leaking intelligence, setting up murders, and betraying the very system they swore to uphold. Joining me is Michael Connell, author of a gripping account of their crimes. We break down how these officers, once respected members of law enforcement, used their badges to serve the mob. Eppolito’s deep family ties to organized crime and Caracappa’s access to high-level police intelligence made them the perfect duo for Gaspipe Casso and the Lucchese family. Their corruption ran so deep that they not only provided inside information but also carried out Mafia-ordered executions—including the tragic killing of an innocent man due to a case of mistaken identity. We discuss how their downfall unfolded, from a shocking whistleblower to the relentless detective work that finally exposed them. We dive into the role of Betty Heidel, a grieving mother determined to find justice for her murdered son, and Detective Tommy Dades, who helped piece together the case that brought Eppolito and Caracappa to justice. This story concerns power, betrayal, and the dark intersection between law enforcement and organized crime. Don’t miss this deep dive into one of NYPD's most astonishing corruption cases. Find Michael's book Blood on the Badge at this link. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! #TrueCrime #BostonMafia #OrganizedCrime #GanglandWire #AngiuloFamily #FBI #Surveillance #MafiaHistory Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there. Good to be back here in Studio Gangland Wire. I have an author today, some stories about the mafia cops, the mob cops in New York City, Caracapa and Eppolito. Those two guys were bad dudes. So I have Michael Connell. Welcome, Michael. Hey, it's great to be here. Thanks. Thanks. Great to see you again. Yeah, you too. Yeah, you've been on the show before, haven't you? I have, yes. For my previous book, I guess that we were here together three or so years ago. Was it that long? Was it Abrellis? Was it Abrellis' book? It was Abrellis, right, exactly. Yeah, that guy's a character. Abrellis, also known as Kid Twist, who went out the window of a hotel in Coney Island. [0:48] Nobody knows exactly how he went out, but one thing's for sure, it wasn't voluntary. The canary could sing, but he couldn't fly, right? Exactly. So, guys, I know you all know me, but I'm retired intelligence unit detective Gary Jenkins, Kansas City Police Department. Got this show, Gangland Wire, and we deal with the mafia almost every week. So this story is blood and the bads, the mafia, two killer cops, and a scandal that shocked the nation. I know you know some of y'all will know this story about Steve Caraappa and Lou Eppilito I want to tell you what Joe Pistone who everybody knows is Donnie Brasco, said about this book "Cannell pulls back the veil to refill law enforcement's most lurid chapter an entwined tale of decorated detectives on the mafia payroll a true account of police depravity unearthed...

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Gennaro Angiulo Wiretapped

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 10:00:15 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire Crime Stories, I dive into the intricate world of the Boston Mafia, focusing on the notorious Gennaro Angiulo family and their operations. As a retired Kansas City police intelligence detective, my fascination with organized crime has led me to some of the most compelling stories in law enforcement history. Today, I’m joined by Ian Cross, an expert on Boston’s underworld, for a deep dive into the city’s mob landscape, the power struggles between the Italian and Irish factions, and the innovative tactics used to dismantle these criminal empires. We start with a behind-the-scenes look at the FBI’s surveillance methods—how agents installed covert microphones, maintained secrecy, and penetrated the Mafia’s inner circles. I share a striking Kansas City case where a courtroom revelation exposed a long-hidden bugging technique, shedding light on the FBI’s relentless efforts. Ian provides his expertise on Boston’s organized crime scene, detailing how law enforcement’s meticulous strategies put pressure on the Angiulo family’s gambling empire. Ian also introduces us to The Big Dig, his previous podcast exploring Boston’s controversial tunnel project and its ties to corruption and organized crime. This leads us to the heart of today’s episode—Gennaro “Jerry” Angiulo, the underboss who controlled the city’s illegal gambling operations from the North End. We discuss his rise to power, his strategic avoidance of violence, and the FBI’s elaborate efforts to bring him down through surveillance and legal maneuvers. As we unpack the Angiulo family’s criminal enterprise, Ian shares gripping details of the FBI’s wiretaps—how agents captured Jerry’s conversations, exposing the inner workings of Boston’s Mafia. We also explore the broader impact of these investigations, including the tensions within the organization and the shifting landscape of organized crime in the city. Ian previews his upcoming podcast, Scratch and Win, which explores the Mafia’s transition from controlling underground gambling to the rise of state-run lotteries. It’s fascinating how organized crime adapts to new realities while continuing to operate in the shadows. Join us for this in-depth discussion on one of Boston’s most influential Mafia families and the law enforcement strategies that ultimately took them down. Don’t forget to subscribe for more true crime stories from organized crime. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! #TrueCrime #BostonMafia #OrganizedCrime #GanglandWire #AngiuloFamily #FBI #Surveillance #MafiaHistory

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From Smuggler to Redemption

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 10:00:23 +0000

In this gripping episode of Gangland Wire, Gary Jenkins sits down with Ted Pryor, a man whose life story is a rollercoaster of discipline, danger, and redemption. Ted’s journey begins in law enforcement, where his martial arts expertise earned him respect among police departments. But a fateful decision led him down a very different path—one that plunged him into the high-stakes world of South Florida smuggling. Ted recounts how a family member introduced him to the trade, starting with a seemingly simple marijuana operation. Before long, he found himself entangled in a dangerous underworld, rubbing shoulders with major players in Miami’s drug scene. As a bodyguard for a notorious trafficker, he balanced his life as a kickboxing champion with the risks of organized crime, struggling to reconcile these two identities. The stakes escalated when law enforcement finally caught up with him. Ted shares the harrowing details of a dramatic police chase and his courtroom battle to reclaim his future. His firsthand insights into the legal system, the pressures of incarceration, and the turning points that led him to change his life make for a compelling narrative. Ted has now dedicated himself to a new mission—helping at-risk youth break free from the cycle of crime. Through his foundation, he provides educational opportunities for underprivileged children, believing early intervention is key to keeping them off the streets. His story of transformation, resilience, and giving back is inspiring. Ted’s book, Three Times World Champ, chronicles his extraordinary life, with all proceeds supporting his charitable efforts. Tune in to hear how one man went from the depths of the drug trade to becoming a champion for change. Buy the book click here Three Times World Champ Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretapers, welcome back here in the studio of Gagland Wire. It's great to have you back. I have a very interesting character, if you will, a guy that's lived more lives than you could believe. You know, I'm Gary Jenkins, a retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective, and I have this podcast now, and I've been putting out these shows for about seven or eight years, guys, and I really appreciate all you guys that have been with me from the start. There's several of you I know and I've gotten to know been with me from the start. So go on to my Facebook group or make comments on my YouTube page. And let me get to know a little more about each one of you, because I always respond to any kind of a comment on that or the Facebook page, Facebook group. So we have Ted Pryor. Ted, welcome. [0:48] Thank you, Gary. Thanks for having me on. Now, guys, Ted's written a book. You know, I get a lot of authors on there. Saves me doing the research, Ted. I have to admit, it saves me doing a lot of research. You guys know your stuff. The name of the book is Three Times World Champ, the death-defying true story of a kickboxer turned drug smuggler turned business icon. And believe me, guys, that is J. Ted Pryor. What a hell of a story from the middleweight kickboxing champion of the world to world champion marijuana smuggler down in South Florida and right in the heart of drug smuggling territory, which is, you know, really carved out a niche down there. But later on, businessman and a chef.

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The Presidents and the Mob

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 15:00:04 +0000

In this episode, retired Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins talks with Eric Dezenhall, an author and former Reagan's White House aide, about his new book, Wiseguys and the White House. Eric shares his unique perspective on the fascinating and often overlooked intersection of organized crime and American politics. His curiosity on the subject began with a seemingly casual remark from a colleague about mafia influence in his hometown of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. As a young aide in the Reagan administration, that moment set him on a path to explore how deeply organized crime has intertwined itself with the fabric of American society and government. Throughout the conversation, Eric discusses how perceptions of mobsters have shifted over the decades. In the early 20th century, gangsters were often seen as vital community figures. They provided services like gambling and liquor during Prohibition—illegal but in high demand—and were viewed as filling a societal need. By the 1970s, however, that image began to unravel. Organized crime became a symbol of decay, corruption, and violence, far removed from the Robin Hood-like aura it once carried. Eric brings to life the stories of legendary mob figures like Meyer Lansky, detailing Lansky’s surprising role during World War II. Lansky, alongside other organized crime figures, worked with the U.S. Navy to prevent Nazi sabotage along the East Coast. Eric explains how this alliance complicates the narrative of mobsters as purely criminal; during wartime, they were sometimes perceived as patriotic contributors to the national effort. Their involvement underscores the ambiguity surrounding these figures, who operated in both legitimate and illegal spheres. As the conversation moves into modern times, Eric discusses how organized crime continues to influence political and business landscapes. He points to figures like Donald Trump, who openly acknowledged the realities of navigating a business world shaped by organized crime in cities like New York. Eric also examines how presidents such as Reagan, Nixon, JFK, and Joe Biden managed relationships with organized crime—relationships that, while morally complex, often played a role in advancing their careers and shaping American politics in lasting ways. This episode offers a compelling look at the intersection of crime, politics, and history through Eric Dezenhall’s sharp insights and years of research. By sharing stories of infamous mobsters and pivotal historical moments, Eric reveals a side of organized crime that is often forgotten: its influence on the nation’s leadership and its occasional alignment with patriotic causes. It’s a conversation that challenges our assumptions, blending history, politics, and crime into a nuanced and captivating narrative. Ger Eric's books. See other books by clicking here. Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, welcome, all you wiretappers. Glad to be back here in studio of Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Detective, a later sergeant, and I have in the studio today a prolific mob author and a guy that's written with, I know you guys know, Gus Russo and the outfit book in Chicago. Well, this is a contemporary of Gus Russo, Eric Dezenhall. Eric, I really appreciate you coming in and sharing your stories about the wise guys in the White House with my wiretappers here. Thanks very much for having me. And I won't say too many things about Gus, given that I talk to him every day. And I don't want to have to face him. So I'll be kind. Yeah, he's a good guy. I interviewed him once. I got to get him back on. You know, there's a lot of new books coming out all the time. But I need to get him back on because he's so knowledgeable. So we're not here to talk about Gus Russo. We're here to talk about wise guys in the White House, which is probably kind of topical right now. The White House has been more topical in the last, what, eight years or so than

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Big Apple Mafia: Stories From the Five Families

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:00:26 +0000

Gary Jenkins tells about how the FBI recruited the man known as "The Grim Reaper." Scarpa's earliest arrests found him informing to the FBI.

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The Last Days of John Gotti

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 15:00:30 +0000

Retired KCPD Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins takes listeners inside the Federal Prison Hospital at Springfield and the final days of John Gotti's life. Former inmate Mark Black wrote Black Truth: The Last Days of Gotti. He takes us back to his early days in the prison system, recounting his initial charge and transfer to the Springfield Federal Medical Center. There, he forged profound relationships with high-profile mafia members, gaining rare insights into their lives, codes, and the unspoken rules governing their world. Among these encounters, his time with Greg DePalma and John Gotti of the Gambino family stands out. Mark shares vivid stories of their mutual respect and the deep conversations that revealed Greg’s storied past, including connections to infamous figures like Tony Ducks and Fat Tony. Through these aging mobsters, Mark paints a fascinating picture of how street reputations followed them into prison, where they exchanged tales of past glories and upheld the mafia’s sacred code of honor. The episode also explores Mark’s interactions with John Gotti, offering a unique glimpse into the infamous mob boss’s life behind bars. Mark delivered meals and kites (messages) for Gotti as a prison orderly. He tells about the stark contrast between Gotti’s outward bravado and the signs of stress and resignation from solitary confinement. Mark Black became Gotti's "eyes and ears" in the prison outside his solitary confinement. Tensions rise as Mark delves into the story of a proposed hit on Nicky LaSorsa. He recounts the volatile dynamics of trust and betrayal, particularly involving a convicted drug kingpin, Jose Reyes, who sought to manipulate alliances and set up John Gotti Jr. and Greg DePalma for an early release from several life sentences. Mark’s role as an intermediary in these dangerous scenarios highlights the precarious balance between loyalty and treachery that defines the mafia lifestyle. Through these gripping accounts, Mark offers listeners an insider’s view of the unyielding nature of mob loyalty and the ever-present risks of living by its code. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you Wiretappers, welcome back here to the studio of Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit Sergeant, and I have an interesting guy. He has a book, of course. You know, a lot of my guys have books. Where's that book? Oh, The Last Days of Gotti. You might want to check that book out. It's very well written. I'll assure you that. Mark D. Black. Mark, welcome. I really appreciate you coming on the show. Well, thank you, Gary. Now, Mark, as I've gone through this book, you you're like my friend, Steve St. John, who I have some other shows with many of my regular fans will know that name. And you were an orderly down in Springfield and the federal hospital and the prison hospital down there. Now, how did you even end up in the federal prison system? I guess is my first question. [0:51] Well, I was charged with drugs and firearms violation, and I got seven years in state and then the feds. And then when I got done with my state sentence, I went to the feds and did some time at El Reno in Oklahoma City. And then when I was timing out, they decided to send me to Springfield Federal Medical Center to work to take care of the sick inmates.

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Bobby Boriello

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 10:00:10 +0000

In this episode, retired intelligence unit detective Gary Jenkins examines the life of Bobby Boriello, a key figure in the Gambino crime family and closely associated with John Gotti. I explore Boriello's beginnings in South Brooklyn and his ascent as an enforcer for the Gallo gang, detailing his numerous criminal activities and connections that allowed him to evade serious consequences. This show covers his involvement in significant events, such as the assassination of Paul Castellano and the tensions with the Genovese family. I reflect on the violent and tumultuous nature of his life, culminating in his murder in 1991, which highlights the inherent dangers of organized crime. As Borrello's story unfolds, I delve into the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and power dynamics within the Mafia, offering personal insights and humor. This will be the last episode until February. The next episode will host Mark Black, who tells about his life in the Federal prison hospital in Springfield and his care of John Gotti as he battled cancer and other mobster's plots. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation, click here To rent Ballto Theft: Burglary Murder Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes, click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! [0:00] A little story about Bobby Boriello, who was a Gambino soldier and a big moneymaker [0:05] for the Gotti family and the Gambino family. You want to call it the Gotti family or the Gambino family? It never did become the Gotti family, did it? Much to John Gotti's chagrin, I'm sure. Anyhow, this is going to be the last one for the month of January. I'm going to take some time off. I'm going to take a little vacation. And I've been working pretty hard at doing my books. And I've done a couple of books, a New York book and the Chicago book. And I'm getting set for the next year, doing some other things this next year. So I'll get back to putting one out at least every week at the last of January. I know the one I've already got it set that we're going to come back into like, I think the last Monday or Sunday in January is going to be a guy named Mark Black, who was in the penitentiary in Springfield, the hospital, federal hospital down there. With John Gotti and some other guys. And he got all embroiled in some. [1:02] Some mafia drama, carrying messages from one person to the other. And, and so anyhow, it's a really interesting story. It'll be a great one to come back to. So I hope you guys all had a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. I'm not very good at wishing people all that kind of stuff before I forget about it. I just put out podcasts. That's all I do. You know, me, I'm just a plain guys. Guys, come on back in February. Hey, all you wiretappers out there. Glad to be back here in the studio. Glad to have you in the studio with me. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Detective and now podcasters. Most of y'all know. If you don't, why keep listening. You'll learn who I am [1:43] and what I'm about. I have a lot of fun doing this. Going back to New York today, guys, going to Bobby Borrello. [1:50] Bobby Boriello was a gaudy guy, if you remember right. He probably is one of the trigger men on the Castellano hit. Now, going way on back, he grew up in South Brooklyn, and he grew up in a neighborhood that was dominated by several mob families, Gambino, Genovese, and the Columbo crime families. He was surrounded by mobsters from, you know, from the time he was a little kid.

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36 Rules of Mafia Bosses

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 10:00:07 +0000

In this Gangland Wire episode, host Gary Jenkins sits down with RJ Roger, Host of No Excuses with Michael DiLeonardo podcast, to delve into his fascinating book, The Don: 36 Rules of the Bosses. In this book, RJ outlines 36 leadership rules derived from effective leaders' behaviors in organized crime and corporate America. These rules, rooted in extensive historical research on the five New York mafia families, highlight universal power dynamics in all hierarchical structures, offering actionable insights for anyone striving to succeed—whether as a business executive or an everyday worker. RJ challenges the romanticized portrayal of mob life, focusing instead on the stark realities of leadership within the mafia. Together, Gary and RJ draw parallels between the underworld and legitimate organizations. For example, RJ discusses the principle of “using skilled men to your benefit,” a lesson that applies across industries—including Gary’s experience in law enforcement. Both mafia bosses, police commanders, and corporate leaders face the challenge of navigating human dynamics, where the rules of engagement can make or break their success. Throughout the conversation, RJ shares captivating stories of mob bosses and their relationships with underlings, shedding light on the nuances of leadership. The discussion touches on the importance of appearances, with RJ explaining how a leader’s presentation can shape perception and loyalty among followers. He emphasizes the delicate balance of being approachable and authoritative to maintain command—an insight that resonates across fields. Please tune in to this thought-provoking episode to uncover the leadership lessons from the mafia that can inspire and guide us in our endeavors. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation, click here To rent Ballto Theft: Burglary Murder Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes, click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript Speaker1: [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there. Good to be back here in studio of Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective and later sergeant. I'm back here with another guest, an author and a fellow mob podcaster, RJ Roger. Welcome, RJ. Speaker0: [0:17] Thank you for having me, Gary. And I mean that this is not just camera stuff. I always wanted to have a discussion with you. I remember reaching out to you on Twitter once over before I even started working with Michael. And I just, as a respecter of what you do, because you have an elegant, classy podcast and in what we do, it ain't the norm. So I'm a major respecter. Speaker1: [0:41] Well thank you thank you i i kind of back i didn't understand that twitter thing back there but i have some vague memory that i don't know anyhow well finally we meet and we just had a nice little discussion about mutual mutual woes in the podcast industry and personal uh personal things to get to know each other a little bit and guys uh i assure you rj knows what he's talking about and he's a true gentleman and he has a great podcast you know uh you know i'm the one i have to take credit for this, RJ. I'm the one that got Mikey scars or Michael D. Leonardo on the air the very first time by happenstance and luck in a way I find out, but then I knew it was, it was just a lucky just somehow he just felt a certain way one day and he said, yeah, I'll come on your podcast. And now RJ has Mikey scars or Michael D.

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The Mafia Opens Its Books

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 10:00:54 +0000

In this bonus episode, retired police intelligence unit detective Gary Jenkins looks into a fascinating New York Times article from March 21, 1976, that sheds light on a pivotal moment in the Mafia's history—reopening their membership rosters after nearly two decades. This marked a significant turning point for the five Mafia families, where they were again allowed to induct new members into their ranks. I discuss how this decision was made cautiously, with each family permitted to initiate only ten new members, ensuring that those chosen were proven loyal and financially savvy operatives who could withstand the challenges of Mafia life. As I analyze the shifts in power dynamics and the emergence of new figures, I point to key players such as Carmine Galante, whose ambitions peaked when he returned to the scene following a lengthy prison sentence. I provide insights into how the old guard of Mafia leadership began to decline, making way for fresh ambition and new strategies, particularly in narcotics. The interplay of rivalry, loyalty, and the ever-present financial machinations within the families illustrates the complexity of Mafia politics as they sought to adapt and thrive amid evolving criminal enterprises. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there, glad to be back here in Studio Gangland Wire. I've got a little bonus episode, I think. I don't know how long it's going to be, but not too long. Steve Popkin, the fan of the podcast, sent me a link to a New York Times article. Actually, it was out of the New York Times archives. They have an archive that you can access. It was dated March 21st, 1976, and the title was Five Mafia Families Opened Rosters to New Members. Well, this is back when they opened the books, finally. We hear a lot about that. The books were closed. The books were opened. They opened the books in 1976. There's a lot of guys who were made right after that. [0:43] It's hard to figure out who they all are. It'll take a lot of time, but you all know who was made in 1976, 1977, during those years would have been right after the books were opened back up. They had to get the commission to approve of that, and there was five families [1:02] on the commission at the time. I assume Chicago probably was, but since it was a New York deal, they probably just kept it within New York mob bosses to vote on whether they would open up the books again. Now, in this article, I bet when they read this, some of these guys read this article, they were about to shit because here's their business right down on the street. And I know they read those articles. I've got a wiretap where Nick Savella is reading an article or actually Tuffy DeLuna is reading an article to him where the, I believe it was the Wall Street Journal, was saying that Iupa was moving out west and moving into Las Vegas. And Nick Civella says, oh, boy. [1:49] And anyhow, so, you know, I know they read this stuff and they pay attention to it. And to see this out on Front Street like this, I don't know. Anyhow, the article said that each family had been given permission to initiate 10 new members. [2:04] And they were instructed that they had to get these, take these guys from proven moneymakers within their own family, people that they knew. because, you know,

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The Infamous Vinnie Teresa

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:20 +0000

In this last interview with our good friend and contributor, Camillus "Cam" Robinson, Gary and Cam discuss the infamous government informant Vincent "Vinnie" Teresa. Cam died recently and I will feel this loss for a long time. His gentle nature and prodigious work effort was always a great benfit to the podcast and to everybody around him. Rest in Peace to my friend and collaborator in this crazy world of mafia history. Camillus was a great historian and an excellent writer. Check out his book by clicking on the title, Chicago Swan Song: A Mob Wife's Story. Lisa Swan became the wife of Frank Calabrese, Jr., a collector for his father, the notorious and brutal Frank “Frankie the Breeze” Calabrese, a high-ranking member of the infamous Chinatown Crew. It’s all here. The money, the violence, the drugs, the greed, and the murders that surrounded her, as well as her deep passion to break free from a lifestyle that could change with the flash of a single bullet. Swan’s firsthand, intimate look inside the insular and secretive Chicago Outfit details her life inside the Calabrese Clan, one of the First Families of the Chicago Mob. She describes, with clarity and occasional humor, her discovery of the dark side of the Mafia and her battle to save herself, her children, and eventually her husband from the gritty realities of the Mob. In this episode, we learn that Vinnie Teresa was an early mobster in the FBI's vaunted Top Echelon Informant program. In the end, Vinne Teresa was caught in an act of perjury when he tried to implicate Meyer Lansky in a criminal conspiracy. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers, good to be back here in the studio, Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Detective and now podcaster, documentary filmmaker. And I am here with my good friend and periodic co-host, if you will, Amulus, Camillus Robinson. Cam, thanks a lot for coming on the show. Gary, I always have a blast. I mean, you and I, you got me started in this and anytime I can come on, we just love to. We have a good time getting together, don't we? Yeah, we do. So oh you know a little aside i was just researching some old stuff on chicago or newspaper clip and i saw there was a grand jury about gambling in gary indiana see cam used to live up by gary indiana and we did a show about the gary indiana family that's right. [0:49] Ran by chicago of course hell chicago ran everything some people even say they ran kansas city they didn't really but they had a lot of influence down here kansas city next savella did not do much if he thought iupa wouldn't approve he wouldn't do it he he got iupa's approval on any major things outside of kansas city for sure they had a swung a big stick didn't they absolutely savella wasn't the kind of guy who answered to people but i think he was smart enough to know who were the big fish in the pond yeah he was smart anyhow we're going to talk about Vinnie Teresa. Vinnie Teresa is one of the earliest mob books I ever read. I'll never forget, Kim. I was in a library in the junior college. I must have been taking a class and I was just poking around. I found this book about the mafia. I wasn't into organized crime at the time. I started reading this book about this Vinnie Teresa and all the stuff that he talked about,

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Vincent "The Chin" Gigante Admits the Truth

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:00:20 +0000

In this episode, Gary sits down with former FBI agent Mike Campi, a key figure in the investigation that led to the downfall of Vincent "Chin" Gigante and the Genovese crime family. Mike takes us inside the complex world of organized crime, explaining how Gigante, infamous for his feigned insanity, managed to evade law enforcement for years while secretly running the family’s operations from the shadows. Mike shares the critical role of informants like Cookie D’Urso, whose cooperation provided the FBI with essential insights that brought them closer to Gigante. Together, we explore the meticulous surveillance and wiretapping methods used in the investigation, uncovering the challenges of gathering evidence against individuals skilled at evading law enforcement. The conversation covers the evolution of the case from labor racketeering to a full-scale investigation into the Genovese family’s activities. Mike recounts the internal tensions and bureaucratic obstacles within the FBI and local law enforcement during this high-stakes operation. We also dive into the theme of loyalty and betrayal within the mob. Mike tells stories of brutal retributions, betrayal, and hypocrisy in mob culture, where ambition and greed often overtake family loyalty. He highlights how figures like Cookie D’Urso and George Barone went from mob insiders to crucial witnesses, with their testimonies and recorded conversations playing a decisive role in bringing Gigante to justice—ultimately resulting in Gigante’s admission in court that he had faked insanity for years. The episode wraps up with Mike’s reflections on the current state of organized crime, exploring how some tactics have evolved, yet the underlying nature of organized crime remains largely unchanged. This episode offers a gripping look into the strategy, patience, and grit it takes to tackle organized crime from the inside out. Click here to get Mike's book, Mafia Takedown: The Incredible True Story of the FBI Agent Who Devastated the New York Mob Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript 0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers. Welcome back here in the studio of Gangland [0:03] Wires. Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City police detective from the intelligence unit. And I have a FBI agent today named Mike Camp. And Mike Campy was a case agent of a huge investigation on a Genovese family. This is the case that they turned a guy named Cookie Durso. And that guy ended up talking about Vincent the Chin Gigante. And in the end, that squad that Mike was attached to figured out how to get enough information to get Vincent Gigante to admit in open court that he had been put on an act all those years. You know, if you're not familiar with their story of Vincent the Chin Gigante, he was a boss of the Genovese family and he had put on an act and he was crazy. Wandered around Little Italy and Greenwich Village, wherever he lived, [0:50] somewhere there in Manhattan, in a bath robe and talking to himself and all that. And he did it for years and years and really avoided a lot of a lot of heat when he was actually the boss of the genovese family and they put uh fat tony salerno out as the boss and everybody thought he was a boss and and so this is a guy that really ends up exposing that and he does this huge long investigation on the entire family so just sit back and listen to mike...

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Red Hook: Brooklyn Mafia

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 10:00:56 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City police Intelligence Detective, is joined by Frank DiMatteo, a man deeply rooted in the Brooklyn mob scene, and his co-author, Michael Benson, a seasoned true crime writer. Frank brings a unique perspective, shaped by his years growing up under the mentorship of mob legends like the Gallo brothers. Together, we dive into the evolution of organized crime in New York, focusing on the rivalry between the Irish and Italian communities as they vied for control of Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood. Frank recounts his early days in the mob, from running simple errands to taking on more significant operational roles. We discuss their latest book, Red Hook: Brooklyn Mafia Ground Zero. This is a look at the iconic neighborhood, treating Red Hook as a character in the story. The book highlights longstanding rivalries, including how the Irish initially ruled the docks until Italian immigrants arrived and tipped the scales—ultimately leading Frank to conclude that the Irish “lost because they drank too much.” As we unpack Red Hook’s rich criminal history, Frank and Michael reveal how this area became a breeding ground for notorious figures like Al Capone and Machine Gun Jack McGurn. Through personal anecdotes and broader historical insights, they paint a vivid picture of life in a community that served as both a battleground and home for the mob. Join us as we explore Frank and Michael’s fascinating work, shedding light on the intricate layers of mob life and the neighborhoods that shaped these stories. This episode offers an unfiltered look at the history of organized crime in Brooklyn, revealing the tension between power, loyalty, and survival in a world in the shadows. To get this book, click here for Red Hook: Brooklyn Mafia Ground Zero. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Welcome, wiretappers out there. I'm glad to be back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. This is a retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective, Gary Jenkins. Gangland Wire is the show, and I know a lot of you guys already knew who I am, but I get some new people every once in a while, so I have a great show for you today. One of these guys, Frank DiMatteo, grew up in the New York families in Brooklyn and around the Joey Gallo gang. He's got several books out, and Michael Benson is his co-author on this, and Michael Benson, prolific author. And between them, they've got books about the mob. I've got most of them already. I've got The Cigar. We've got The Buffy Hitman about Carmine DeBasse. He's one of the killers of Joy Gallo. A more recent one by Michael Benson and somebody else about moguls in Hollywood. And there'll be some mob connections. Oops, didn't have the mob connections to Hollywood. So I want to get Michael on to sometime in the future to talk about that book and Hollywood and the mob, which we know a lot about in Kansas City because we're so close to Chicago and Chicago are the guys out there in Hollywood and extorted the shit out of them. Anyhow, so welcome guys. Tell us a little bit. Maybe we start with Frank. Frank has this kind of colorful [1:16] mob history and the way he was raised. Frank, tell the guys a little bit about yourself. [1:22] Well i was born in my father you know got involved in this life about 1960 i grew up under the under t...

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FBI Gangster Hunters

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 10:00:45 +0000

In this episode, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Detective Gary jenkins welcomes John Oller, a former lawyer turned nonfiction author focusing on American history, biography, and true crime. John has authored a compelling true-crime book titled Gangster Hunters, shedding light on the often-overlooked FBI agents who pursued infamous criminals such as John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd, and Bonnie and Clyde. While these gangsters are well-known in pop culture, the agents who risked their lives to bring them down—aside from figures like J. Edgar Hoover and Melvin Purvis—remain largely unsung. John takes us through his meticulous research process, which involved interviewing descendants of these agents and combing through FBI files. He paints a vivid picture of the early days of the FBI, where many agents, expecting desk jobs, found themselves facing off against heavily armed gangsters. We explore pivotal historical events, including the capture of Alvin Karpis, Hoover’s drive to portray himself as a hands-on lawman, and notorious shootouts involving Babyface Nelson and Ma Barker. The conversation also delves into the reality of the gangster era, revealing how criminals often had superior firepower compared to law enforcement and how the FBI eventually adapted by recruiting sharpshooters, including ex-Texas Rangers, to handle these dangerous adversaries. Please tune in for a deep dive into the world of early FBI agents and the harrowing challenges they faced in the fight against America's most dangerous criminals. Click here to get this remarkable book, Gangster Hunters. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00]Well, Hey, welcome all you wiretappers out there back here in the studio of gangland wire. This is retired Kansas city police intelligence unit, Sergeant Gary Jenkins with another show. We're going back into the thirties today. You know, you leave deal with these seventies gangsters a lot and, and, uh, sixties gangsters, uh, mafia, but this is going to go back to the thirties and the days of the bank robbers, the Midwest bank robbers. I mean, they, they caught out at got a wide swath across this country and we have a book by john aller gangster hunters and here it is and you'll you'll find links in the show notes to where you can find that book he does a great job of telling many of the unknown stories and the known stories in great detail of the famous bank robbers dillinger and uh pretty boy floyd and and uh the ma barker gang and and machine gun Kelly and all those great nicknames. So welcome, John. I really appreciate you coming on the show. Thanks for having me. [1:02]John, how did you get into this? Tell us a little bit about your history. I was a lawyer for many years, and then I retired from active practice to pursue a writing career or writing avocation, I would call it. And I've concentrated on nonfiction, American history, biography and true crime I've done, this is my third true crime book which I find a genre that interests me what I found out is that while all the bank robbers Dillinger and Pretty Boy Floyd and Babyface Nelson, etc Bonnie and Clyde in particular have been written about many times over and movies made of them and everybody's heard of them very few people have heard know anything about the um kind of anonymous fbi agents who chased and captured and in some cases kil...

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Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

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F.B.I. Gangster Hunters

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 10:00:14 +0000

Red Hook: Brooklyn Mafia

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 19:35:06 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, I’m joined by Frank DiMatteo, a man deeply rooted in the Brooklyn mob scene, and his co-author, Michael Benson, a seasoned true crime writer. Frank brings a unique perspective, shaped by his years growing up under the mentorship of mob legends like the Gallo brothers. Together, we dive into the evolution of organized crime in New York, focusing on the rivalry between the Irish and Italian communities as they vied for control of Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood. Frank recounts his early days in the mob, from running simple errands to taking on more significant operational roles. We discuss their latest book, Red Hook: Brooklyn Mafia Ground Zero.
This is a look at the iconic neighborhood, treating Red Hook as a character in the story. The book highlights longstanding rivalries, including how the Irish initially ruled the docks until Italian immigrants arrived and tipped the scales—ultimately leading Frank to conclude that the Irish “lost because they drank too much.”
As we unpack Red Hook’s rich criminal history, Frank and Michael reveal how this area became a breeding ground for notorious figures like Al Capone and Machine Gun Jack McGurn. Through personal anecdotes and broader historical insights, they paint a vivid picture of life in a community that served as both a battleground and home for the mob. Join us as we explore Frank and Michael’s fascinating work, shedding light on the intricate layers of mob life and the neighborhoods that shaped these stories. This episode offers an unfiltered look at the history of organized crime in Brooklyn, revealing the tension between power, loyalty, and survival in a world in the shadows.

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

T. J. English and the Last Kilo

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 10:00:18 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins sits down with renowned true crime author T. J. English for an insightful conversation on organized crime, focusing on English’s latest book, The Last Kilo. English, well-known for his work on the Irish mob and the Cuban drug trade, dives into the complex world of cocaine trafficking in the 1980s, examining the rise of Cuban and Mexican cartels and the historical forces that shaped the cocaine industry. T. J. English begins by sharing his journey into crime journalism, explaining his unique perspective on crime writing as a means to explore broader social themes, from the pursuit of the American Dream to the stories of marginalized communities in America. He explains how organized crime can act as a lens for understanding cultural assimilation and survival strategies across generations, pointing out that many immigrant communities, such as the Irish and Italians, were historically pushed toward illegal activities as a means of survival. The discussion then turns to the Cuban drug trade in America, especially during the cocaine boom of the 1980s. English highlights key players like Willie Falcon and Sal Magluta, who used political connections and resources to pioneer cocaine distribution networks. The conversation explores how Los Muchachos, a Cuban drug trafficking group, established a stronghold in the U.S. by strategically lowering prices and expanding cocaine’s reach, setting the stage for explosive demand. Throughout the episode, English contrasts Los Muchachos' tactics with those of other criminal organizations, particularly noting their reliance on loyalty and community ties over violence. This approach, forged through the shared experiences of exile, helped them maintain unity and discipline in their operations. Jenkins and English also discuss the evolution of the cocaine market, from its glamorous early days to the more violent era marked by the rise of crack cocaine in the late 1980s, which reshaped public perceptions and spurred aggressive law enforcement responses. T. J. English explains how these shifts pressured Los Muchachos to adapt, prompting alliances with Mexican cartels to continue thriving in an ever-changing landscape. Tune in to this episode for an in-depth look at the history, culture, and operations behind the Cuban drug trade, and how organized crime continues to reflect the broader social dynamics at play in America. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, welcome all you wiretappers out there. It's good to be back here [0:02] in the studio of Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, a retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Detective, a later sergeant. Now, I've got this podcast going, Gangland Wire, and we have another guy that I was just talking to TJ a little bit. I picked up a book called The West years ago before I even thought about doing a podcast or any of this entertainment business, and I was entranced by that book, The Westies. It's about the Irish mob in Manhattan in New York City. Now they ended up working with the Gambinos and that's a page turner. He's got a new one out here that I've been going through it. I just got it the other day and it is a page turner too. So it's TJ English. Welcome, TJ. My pleasure. Great to be here. All right. So you are the man when it comes to reporting on the m...

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

T. J. English and the Last Kilo

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 10:00:16 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins sits down with renowned true crime author TJ English for an insightful conversation on organized crime, focusing on English’s latest book, The Last Kilo. English, well-known for his work on the Irish mob and the Cuban drug trade, dives into the complex world of cocaine trafficking in the 1980s, examining the rise of Cuban and Mexican cartels and the historical forces that shaped the cocaine industry.
English begins by sharing his journey into crime journalism, explaining his unique perspective on crime writing as a means to explore broader social themes, from the pursuit of the American Dream to the stories of marginalized communities in America. He explains how organized crime can act as a lens for understanding cultural assimilation and survival strategies across generations, pointing out that many immigrant communities, such as the Irish and Italians, were historically pushed toward illegal activities as a means of survival.
The discussion then turns to the Cuban drug trade in America, especially during the cocaine boom of the 1980s. English highlights key players like Willie Falcon and Sal Magluta, who used political connections and resources to pioneer cocaine distribution networks. The conversation explores how Los Muchachos, a Cuban drug trafficking group, established a stronghold in the U.S. by strategically lowering prices and expanding cocaine’s reach, setting the stage for explosive demand.
Throughout the episode, English contrasts Los Muchachos' tactics with those of other criminal organizations, particularly noting their reliance on loyalty and community ties over violence. This approach, forged through the shared experiences of exile, helped them maintain unity and discipline in their operations.
Jenkins and English also discuss the evolution of the cocaine market, from its glamorous early days to the more violent era marked by the rise of crack cocaine in the late 1980s, which reshaped public perceptions and spurred aggressive law enforcement responses. English explains how these shifts pressured Los Muchachos to adapt, prompting alliances with Mexican cartels to continue thriving in an ever-changing landscape.
Tune in to this episode for an in-depth look at the history, culture, and operations behind the Cuban drug trade, and how organized crime continues to reflect the broader social dynamics at play in America.

Support the Podcast
Buy me a cup of coffee
Donate at Gangland Wire

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Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
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Frank Gangi and Tommy "Karate" Pitera

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 10:00:50 +0000

In this episode, we dive deep into a gripping story from the dark world of organized crime, centering on the infamous Bonanno crime family. Our narrative follows Larry Santoro, an unsuspecting cabinet maker who, finds himself entangled Frank Gangi and Billy bright, members of Tommy "Karate" Pitera’s brutal drug gang. Known for his ruthless enforcement and violent reputation, Pitera represents the deadly allure and hazards of the criminal underworld that ordinary people can stumble into, facing devastating consequences. The plot thickens as Santoro is drawn into a botched robbery scheme alongside Pitera asociates Frank Gangi and Billy Bright. Their inexperience with residential break-ins quickly turns their plans for fast cash into a chaotic encounter. Breaking into a Russian jeweler's home, they find themselves face-to-face with an elderly woman, struggling to keep control. The tension is palpable, showing how the criminal life can spiral out of control, especially for those unprepared for its high stakes and brutal outcomes. As we unfold the story, we reveal connections between the Bonanno and Genovese crime families, as Frank Gangi attempts to profit from the heist by selling the stolen jewelry to mob contacts, including a Genovese captain. A pivotal moment arises when the stolen jewelry catches the attention of Joe Butch Corrao, a Gambino family capo who’s determined to reclaim a pair of prized diamond earrings. This leads to a tense sit-down meeting where we witness the mob's complex hierarchy and decision-making dynamics. As different factions vie for control and respect, this meeting underscores the razor-thin balance required to survive in this world, where even the smallest oversight can unravel alliances. The episode culminates with a series of betrayals and tragic outcomes, as Frank Gangi ultimately turns against Tommy Karate, seeking refuge in witness protection while others face severe repercussions. Join us as we explore the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the steep price of a life in crime, through the brutal world of Tommy Karate Pitera and his deadly network of associates. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Hey guys, welcome all you wiretappers out there. I'm back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. As you can see, this is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit officer, now turned podcaster and author, actually. So don't forget, I have this new book about the Chicago outfit, Windy City Mafia, the Chicago outfit. Help me beat the algorithms of Amazon. Go out there and buy that book. Give me reviews on it. That way for $1.99, even if you don't have a Kindle for $1.99. [0:31] I get part of that. I get a little piece of that, but also it gets Amazon to put it out to more people. And so the more people that buy it, the more money I make, the more money I [0:42] make, the better I like it. So anyhow, help me out if you can, guys. I have a New York story today. I go all over the United States from Kansas City and worked a mob here for many years. This is a New York story I happened to run into I thought was really interesting and really kind of telling for about how some of these guys work and they do different crimes and and kind of the I love the intricacies of of how guys work not just that they went out and killed 20 people or they dealt drugs and you go...

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Frank Gangi and Tommy "Karate" Pitera

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 10:00:11 +0000

Owney Madden: From Harlem to Hot Springs

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 10:00:12 +0000

In this episode, Gary Jenkins interviews Kansas City-based screenwriter and author John Sanders, who brings compelling insights into the life of Owney Madden—a notorious figure in organized crime. As a former Kansas City police detective, I’ve always been fascinated by mob history, and John’s unique perspective, intertwined with personal family stories, provides a captivating look into Madden's life. We trace Madden’s journey from his early days with the Gophers gang in New York City to his days as a respected citizen in Hot Springs, Arkansas. John shares gripping tales of Madden’s resilience, including surviving multiple gunshots, which underscore the brutal realities of the gangster lifestyle. Madden’s transformation from street thug to savvy businessman during Prohibition paints a picture of a man whose rise to power was fueled by sharp business instincts and connections with major players like Frank Costello. Our conversation explores Madden’s partnerships with colorful characters, including Big Frenchy DeMange, Lucky Luciano, and Meyer Lansky, as he navigated the cutthroat world of organized crime. From his ownership of the famed Cotton Club to his brewery, Madden's ventures reveal the strategic moves that solidified his influence in 1920s New York. We also discuss Madden’s eventual downfall and the power struggles that led to dramatic events, such as Mad Dog Coll's kidnapping of Big Frenchy. This episode ultimately sealed Coll’s fate. These stories shed light on the treacherous nature of mob alliances, where loyalty is fleeting and betrayals are often fatal. Finally, John delves into Madden’s later years in Hot Springs, where he became a respected figure in the community. His transition from notorious gangster to local businessman highlights redemption themes and human behavior's complexities. Alongside John’s family anecdotes, we discuss Hot Springs as a place of historical intrigue—a resort town with a darker past as a haven for mobsters. Tune in to this fascinating conversation on Owney Madden's life and legacy as we unravel the cultural and historical threads that make his story unforgettable. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, welcome all you wiretappers out there. It's good to be back here [0:03] in the studio of Gangland Wire. You know, this is Gary Jenkins, your host and producer of Gangland Wire podcast. I am a former retired, not former, retired Kansas City police detective and sergeant. I was in the intelligence unit for 13 years, 14 maybe altogether. [0:21] And, you know, after I left, I got into making documentary films and i made three documentary films you can find on amazon just search for my name and mafia you'll find all kinds of stuff about me and what i've done so we won't belabor that but i let's get on to the show i have a man that i recently met a kansas city man is john sanders he's a kansas city based screenwriter and author welcome john thanks carrie i appreciate it all right well john got hold of me and he just wanted to meet and talk about the mob because he had this big interest in it so we met the coffee shop here close to me and had a had a nice long conversation and and he was telling me in particular he's been working on something about only madden and i hadn't done anything on only madden or if i did it was a long time ago and the early begin...

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Owney Madden: From Harlem to Hot Springs

Sun, 10 Nov 2024 10:00:06 +0000

The Atlanta Gold Club Investigation

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 10:00:56 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode of Gangland Wire Crime Stories, retired police detective Gary Jenkins speaks with former FBI agent Mark Sewell, who delves into his investigation of the notorious Gold Club in Atlanta and its ties to organized crime. Mark shares his journey from the Marine Corps to the FBI, detailing how his training prepared him to tackle organized crime. The discussion highlights the world of strip clubs as a major revenue source for criminals, drawing parallels to his early police work in Kansas City. At the heart of the conversation is the Gold Club, owned by Steve Kaplan, who turned it into a hotspot during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, attracting celebrities and high-profile figures. Mark describes the criminal activities that took place, from credit card fraud to connections with the Gambino crime family. Mark reveals the challenges of infiltrating the club and gathering evidence, including working with strippers as informants and tracking financial transactions. He also discusses key figures in the Gambino family, such as Mikey Scars DiLeonardo and Steve Kaplan's partnerships with corrupt police officers and mob players. Click here to buy Mark's book Investigating America's Most Notorious Strip Club: The FBI, the Gold Club, and the Mafia Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript 0:00] Well, hey, welcome all you wiretappers. Good to be back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit Detective and later Sergeant. I've got this podcast, Gangland Wire, and we look into the mob. Today, I have a great story, a real mafia story. You know, and we saw this in Kansas City. These guys love these strip clubs because there's a lot of money to be made out of strip clubs. And maybe some of you have heard of the gold club down in Atlanta. When I first got Mark's book, our guest, you know, I thought I remembered that there was all these Patrick Ewing and all these big-time basketball players going there. And it was a hell of a scandal, but I didn't remember much about it, but Mark Sewell. Welcome Mark. I really appreciate you coming on the show. [0:46] Well, Gary, you're, you're very welcome. I've been a fan of your podcast and your media work for a while too so i'm glad to do this thanks for having me well good and i told you before like you know we had the same thing in kansas city and these bobsters they love strip clubs there's a lot to to make out of a strip club besides the money besides a skim besides blackmail on people possibly and and all kinds of things can be made for the mob out of a strip club and and you dive right into the middle of it. Now, Mark, your first office was down in Atlanta, but before that, tell us a little bit about your history and what led you to join the FBI. Sure. Shortly after high school, Gary, I joined the Marine Corps out of the Houston, Texas area, 1987. And I stayed in the Marine Corps until 1997. During that time, I was able to earn a commission. [1:45] So when I left the Marine Corps, I was a young captain in the Marine Corps. And I was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii, or Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. But I recruited into the FBI out of the Honolulu office there. And that recruiter, FBI recruiter,

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The Atlanta Gold Club Investigation and Mikey Scars

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 10:00:07 +0000

John "Curley" Montana and the Cleveland Mob

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 09:00:47 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins engages former FBI agent Fred Graessle, who shares insights from his thirty-year career with the Bureau. They discuss Graessle's early experiences in Cleveland during a tumultuous period of organized crime, focusing on significant cases such as the violent conflicts involving Italian and Irish mobs. Fred tells the famous story about the stolen informant list how it contained the name of John Curley Montana, and how this information forced Jimmy the Weasel Fratianno in as a cooperating witness. Fred recounts the chilling details of John Curly Montana's involvement with the kidnapping and murder of businessman Henry Podborny, illustrating the complexities of criminal conspiracies and the challenges of law enforcement. The episode also highlights the importance of informants, the rigorous investigative work required, and the collaboration among law enforcement in tackling organized crime, offering listeners a fascinating glimpse into federal investigations. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript Welcome to Gangland Wire [0:03]Gangland Wire. I am retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit, Detective Gary Jenkins. I even got promoted to sergeant before I left and went back to the intelligence unit for a period of time. Now I've turned podcasters, y'all know. And I have one of my many great expert former FBI agents. You know, we've had a lot of them on here today. It's Fred Grassley. Fred, welcome. Thank you very much, Gary. Now, Fred, did I get your last name pronounced right? It's Graessle. But anything close to that will work. Call me anything but late for dinner, right? I'm notorious for butchered names, as these guys know. Anyhow, Fred, Fred and I had a meeting not too long ago for lunch, and he had gotten hold of me. He's retired out of the Cleveland office or Northwest Indiana office. I can't remember which office you retired out of. Northwest Indiana. Northwest Indiana. And he moved to Kansas City, retired to Kansas City as a company. So I'm going to let Fred tell you a little bit about his background and his career in the FBI and a little bit of post-FBI, because I think that's got to be interesting. So, Fred, tell us about yourself. [1:21]Sure. I went to Indiana University and got a degree in accounting specifically to qualify myself to be an FBI agent. That was something I wanted to do ever since I was a small child. I graduated in 1973, went into public accounting for a couple of years, passed the CPA exam, and applied with the Bureau and got in pretty quickly in August of 1975 and was a special agent. For 30 years during that point in time. I spent my first 10 years. [1:56]For you guys that don't know, that was the route, one of the three routes into the FBI back in those days. Back at that time. They've added language skills since then, I think. But to be a lawyer or an accountant or a former law enforcement with two or three, four years of experience was the route to go in the FBI. So that's correct. [2:18]Anyhow, go ahead, Fred. I'm sorry to interrupt you. I spent my first 10 years in Cleveland, and that's where this story is going to take place. But I spent the last 20 years in Northwest Indiana, first in Gary, Indiana, and then we moved out of Gary into Merrillville,

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John "Curley" Montana and the Cleveland Mob

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 09:00:07 +0000

Did Gotti Destroy the Mafia or did RICO?

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 09:00:10 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, we explore the profound influence of the RICO Act on organized crime in America, with insights from Camillus Robinson. We debunk the myth that John Gotti was solely responsible for the mob's decline, instead tracing the shift back to the mid-1970s. We discuss the RICO Act's implications for prosecuting racketeering activities, empowering law enforcement to dismantle entire criminal enterprises. Through case studies of early RICO applications on the Los Angeles Familier led by Dominic Broolier and Tom Dragna and the evolution of informant culture, we examine how fear of lengthy sentences reshaped loyalty and power within the mafia.
Another great example is how the U.S. Attorney and the ATF used Rico on Sonny Barger and the California Hells Angels. We use another Mob turncoat, Jimmy Fratianno, as an excellent example of a Mafia storyteller necessary to make a RICO case. We analyze the chaos and violence that accompanied these legal changes and reflect on the personal toll on families affected by mob life. This episode offers a comprehensive look at organized crime's past and its parallels with contemporary issues, highlighting the RICO Act's critical role in the ongoing struggle against organized crime.

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Who Managed the Ravenite?

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 09:00:10 +0000

Who Managed the Ravenite?

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 09:00:08 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, I investigate the life of Norman DuPont, the notorious manager of the Ravenite Social Club, a key mob hangout. From my background as a former Kansas City Police detective, I share insights gained from footage of the club’s patrons and recount a violent confrontation at the Feast of San Gennaro with New York City cops, an incident that marked Norman DuPont’s descent into organized crime. Exploring the club’s evolution under figures like Carlo Gambino and John Gotti, I detail the FBI’s struggles to infiltrate this secretive world. Club manager Norman DuPont’s life ended in a chilling act of murder, showcasing the brutal code of the mob. I draw parallels to similar social clubs in Kansas City, reflecting on the culture of loyalty and secrecy that endures. #johngotti #gambinocrimefamily #normandupont #garyjenkins #ganglandwire #ravenitesocialclub Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00]Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there, back here in the studio of Gangland Wire, Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police intelligence unit detective, and now podcaster and former filmmaker and author. I mean, I’ve just done it all here in my retirement. I’m just kidding. You know, I don’t take myself that seriously. I want to tell you a kind of a short story today about the manager of the Ravenite Social Club, Norman DuPont. I recently was looking at some video and i snagged some video to put up youtube shorts of people going in and out of the ravenite and so i i didn’t hear this one guy was so i threw it out you know to the fans on youtube and they said oh that’s norman dupont and and what you could tell he was like the guy running errands he was running in and out opening the door going next door and getting supplies and bringing them back to a little corner store there and bringing them back to the club. So Norman DuPont. And I thought, well, who is this guy? I started researching him. You can’t find out a whole lot about him. It’s kind of an interesting story later in his life. One of the first things I found out about him was he was kind of crazy. [1:12]In 1990, it’s not too long before he committed a crime that sent him away for a long time. he was working at the Feast of San Gennaro down in Little Italy at Mulberry and Spring Street. And there was a child of an off-duty New York City police officer named Anthony Pinzone, and she complained that a concession game was not working properly. And a couple of off-duty cops went over to the booth and started making a complaint. And the booth attendant called out. All of a sudden, some other guys showed up and some other off-duty cops were in the area, showed up, and they have a. [1:54]Have a big brawl and and the cops ended up getting the worst end of it these guys beat him with like sticks and iron bars or something and they all get they got went to the hospital retreated and released one of them was uh kept for a while he had a fractured skull so one of the persons arrested was the ravenite manager norman dupont they charged him a second degree of salt all uh it’s just like crazy crazy crazy now this uh he was manager at the ravenite and ravenite was an italian american heritage club which is we all know was the head...

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Tony Spilotro Had a Bad Day

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 09:00:20 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, I describe details about the horrific demise of mobsters Tony and Michael Spilotro, as told in open court by the recently deceased Chicago Outfit member Nick Calabrese. Michael Spilotro thought he was gping to a meeting of the Chicago Outfit bosses so they could “make” him a member or get “whistled in.” Michael Spilotro was wrong; I think he and his brother, Tony, knew that. Nick Calabrese was the Chicago Outfit killer who told the story of who and how the Spilotro brothers were murdered. Click the title to buy the book I also introduce my latest book (click the title to buy), “Windy City Mafia: The Chicago Outfit,” which features gripping tales from my podcast about the rise of organized crime in Chicago. Overall, the episode offers a chilling glimpse into the realities of mob life while encouraging listeners to engage further with organized crime narratives through my book. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00]Well, hey, all you wiretappers, Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City police intelligence sergeant, detective sergeant later on back here in the studio of gangland wire with this episode. I’m you got to bear with me, guys. I’m going to do a little selling at the very start. I usually sell anything I got to sell at the end or asking for promote or for support or whatever. [0:22]But at the start, we’re going to do a little promotion. I have a book that I just did and I’m going to give you, I’m going to reward you. I’m going to give you a story, an interesting story, but to start, I have a book here that I’ve done. Windy City Mafia, the Chicago outfit. You can see it back over my shoulder there. Like any good day ever seen any author being interviewed on a podcast on a, on YouTube, you’ll see they had the book propped up over their shoulder. So anyhow, I’ve done this book and what I did. So, stories from Gangland Wire. So I took a bunch of my different Chicago stories and I just take my show notes and the transcript and then distill that down into a short story. So it’s a variety of different chapters. Each one is different. Let’s see, I did an overview, The Rise of the Chicago Outfit, kind of an overview of that. Then I’ve got seven chapters, which I’ve got Scarface on the golf course, which I thought was a really funny story and a good one. The Trial of Al Capone, that’s a first-person account that I found, and I put some other things together and did a show on that. The rise of Tony Accardo, Joe Batters, the murder of Estelle Carey, which was a particularly horrific murder. [1:40]I found a story about the Chicago Police Intelligence Unit serving a search warrant on an outfit gambling house, and they found a bunch of bookmaking records. Kind of near and dear to my own heart, I was part of the intelligence unit. We never served any search warrants. We set up some other people for vice to go serve the search warrants. Had an interview with Frank Calabrese Jr. And so I went back through that and pulled out a lot of the salient details about the Calabrese family. And finally, I did the executioner, Fear in the Chicago Outfit. What a catchy title for that chapter. And that’s really the story of Harry Aleman, which is, I mean, that guy was, he was a piece of work,

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Tony Spilotro had a Bad Day

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 09:00:06 +0000

Stories From the NYPD

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:00:46 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary interviews former NYPD officer Marique Bartoldus, who shares her 20-year journey in law enforcement. Marique’s book is Twenty and Out: A Compilation of Chaos experienced while serving 20 years in the New York City Police Department. Marique shares exciting life stories on the gritty streets with the NYPD in this well-written book. We discuss her experiences across various divisions, including patrol and SNU or Street Narcotics Unit, and the crazy work of an anit-crime cop in New York City. She explains and highlights the unpredictable realities of street police work. Marique shares gripping stories of high-stress encounters, the importance of quick thinking, and the camaraderie among officers. We also explore the impact of evolving crime trends, including fentanyl, and the personal toll of a career dedicated to community safety. Click here to get a copy of the book. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00]Well, hey, welcome all you wiretappers out there. Good to be back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. I have a show today with a officer from the New York Police Department. We’re going to tell some New York Police Department stories. You guys know that I spent 25 years on the Kansas City Police Department. Well, Marique Bartolda spent 20 years on the New York City Police Department. She’s got some great stories. So welcome, Marique. Hey, how’s it going? Thanks so much for having me. Great. I’m really glad to have you on. I think I’m looking forward to our mutual friend, Vic Ferrari says that you have some good stories. And so we’re going to hear some good stories today. I’m sure of that. Now the book guys, the book guys is 20 and out. It’s a compilation of chaos experience while serving 20 years in New York city police department. Here’s a review. I must say that the author was descriptive enough to set the scene of each story. I love that she She explained everything, which made you feel like you were right there with her. I couldn’t put it down and love that each chapter was a job she went to or encountered. Great job, Marique. So that’s, you know, a great review. And you got like all five star reviews, I believe. And so, guys, you can get that on Amazon. I’ll have a link to it in my show notes. So, Marique, tell us a little bit about yourself, you know, your education. And where did you work with the PD before we get into some stories? [1:22]So I grew up on Long Island in Malvern, which is right on the border of Queens and Nassau County. I went to New Paltz College. And while I was up there, I realized that I wanted to be a cop in New York City. So I left New Paltz, which is in upstate New York. I came back home and I went to school at John Jay College in Manhattan for criminal justice. I took a lot of law classes and I started going on the law track. I was really thinking maybe I wanted to be a lawyer. And I had taken the test for the New York City Police Department and they called me and I said, you know what? I don’t know about case law. [1:58]Reading it is fun to, you know, get an A in class or, you know, whatever. But to do this like as a chore for the next 30 years might get a little boring. So I said, you know what? I’m kind of an adrenaline junkie and And I might as...

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Stories From the NYPD

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:00:06 +0000

Cork Civella: Bonus Stories

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 09:00:40 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary remembered a few more Cork stories so watch this to hear about Cork’s sex life and his gun buying gone wrong.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00]Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there, Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City police detective in the intelligence unit. You know, we just did Cork Civella, Carl Civella, and I left a couple of stories out that were I thought were pretty good. And plus, I was involved in one and some members of the unit were involved in the other. So anyhow, let me tell you those stories is a little bonus for episode. And, you know, I could have gone back and tried to insert these in, but that’s kind of a pain. So I just did another little short podcast here. You know, back in 1981, we had a couple of guys, Harold Nichols and Randy Collins were out driving around, you know, doing their thing, you know, looking for mob guys, going to the city market, going to the trap, the social club and some of the other usual haunts. Maybe if they had a business that, you know, they hung out at and then maybe you’d pick up on them and you’d follow them to see where they went. You know, if you find them going to a spot that you never heard of before, you know, that’s how we caught, got those phones on a Tuffy DeLuna calling Las Vegas is following Tuffyand finally get him going in this hotel. [1:05]Then you catch him going there again and somebody runs inside and you see him on the phone. Like, bam, you got it. That’s how it works guys. And so these guys were out cruising around, not thinking about anything, not doing anything. They were downtown. I remember they were downtown Kansas city, a lot of traffic back then. And 1981 or 80, I believe, yes, 1980, it was in the spring. And so they saw Quark Civella with a woman by the name of Rita Armillio. And they were, I don’t know, looking for a parking spot. And they thought, well, you know, let’s just pull over and, you know, see where they go. And they finally settled in a parking spot. and they both went into a store that sold guns and and so they documented that and and at the time cork and another guy named paul barcelona they kind of about the same age they were contemporaries they were friends and they both had a big head of white hair although barcelona’s i think was real and corks was a wig he had this huge big head of white hair gray gray white hair but it was a wig and he was a dapper. Have you ever seen that picture of him in that checkered sport coat and that white wig? He’s a very, very dapper dude. [2:24]So he and Rita go in there and they run up and kind of peek in the window and they’re looking at handguns and so they don’t want to burn the deal. They just back off and then they follow them and they follow them over to Rita’s apartment and they both go inside. [2:40]So, you know, you write that up, send it over to the Bureau. Bureau goes to the U.S. Attorney, and the U.S. Attorney said, okay, we’ll put them in front of a grand jury. So they get Ms. Armillio. Of course, they know Cork’s not going to say anything. They get Ms. Armillio to come, and she testifies that she wasn’t there that day. Says, no, he wasn’t with me. me i he he there was another guy named Paul Varselona that was with me you know i did go into that store ...

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Cork Civella: Bonus Stories

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 09:00:06 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary remembered a few more Cork stories, so listen to hear about Cork's sex life and his gun buying gone wrong.

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
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Cork Civella: KC Street Boss

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 09:00:53 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary recounts the criminal life of Carl “Cork Civella,” a key player in Kansas City’s mob scene. From humble immigrant beginnings with his brother Nick to street boss of the KC Family, he is subservient only to his brother Nick. Gary highlights Cork’s unpredictable nature, significant street presence, loyalty to Nick as an enforcer, and reckless behavior that led to notorious incidents. This narrative provides insight into Kansas City’s unique mafia culture and sets the stage for future discussions on Kansas City’s influential organized crime figures.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00]Hey, all you wiretappers out there. I’m back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective, sergeant at the end. I want to tell you about Carl Cork Civella. I get a lot of guys commenting, hey, they want to know more about Kansas City. And I’ve done a little bit, and I’ve got some old stuff on Nick Civella, but it’s like several years old, and it’s not even on YouTube, I don’t think. And I don’t even know if you can find it on the audio app. I need to go get that out and re-edit it and put it up. But I’ve never really [0:37] The Civella Brothers’ Origins [0:35]done Cork. And Cork is an interesting guy. Carl Cork Civella, born in 1910. [0:41]Their father, he and Nick Civella, who is older brother, will become the mob bosses of Kansas City. And Nick will be more the major domo, if you will, the main mob boss. But Cork was right in there with him, as you’re going to find out. Now it’s Cork as i was told not corking he he’s named cork because he pops off i’ll give you a pretty good example of that he sometimes acts without thinking they were the sons of a Sicilian immigrant in Kansas City as you might well imagine they grew up in what we call the north end or Little Italy now this area is anchored by the holy rosary catholic church at 9 11 Missouri street uh it’s like these big church and the holy rosary church has always brought immigrants in and helped them learn English and get jobs they still do that to this day uh the don bosco center uh when the Vietnamese first started coming over after the war uh they came to the holy rosary church and the Don Bosco center where they learned English and they started moving in to little Italy i mean I mean, they were Catholic for the most part, and they took over a lot of Little Italy as this area changed. And, you know, the area looks like kind of like New York to me. It doesn’t look like anything else in Kansas City. It has this real big city look to it. [2:06]These boys, Nick and Carl Civella, and they took the same path as a lot of immigrant children and a lot of the mob bosses and mob people I’ve talked about in every city in the United States. Their father actually was a pushcart peddler, I believe, and small businesses. Because mainly newly arrived immigrants that didn’t speak English couldn’t really get jobs in the United States. So they had to figure out, you know, start a restaurant or a push card, sell fruit on the street, whatever they could do, had to start their own business for the most part. And so their father had a small business and the boys took the same path as a lot of immig...

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Cork Civella: Street Boss of KC

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 09:00:06 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary recounts the criminal life of Carl "Cork Civella," a key player in Kansas City's mob scene. From humble immigrant beginnings with his brother Nick to street boss of the KC Family, he is subservient only to his brother Nick. Gary highlights Cork’s unpredictable nature, significant street presence, loyalty to Nick as an enforcer, and reckless behavior that led to notorious incidents. This narrative provides insight into Kansas City's unique mafia culture and sets the stage for future discussions on Kansas City's influential organized crime figures.

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Wayne Newton and the Mob

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 09:00:07 +0000

In this episode, we explore the intriguing life of Wayne Newton, "Mr. Las Vegas," and his unexpected ties to organized crime. I share discoveries into a strange relationship between a Gambino family associate and this Las Vegas entertainer. I reveal Newton's connections with mobster Guido Penosi amid his performances at the Copacabana Club. The narrative delves into how Newton’s rise to fame attracted the attention of the Gambino family, leading to offers of “protection” and entangling him in a web of crime, investigations, and betrayal. As the story unfolds, I reflect on the complexity of Wayne Newton’s legacy, inviting listeners to engage with our community as we continue to explore the captivating intersections of celebrity and organized crime. Wayne Newton was a dynamic showman in Las Vegas for many years, and his innocence led him to get into a business relationship with a mobster. He even allowed his mob connectiopns to become involved with another Las Vegas entertainer, singer Lola Falana.
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Wayne Newton and the Mob

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 18:06:44 +0000

In this episode, we explore the intriguing life of Wayne Newton, “Mr. Las Vegas,” and his unexpected ties to organized crime. I share discoveries into a strange relationship between a Gambino family associate and this Las Vegas entertainer. I reveal Newton’s connections with mobster Guido Penosi amid his performances at the Copacabana Club. The narrative delves into how Newton’s rise to fame attracted the attention of the Gambino family, leading to offers of “protection” and entangling him in a web of crime, investigations, and betrayal. As the story unfolds, I reflect on the complexity of Wayne Newton’s legacy, inviting listeners to engage with our community as we continue to explore the captivating intersections of celebrity and organized crime. Wayne Newton was a dynamic showman in Las Vegas for many years, and his innocence led him to get into a business relationship with a mobster. He even allowed his mob connections to become involved with another Las Vegas entertainer, singer Lola Falana. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00]Well, hey, all you wiretappers, good to be back here in the studio. This is like a little extra, as you’ll notice, you got this soon. We’re experimenting with trying to get my new logo, this part of this logo here on the top of the email that comes out if you’re a subscriber to Gangland Wire website, which if you’re not, you need to be a subscriber. [0:19]Although I say you get a free book or a link to get a free book that I knocked out here a few years ago, and I need to change that book up a little bit. It a lot of people have gotten it be that as it may i’ve got to put out the keep experimenting putting out blog shots or blog pieces or a podcast and and i think we’ve got it fixed now so when this comes out if you go to the if you’re subscriber and you go to the email you’ll see a different picture you’ll see my new logo always had that old logo that i had for several years that had the wave sign and the green wave sign and the red gangland wire and i paid a guy to come up with this new logo. And, and, you know, and then I never could figure out how to get it up. Finally, my wife finally sat down. I convinced her to go into the back end and figure it out. And it took her about three hours to figure it out. You’d think it’d be easier than that, but it wasn’t. So I thought I’d do a little separate podcast here for you, just for fun. A story that I had always wondered about when I was younger was Mr. Las Vegas, Wayne Newton. I I don’t know if you know who Wayne Newton is. Most of you probably do. I saw his show once. I was out in Las Vegas and saw his show. He was getting older then. He’s probably, shoot, he’s older than me. [1:33]But he’s had a lot of work done, and he obviously was wearing a girdle or something. He looked pretty slim and trim for his age and what I know about him. But he put on a hell of a show in Vegas. I mean, he is the consummate showman. I always had heard that Wayne Newton somehow was hooked up to the mob, but yet not really, or the mob, you know, being a Las Vegas entertainer like that, you got to have, you got to somehow get along with the mob back in the 70s and 80s. Now, since then, you don’t have to. I started researching, and I found that he once got himself hooked up with a New York mobster, not a Chicago guy.

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Wiretapping Carlo Gambino

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 09:00:33 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, we dive into the captivating tales of Gary Clemente’s father, Peter C. Clemente, who was a significant figure in the FBI’s Top Hoodlum Squad. Peter’s career spanned from 1950 to 1976, and he played a vital role in various high-profile cases within the Mafia. One notable event was the Appalachian Mob Conclave, where top mob leaders were detained, leading to the inception of the Top Hoodlum Program initiated by J. Edgar Hoover. Peter Clemente’s proactive approach led him to have a face-to-face encounter with Carlo Gambino, a powerful Mafia boss. Gambino was surprised by Peter’s bold move and their interaction provided valuable insights into Gambino’s demeanor and voice, essential for future investigations. Another riveting story recounts Agent Clemente’s extensive wiretapping operation on Carlo Gambino while he stayed at a motel in Miami Beach. The meticulous operation involved eavesdropping on Gambino’s conversations with his associates, shedding light on the inner workings of the Mafia. Furthermore, the episode touches on Peter’s involvement in debriefing Joe Valachi, a crucial informant who revealed significant information about the Mafia’s structure. Despite initial reluctance due to mistrust, Valachi eventually cooperated with an Irish-speaking agent, facilitating the gathering of invaluable intelligence. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Introduction [0:00]Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there and back here in the studio of Gangland Wire, as you can see, this is retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit Sergeant and Detective Gary Jenkins. We have a great story today. The son of an FBI agent who was one of the early first agents that was assigned to the FBI’s top hoodlum squad and worked on Carlo Gambino and talked to Joe Vellacci and some really great stories. He’s going to have a book coming out called Untold Tales from the FBI Top Hoodlum Squad. Welcome, Gary Clemente. Good to see you, Gary. Another Gary. Yeah, really. You know, there was a lot of us named Gary in the early 1950s. Did you notice that? I think so. I think we were all named after Gary Cooper. That was why. I asked my mother once. She said, I don’t know. We just couldn’t think of anything else. But I think that’s what it was because nobody names their kid Gary now. There you go. There you go. I’m Italian myself, and Gary’s not a common Italian name. I know. I know. I was surprised when I saw your first name. [1:09]Anyhow, Gary, it’s a pleasure to meet you, and I look forward to this interview. I read a little bit about you. I don’t remember how I found out about you on Facebook or I don’t know. I’ve got so many feelers out there for people that have books or have knowledge about the mob that I forget where it came from. But anyhow, I got a hold of you and you graciously agreed to come on the podcast in order to tell the guys about your book and about your father’s experiences. And I looked them up and and he was an early guy in the top hoodlum squad, wasn’t he? He sure was, Gary. He started off in the Bureau in 1950, and his career spanned from 1950 to 19. Just an interesting side note, at that time, there was a little bit of discrimination in the world at that time with Italians.

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Wiretapping Carlo Gambino

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 09:00:07 +0000

Michael Vecchione on Gaspipe Casso

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 09:00:46 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode of the Gangland Wire podcast, Michael Vecchione, a former Brooklyn prosecutor and author, discusses his novels inspired by real-life experiences in the criminal underworld. Gary Jenkins and Michael Vecchione focus on Lucchese mobster Anthony Gaspipe Casso. These two veterans of the fight against the Mafia delve into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the gritty realities of organized crime in New York City. Former porsecutor Michael Vecchione interviews Gaspipe Casso about his involvement in criminal activities, intricate alliances, and obstacles law enforcement faces in solving cases, which are highlighted, offering a glimpse into the dark world of organized crime. The discussion underscores the challenges of investigating organized crime and emphasizes the importance of ongoing efforts to combat the La Cosa Nostra. Click here to find all of Michael Vecchione’s books on Amazon. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Introduction to Gangland Wire [0:00]Hey, welcome all you wiretappers out there. It’s good to be back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins. You know, I’m a retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective turned podcaster. And this has been fun, guys. This is so much fun. And I’ve gotten to know some great people doing this over the last several years. And one of them is Michael Vecchione. Welcome, Michael. [0:22]Thank you very much, Gary. I appreciate you having me back on. I love talking to you and talking to your audience. You know, it’s interesting, like Michael and I kind of speak the same language in many ways, because he was a prosecutor in the Brooklyn. He was a, you were the chief of the Brooklyn Rackets division, correct? That’s, that’s correct. Yeah. I had before that I was chief of the Homicide Bureau as well. And so I kind of had my hand in, in almost everything that went on in the DA’s office when I was, when I was there. So it was a very interesting experience. I got to tell I can imagine, you know, Michael knows where all the bodies are buried in Brooklyn, political and really, you know, it’s interesting you say that because the guy we’re going to talk about the gas pipe castle, when I spoke to him, gave me some locations for bodies. And, but we’ll get into that when we, when I tell you the story. Really? Let’s talk just a little bit about Michael and his books. First of all, guys, we’ve got a self-talk Mary, you know, and, and you’ll be interested in these books. He was on here before with Luigi the Zip, Homicide is My Business, and that was a big seller, at least for me, and I think it was for Michael, too. And he interviewed this guy who was a Sicilian who did a bunch of hits here who just liked Michael, if I remember right. That was a great show, Michael. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, it was. Luigi was a character that I will never forget, I have to tell you. [1:49]Uh, I’ll have links to all these and to Amazon and the show notes guys at, we had crooked Brooklyn. We talked, I think we talked about that one and we had, uh, did we do murder on the bridge? I can’t remember what was, we did the one about, uh, people were getting killed in a hospital. [2:07]Oh, that was Behind the Murder Curtain. Oh, okay. Behind the Murder Curtain.

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Michael Vecchione on Gaspipe Casso

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 09:00:08 +0000

The Gentleman was a Thief

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 09:00:30 +0000

Dean Jobb, author of “A Gentleman and a Thief,” discusses his passion for writing about true crime stories and bringing history to life creatively. He focuses on the Jazz Age thief, Arthur Barry, known for daring jewel heists and his gentlemanly demeanor during crimes. Jobb delves into Barry’s heists, interactions with high society, and relationship with his wife, Anna Blake. The lack of sophisticated investigative techniques in that era allowed Barry to outsmart law enforcement, adding a thrilling element to the narrative. The cat-and-mouse game between Barry and Chief Detective Harold King highlights Barry’s antihero persona, making him a character that readers might root for despite his criminal activities. click here to buy Dean Jobb’s book A Gentleman and a Thief: The Daring Heists of a Jass-Age Thief. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! [0:00]Guys, this is Gary Jenkins. As you all know, you regulars know, I’m a retired intelligence unit detective of the Kansas City Police Department and now a podcaster. And I have a couple of documentary films that deal with the Kansas City Mafia. But today we’re not talking about me. Today we’re talking to Dean Jobe. He wrote a heck of a book. The publicist for the book producer sent me a copy of the book. I don’t read all these guys, as you know, but I do start reading them and I make notes from them. But this one, I started reading it and I loved it. I was hooked. I read the whole thing all the way through. It’s called A Gentleman and a Thief, The Daring Jewel Heist of a Jazz Age Rogue, Arthur Barry. Now, Arthur Barry was a jazz age rogue, if there ever was one. So let me, I’m gonna read you a review before we start talking. A top shelf work of true crime, Job tells Barry’s tale with both rigor and pathos. Painting a tender portrait of a crook who was never fearsome. [1:02]This is liable to steal the reader’s hearts. That’s from Publishers Weekly, and it is a great book. There’s no doubt about it. So, Dean Jobes, welcome, and start off talking a little bit about your own writing history and how you got onto this story and some background on you, and then we’ll talk about the book. Well, I’m a former journalist, and over the years I’d written books. My beat as a reporter was covering the courts, covering criminal trials and anything going on in the courthouse. And my background was in history, and the two kind of collided in a nice way that I started writing features about old cases in Nova Scotia, Canada, where I live, and just got hooked with the storytelling, the way that true crime can give you a window on the past and dramatic events, interesting storylines. But you can also learn a lot about history. So about 10 years ago, Algonquin Books, my publisher, published Empire of Deception, and it was about a Chicago con man in the 20s, the jazz age. I love the era. Connection to me was when his Ponzi scheme collapsed, he hid out here in Nova Scotia. So I had some local ties to that story. [2:12]My last book was called The Case of the Murderous Dr. Cream about a Victorian era doctor who murdered as many as 10 people, most of them women, in three countries over a 15-year span. And it’s subtitled The Hunt for a Victorian Era Serial Killer because that was my focus. I wanted to know how he got away with it, which led me to understand a lot about the horrible plight of women in the Victorian era...

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
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The Gentleman was a Thief

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 09:00:06 +0000

Dean Jobb, author of "A Gentleman and a Thief," discusses his passion for writing about true crime stories and bringing history to life creatively. He focuses on the Jazz Age thief, Arthur Barry, known for daring jewel heists and his gentlemanly demeanor during crimes. Jobe delves into Barry's heists, interactions with high society, and relationship with his wife, Anna Blake. The lack of sophisticated investigative techniques in that era allowed Barry to outsmart law enforcement, adding a thrilling element to the narrative. The cat-and-mouse game between Barry and Chief Detective Harold King highlights Barry's antihero persona, making him a character readers might root for despite his criminal activities.

Support the Podcast
Buy me a Cup of Coffee
Donate at Gangland Wire

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Sal Locascio: Master Of Making Money!

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 09:00:43 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary shares a captivating story about the Gambino family’s best earner, Sal LoCascio. He highlights the family’s significance as big moneymakers, like Family boss Paul Castellano, a major earner. Jenkins shares intriguing details about a surveillance video he came across showing mob members at the Ravenite, sparking his interest in a moneymaker named Salvatore “Sal” LoCascio. Locasio’s frequent visits to the Ravenite drew attention to the Gambino family’s activities, leading to an investigation that uncovered a high-tech scheme in the late 90s involving internet and telephone services. Jenkins tells how LoCascio and Richie Martino orchestrated elaborate scams, including creating deceptive porn websites that charged visitors through hidden fees. The interview explores the intricate web of fraud, spanning from porn sites to phone cramming operations, all orchestrated by members of the Gambino family.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Introduction to Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police detective [0:00]Hey, all you wiretappers out there, Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective and sergeant by the time I got done, by the time I retired. Anyhow, I’m back here in the studio with another story about the Gambino family. You know, Gambino families were really a hell of a family. They were big moneymakers, you know, and Castellano was one of the bigger moneymakers. I don’t know what God he was thinking of. He wanted the power, but Castellano, under him, they really made the money. I’m going to tell you about one of the bigger moneymakers that I just stumbled across. [0:39]A lot of you guys may already know about it, but I was watching some video on YouTube, and I saw this surveillance video. It was really good. It was like they were right there on the street of some cars and people coming [0:53] Introduction to Sal “Tor” Locasio at the Ravenite [0:52]and going from the Ravenite. And this was after a guy he had taken over as you know if he’s going in and out of the ravenite and it showed a guy pulling up in a big black lincoln and looked like a mafia staff car and going in so i made a little short on it and i threw it out on my youtube channel and i said who are these guys and so they named this was sal salvator or tor locasio was going into the ravenite and actually that’s what brought all the gambino family into this conspiracy because he was in and out of the ravenite so much he had dumb ass john god he made everybody come in there all the time and you know say hey there’s a mob guy now let’s go see what he’s doing i’ve done that you see a guy coming and going and he’s talking with with you know real deal mafia members and he may or he may be a relative and then in this case his dad was frank locascio who was uh. [1:51]Longtime Capo and longtime Gambino family member and became Gotti’s consigliere. Locasio kind of, you know, he hadn’t really been that high profile during his time. Sal, or Tor, as they called him, Tor Locasio, had not been that high profile. [2:07]That was one of the reasons that the Gambino family ended up going down. Because, you know, what you do is you see that guy and then let’s go take a look at him. Let’s go get his trash.

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Sal Locascio: Master Of Making Money!

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 09:00:06 +0000

Mrs. Mandelbaum and New York Organized Crime

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 09:00:50 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Margalit Fox joins the Gangland Wire podcast to discuss her book, “The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum: The Rise and Fall of an American Organized Crime Boss” which delves into the story of the early fence Mrs. Mandelbaum. Mrs. Mandelbaum operated a successful New York City criminal empire focusing on stolen luxury goods and bank robbery for 25 years, evading jail time. Margalit explores how Mrs. Mandelbaum treated property crime as a business, offering discounts on luxury goods to cater to the middle class. The interview highlights Mrs. Mandelbaum’s organizational skills, elaborate front shop for her operations and involvement in major bank robberies. The discussion showcases Mrs. Mandelbaum’s strategic planning, financial investments, and the blurred lines between legitimate business and criminal enterprises at her dinner parties. The interview provides fascinating insights into Mrs. Mandelbaum’s pioneering role in early organized crime, shedding light on forgotten aspects of women’s history and criminal entrepreneurship in the 19th century. #newyorkcity #organizedcrimegroups #organzedcrime Click here To Buy The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum: The Rise and Fall of an American Organized Crime Boss. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! [0:00]Well, hey, welcome all you wiretappers out there. It’s good to be back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Sergeant. And I have a another story for you today from the author of The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum. Now, you guys know what fencing is. If you don’t, a fence is a person that buys stolen goods from a criminal. And it’s extremely lucrative. I mean, it’s really, really lucrative and it’s hard to investigate, hard to really make a case on anybody. And my guest today, Margalit Fox, has written a book about one of the earliest fences in the United States who was, again, immensely successful. So Margalit, welcome. I really appreciate you coming on the show and telling the guys about The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum. Thank you so much, Gary. It’s my pleasure. So The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum, which was just published by Random House last week, tells the true story of the first major organized crime boss in America. Now, all of us, when we think of a crime boss, we either think of Tony Soprano, or if we’re a certain age, we think of something from The Untouchables, a big, strapping, tough guy with spats and a Tommy gun during prohibition and emphasis on the word guy. However, the first. [1:28]Big deal. Crime boss in America was none of those things. It was a nice, zoftig Jewish mother of four named Mrs. Mandelbaum, who came here in steerage in 1850 with nothing more than the clothes on her back, and two decades later was running the most successful, most lucrative, one of the most extensive crime networks in America. She operated with complete impunity for 25 years, not spending a day in jail. Her modest haberdashery shop on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, disguised a criminal empire that centered on stolen luxury goods like silk and silver and diamonds, and eventually diversified into bank robbery. She had working for her an army of the country’s foremost shoplifters, housebreakers, and bank burglars whom she had personally recruit...

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Mrs. Mandelbaum and New York Organized Crime

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 09:00:07 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Margalit Fox joins the Gangland Wire podcast to discuss her book, "The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum," which delves into the story of the early fence Mrs. Mandelbaum. Mrs. Mandelbaum operated a successful New York City criminal empire focusing on stolen luxury goods and bank robbery for 25 years, evading jail time. Margalit explores how Mrs. Mandelbaum treated property crime as a business, offering discounts on luxury goods to cater to the middle class. The interview highlights Mrs. Mandelbaum's organizational skills, elaborate front shop for her operations and involvement in major bank robberies. The discussion showcases Mrs. Mandelbaum's strategic planning, financial investments, and the blurred lines between legitimate business and criminal enterprises at her dinner parties. The interview provides fascinating insights into Mrs. Mandelbaum's pioneering role in early organized crime, shedding light on forgotten aspects of women's history and criminal entrepreneurship in the 19th century. #newyorkcity #organizedcrimegroups #organzedcrime

To buy The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum: The Rise and Fall of an American Organized Crime Boss, click here.
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10 Legendary Black Gangsters

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 09:00:39 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, I explore the history of 10 Legendary Black Gangsters, highlighting key figures and organizations from the 1920s to the present day. We discuss the evolution of black organized crime in cities like New York, Detroit, Chicago, and Philadelphia, focusing on prominent individuals such as Nicky Barnes, Samuel Christian, Frank Matthews, and Larry Hoover. The narrative also investigates the international connections of figures like Jeff Fort, founder of Chicago’s El Rukan, and Demetrius Flanory of the Black Mafia Family (BMF). Finally, I look at the emergence of street gangs like the Crips and Bloods in South Central LA. Additionally, we touch on iconic figures like Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson and cinematic portrayals of gangster life in popular media. #blackgangster #gangster #bloods #crips #mafia #organizedcrimegroups #elrukanSupport the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Introduction to Black Gangsters [0:00]Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there, back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. As most of you know, this is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective. And I have a story today. [0:15]Correction on that. I have a show today that’s going to… Correction on that. I’m going to talk… Correction on that. Today, I’m going to talk about the top 10 black gangsters in all of kind of recorded history, if you will. Now, going back before the war, back in the 30s and 20s, there were black gangsters, but nobody really talked much about them. Going on up into the 40s and 50s, especially the 50s, newspapers started covering that kind of thing. And so there was quite a few pretty well-known guys that were part of their community. And they were, you know, professional criminals. They had an organization. They weren’t exactly the mafia, but they had something going on. It was all built around drugs, I believe, because that was the crime that you can make some real money at. So a big rise of this in the 60s and 70s as civil rights came in and, you know, like after the riots of 1968, There’s a huge shift in really in the black communities and in covering by the newspapers and covering black crime and by the police and their response to black crime. So let’s talk about those days, you know, New York, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia are kind of the most well-known cities when it comes to the history of black organized crime. [1:42]There were syndicates like the council headed by Nicky Barnes in New York and Philadelphia’s Black Mafia. You may have heard of that. I think I did a show of us around the more later Black Mafia with Sean Patrick Griffin. A man named Samuel Christian led that one in Philadelphia and, you know, illegal gambling and drug drug trafficking. But they also got into fencing, you know, and in Kansas City, we had a Black Mafia or at least what we did. The newspaper’s called the Black Mafia, led by a guy named Doc Dearborn and his partner, Eugene Richardson. And then the Kelton brothers had an organization. And I remember we even stopped a kid named James Calvin Bradley who just got out of the penitentiary. He was an armed robber. And the Kelton brothers had not only a heroin organization going, they had crews of young kids that were going out robbing banks. [2:40]

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10 Legendary Black Gangsters

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 09:00:08 +0000

Joe Massino - Bonnanno Boss Died in Witness Protection

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 09:00:25 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, I start with FBI agent Doug Fencl telling the story of revealing Joe Pistone's true identity as an undercover agent to Bonanno-Capo Sonny Black. This revelation set off a chain of events leading to the downfall of high-ranking members of the Bonanno crime family, including boss Joe Massino. Delving into Joe Messino's background, we explore his ruthless rise within the mob and the cunning maneuvers he orchestrated to maintain his criminal empire. Despite his affable facade, Joe Massino proved to be the most dangerous among his peers, orchestrating numerous murders and hits. As we encounter the seemingly unassuming Joey Massino, we witness his surprising criminal activities and his eventual rise in the mob scene, earning him the moniker Big Joey for his illicit ventures. Bonanno boss Rusty Rastelli mentored Big Joey as he went into various criminal enterprises, showcasing his intelligence, adaptability, and willingness to resort to violence. Through interviews and investigations, we uncover the intricate workings behind Joey's criminal operations and his ascent within the mob ecosystem, from truck hijackings to becoming a trusted fence for stolen goods. The narrative delves into the power struggles and violent actions within the Mafia, precisely honing in on Joe Messino's team and their meticulously planned murders, including the hit on three capos and the involvement of Donnie Brasco. Joe Messino's adept money laundering tactics and his unwavering loyalty to Rusty Rastelli come to the forefront as we witness the intricate web of crime and consequences within the Mafia unfold. Ultimately, financial investigations and FBI infiltration led to the demise of Messino and his cohorts like brother-in-law Sal Vitale, underscoring the treacherous landscape of organized crime. Our exploration extends to Barry Weinberg, who evaded millions in taxes through illicit means before law enforcement capitalized on his vulnerabilities to transform him into an informant. This catalyzed a series of revelations about mob activities within the Bonanno family, culminating in the shocking turn of events where Joe Massino, the powerful boss, transitions into a government informant. Through strategic legal maneuvers and riveting courtroom drama, the formidable mob empire crumbles, bringing Massino's reign of terror to a dramatic end. Join us as we unravel the chilling narrative of betrayal, survival, and the downfall of crime lords, shedding light on the dark underbelly of organized crime.

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Joe Massino – Died in Witness Protection

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, I start with FBI agent Doug Fencl telling the story of revealing Joe Pistone’s true identity as an undercover agent to Bonanno-Capo Sonny Black. This revelation set off a chain of events leading to the downfall of high-ranking members of the Bonanno crime family, including boss Joe Massino. Delving into Joe Messino’s background, we explore his ruthless rise within the mob and the cunning maneuvers he orchestrated to maintain his criminal empire. Despite his affable facade, Joe Massino proved to be the most dangerous among his peers, orchestrating numerous murders and hits. As we encounter the seemingly unassuming Joey Massino, we witness his surprising criminal activities and his eventual rise in the mob scene, earning him the moniker Big Joey for his illicit ventures. Bonanno boss Rusty Rastelli mentored Big Joey as he went into various criminal enterprises, showcasing his intelligence, adaptability, and willingness to resort to violence. Through interviews and investigations, we uncover the intricate workings behind Joey’s criminal operations and his ascent within the mob ecosystem, from truck hijackings to becoming a trusted fence for stolen goods. The narrative delves into the power struggles and violent actions within the Mafia, precisely honing in on Joe Messino’s team and their meticulously planned murders, including the hit on three capos and the involvement of Donnie Brasco. Joe Messino’s adept money laundering tactics and his unwavering loyalty to Rusty Rastelli come to the forefront as we witness the intricate web of crime and consequences within the Mafia unfold. Ultimately, financial investigations and FBI infiltration led to the demise of Messino and his cohorts like brother-in-law Sal Vitale, underscoring the treacherous landscape of organized crime. Our exploration extends to Barry Weinberg, who evaded millions in taxes through illicit means before law enforcement capitalized on his vulnerabilities to transform him into an informant. This catalyzed a series of revelations about mob activities within the Bonanno family, culminating in the shocking turn of events where Joe Massino, the powerful boss, transitions into a government informant. Through strategic legal maneuvers and riveting courtroom drama, the formidable mob empire crumbles, bringing Massino’s reign of terror to a dramatic end. Join us as we unravel the chilling narrative of betrayal, survival, and the downfall of crime lords, shedding light on the dark underbelly of organized crime. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here!

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Peter Savino Takes Down the Chin Gigante

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 19:30:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Larry McShane joins the podcast to discuss Vincent "The Chin" Gigante, focusing on Peter Savino, a key player in convicting Gigante. Larry wrote a book, "Chin: The Life and Times of Vincent Gigante," detailing Gigante's rise to power in the Genovese crime family. Gary learned that Savino went into Witness Protection and lived out his life in Kansas City. Savino's role in the Windows case, where mob-operated companies rigged bids for window contracts in NYC, is discussed. Despite health issues, Savino's testimony against Gigante proved crucial in court. The dynamic between Gigante and Savino, including their business dealings and personal connection, is explored. The podcast delves into the intricacies of organized crime, witness protection, and the downfall of Gigante, showcasing Larry's expertise in mob history. Larry's other book on Philadelphia mob boss Ralph Natale piques interest for future discussions.
Click here to see all of Larry McShane's Mafia books.

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Peter Savino Takes Down the Chin

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 09:00:15 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Larry McShane joins the podcast to discuss Vincent “The Chin” Gigante, focusing on Peter Savino, a key player in convicting Gigante. Larry wrote a book, “Chin: The Life and Times of Vincent Gigante,” detailing Gigante’s rise to power in the Genovese crime family. Gary learned that Savino went into Witness Protection and lived out his life in Kansas City. Savino’s role in the Windows case, where mob-operated companies rigged bids for window contracts in NYC, is discussed. Despite health issues, Savino’s testimony against Gigante proved crucial in court. The dynamic between Gigante and Savino, including their business dealings and personal connection, is explored. The podcast delves into the intricacies of organized crime, witness protection, and the downfall of Gigante, showcasing Larry’s expertise in mob history. Larry’s other book on Philadelphia mob boss Ralph Natale piques interest for future discussions. Click here to get Larry McShane’s Mob books. The Chin! Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Introduction [0:00]Well, Hey guys, welcome back to the studio gangland wire. I’m on the zoom call here with Larry McShane. We were going to talk about the chin, but we’re going to talk more about one of the guys that, that really locked in the conviction on Vincent, the chin gigante back in the day and, and forced him to actually admit that it was all an act. This crazy bit was all an act. Larry, I really appreciate you coming on the show and you kind of are the, one of the experts on Vincent the Chin Gigante, you wrote the book. So first of all, tell us a little bit about the book. And I’ll put pictures of it on the YouTube and I’ll have links to Larry’s book and the show notes, guys. Yeah. The name of the book is Chin, the Life and Times of Vincent Gigante. [0:49]And it sort of traces his ascension from, you know, the son of Italian immigrants who settled in Greenwich Village, to his rise to the top of the Genovese crime family in the early 80s. I think the Genovese were kind of regarded as, I think the term they used to use was like the Ivy League of the New York mob. He ran it for a good long time until they finally convicted him in 1997, I believe. And one of the reasons, the biggest reason his reign was so long is because he managed to perplex prosecutors by pretending that he had a mental illness. [1:39]And his lawyers would argue in court that he was not mentally fit to stand trial. And this dragged on for a long time. I mean, there’s famous stories. The cops came to arrest him one time, and he was standing naked in the shower holding an umbrella over his head. And he would wander. He lived on Sullivan Street in Greenwich Village. And for years, he never left there. You know, and you could see him. He had a social club right across the street from the apartment that he shared with his mom. And that’s where he did his business. Conversations about business were not done inside the club. You know, they were very worried about bugs or surveillance. And he and whoever he wanted to speak to would wander up and down Sullivan Street, you know, gigante in his ratty looking bathrobe and slippers. And again, this he took over in 1981 and it took 16 years before they could finally prosecute him.

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Mafia Shootout in Kansas City

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 22:00:31 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. The Kansas City Mafia enforces their rules on bar owners like Ferris Anthon even when they have to resort to deadly and drastic measures. In this episode, we recount the harrowing experience of Sheriff Tom Bash, a fearless lawman in Jackson County, Missouri, during the 1930s. Witness the gripping account of Sheriff Tom Bash’s confrontation with the Kansas City Mafia in a deadly ambush, showcasing his valor and dedication to upholding justice. Through a riveting shootout, Sheriff Bash emerges as a local hero, shining a light on the pervasive mob activities and corruption of the era. Despite facing legal challenges and political interference, Sheriff Tom Bash’s legacy of courage and integrity perseveres, symbolizing the unwavering fight against criminal influence and the steadfast commitment to the rule of law.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Introduction to Kansas City Mob Incident [0:00]Hey, all you wiretappers out there, and this is going to be a special bonus episode about a Kansas City mob incident that had never happened before, and it’s never happened since. Here’s the situation. An armed police officer is taking his family home after an evening out, and he drives right in the middle of a mob hit. Now, what are you going to do? Oh, my God, I got my family here. This guy he was a sheriff and and i’ll i’ll go back over a lot of this because i did this before i did this story before but i need to do a little opening a new opening because something else would happen anyhow what i want to do is give a shout out to a couple of gangland wire fans i met the other night now steve saint john my friend steve saint john’s been on the show several times you know he’s the guy that that actually my squad worked on him helped put him in the prison forgot God, he was there about 10 years and came back out. He’s gone straight, done pretty well. We’ve become friends. So he asked me to go to the Kansas City Goats game, which is our arena football team. His son, Stephen St. John, is like the top sports radio broadcaster. He has a show, Stephen St. John Show, here in Kansas City. [1:15]And so we’re watching the game. It’s a lot of fun. And all of a sudden I look over and I see to my right, there’s this beautiful girl or woman coming up. She’s got blonde hair and she gets closer. She’s got these beautiful green eyes and she’s smiling and looking at me and nodding like she knows me. And I’m thinking, I don’t know this. Who is this? And so she gets right to me. She stops and sticks out her hands and introduced herself as Connie said. She was a longtime podcast listener. She grew up in Kansas City. She grew up over what we call the Northeast. Her family knew some of these different mob associated people. And so I’m trying to keep my composure. And man, beautiful girl. She thinks I’m cool because I have this podcast. But it’d be that I’m not. I’m not. Steve’s sitting over here. He’s cracking up because he knew this was coming. He had run into her. He knew her from somewhere else. And he ran into her at the concession stand. She’s working at the concession stand as a fundraiser for St. Pius, which is the big premier Catholic high school. And so lots of times they’ll take over a concession stand and run that stand and they get to kee...

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Mafia Shootout In Kansas City

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 22:00:04 +0000

Nick Annunziata – The Man Who Played Johnny Roselli

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 09:00:24 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode of Gangland Wire, I speak with Nick Annunziata, known for his role as Chicago Outfit member Johnny Roselli in Mafia Spies. We discussed his experience portraying Roselli. Nick relates that part of his preparation was to contact Albert Anastasia’s son, who knew Johnny Roselli. We discuss some JFK assassination theories involving Roselli. Nick shares insights on working on several Sopranos Episodes. He played Eddie Pietro, underboss for Rusty Millio, played by the well-known singer Frankie Valli. In season six, titled Luxury Longue, Nick describes the scene in which Sicilian gunmen murder Rusty Millio and Eddie Pietro, as well as other memorable Soprano events. Nick emphasizes the value of authenticity, camaraderie among cast members, and staying true to his principles in the entertainment industry. Among other things, Nick Annunziata is a world-class poker player, a certified weapons instructor, a musician, and a screenwriter. Check out Nick’s music – AnnunziatA- “Los Angeles” on ITunes, Spotify or Amazon #mafiaspies #mafiahistory #organizedcrime #chicagooutfit #johnnyroselli Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00]Hey, welcome all you wiretappers out there back here in the studio of Gangland Wire and I have a really unusual different show for you and I know you’re going to like it. If you watch Mafia Spies that Thomas Meyer I interviewed a couple of weeks ago wrote that book and they created this docuseries about Johnny Roselli being involved with the CIA and trying to kill Castro and it’s a great docu-series. I just finished it myself, I think, this last weekend. Well, you got to watch it. Now, I have the actor, Nick Annuzziata, who played Johnny Roselli. Welcome, Nick. Nice to be here, Gary. Thanks for having me. So, Nick, you know, let’s talk about you playing Johnny Roselli. I just want to compliment you, first of all, and I don’t usually do this, as these guys know. [0:51]Thank you. I’m like Italian parents, you know, you got to do a lot to impress me. I mean, that’s the truth.

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Nick Annunziata - The Man Who Played Johnny Roselli

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 09:00:09 +0000

Miami Mafia: How FBI Politics Nearly Destroyed a Case

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 09:00:07 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary and retired FBI agent Jerry Hester discuss his book "Mafia Miami: FBI Politics and How an Investigation Was Nearly Sabotaged." The investigation involved tracking a high-priority Italian mafioso in South Florida. Hester details his career beginnings in the FBI, and his work in Miami focuses on organized crime and public corruption. He tells how politics almost derailed a case against a Sicilian mafioso named Robert Settineri. This investigation came from intelligence shared by the Italian National Police. The investigation linked Settineri to the Sicilian mafia and his ties with the Gambino family in the US, showcasing a unique interconnection between different crime families. Hester explains the challenges of starting the investigation without a reliable informant and the meticulous process of gathering evidence through phone searches, surveillance, and developing informants like Leo. He delves into the complexities of navigating undercover operations to gather incriminating evidence, especially in the face of a savvy criminal like Settineri. The investigation's international scope also involved coordination with Italian authorities, adding complexity to the case. As the investigation progresses, Hester shares the setbacks, including a failed attempt to gather evidence through a money laundering operation due to Centinari's suspicions. Despite these challenges, the case escalates to involve high-level CIA operatives, parallel investigations in New York and Italy, and the intricate dynamics within the Sicilian mafia. Hester also touches on the cultural shifts and policy changes within the FBI post-9/11 that impacted investigations and highlights the book's broader examination of law enforcement practices and challenges. The conversation with the host meanders through various aspects of the investigation, including the role of FBI undercover agents, the connection with prominent Gambino figures like Joseph "Jo Jo" Corozzo, Sr. and Jackie D'Amico, and the pursuit of criminal charges against critical players like Antonio Tricamo. Hester's book not only delves into the gritty details of mafia investigations but also provides insights into law enforcement agencies' internal workings and challenges.

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Mafia Spies: New Paramount Plus Docuseries

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 09:00:37 +0000

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Mafia Spies with Gary Jenkins, a retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective turned podcaster, as he welcomes special guest Thomas Maier, author of “Mafia Spies.” Thomas Maier provides unique insights into the JFK Assassination document release, offering a glimpse into the laborious process of sifting through countless pages with extensive redaction. Explore the intricate web of connections linking the JFK assassination, the Castro-CIA plot, and the involvement of notorious mobsters like Johnny Roselli and Sam Giancana. Journey into the covert operations conducted in Florida, where figures such as Santo Trafficante, head of the Miami mob, played a pivotal role. Gain a deeper understanding of the motivations driving Castro’s rise to power, the mob’s lucrative interests in Cuba’s thriving casinos, and the subsequent tensions with the U.S. government. Get an exclusive preview of the upcoming Paramount Plus docu-series, featuring expert commentary, gripping historical recreations, and colorful characters like Antoinette Giancana, offering a multifaceted perspective on this enthralling chapter of American history. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript 0:00]Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there, glad to have you back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, a retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective turned podcaster, and I have a guest today and a show that I know all you guys in Chicago are going to be eating up and sharing with all your friends and telling people about because, as we know, there’s this It’s much discussed and many different theories about the murder of JFK and the mob involved and and the plot with Castro and Giancana and Johnny Roselli and and all these things. And I have a man, Thomas Mayer, who got all those JFK, that whole document dump that was released in the last few years and went through all that. And he created a book, Mafia Spies, which is also going to be a Paramount Plus docu-series. So you got to get Paramount Plus app to see that docu-series, I believe. But welcome, Thomas. Thank you, Gary. Thank you for having me. In fact, it comes out July 16th on Paramount Plus. So look forward to it. I mentioned the JFK document dump. [1:11]Tell us a little bit about what was that like? Like it was how many pages was that? It was just tons and tons of documents, much of which was had a lot of redaction. So that had to be really laborious to go through that. Right. Well, you know, it’s kind of like the little kid that has a pile of horse dung in there and said, you know, there must be a pony in there somewhere. [1:37]And, you know, there was no smoking gun, if you will, about JFK’s assassination directly. There was no surprises as to who may have done it besides Lee Harvey Oswald, who clearly was the assassin of JFK. But what it did provide was something that was really the missing link in the Warren Commission report, which was the fact that when the Warren Commission looked at, was charged with investigating JFK’s murder, Alan Dulles was put on the commission. He was the former head of the CIA who had been fired by JFK. And ironically, it was Bobby Kennedy who suggested Dulles go on that commission. But Dulles never disclosed to the other commission members that the CIA had the secret,

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Mafia Spies: The Chicago Connection

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 09:00:06 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia.

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Mafia Spies with Gary Jenkins, a retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective turned podcaster, as he welcomes special guest Thomas Maier, author of "Mafia Spies," soon to be a Paramount Plus Docuseries.
Thomas Maier provides unique insights into the JFK document dump, offering a glimpse into the laborious process of sifting through countless pages with extensive redaction.
Explore the intricate web of connections linking the JFK assassination, the Castro-CIA plot, and the involvement of notorious mobsters like Johnny Roselli and Sam Giancana.
Journey into the covert operations conducted in Florida, where figures such as Santo Trafficante, head of the Miami mob, played a pivotal role.
Gain a deeper understanding of the motivations driving Castro's rise to power, the mob's lucrative interests in Cuba's thriving casinos, and the subsequent tensions with the U.S. government.
Get an exclusive preview of the upcoming Paramount Plus docu-series, featuring expert commentary, gripping historical recreations, and colorful characters like Antoinette Giancana, offering a multifaceted perspective on this enthralling chapter of American history.
Support the Podcast Buy me a Cup of Coffee or Donate at Gangland Wire

A Smuggler's Blues: Adventures in Pot Smuggling

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 09:01:11 +0000

A Smuggler’s Blues: Adventures in Pot Smuggling

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 09:00:22 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary talks with Tom Jenkins, the author of “The Next Run”. Tom recounts his experiences as a significant pot smuggler in the 60s. He shares fun stories of his adventures in Mexico and beyond. He details how he got started in smuggling, the evolution of the drug trade, and his close relationships with his Mexican contacts, particularly Abelardo. Tom also discusses the challenges and risks involved in smuggling, including the use of unconventional methods like hidden compartments in cars, plane landings in the desert, and dealing with flimsy suitcases for transporting drugs. Tom reflects on the changing attitudes towards narcotics over the years, mentioning the surge in marijuana dispensaries and the shift in perception from a mysterious substance to a recreational drug. He critiques the impact of narcotics on society, pointing out the devastating consequences of addiction and the flawed approach to drug enforcement. Tom also highlights his views on rehabilitation effectiveness for addicts and his observations as a physician regarding drug use.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Introduction [0:00]Well, Hey, welcome all you guys out there. Glad to be back here in the studio of gang land wire. And I have a particularly interesting story. I, you know, I guys, you may, or you may not know what I get contacted by, uh, publicity companies and book companies all the time when they have a book that they think might be appropriate for the podcast. And so I got this and I always get the book and sometimes I read it. Sometimes I kind of glaze over and I’ll make notes out of it. Well, I got one. not too long ago called The Next Run. And those of you on YouTube, there it is. And I started reading it. And next thing I know, I’m like halfway through it and I haven’t put it down yet. It is a page turner. And we are lucky enough to have the author here and the man that lived this crazy, crazy life, Tom Jenkins. Welcome, Tom. [0:51]Thank you so much. Happy to be here. Well, it’s an honor to beat you, even though you were on the one side of the law and I was on the other all those years. But it’s really cool to beat you. And, you know, this whole marijuana thing, it’s it’s just gone crazy in the last few years. As you’ve noticed, anybody that’s of any age or pays attention to anything in the United States, there’s just there’s a daggone dispensary on every corner. Practically of every place I’ve been in the United States. Maybe there’s some states that don’t have it. And so I don’t know. There’s probably no more guys like you. There’s no more smugglers like you, are there, Tom? [1:35]I doubt it. Well, unless you look to the cartels, I think anyone would be absolutely crazy to try to get into this solo at this point. It’s all the cartels. Yeah, really. So what’s interesting, I think, is when you started, it was back in the 60s, and those of us that are a certain age, you know, we were in high school or just out of high school, maybe post-war baby boomers is what we are. Now we’re getting old, and pretty soon we’re going to finally die off and let the younger people run everything, which will probably be good. But, you know, there’s a lot of marijuana smoking, but there’s a lot of ditch weed.

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Chicago's Icepick: Pay or Die

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 09:01:11 +0000

In this episode, Gary Jenkins, a retired Kansas City police detective, discusses the life of Jimmy "Ice Pick" Inendino, a prominent figure in the Chicago Outfit. Despite never holding a top leadership position, Inendino was a respected member known for his involvement in the criminal underworld. Jenkins delves into Inendino's potential role as an informant, citing FBI documents that suggest he provided information on truck hijackings and other criminal activities.
Jenkins explores Inendino's connections to organized crime, detailing his association with the notorious Taylor Street Crew's Wild Bunch and his role in enforcing the Outfit's operations. He recounts an incident where Inendino and his associate, Harry Aleman, intimidated a bookmaker into paying tribute to the Outfit, showcasing their ruthless tactics in the criminal underworld.
The podcast examines a specific event where Inendino and Aleman orchestrated the murder of a non-compliant bookmaker named Reitlinger, highlighting the brutality and coercion employed by the Outfit to maintain control over illegal operations. Jenkins narrates the chilling account of the hit, emphasizing the calculated and methodical approach taken by the perpetrators.
Additionally, Jenkins sheds light on Inendino's involvement in truck hijackings and the Chop Shop Wars, showcasing the violent and competitive nature of organized crime during that era. He speculates on Inendino's dual role as both a criminal enforcer and a potential informant, offering insights into the complexities of navigating the underworld while potentially cooperating with law enforcement.
The episode concludes with Jenkins reflecting on Inendino's legacy and the intricacies of mob life in Chicago. Overall, the podcast paints a vivid picture of Jimmy Inendino's criminal activities, his connections to the Chicago Outfit, and the ruthless tactics employed to maintain power and control in the underworld. Jenkins' storytelling captures the intrigue and danger of organized crime, showcasing the complex interplay between loyalty, betrayal, and survival in a world where trust is a rare commodity.

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
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Chicago’s Icepick: Pay or Die

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 09:00:41 +0000

In this episode, Gary Jenkins, a retired Kansas City police detective, discusses the life of Jimmy “Ice Pick” Inendino, a prominent figure in the Chicago Outfit. Despite never holding a top leadership position, Inendino was a respected member known for his involvement in the criminal underworld. Jenkins delves into Inendino’s potential role as an informant, citing FBI documents that suggest he provided information on truck hijackings and other criminal activities. Jenkins explores Inendino’s connections to organized crime, detailing his association with the notorious Taylor Street Crew’s Wild Bunch and his role in enforcing the Outfit’s operations. He recounts an incident where Inendino and his associate, Harry Aleman, intimidated a bookmaker into paying tribute to the Outfit, showcasing their ruthless tactics in the criminal underworld. The podcast examines a specific event where Inendino and Aleman orchestrated the murder of a non-compliant bookmaker named Reitlinger, highlighting the brutality and coercion employed by the Outfit to maintain control over illegal operations. Jenkins narrates the chilling account of the hit, emphasizing the calculated and methodical approach taken by the perpetrators. Additionally, Jenkins sheds light on Inendino’s involvement in truck hijackings and the Chop Shop Wars, showcasing the violent and competitive nature of organized crime during that era. He speculates on Inendino’s dual role as both a criminal enforcer and a potential informant, offering insights into the complexities of navigating the underworld while potentially cooperating with law enforcement. The episode concludes with Jenkins reflecting on Inendino’s legacy and the intricacies of mob life in Chicago. Overall, the podcast paints a vivid picture of Jimmy Inendino’s criminal activities, his connections to the Chicago Outfit, and the ruthless tactics employed to maintain power and control in the underworld. Jenkins’ storytelling captures the intrigue and danger of organized crime, showcasing the complex interplay between loyalty, betrayal, and survival in a world where trust is a rare commodity.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Introduction [0:00]Well, hey guys, welcome back to the studio. Gangland Wire, Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City police intelligence detective here. If you didn’t know, if you’re new to the show, anyhow, we got another show for you. I do. Me, me alone. No experts out there. Just me. I’m the expert on this one. James Jimmy I, or Jimmy I for ice pick, in Dandino. That’s a hard one to say, in Dandino. [0:25]He’s been long regarded. He was a loyal member of the Chicago Outfit, and he really, in the outfit, in the end, he was one of their top figures. He was never a big-time boss. I think he was the capo down in Cicero, which is, you know, where it all started in Chicago. He died of natural causes last year in 2023. So I was noodling around. I noticed some people did some stuff on him. [0:53] Jimmy I: The Informant Revelation [0:50]I was looking for some of these Chicago guys like that, which I think are really interesting. Interesting I did one on Chucky Nicoletti recently when I was noodling around I found out that it looked like Harry Aleman’s the one that killed Chucky typewriter Nicoletti and you know as far as his nickname Nicoletti I had a guy say that he had some letters tattooed on h...

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Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
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Frank Morelli’s Journey: From Prison to Pasta

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 09:00:19 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, we learn about Frank Morelli’s remarkable journey, from owning a successful restaurant to starting a pasta company that went public. Frank was imprisoned for 38 months due to his involvement in reverse mergers and taking companies public. From Success to Struggle: Frank shares his story of success in the food industry, which took a tumultuous turn when his ventures into reverse mergers and taking companies public landed him in a federal detention facility for over three years. Prison Life and Unexpected Friendships: Despite the challenges of incarceration, Frank’s resilience shines through as he shares his experiences of regular workouts, extensive writing, and even becoming a suicide companion in the psychiatric ward. His unlikely friendship with Nikki Scarfo Jr., son of a notorious Mafia figure, adds a fascinating layer to his narrative. Diverse Connections: Frank’s circle of friends spans a diverse spectrum, from former Mafia members to individuals involved in criminal activities like the Pagan Motorcycle Gang and the Crips. Despite their backgrounds, Frank emphasizes the genuine friendships formed through his efforts to help them. Life After Prison: Upon release, Frank faced the daunting task of rebuilding his life. He discusses his experiences working various jobs and starting the MOBB brand, which is dedicated to promoting second chances. Reflections on Rehabilitation: Frank illuminates the stark differences in incarceration rates between the US and countries like Japan, advocating for a more rehabilitative approach to justice. His journey is a testament to the power of redemption and second chances. Cooking, Connections, and Healthy Living: Frank’s unique cookbook, intertwined with anecdotes from his Mafia-connected background, receives acclaim for its entertainment value and easy-to-follow recipes. With a focus on healthy living, Frank and host Gary highlight the importance of embracing second chances and making positive lifestyle choices. Conclusion: Frank’s journey from prison to pasta is an inspiring testament to resilience, redemption, and the transformative power of second chances. His story reminds us of the value of empathy, rehabilitation, and the pursuit of a healthier, brighter future.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript Frank Morelli Speaker: [00:00:00] Well, hey, welcome all you wiretappers out there back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. I have a guest today Frank Morelli. Now Frankie or Frank Morelli is a cook and, and, and a healthy lifestyle guy, but he also served a certain amount of time in a federal. Institution with some guys like Nicky Scarfo Jr. And Frankie, the ice pick Narducci and guys like this now Mr. Morelli here Frank Morelli was not really a dyed in the wool criminal when he went in. We’re going to learn how he went in and learn about his cooking and his cookbook that has a lot of great Italian dishes. And, and I know we have lots of. Lots of fans, lots of Italian guys on here, but we have lots of fans of Italian cooking and anything Italian. So there’s, there’s a huge bunch of you guys I know will be interested in this cookbook and I’ve seen excerpts from it. He’s going to get me some there and I’ll do some giveaways,

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Frank Morelli's Journey: From Prison to Pasta

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 09:00:08 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, we learn about Frank Morelli's remarkable journey, from owning a successful restaurant to starting a pasta company that went public. Frank was imprisoned for 38 months due to his involvement in reverse mergers and taking companies public. From Success to Struggle: Frank shares his story of success in the food industry, which took a tumultuous turn when his ventures into reverse mergers and taking companies public landed him in a federal detention facility for over three years. Prison Life and Unexpected Friendships: Despite the challenges of incarceration, Frank's resilience shines through as he shares his experiences of regular workouts, extensive writing, and even becoming a suicide companion in the psychiatric ward. His unlikely friendship with Nikki Scarfo Jr., son of a notorious Mafia figure, adds a fascinating layer to his narrative. Diverse Connections: Frank's circle of friends spans a diverse spectrum, from former Mafia members to individuals involved in criminal activities like the Pagan Motorcycle Gang and the Crips. Despite their backgrounds, Frank emphasizes the genuine friendships formed through his efforts to help them. Life After Prison: Upon release, Frank faced the daunting task of rebuilding his life. He discusses his experiences working various jobs and starting the MOBB brand, which is dedicated to promoting second chances. Reflections on Rehabilitation: Frank illuminates the stark differences in incarceration rates between the US and countries like Japan, advocating for a more rehabilitative approach to justice. His journey is a testament to the power of redemption and second chances. Cooking, Connections, and Healthy Living: Frank's unique cookbook, intertwined with anecdotes from his Mafia-connected background, receives acclaim for its entertainment value and easy-to-follow recipes. With a focus on healthy living, Frank and host Gary highlight the importance of embracing second chances and making positive lifestyle choices. Conclusion: Frank's journey from prison to pasta is an inspiring testament to resilience, redemption, and the transformative power of second chances. His story reminds us of the value of empathy, rehabilitation, and the pursuit of a healthier, brighter future.

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
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F.B.I. Agent Killed!

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:00:32 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, I recount the thrilling tale of the Battle of Little Bohemia, a showdown involving infamous gangsters like John Dillinger and Babyface Nelson in the 1930s. The narrative vividly describes the chaotic raid on the Little Bohemia lodge by law enforcement under Melvin Purvis, showcasing a tense and dangerous confrontation filled with gunfights and dramatic escapes. The story delves into the planning challenges, unexpected twists, and tragic consequences, including casualties like Special Agent Carter Baum. The aftermath explores the criticism and emotional impact of the failed raid, offering a compelling insight into the relentless pursuit of justice and sacrifices made by law enforcement agents during that turbulent period.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript Transcript [0:00] Introduction [0:00]Well, hey, all you wiretappers. Glad to be back here in studio Gangland Wire. I’m glad to have you here with me. You know, this is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective, now turned podcaster. [0:15] Inquiry from Greg Scavuzzo [0:11]And I have a show for you today that I’m kind of excited about. I did this a long time ago. I had a inquiry from Greg Scavuzzo on my YouTube channel. And Greg’s longtime listener, Kansas City guy, he said, hey, why don’t you ever do anything about those 30s bank robbers? We had a lot of those here around Kansas City. [0:39] Kansas City Massacre at Union Station [0:33]We had the, as you know now, by now, we have the Kansas City massacre down at the Union Station. So this month, I’m doing nothing but those 30s gangsters. And so I’ve got the Kansas City massacre at Union Station with Terrence O’Malley, [0:49] John Dillinger’s Escape from Little Bohemia [0:48]who’s a real expert on that. And I am doing the John Dillinger story, but not the John Dillinger escape from jail story. I am doing the John Dillinger escape from the Battle of Little Bohemia story, which is maybe not as well known. John Dillinger and his crew, after he escaped from jail at Crown Point, Indiana, he was on the lam. He got back in with some of his old buddies, Babyface Nelson and Homer Van Meter and two or three others. [1:17]And they were going around robbing banks and doing things and they needed to lay low. And the police, after that Crown Point jail thing, and they took that lady sheriff’s car and it was it was it hit the headlines. It was so flew in the face of law enforcement that people were starting to like back off from this. Hey, John Dillinger’s like Robin Hood thing. And law enforcement was after him. They were raiding pads in Chicago. They were raiding apartments. They were raiding places all over the Midwest. There were reports coming in from all kinds of, you know, he wouldn’t, if John Dillinger was in Northern Minnesota and a bank was robbed in Southern Missouri, John Dillinger got the credit and Clyde Barrow, Bonnie and Clyde, they got some of the same kind of a thing. People are always, you know, trying to say that was Bonnie and Clyde or that was John John Dillinger, because they were so well-known. Well, John Dillinger really was up in northern Wisconsin. [2:12]He and these gang members, Babyface Nelson in particular, and Homer Van Meter,

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F.B.I. Agent Murdered!

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:00:03 +0000

Union Station Massacre Part 3

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:00:51 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia as he interviews Kansas City Massacre expert Terence O’Malley. Today is June 18, 93 years after this event. This episode delves deep into the manhunt for the suspects, Pretty Boy Floyd, Verne Miller, and Adam Richetti. The Union Station Massacre was a significant event that shook the law enforcement community. We learn about the aftermath of the massacre, including the actions of infamous criminals like Pretty Boy Floyd, Adam Ricchetti, and Vern Miller. The narrative takes us through the events following the shootout at Union Station, including the individuals’ escape, pursuits, and ultimate fates. The intricate connections between different gangs, mobsters, and law enforcement agencies become apparent as we uncover how the Lazia gang aided Pretty Boy Floyd and Adam Ricchetti and later met tragic ends. Jimmy Needles LaCapra’s testimony sheds light on the inner workings of the criminal underworld and its interactions with law enforcement during that turbulent period. The relentless pursuit of justice and the repercussions of the massacre are explored, highlighting the intense crackdown on notorious criminals of the time. The episode also touches on how the Union Station Massacre differed from other criminal events due to the involvement of law enforcement officers, leading to heightened scrutiny and backlash against organized crime. Through historical accounts, personal anecdotes, and detailed investigations, we unravel the complexities surrounding the Union Station Massacre and its impact on the criminal landscape of that era. The final episode concludes with reflections on the significance of these events and the lasting repercussions felt by those involved. This comprehensive exploration offers a fascinating insight into a critical moment in criminal history and the relentless pursuit of justice that followed in its wake. Find Terence O’Malley’s documentaries at Black Hand Strawman. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] So welcome back, wiretappers, to the third in this series on the Union Station Massacre. You know, we’ve been through the day before and all the stuff that happened the day before, how they almost got caught in some little town down in South Missouri as pretty boy Floyd and Adam Reschetti are coming north. We learned what a drunk Adam Reschetti was and what happened when they got here in Kansas City, their hideout that’s still here in Kansas City. There’s a really nice house over there in what we call the Brookside neighborhood. And we learned all the shooting that day and how the guy they tried to break out of custody got killed himself. There was a mix up with guns that day and four officers got killed. It was just it was crazy that day. I really appreciate y’all tuning in. I hope you enjoyed this. As I said, Terrence O’Malley is a great storyteller. [0:53] Terrence O’Malley has the quintessential documentary that he made years ago about the Kansas City mob from Black Hand Days to Straw Man, which is the title of it, Black Hand Straw Man. Straw Man is the skimming from Las Vegas capers. And if you want a copy of that DVD, it’s not streaming anywhere. Get a hold of me, and I’ll get with Terrence, and we’ll make sure you get a copy. Don’t forget to like and subscribe,

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

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To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Union Station Massacre Part 3

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:00:03 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Today is June 18, 93 years after this event; Gary interviews Kansas City historian Terence O'Malley. This episode delves deep into the manhunt for the suspects, Pretty Boy Floyd, Verne Miller, and Adam Richetti. The Union Station Massacre was a significant event that shook the law enforcement community. We learn about the aftermath of the massacre, including the actions of infamous criminals like Pretty Boy Floyd, Adam Ricchetti, and Vern Miller. The narrative takes us through the events following the shootout at Union Station, including the individuals' escape, pursuits, and ultimate fates. The intricate connections between different gangs, mobsters, and law enforcement agencies become apparent as we uncover how the Lazia gang aided Pretty Boy Floyd and Adam Ricchetti and later met tragic ends. Jimmy Needles LaCapra's testimony sheds light on the inner workings of the criminal underworld and its interactions with law enforcement during that turbulent period. The relentless pursuit of justice and the repercussions of the massacre are explored, highlighting the intense crackdown on notorious criminals of the time. The episode also touches on how the Union Station Massacre differed from other criminal events due to the involvement of law enforcement officers, leading to heightened scrutiny and backlash against organized crime. Through historical accounts, personal anecdotes, and detailed investigations, we unravel the complexities surrounding the Union Station Massacre and its impact on the criminal landscape of that era. The final episode concludes with reflections on the significance of these events and the lasting repercussions felt by those involved. This comprehensive exploration offers a fascinating insight into a critical moment in criminal history and the relentless pursuit of justice that followed in its wake.

Support the Podcast
Venmo @ganglandwire
Please buy me a cup of coffee
Donate at Gangland Wire

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

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Did Nicoletti Assassinate JFK?

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 09:00:11 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, we delve into the intriguing life of Charles “Chucky” Nicoletti, a notorious Chicago Outfit hitman known for his involvement in numerous mob hits and his alleged ties to significant events like the JFK assassination. Nicoletti’s background is painted with a turbulent upbringing, including shooting his father in self-defense, leading him to join the infamous 42 Gang alongside other notorious mob figures. His partnership with Milwaukee Phil Alderisio solidified his reputation as a feared hitter in Chicago. The episode explores Nicoletti’s involvement in high-profile hits, such as targeting the M&M brothers, which involved brutal torture methods made infamous in the movie “Casino.” His cold-hearted demeanor earned him the nickname “Typewriter,” though the moniker’s origin remains a mystery. Nicoletti’s demise came in 1977 when he was ruthlessly gunned down in his Oldsmobile in a suburban parking lot, suspected of being a part of internal mob conflicts as critical figures like Giancana, Richard Cain, and Mad Sam DeStefano faced similar fates. The narrative weaves through the intricate web of Chicago mob connections, hinting at ties to CIA operations, the JFK assassination, and the plot to kill Castro. The episode speculates on the possible motives behind Nicoletti’s assassination, pointing to shifting allegiances within the Outfit after the deaths of influential figures like Giancana and Ricca. The mysterious circumstances surrounding Nicoletti’s death, coupled with the demise of critical associates, emphasize the dangerous and volatile world of organized crime in Chicago during that era. Throughout the episode, the host reflects on the broader implications of Nicoletti’s story, urging caution on the roads and highlighting resources for PTSD, addiction, and seeking help. As the podcast delves deep into the underworld of Chicago mob history, the legacy of figures like Chucky Nicoletti serves as a chilling reminder of the ruthless nature of organized crime and its far-reaching consequences. #chicagooutfit #tonyaccardo #samgiancana #mafia #underboss #organizedcrimegroups Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Introduction [0:00]Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kent City Police intelligence detective, here to bring you another mafia biography. You know, I’ve been doing these short bios to make sure everybody, when we talk about, we mention a name, you know, you have some place to go to say, hey, let’s look back on the website or because there’ll be like the whole transcript will be on the website and the synopsis of what I’m about to say about whatever mobster it is that I’m discussing. So we’re going to go to Chicago Outfit. In the 1960s, there was a man by the name of Charles Chucky Nicoletti, who was questioned by some FBI agents, one of whom was Bill Romer, Bill Romer Jr., who you all know, or a lot of you outfit guys will have heard of Bill Bill Romer, the FBI agent, he wrote several books, and he’s often cussed and discussed about how truthful he is in his books. He probably does use a little literary devices, a little literary license, as we say, to make a story come together and make it a little bit bett...

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Did Nicoletti Assassinate JFK?

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 09:00:06 +0000

Union Station Massacre Part 2

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 09:00:38 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Today is June 17th, and exactly 93 years ago on this date, three desperados named Pretty Boy Floyd, Adam Richetti, and Verne Miller murdered four lawmen as they tried to break Frank Jelly Nash out of custody. In this episode, we delve into the detailed account of the Union Station Massacre with Terrence O’Malley, a renowned expert on organized crime in Kansas City. The incident involved a group plotting to liberate Frank Jelly Nash, a notorious bank robber, leading to a fatal confrontation at Union Station. As Terrence describes the events leading up to the massacre, a vivid picture emerges of law enforcement’s ill-fated attempt to transport Nash from Fort Smith to Leavenworth. The narrative unfolds with the assembling of lawmen at Union Station, including FBI agents and local police officers, to escort Nash. However, a mix-up with firearms escalates tensions, culminating in a deadly shootout as they prepare to depart in a car. Shots fired from inside the vehicle kill Frank Nash and Ray Caffrey, initiating a chaotic exchange of gunfire resulting in the deaths of several law enforcement officers. The aftermath of the massacre sees onlookers swarming the crime scene, hindering investigations. The city of Kansas City, already notorious for criminal activities, further solidifies its lawless reputation with this tragic event. As the podcast delves into the complexities of the Union Station massacre, intricate details emerge, including speculations on missing weaponry, law enforcement blunders, and the subsequent impact on the city’s history. The episode provides insights into the high-stakes nature of law enforcement operations during that era, highlighting the unpredictability of gun battles and the challenges faced by officers in such intense situations. Terrence’s storytelling expertise brings to life the cascading events that unfolded on that fateful day, shedding light on the complexities and repercussions of the Union Station Massacre. As the episode concludes, the host emphasizes the importance of awareness regarding PTSD and substance abuse, offering resources for those in need. Encouraging audience engagement through likes, shares, and subscriptions, the podcast aims to reach a broader audience while delving into intriguing historical accounts. The narrative, woven with personal anecdotes and historical insights, captivates listeners, offering a deeper understanding of the Union Station Massacre and its lasting impact on Kansas City’s history. Find Terence O’Malley’s work at Black Hand Strawman. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript Introduction to Union Station Massacre Series [0:00] So hey guys, hey all you wiretappers out there, welcome back to the second in the three-part series on the Union Station Massacre. You know, I told you before, this is my friend Terrence O’Malley who did the quintessential documentary on the organized crime in Kansas City from the Black Hand days to the Straw Man days when they took off the Kansas City mob for skimming from Las Vegas casinos. Terrence O’Malley in Black Hand Straw Man covers the board. Unfortunately, you’re probably Probably not going to find it online, and I know it’s not on Amazon streaming. He has copies of it.

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Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

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Union Station Massacre Part 2

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 09:00:03 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Today is June 17th, and exactly 93 years ago on this date, three desperados named Pretty Boy Floyd, Adam Richetti, and Verne Miller murdered four lawmen as they tried to break Frank Jelly Nash out of custody.

In this episode, we delve into the detailed account of the Union Station Massacre with Terrence O'Malley, a renowned expert on organized crime in Kansas City. The incident involved a group plotting to liberate Frank Jelly Nash, a notorious bank robber, leading to a fatal confrontation at Union Station. As Terrence describes the events leading up to the massacre, a vivid picture emerges of law enforcement's ill-fated attempt to transport Nash from Fort Smith to Leavenworth.
The narrative unfolds with the assembling of lawmen at Union Station, including FBI agents and local police officers, to escort Nash. However, a mix-up with firearms escalates tensions, culminating in a deadly shootout as they prepare to depart in a car. Shots fired from inside the vehicle killed Frank Nash and Ray Caffrey, initiating a chaotic exchange of gunfire and resulting in the deaths of several law enforcement officers.
The aftermath of the massacre sees onlookers swarming the crime scene, hindering investigations. The city of Kansas City, already notorious for criminal activities, further solidifies its lawless reputation with this tragic event. As the podcast delves into the complexities of the Union Station massacre, intricate details emerge, including speculations on missing weaponry, law enforcement blunders, and the subsequent impact on the city's history.
The episode provides insights into the high-stakes nature of law enforcement operations during that era, highlighting the unpredictability of gun battles and the challenges officers face in such intense situations. Terrence's storytelling expertise brings to life the cascading events that unfolded on that fateful day, shedding light on the complexities and repercussions of the Union Station Massacre.
As the episode concludes, the host emphasizes the importance of awareness regarding PTSD and substance abuse, offering resources for those in need. Encouraging audience engagement through likes, shares, and subscriptions, the podcast aims to reach a broader audience while delving into intriguing historical accounts. The narrative, woven with personal anecdotes and historical insights, captivates listeners, offering a deeper understanding of the Union Station Massacre and its lasting impact on Kansas City's history.

Support the Podcast
Venmo @ganglandwire
Please buy me a cup of coffee
Donate at Gangland Wire

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

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Union Station Massacre Part 1

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 09:00:05 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary thanks long-time subscriber Greg Scavuzzo for his continuing support and input. This and the next two episodes about the Union Station Massacre were In a recent enthralling episode of Gangland Wire, Gary hosts KC Mafia expert Terence O’Malley, and they examine the Union Station Massacre, a pivotal event in the history of Kansas City’s underworld. today is June 16th, the day before the actual Kansas City Massacre. The tale unfolds around Frank Nash, a notorious criminal figure involved in train robberies, whose career spanned from horseback holdups to bank heists using fast automobiles and Thompson machine guns. Nash was a character of intrigue, skilled in handling nitroglycerin and elusive to photographs, making him a charming yet dangerous criminal. The narrative weaves through Nash’s apprehension in Hot Springs, Arkansas, by FBI agents Joe Lackey and Frank Smith, setting off a chain of events that would culminate in the Union Station Massacre. As Nash is transported to Kansas City, other criminals like Pretty Boy Floyd and his sidekick Adam Ricchetti traverse towards the same destination. Floyd, a charismatic yet lethal figure, gravitated towards Kansas City due to existing connections and a history of evading capture. The episode unearths the convergence of different criminal elements in Kansas City, with Nash’s associate Vern Miller seeking assistance from Johnny Lazia’s gang to liberate Nash from custody. Through discussions between Lazia and Miller, Pretty Boy Floyd’s involvement in the plan emerges. We learn that KC mafia boss Johnny Lazia directs an underling named Sam Scola and Jimmy “Needles” LaCapra to help equip and connect Vern Miller with a traveling bank robber named Pretty Boy Floyd. The stage is set at Union Station, tensions rise, and a web of criminal affiliations and motives interplay in the lead-up to the tragic event. The host elucidates the intricacies of each character’s background, painting a vivid picture of Kansas City’s criminal underworld during the 1930s. From Nash’s multifaceted criminal career to Pretty Boy Floyd’s enigmatic personality and connections, the episode expertly navigates the complexities and alliances culminating in the fateful Union Station Massacre. As the narrative unfolds, listeners are immersed in a world where crime, power, and deceit intertwine, leading to a dramatic and tragic climax at Union Station. Please click here to see Terence O”Malley’s mafia work, Black Hand Strawman Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! [0:00] Hey, all you wiretappers out there, back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. This is the first of three special encore performances of my friend Terrence O’Malley, who did a documentary about the entire span of the mafia in Kansas City called Black Hand Straw Man. Now, unfortunately, you’re not going to be able to find that online, I don’t think. I know it’s not on Amazon. If you’re really interested in that, get a hold of me, and I’ll get a copy from him. I’ll tell you how much it is, and we’ll send it to you. The Union Station Massacre [0:33] But today, we’re going to talk about the Union Station Massacre. A friend of ours, big Kansas City fan, also a guy that I know a little bit about his family, Greg Scavuzzo,

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Union Station Massacre Part 1

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 09:00:04 +0000

Did Capone Murder the Leader of the White Hand Gang?

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 09:00:13 +0000

Join us for this captivating bonus episode where we delve into a lesser-known tale surrounding the infamous Al Capone, brought to us by Paul Moses. In 1925, Capone found himself back in Brooklyn seeking medical attention for his son’s hearing issues amidst a backdrop of gang rivalry and violence. At this time, the Brooklyn waterfront was a hotbed of conflict between Irish and Italian gangs, with Anna Lonergan, a key figure adept at navigating the underworld’s secrets. The narrative unfolds with the tragic demise of Lonergan’s brother, Ritchie, triggering a chain of events leading to a fateful night at the Adonis Social Club. It was there that a confrontation erupted, culminating in a deadly shootout involving Capone, Frankie Yale, and other gunmen, leaving a scene of chaos and carnage. As details of the incident surfaced, Capone’s involvement drew police attention, yet he managed to evade severe repercussions due to lack of evidence. Through Paul Moses’ vivid storytelling, we are transported back to a volatile era where alliances shifted and power struggles played out on the gritty streets of Brooklyn. The interactions between notable gangsters like Capone, Johnnie Torrio, Frankie Yale, and Ritchie Lonergan paint a picture of a ruthless yet intriguing underworld landscape. The account of how the Brooklyn waterfront eventually transitioned from Irish to Italian dominance adds another layer of complexity to this enthralling narrative. As the episode concludes, we reflect on the legacy of figures like Paul Kelly, who straddled the line between criminality and legitimacy, leaving behind a complex and multifaceted legacy. Paul Moses’ expertise in unraveling these historical threads offers a glimpse into a bygone era of crime, passion, and intrigue, shedding light on the intricate dynamics that shaped the underworld of early 20th-century New York.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Bonus Episode Introduction [0:00]Hey, guys, a little bonus episode here. Paul Moses is back with us, and he’s going to tell us a really interesting, hitherto unknown story about Al Capone. At least I didn’t know it, and I bet a lot of you guys in Chicago didn’t know it. So, Paul, start out telling us, read something out of your book and lead us into that story and then expand on it a little bit, if you will. Well, first of all, people in Chicago surely know that Al Capone came from Brooklyn. On this particular case in 1925, he went back to Brooklyn. It was at a point in his life where his son was dealing with hearing problems, and it was a doctor in New York who Capone felt could take care of it. He was not well-known in New York at all. The newspapers didn’t really catch on to who he was. [0:45]So we begin with a woman named Anna Lonergan. Her brother is head of a gang called the White Hand, which terrorizes the Brooklyn waterfront. At that point, the Irish gangs had that control and the Italian gangs were moving in. Anna Lonergan knew plenty well what she was supposed to say to reporters or cops, and more importantly, what not to say. She was the newspaper’s queen of the mob, after all, having briefly been married to the leader of Brooklyn’s Irish white-hand gang before his untimely death. She was also sister of his successor, whose own premature death had drawn her and a newspaper reporter to the family’s apartment in a brick walk-up a...

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Did Capone Murder the White Hand Gang Boss

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 09:00:04 +0000

Stories From the Italian Squad

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 09:00:53 +0000

Gary Jenkins, a retired intelligence unit detective, brings you his unique perspective on organized crime. In this in-depth interview on Gangland Wire, the host welcomes Paul Moses, author of “The Italian Squad,” discussing the true story of immigrant cops fighting the Italian mafia in New York City in the early 1900s. Moses, a retired newspaper reporter and professor, sheds light on the immigrant experience, crime, and policing of the era. They explore the dangerous legacy of Joe Petrosino, assassinated in Sicily in 1909, and the immigrant detectives who followed in his footsteps. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by Italian officers dealing with newly arrived immigrants, language barriers, and community distrust towards law enforcement. Moses recounts gripping cases of the Italian squad, including kidnappings, extortion, and the complexities of navigating the emerging organized crime landscape. The interview highlights the political tensions within the police force, with Italian officers like Fiaschetti facing pushback and reassignments. As the mafia gains ground in New York, the significance of the Italian squad’s efforts in combating early criminal networks is underscored. The conversation also touches on the evolving cultural dynamics between Irish and Italian communities and the role of churches in fostering unity. Moses and the host emphasize the pre-prohibition origins of organized crime in America, setting the stage for the later prominence of figures like Lucky Luciano. The discussion concludes with insights into the historical context shaping the rise of the mafia and the ongoing relevance of immigrant experiences and crime dynamics in modern society. Overall, the interview thoroughly explores early law enforcement struggles, immigrant integration, and the complex interplay of cultural heritage and criminal activity in shaping New York City’s history. The engaging conversation offers a unique perspective on a lesser-known chapter in the American crime and ethnicity narrative.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript Introduction and Background [0:00]Okay. Well, welcome all you wiretappers out there back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. I have a man that I just met named Paul Moses. Welcome, Paul. Good to be with you. Now, guys, Paul Moses wrote a book called The Italian Squad. There it is if you’re on YouTube, and there’ll be links in the show notes down below. The true story of the immigrant cops who fought the rise of the Italian mafia in New York City. And I know you may have known if you’ve been been following me for a long time that I’ve done the show about Joe Petrosino, who was the quintessential, the mob buster that all of us know out in New York City. You know, we had a guy like Joe in Kansas City who got killed. They signboarded him, Paul. They signboard somebody means that you wait behind a signboard that was along a sidewalk with a shotgun. And when you walk by, they step out from that signboard and take you out. And they signboarded our guy here in Kansas City, who was kind of our Joe Petrosino. So it was a dangerous time for Italian policemen back then, wasn’t it? To be the next Joseph Petrosino was a dangerous job. Yes, it was. And Paul, tell us a little bit about yourself. How’d you get into this and a little bit about your background? Well,

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Stories From The Italian squad

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 09:00:13 +0000

The Incorruptibles and the Jewish Mob

Mon, 27 May 2024 09:00:53 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, we talk Arnold Rothstein, Meyer Lansky and the early Jewish mob. Gary interviews Dan about his book “The Incorruptibles: A True Story of Kingpins, Crime Busters, and the Birth of the American Underworld. ” Click here to get the book. The conversation touches on violent incidents within the Jewish community, leading to a discussion on the organization and association of various underworld groups such as pimps and casino owners. The influence of Tammany Hall in the political landscape, the power of newspapers in shaping public opinion, and the role of figures like Arnold Rothstein are explored as related to organized crime. Dan shares insights into the intricacies of the Jewish underworld’s organization, showcasing how the reform movements and vice laws of the time shaped criminal activities. The formation of the “Incorruptibles,” a team tasked with dismantling the Jewish underworld, becomes a focal point of the conversation as the book delves into the intricacies of their operations. The interview emphasizes the historical significance of early Jewish gangsters in paving the way for renowned figures like Arnold Rothstein and Meyer Lansky.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Introduction to the Roots of Organized Crime [0:00]Well, hey, welcome, guys. Welcome, all you wiretappers out there back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. I got another episode here that I think you’ll find really entertaining and kind of go back to the roots of organized crime before there was a commission, almost when the mustache piece were just kind of a bunch of guys running around robbing all their neighbors and things like that and the immigrant experience, because at the same time, you had this large influx of Jewish people from Eastern Europe primarily coming in the United States and all settling in basically the same neighborhoods as the Italian immigrants. And Irish were already been there for a while. They play in this too. Because you guys all know, I’ve said this before, by the time the Italians and the Jewish people got here, the Irish already had all the government jobs sewed up. [0:52]They had the police jobs and they had the fire department jobs. And that was their way, the immigrant path. And so the Italians and the Jewish people, they have to start stores and restaurants because they’re not going to allow them in to these existing jobs or into the trades. And so they have to scuffle for whatever they can get. So we’re going to talk to a man today, Dan Slater, who has written a book about this time in New York City. It’s called The Incorruptibles, The True Story of Kingpin’s Crime Busters and the Birth of the American Underworld. Welcome, Dan. I’m really happy to have you here. here. Hello, sir. Thank you for having me. All right. So, Dan, tell us a little bit about yourself. You’ve been a reporter. You’ve written other books, I think, but I know you’ve been a reporter. Tell the guys a little bit about yourself. [1:37]Yeah. So I actually went to law school way back when, and I got out of law school. I think I lasted for a little, I think I, I think it was less than a year. I think that I was sworn into the New York bar and I left the profession three weeks later and went into journalism.

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The Incorruptibles and the Jewish Mob

Mon, 27 May 2024 09:00:03 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary interviews Dan later about his book "" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Incorruptibles: A True Story of Kingpins, Crime Busters, and the Birth of the American Underworld. "
The conversation touches on violent incidents within the Jewish community, leading to a discussion on the organization and association of various underworld groups such as pimps and casino owners. The influence of Tammany Hall in the political landscape, the power of newspapers in shaping public opinion, and the role of figures like Arnold Rothstein are explored as related to organized crime.
Dan shares insights into the intricacies of the Jewish underworld's organization, showcasing how the reform movements and vice laws of the time shaped criminal activities. The formation of the "Incorruptibles," a team tasked with dismantling the Jewish underworld, becomes a focal point of the conversation as the book delves into the intricacies of their operations. The interview emphasizes the historical significance of early Jewish gangsters in paving the way for renowned figures like Meyer Lansky.

Support the Podcast
Venmo @ganglandwire
Buy me a cup of Coffee
Donate at Gangland Wire

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Who was the Real Boss: Nitti or Ricca?

Mon, 20 May 2024 09:00:53 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this conversation between Gary and Camillus Robinson, aka “Cam,” they delve into the intriguing histories of Frank Nitti and Paul Ricca, pivotal figures in the Chicago outfit from the Capone era to modern times. Cam discusses his book “Chicago Swan Song: A Mob Wife Story,” detailing Lisa Swan’s experiences living in the shadow of the Calabrese mob family during the Family Secrets trial. They explore the power dynamics between Nitti and Ricca, highlighting Nitti’s enforcement role and Ricca’s political savvy and connections with mob bosses nationwide. The conversation transitions to discussions around Capone’s influence, with differing perspectives on Nitti’s power after Capone’s downfall and Ricca’s rise to prominence. They delve into the organizational structure of the Chicago outfit, noting the mentorship roles that Nitti and Ricca played in grooming future mob leaders like Tony Accardo and Giancana. The conversation also touches on the Kansas City-Chicago mob connections and their intertwined history. Gary and Cam reflect on the transition from the prohibition era to modern times, emphasizing Nitti and Ricca’s legacy and impact in shaping the Chicago Outfit. They shed light on the mob’s complex relationships and power dynamics, pointing out how the Chicago Outfit Bosses changed while the organizational structure persisted. Gary and Cam keep the audience engaged throughout their banter with their deep knowledge and entertaining exchanges. Chapters 0:00 Welcome to Gangland Wire 0:24 The Swan Song of Chicago Mob 3:49 Capone’s Shadow and Chicago’s Shift 11:22 Ricca’s Rise and National Connections 12:50 The Hollywood Scam and Its Players 14:52 Ricca’s Ascendancy and Tragic End 21:01 Chicago’s Organizational Structure 24:27 Chicago vs. New York Power Dynamics 25:08 Nitty and Ricca: Pivotal Figures 28:24 Mob Summit in Las Vegas Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Welcome to Gangland Wire [0:00]Welcome, all you guys. Well, welcome, all you guys. I’m back here in studio Gangland Wire with my good friend, Camulus Robinson. I tell you what, Camulus, I don’t know. I never have said your name right. I get in trouble all the time for saying names. I like to call him Cam. So, Cam Robinson. Welcome, Cam. [0:24] The Swan Song of Chicago Mob [0:21]Cam it is, Gary. It’s good enough for me. It’s good to see you, man. Good to be back here. here if chandler’s is the worst i get that’s i don’t believe what i’ve got through my life it’s all right brother it’s all right you know you call me anything just don’t call me late for dinner as the man once said so anyhow uh cam had this idea and i thought it was a great idea to talk about frank nitty and paul Ricca but first cam as i said talk a little bit about your book uh the swan song chicago mob uh guy’s wife i don’t remind me the exact title and and i’ll have a link in the show notes down below guy really interesting book yeah thanks a lot chicago swan song a mob wife story it’s uh i worked with the massive um uh family secrets trial in chicago where they they took down 18 guys they solved 18 murders and brought down a bunch of mob figures and major hit men in the calabrese family specifically uh frank calabrese was a big hit manual he had a son frank calvary’s jr w...

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Who was the Real Boss: Nitti or Ricca?

Mon, 20 May 2024 09:00:05 +0000

Audie Murphy and the Mob

Wed, 15 May 2024 09:00:34 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary found a little-known story about a famous WW2 war hero/movie star who took on Fifi Bucceri of the Chicago Outfit. Audie Murphy was the most decorated soldier in World War II. He also suffered from a gambling addiction after the war. In this fantastic story, we learn how he killed 50 Germans single-handedly to win the Congressional Medal of Honor and came home to a grateful public. Jimmy Cagney sponsored him in the Hollywood movie industry, where he became a film star in many action movies. The most famous was To Hell and Back. Murphy’s gambling addiction led him into the hands of two scam artists from Chicago. The rest is right out of an Audie Murphy movie. Let us just say that he was not afraid of the Mob. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript Transcript [0:00]Well, hey guys, welcome back into the studio of Gangland Wire. Gary Jenkins here, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective. I’ll tell you a story. I found this story in a book titled Pay, Quit, or Die. It was written by a former Chicago police detective named Don Heroin. And it’s a story that I never heard. I couldn’t find online. It was about a war hero that I I remember as a child, his name was Audie Murphy. [0:32]And the title of the chapter was from War Hero to Hollywood Star to Mob Buster, in a way. Anyhow, Audie Murphy. Let me tell you a little bit about Audie Murphy. [0:46]Every kid, everybody my age, post-war baby boomer that knew about World War II, Every boy probably has heard of Audie Murphy. It was a remarkable journey. He was born in 1925 down in Texas, made him just right to be a young man. 1941, whenever the war was really rocking and rolling, he fought in Europe. His early years were he grew up poor and in hardship on the farm now you know he may be poor to have have hard conditions but you know usually had enough to eat uh just that farm life is it’ll make you tough i’ll tell you i was raised on a farm man a little tough of your butt up went in the army in world war ii like everybody else even a lot of the mob guys went in And Johnny Roselli, I just read an article about him, and he went in, and by the end of the war, he ended up getting convicted in a Hollywood scam. But anyhow, he was probably just trying to hide when he went in the Army, trying to beat the case. Audie Murphy, he earned a staggering amount of awards and decorations, 33 of them all together, including the Medal of Honor. He was the most decorated soldier of World War II. [2:05]And when he came home, Life Magazine featured him. That was the magazine of the day. And Jimmy Cagney, James Cagney, was a real famous actor and producer, you know, both before the war, during the war, and after the war. And he brought him out to Hollywood and signed him to a contract, set him on the road to be a movie star. Now, he, Audie Murphy, was not a natural-born movie star. He was a little guy. He’s about 5’5″, 120 pounds, a real unassuming war hero, if you will. They gave him acting lessons. They gave him voice lessons. They gave him dance training. Cagney never really got him in a movie. He had to do some more stuff to get in the movie. They ended their association. This is after the war in 1947. [2:53]He sides on with an acting coach and continues his acting le...

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Audie Murphy and the Mob!

Wed, 15 May 2024 09:00:06 +0000

Louis Milito: Another Gravano Victim?

Mon, 13 May 2024 18:40:02 +0000

The interview delves into the life and criminal activities of Louis Milito, a mobster born in Brooklyn in 1942. The host, Gary Jenkins, a retired Kansas City Police detective, discusses Molito’s upbringing in a neighborhood teeming with Sicilian immigrants and his involvement with the Rampers street gang alongside Sammy the Bull Gravano. Despite his criminal endeavors, Milito also pursued a career as a hairdresser, showcasing a surprising dichotomy in his persona.
Milito’s criminal journey includes car theft, jewelry heists, and involvement in high-profile murders like that of “Johnny Keys” Simone, a Philadelphia mobster. Milito’s loyalty to Gravano and the Gambino crime family is highlighted through his involvement in various criminal activities under their command. However, a grave mistake occurs when Milito and Gravano mistakenly murder a 16-year-old instead of the intended target, leading to unforeseen consequences.
The interview explores Milito's continued involvement in criminal activities, including a murder ordered by the Gambino underboss, Frank DiCicco. Amidst power struggles and changes within the Gambino family, Milito’s dissent towards Gravano’s rise in the hierarchy sets the stage for his eventual downfall. As Gravano ascends through the ranks, tensions rise within the family, leading to Milito’s imprisonment for tax evasion in 1984.
The narrative culminates in Milito’s final days filled with regret and poignant discussions with his wife, Lynda. The complex dynamics of loyalty and betrayal in the organized crime world are highlighted, showcasing the precarious existence mobsters like Milito navigated. Milito’s mysterious disappearance after a meeting with Gravano hints at a tragic end to his tumultuous life. The interview provides captivating insight into the intricate web of relationships, crimes, and internal conflicts that characterized Milito’s life as a mobster.
Check out Lynda Milito's book - Mafia Wife: A Story of Love, Muder, and Madness.

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Louis Milito: Another Gravano Victim?

Mon, 13 May 2024 09:00:39 +0000

The interview delves into the life and criminal activities of Louis Milito, a mobster born in Brooklyn in 1942. The host, Gary Jenkins a retired Kansas City Police detective, discusses Molito’s upbringing in a neighborhood teeming with Sicilian immigrants and his involvement with the Rampers street gang alongside Sammy the Bull Gravano. Despite his criminal endeavors, Milito also pursued a career as a hairdresser, showcasing a surprising dichotomy in his persona. Milito’s criminal journey includes car theft, jewelry heists, and involvement in high-profile murders like that of “Johnny Keys” Simone, a Philadelphia mobster. Milito’s loyalty to Gravano and the Gambino crime family is highlighted through his involvement in various criminal activities under their command. However, a grave mistake occurs when Milito and Gravano mistakenly murder a 16-year-old instead of the intended target, leading to unforeseen consequences. The episode explores Milito’s continued involvement in criminal activities, including a murder ordered by the Gambino underboss, Frank DiCicco. Amidst power struggles and changes within the Gambino family, Milito’s dissent towards Gravano’s rise in the hierarchy sets the stage for his eventual downfall. As Gravano ascends through the ranks, tensions rise within the family, leading to Milito’s imprisonment for tax evasion in 1984. The narrative culminates in Milito’s final days filled with regret and poignant discussions with his wife, Lynda. The complex dynamics of loyalty and betrayal in the organized crime world are highlighted, showcasing the precarious existence mobsters like Milito navigated. Milito’s mysterious disappearance after a meeting with Gravano hints at a tragic end to his tumultuous life. The interview provides captivating insight into the intricate web of relationships, crimes, and internal conflicts that characterized Milito’s life as a mobster. Check out Lynda Milito’s book – Mafia Wife: A Story of Love, Muder, and Madness.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! [0:00]Well, hey guys, welcome to the studio of Gangland Wire. Glad to be back in here. I am a retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective. Worked a mob for about 15 years in Kansas City. Well, guys, I’ve been talking about a lot of different mobs and a lot of different guys in the mob over the years. And here’s a new one that I had not heard of before. It was kind of important in his own way. The guy, his real name is Librio Milito. I think it’s Milito. [0:30]Anyhow, he was affectionately known as Louis Milito, and he made his entrance into the world on April 26, 1942. He was born in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Big Sicilian population there, a real vibrant neighborhood, a lot of corner stores and social clubs. You know, that’s where Gotti and a lot of these other guys were growing up and hanging out around there. And he was born to Sicilian immigrants, and his upbringing was shaped by that rich cultural tapestry of this neighborhood. Luis Milito was a spirited youth, as they say. He found himself drawn in the world of petty crimes, as most of these guys were. Were, and he eventually became a member of the Rampers. Now, the Rampers was a local street gang known for its exploits throughout Brooklyn. And guess who else was a significant member of the Rampers? Our good friend, Sammy the Bull Gravano. Now, despite his diminutive stature,

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Johnny Roselli: Hollywood Gangster

Wed, 08 May 2024 09:00:11 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode of Mafia Biographies, delve into the captivating life of John “Handsome Johnny” Roselli. Born Filippo Sacco in 1905, Roselli’s journey traversed organized crime during Prohibition, connections with mob figures like Al Capone, and ventures into liquor imports and labor racketeering. Transitioning to Las Vegas, Roselli emerged as a key player in the casino scene and infiltrated Hollywood craft unions and production companies, showcasing his versatility. The narrative takes a surprising turn in the 1960s with involvement in a CIA plot to assassinate Fidel Castro, entwining mobsters and political intrigue. Roselli’s appearance before a Senate committee in the 1970s shed light on his connections to espionage and criminal activities. His mysterious demise in 1976 near Miami further added layers of speculation to his intricate life, leaving a legacy that echoes the complexities of crime, business, and political power in American history. Join us for more underworld biographies as we unravel captivating stories of mobsters.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Welcome to Gangland Wire [0:00]Well, hey, welcome all you wiretappers back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. We’ve got another riveting episode of Mafia Biographies. You know, I’m bringing you these little short Mafia biographies. It’s your host, former intelligence unit detective, Kansas City Police Department, Gary Jenkins. And today we’re going to delve into the intricate life of John Handsome Johnny Roselli. He was a mobster who his life story weaves through the gritty streets of Chicago, started in New York, of course, goes out to L.A., Las Vegas. This is the gripping story of a man who was able to navigate both the criminal underworld and the covert world of espionage. But he also was able to navigate through the boardrooms and the film studios of the Hollywood major motion picture producers. It’s crazy. And we’re going to uncover the different layers of handsome Johnny Roselli. He was born Filippo Sacco, July 4th, 4th of July, 1905. I didn’t know he was that old. He’s born in Esperia, Italy. [1:04]Roselli’s early life was marked by an immigration to Boston at the age of six. He was raised in a world that was shaped by criminal undertones of the Prohibition era of America. Roselli’s destiny seemed sealed. His father, Vincenzo Sacco, had paved his way into the underworld before him. 1922, at the age of 17, Johnny Roselli faced a narcotics charge in Massachusetts. This caused him to move to New York. Then he moved to Chicago for a while. [1:38]And it was during this time that young Filippo Sacco metamorphosed into Johnny Roselli. That was a name that’s going to resonate through the echelons of organized crime throughout the rest of the 20th century. Johnny Roselli got to Los Angeles in 1924. His story takes an unexpected turn. He gets arrested and he pleads guilty to bootlegging. He’d become entangled with the notorious Cornero brothers out in L.A. And he really had ascended to a prominent role in getting liquor imports from outside the country into Southern California. Now, while he’s out there in LA, he forges a close relationship with the underboss, later become the boss, Jack Dragna.

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Johnny Roselli: Hollywood Gangster

Wed, 08 May 2024 09:00:05 +0000

The Bonanno Family: Betrayal and Ambition

Mon, 06 May 2024 09:00:26 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this podcast episode, we delve into the intriguing life story of Joe Bonanno, a prominent figure in organized crime. Joe Bonanno’s life was intertwined with the Mafia’s tumultuous history from his early days migrating to the United States from Sicily. We witness his rise through the ranks of the New York City Mafia families, navigating through turbulent times marked by power struggles and alliances. Bonanno’s escapades take us through significant events such as the Castellammarese War and the infamous Appalachian Conference. His ambitious nature leads him to orchestrate intricate plots, including a scheme to eliminate rival mob bosses, ultimately resulting in a betrayal that shatters loyalties within the Mafia commission. As the podcast delves deeper, we witness Joe Bonanno’s retreat to Arizona, where retirement beckons after a series of family wars and power struggles. His legacy, marked by contradictions of honor and treachery, is explored in detail, shedding light on his involvement in the heroin trade and his untimely demise in 2002. Throughout the narrative, the complexities of Bonanno’s character and his role in shaping the New York City Mafia landscape are articulated with admiration and criticism. The episode concludes with reflections on the lasting impact of Joe Bopnanno’s actions, painting a picture of a man whose life danced on the edge between honor and treachery, leaving behind a legacy etched in the annals of crime history.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Introduction to Mob Figure Biographies [0:00]Well, hey, guys, back here in the studio, Gangland Wire. This is retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins. I got another one of my short bios or biographies of famous mob people. I think I mentioned this before I’ve been doing these because, you know, we mention these names all the time, but everybody doesn’t know everything. [0:20]And so I’ll get these out. I’ve been putting them out on my Facebook or my podcast Facebook page, just a short short bio of these really famous mob guys. And so this is another one of them. This is Joseph Charles Bonanno. Joe Bonanno is a really interesting guy. And matter of fact, his family, the Bonanno family, Bonanno family, I think it’s Bonanno. Bonanno family is still known as the Bonanno family today. Nobody’s ever taken it over. Rusty Restelli had it for a while. He died and And Joe Messino had it, and he went into witness protection and justified against everybody as the boss of the Bonanno family. So go figure. Now, so in the vast realm of organized crime, which especially in New York, it is vast because it extends all up to New York. I mean, Buffalo and into Montreal and way outside of New York City down into New Jersey is huge. And these guys all connected to each other and did a lot of business with each other. And Joe Bonanno was right in the middle of all that. There’s a man whose life was forged in that fiery crucible we know as Sicily, where a lot of these guys came from. [1:34]And he was born Giuseppe Carlo Bonanno on a cold winter’s day, January 18th, 1905. And he was in the village of Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily, which that’s, I don’t know how many mob guys came from Castellammare del Golfo. And it’s like,

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The Bonanno Family: Betrayal and Ambition

Mon, 06 May 2024 09:00:05 +0000

Underboss: The Untold Story of Carl DeLuna in the Mob

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 09:00:45 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Today, we delve into the intriguing saga of Carl “Tuffy” DeLuna, a notable figure in the Kansas City organized crime milieu. Known as a formidable Underboss with ties to the Civella family, Carl DeLuna commanded respect and fear for his powerful and ruthless demeanor. Though born in Brooklyn, he made his mark in Kansas City, engaging in various criminal activities ranging from armed robberies to overseeing a highly profitable skim operation that yielded substantial profits for the mob. DeLuna’s ascent to prominence involved close ties to influential mobsters such as Nick Civella, and he played a key role in crucial decisions affecting the mob’s operations. Tuffy’s presence was integral to the mob’s functioning, from enforcing discipline to managing sportsbook operations and ensuring the smooth running of illegal enterprises. His counsel was sought in pivotal discussions and actions, underscoring his role as a trusted advisor and enforcer. The dynamic between Tuffy DeLuna and Nick Civella sheds light on their relationship and how Tuffy’s advice influenced critical decisions. His involvement in maintaining discipline and resolving internal conflicts within the mob highlighted his importance as Nick Civella’s right-hand man. Tuffy’s ability to manage various aspects of organized crime made him a valuable asset to the underworld. Tuffy’s narrative also explores his clash with the Spero brothers and the ensuing violent confrontations that shook the Kansas City mob scene. The complex web of alliances, betrayals, and power struggles exemplified the volatile nature of organized crime and the deadly consequences those involved face. Tuffy’s role in orchestrating and executing violent acts to retain control over the criminal empire showcased his unwavering commitment to the Civella Family’s interests. When the Government finally arrested and convicted DeLuna, it marked the end of an era for the Kansas City mob. His enduring legacy as a powerful and influential figure in organized crime speaks to the intricate world of mob operations and the individuals who navigated its perilous waters. The compelling narrative of Carl “Tuffy” DeLuna’s life provides insight into the complex workings of organized crime, highlighting the power struggles, alliances, and betrayals that shaped the criminal underworld in Kansas City. Tuffy’s legacy as a formidable figure in the mob world and his lasting impact on the Kansas City crime scene solidify his place in the annals of organized crime history.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Introduction [0:00]Hey guys, welcome to the studio of Gangland Wire back here in cold old Kansas City. But I’ve got a story for you today. I’ve been kind of remiss in a way, not really paying that much attention to Kansas City. I need to start doing these. I had somebody on YouTube, I think, he said, why don’t you do some short bios of all your Kansas City, your main guys. [0:22]And so I’m starting to do that. This is going to be the first one, I don’t know if it’ll be the first one up. But anyhow carl angelo tuffy de luna he was such an interesting guy and he figured so big he was the arty pescano character in the movie and scorsese movie casino he was famous for

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Underboss: The Untold Story of Carl DeLuna in the Mob

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 09:00:03 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Today, we delve into the intriguing saga of Carl "Tuffy" DeLuna, a notable figure in the Kansas City organized crime milieu. Known as a formidable underboss with ties to the Civella family, Carl DeLuna commanded respect and fear for his powerful and ruthless demeanor. Though born in Brooklyn, he made his mark in Kansas City, engaging in various criminal activities ranging from armed robberies to overseeing a highly profitable skim operation that yielded substantial profits for the mob. DeLuna's ascent to prominence involved close ties to influential mobsters such as Nick Civella, and he played a key role in crucial decisions affecting the mob's operations. Tuffy's presence was integral to the mob's functioning, from enforcing discipline to managing sportsbook operations and ensuring the smooth running of illegal enterprises. His counsel was sought in pivotal discussions and actions, underscoring his role as a trusted advisor and enforcer. The dynamic between Tuffy DeLuna and Nick Civella sheds light on their relationship and how Tuffy's advice influenced critical decisions. His involvement in maintaining discipline and resolving internal conflicts within the mob highlighted his importance as Nick Civella's right-hand man. Tuffy's ability to manage various aspects of organized crime made him a valuable asset to the underworld. Tuffy's narrative also explores his clash with the Spero brothers and the ensuing violent confrontations that shook the Kansas City mob scene. The complex web of alliances, betrayals, and power struggles exemplified the volatile nature of organized crime and the deadly consequences those involved face. Tuffy's role in orchestrating and executing violent acts to retain control over the criminal empire showcased his unwavering commitment to the Civella Family's interests. When the Government finally arrested and convicted DeLuna, it marked the end of an era for the Kansas City mob. His enduring legacy as a powerful and influential figure in organized crime speaks to the intricate world of mob operations and the individuals who navigated its perilous waters. The compelling narrative of Carl "Tuffy" DeLuna's life provides insight into the complex workings of organized crime, highlighting the power struggles, alliances, and betrayals that shaped the criminal underworld in Kansas City. Tuffy's legacy as a formidable figure in the mob world and his lasting impact on the Kansas City crime scene solidify his place in the annals of organized crime history.

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Mobsters & Movies: The Untold Story of Hollywood's Dark Past

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 09:00:04 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Join Gary in his interview with author Jeffrey Sussman, who penned the revealing book "Tinseltown Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in Hollywood." Discover the untold stories behind the glamorous facades of the movie industry, where figures like Mickey Cohen wielded immense influence, and shocking events like the Lana Turner murder of Johnny Stompanato sent shockwaves through the silver screen.

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Chicago Cigarette Theft Foiled

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 09:00:30 +0000

In this episode, we delve into a fascinating tale from the 1950s in Blue Island, Chicago, where Alfred Konecki, the president of F.W. Konecki & Sons Company, a tobacco distribution business, encountered suspicious activity involving a truck from Unity Refrigeration following their delivery vehicles. Two detectives, Bernard Kennedy and George Hanecki, were assigned to investigate the situation, setting up surveillance and observing a complex series of vehicles tailing each other. The detectives uncovered that the Unity Refrigeration Truck was being followed by a car driven by Robert Bradshaw, a salesman for the Kodaki Company, who claimed he was trailing the Unity truck due to suspicions about its activities. Upon halting the vehicles, the officers discovered familiar faces inside the Unity truck – Chicago Outfit Associate Frank Schweihs, Stanley Bajic and Sam Ciancio, armed with .38 caliber revolvers and a police scanner tuned to Chicago PD frequencies. Despite the lack of a solid case against them, the officers interrogated the trio, sending a clear message regarding their monitoring of criminal activities. This incident highlights the organized crime presence in Chicago during that era and the tactics employed to protect businesses from theft and extortion. The narrative offers a glimpse into the early days of Frank Schweihs, who would later play a significant role in criminal activities, including extorting money from establishments. The story underscores the challenges businesses face dealing with criminal interference and the intricate dynamics of law enforcement and organized crime in Chicago in the 1950s. It provides a window into a bygone era where local authorities often struggled to combat such activities, leaving individuals to navigate complex relationships with criminal elements. The intricacies of mob involvement in businesses and the strategies employed to mitigate threats offer a compelling perspective on the historical landscape of organized crime in major cities like Chicago. Transcript Introduction [0:00]So, wiretappers, we’re going to go to the little town, our little community of Blue Island in southwest Chicago. It’s down by, it’s north of Chicago Heights, a little bit west and north of Calumet City, south and west of downtown, like I said, right off of, looks like I-57. We’re going to look in at 131-36 Southwestern Avenue in Blue Island. Will find Alfred Konecki. He was the president of F.W. Konecki & Sons Company, which was a tobacco distribution company. They would take packages, you know, cartons and cases of cigarettes around for distribution to different places. A couple of his drivers reported that they had noticed a truck. [0:46]Kind of a van kind of a truck, marked Unity Refrigeration had been following their delivery vehicles around. [0:52]And they’d looked out, and that truck was parked near the Konecki garage at that time. So Mr. Konecki calls Chicago PD, and they assign a couple of detectives to come out and investigate. Detective Bernard Kennedy and George Hanecki, kind of a close name to Konecki, [1:12] Surveillance Operation [1:09]but I guess another one of those big, long German names. After the detectives respond, they set up a surveillance down the street, and they must have called Mr. Konecki by phone and let him know that they were set, because he then dispatched one of the trucks. One of his employees, an Elmer Jepson, left. As soon as Mr. Jepson left in the delivery truck, the Unity Refrigeration Truck pulled out and started following it north and kept following it north and north and went up to 87th Street. And about that time, the detectives noticed that a passenger car was also following the Unity Refrigeration Truck. So there was a triple surveillance going on here, double surveillance. They didn’t know what it is. So the first thing they did was stop the car that was following the Unity refrigeration truck. They found it was driven by Robert Bradshaw,

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Chicago Cigarette Theft Foiled

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 09:00:05 +0000

The Brilab Affair: Marcello’s Web of Corruption

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:00:48 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary tells the story of Brilab (Bribery Labor), which initially aimed to uncover corruption in Louisiana and Texas and led to the indictment of New Orleans Mafia boss Carlos Marcello. Marcello, the kingpin of organized crime in the South, controlled operations across Louisiana, Texas, and Tampa, with significant influence over local officials. Joseph Hauser, an insurance salesman turned FBI informant, arranged a meeting between Marcello and undercover agents and proposed kickbacks for insurance contracts. Marcello agreed to use his influence to secure insurance contracts for the agents but demanded kickbacks in return. Louisiana State Commissioner Charles Romer accepted bribes to facilitate state insurance contracts but claimed the money was a campaign contribution, resulting in minimal charges. Marcello also expressed interest in gaining control over the Teamsters’ health and welfare insurance funds, citing the illness of Teamsters’ leader Frank Fitzsimmons as an opportunity to make this move. Marcello offered to secure Teamsters insurance contracts in exchange for a $2 million cash deposit in a safety deposit box under a fictitious name. Marcello’s involvement in Brilab highlighted his influence over officials and his ambitions to expand his criminal enterprises. The case revealed the extent of government corruption and the reach of organized crime in the United States during the late 1970s. Despite Marcello’s efforts, his plans to control the Teamsters’ insurance business were thwarted by law enforcement actions and the eventual downfall of critical players like Alan Dorfman.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [00:00:00] Well, hey guys, welcome all you wiretappers back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired KCPD intelligence detective, now turned podcaster and documentary filmmaker and author of books—or of one book, anyway—about the Las Vegas skim. But enough of that. I stumbled into a story. A friend of mine sent some old FBI files. That had to do with Abscam that he found doing some research he was doing. And it had an interesting story in it. Then there was a, I think it was a life magazine article that interpreted some of these files and, and it made it a little easier to research the story and write some script that I could explain it to you. Cause it’s about Abscam, and it’s about Brilab, and it’s about. My porn. Now, those were three really famous stings that the FBI did back in the 1970s and [00:01:00] 80s, and there’s a lot of controversy about them. A lot of, , there’s even some congressional hearings about the FBI and doing these reverse or these stings and Anyhow, but the title of my story today is how a leak prevented the FBI from recording a meeting of the Mafia Commission down in New Orleans during Mardi Gras times. Now speaking of missed opportunities during the casino skimming investigations, here in Kansas City we had a wire up. It was on a lawyer’s office and they picked up Nick Civella talking to his, brother or his nephew. George Chiavola, who was a Chicago police officer who had been carrying some of the skim money back and forth between Kansas city and Chicago. And, and he had Mr. Chiavola set up a meeting between himself,

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The Brilab Affair: Marcello's Web of Corruption

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:00:03 +0000

Jimmy “The Bomber” Cataura

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 09:00:24 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary and his guest, Camillus “Cam” Robinson, talk about the turbulent life of Jimmy the Bomber Cataura, a figure whose name became synonymous with Chicago’s underworld. Known as Jimmy the Bomber,” Jimmy Cataura’s story is a complex web of crime, suspicion, and intrigue. In 1952, Jimmy the Bomber surfaced in the newspapers concerning bombings in the Chicago area. Two Teamsters Union officials’ homes and a gasoline station where employees had refused to join the union were targeted. Despite being questioned, Jimmy couldn’t be linked to the bombings and was instead charged with disorderly conduct. Over the years, Jimmy’s alleged involvement in criminal activities continued to escalate. In 1967, he was linked to a murder investigation, but no charges were filed. 1972, Jimmy was among the men arrested on fraud and loan shark charges. The men had set up a fraudulent corporation that charged fees for financing loans totaling over one million dollars. Despite these brushes with the law, Jimmy the Bomber evaded conviction. A federal grand jury next indicted him for transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines, but the outcome of this case remains unknown. Jimmy’s reputation within the criminal underworld grew as the years went by. Jimmy the Bomber was rumored to be involved in various criminal activities, including stealing and selling stolen auto parts. However, his criminal empire began to crumble in the late 1970s as rival factions within the Chicago Outfit vied to control his chop shop rackets. South Side Boss Frank LaPorte died, and Al Pilotto took over. The new power wanted a piece of this chop shop racket. In 1978, Jimmy’s life came to a violent end when he was gunned down while sitting in his car. His death marked the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of crime and intrigue that fascinates today. Join us as we unravel the life of Jimmy the Bomber Cataara, a man whose name became synonymous with Chicago’s criminal underworld. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [00:00:00] Hey, welcome all you wiretappers. Good to be back here in the studio of gangland wire. I’ve got my good friend, Camillus Robinson, cam Robinson. Welcome cam. Good to see you. I haven’t talked to you for a while. Hey Gary. I can’t tell you how much it it means to me to be back and be back in the the studio with you. It’s such a, such a great time. And I’m glad to be here and I’m really excited about today’s show. Really good. Yeah, we’re going to do Jimmy the Bomb Jimmy “The Bomber” Catuara. Is that how you pronounce that, Cam? ? Catuara, yeah. Catuara? Okay. That’s how I would say, yes. You know, you know how everybody laughs about how I drag out my bowels up here. Not as bad, much as they laugh about me. Right. One guy said, well, that hillbilly Tw that guy’s, God, he said, man, he, he can’t be telling me about the mafia. . I had to get everybody to to help me out with Joey. I Joey Aiuppa Yeah, you can’t do that. And I, and I do. I’ve got no, I am Italian. I’ve got no excuse. Yeah. See, I’m full excuse anyhow, we’re going to talk about Jimmy the Bomber Couture, you know, and, and Cam, [00:01:00] he came over as a child, I believe from Sicily. Now, if I’m wrong on that, let me know guys, but it,

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Jimmy "The Bomber" Cataura

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary and his guest, Camillus "Cam" Robinson, talk about the turbulent life of James "Jimmy" Catuara, a figure whose name became synonymous with Chicago's underworld. Known as "The Bomber," Jimmy's story is a complex web of crime, suspicion, and intrigue. In 1952, Jimmy surfaced in the newspapers concerning bombings in the Chicago area. Two Teamsters Union officials' homes and a gasoline station where employees had refused to join the union were targeted. Despite being questioned, Jimmy couldn't be linked to the bombings and was instead charged with disorderly conduct. Over the years, Jimmy's alleged involvement in criminal activities continued to escalate. In 1967, he was linked to a murder investigation, but no charges were filed. 1972, Jimmy was among the men arrested on fraud and loan shark charges. The men had set up a fraudulent corporation that charged fees for financing loans totaling over one million dollars. Despite these brushes with the law, Jimmy managed to evade conviction. A federal grand jury next indicted him for transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines, but the outcome of this case remains unknown. Jimmy's reputation within the criminal underworld grew as the years went by. He was rumored to be involved in various criminal activities, including stealing and selling stolen auto parts. However, his criminal empire began to crumble in the late 1970s as rival factions within the mob vied for control. South Side Boss Frank LaPorte died, and Al Pilotto took over. The new power wanted a piece of this chop shop racket.
In 1978, Jimmy's life came to a violent end when he was gunned down while sitting in his car. His death marked the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of crime and intrigue that fascinates today. Join us as we unravel the life of James "Jimmy" Catuara, a man whose name became synonymous with Chicago's criminal underworld.
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What Happened to the French Connection Dope?

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 09:00:37 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, I delve into a fascinating tale involving corrupt individuals like Gaspipe Casso, a New York police cop named Vinny Albano, and a drug dealer named Herbie Pate. Albano, engaged in taking down the French Connection, conspires with Pate to steal French Connection heroin from the police property room. The duo starts selling the stolen heroin on the streets, making millions of dollars, with Gaspipe Casso taking a cut. However, tensions rise between Albano and Pate over money, leading to a lethal confrontation where Pate shoots and kills Albano in self-defense. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Hey, all you wiretappers out there, I got a fun little story here about Gas Pipe Casso, a corrupt New York police cop named Vinny Albano, not one of the two mafia cops, Caracapa and Esposito, and another Lucchese associate drug dealer named Herbie Potte. That’s P-A-T-E, I believe. Yeah, P-A-T-E, Herbie Potte or Potte. [0:29] Albano was part of the crew he worked narcotics and was part of the crew that helped take down the French connection so he knew about the dope and they knew about it being in the property room there was like what uh 70 some kilos in the property room at one time and so he got this Herbie Pott they both had been involved in a lot of crooked stuff and and with Gas Pipe Castle So he instructed Herbie Pate just how to to put on a police uniform and got some forged papers and access the property room. Well, well, this Herbie Pate goes in, he’s cracking jokes and he’s making the property room clerk laugh and that kind of thing. And he goes in and he walks out with all this French Connection heroin. Well, he and Vinnie, Vinnie Albano, they start selling it on the streets over the next. [1:17] Few weeks and months, and they’re making a lot of money. I mean, this was millions of dollars worth of heroin. Millions in Heroin and Betrayal [1:23] I mean, millions of dollars worth. And Gaspipe Castle was getting a piece of that action all along because they were associates in the Lucchese family, and he helped facilitate all this. So he always gets the action. Well, Albano was kind of a, he had a bad temper, shall we say, and he was suspicious. And Pate, he was like, you know, know he was a crook he no there’s no honor among thieves in this world and so they get arguing about money and albano is accusing pate of stealing from him albano drives to pate’s work and tries to run him down the car one evening and i don’t know what the work was but there must not have been anybody around he avoids him they albano gets out and he’s a tough guy but so So says Pate. Pate had gone to gas pipe and said, you know, I’ve got this problem with this crazy ass cop. [2:16] I need a gun. So gas pipe had given him a little 38, a little, I think it was a little chief air weight, I believe. And they’d given him a gun. So he’s got a gun stuck down his back pocket while they’re wrestling around. Pate was able to reach around and get that gun out and start shooting. Deadly Confrontation on the Street [2:32] And he shoots and he kills Albano right there on the street. Well, he’s not really that guy particularly. you know he’s a heroin dealer and a drug dealer and an associate but he’s not really that guy and and ...

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What Happened to the French Connection Dope?

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 09:00:02 +0000

Beneath the Bathrobe: The Dark World of Vincent Gigante

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 09:00:54 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins takes you on a riveting journey through the dark corridors of mob history. Step into the shadows with Gary as he sits down with an esteemed reporter and author, Larry McShane, to unravel the enigma that was Vincent “The Chin” Gigante, a man whose life reads like a gripping crime novel. Larry McShane, a seasoned veteran of the city beat, delves deep into his book “Chin: The Life and Crimes of Mafia Boss Vincent Gigante,” shedding light on the man behind the myth. Vincent Gigante’s story is one of intrigue and terror, a tale of a professional boxer turned merciless assassin whose very name struck fear into the hearts of his enemies. Handpicked by the notorious Vito Genovese to lead the Genovese Family, The Chin amassed a fortune of over $100 million, all while evading the relentless pursuit of federal investigators. But beneath the facade of power and wealth lurked a mind shrouded in darkness. Gigante appeared as a madman to the outside world, roaming the streets in a tattered bathrobe, playing games in storefronts, and hiding a second family from his wife. Despite his bizarre antics, Gigante’s cunning and ruthlessness knew no bounds, as he controlled an underworld empire of nearly three hundred made men. It took decades of intense FBI investigation by federal authorities to bring down the man who seemed untouchable finally. We learn they not only sent The Chin to prison but also forced him to admit he had been acting like he was crazy to avoid prosecution for many years. Join Gary Jenkins and Larry McShane as they peel back the layers of myth and legend to reveal the chilling truth behind one of the most notorious figures in mob history.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript Welcome all you wiretappers. Good to be back here in studio gangland wire. I have a really interesting guy today. You may have all heard of him. He wrote the book on the chin Gigante. I have Larry McShane. Welcome Larry. Hey, good morning. Thanks for having me. Well, Larry, start out talking a little bit about your book, you know, how you got into it and, and, you know, because we can always get it on Amazon. I’ll have guys, I’ll have links to the book in the show notes. So tell us about getting into your book. Yeah, I’d covered a lot of organized crime stuff in New York. I worked for Associated Press for a long time. And You know, I guess it’s, it’s the kind of thing where I looked around at some point and, you know, there had been guys were writing their own books, right? Sammy the bull, for example, there was a whole book about little Al DiArco and yet nobody had really done any kind of a project involving a Gigante [00:01:00] who I found as kind of the most compelling mob figure. Out of that generation and that time when the mob was finally kind of brought down by the FBI. He was interesting. And guys, the name of the book is The Chin. Let me give you the tagline on it. It is The Life and Crimes of Mafia Boss, Vincent Gigante. So by Larry McShane, like I said, I’ll have the the title, I mean, the link to the Amazon and the show notes. So how did you start out? Writing this book, did you like go to the FBI to do FOIA? Did you get, did you have some mob sources or just agent sources? Tell a little bit about the process of doing a, on a guy that’s so secretive that he put on this act,

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Beneath the Bathrobe: The Dark World of Vincent Gigante

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 09:00:02 +0000

Underworld Enigima: Sam Giancana

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 09:00:51 +0000

Gangland Wire host, retired Detective Gary Jenkins, reports on the life and legacy of Sam Mooney Giancana, a prominent figure in the Chicago outfit and the mafia world. Giancana’s enigmatic nature and shadowy dealings are explored, tracing his journey from a member of the 42 gang to the pinnacle of the Chicago outfit. Known for his ruthlessness and criminal prowess, Giancana’s rise in the criminal underworld during the Prohibition era is detailed, showcasing his involvement in illegal activities like gambling, liquor distribution, and political rackets. The host sheds light on Giancana’s connections with influential figures like Al Capone, his alleged role in John F. Kennedy’s presidential victory, and his entanglement with the CIA in plots to assassinate Fidel Castro. The interview further brings to light Giancana’s partnership with Richard Cain, a corrupt law enforcement officer turned mob associate, expanding their operations to include gun smuggling, espionage, and international intrigues. The narrative takes a dark turn as Giancana’s mysterious death in 1975 is analyzed, with several theories suggesting mob involvement, internal power struggles, and CIA conspiracies behind his assassination. The interview speculates on potential conspirators, including Tony Accardo, Santo Trafficante Jr., and even the CIA, reflecting the convoluted web of betrayal, power dynamics, and covert operations that characterized Giancana’s tumultuous life. Ultimately, Sam Giancana’s legacy endures as a symbol of the murky intersections between crime and espionage, leaving behind a trail of unsolved mysteries, political entanglements, and violent retribution. The host encourages engagement from listeners, offering insights into mob history, sharing anecdotes, and inviting discussion on the complex and intriguing world of organized crime.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Hey, all you wiretappers out there, back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. You know, I’m doing these little kind of short, down-and-dirty bios of major mob guys, because I got to realizing that everybody doesn’t know all the details that maybe I know or that I’ve read about. I know a lot of you guys know a lot of stuff. A lot of you know a lot more than I know. But everybody doesn’t know everything about all these different guys. And I may mention the name, you know, Tommy Lucchese, Three Finger Lucchese. You might mention Vito Genovese or just, you know, Genovese, the Genovese family. So putting out these shorties to say this is who these guys are is bonus episode. So today I’m going to deal with the life and legacy of Sam Mooney Giancana, unveiling the enigma. And he was an enigmatic figure, which I think means I’m using that $25 word there, aren’t I? Which I think means he was kind of a shadowy character, kind of hard to understand, had a lot of secrets. And he did. You know, he like went to Mexico for quite a while. He had business interest all around the world and gaming in casinos and gambling. And he wouldn’t share some of that, which some of that came back to bite him, I think, in the end. [1:14] But he was born in 1908, May 24th in Chicago. He was he was a Chicago outfit guy. And he starts out. his journey into the crime world as a teenager in the 42 gang. Now, they say it wasn’t because they lived on 42nd Street.

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Underworld Enigima: Sam Giancana

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 09:00:03 +0000

Gangland Wire host, retired Detective Gary Jenkins, reports on the life and legacy of Sam Mooney Giancana, a prominent figure in the Chicago outfit and the mafia world. Giancana's enigmatic nature and shadowy dealings are explored, tracing his journey from a member of the 42 gang to the pinnacle of the Chicago outfit. Known for his cruelty and criminal prowess, Giancana's rise in the criminal underworld during the Prohibition era is detailed, showcasing his involvement in illegal activities like gambling, liquor distribution, and political rackets.
The host sheds light on Giancana's connections with influential figures like Al Capone, his alleged role in John F. Kennedy's presidential victory, and his entanglement with the CIA in plots to assassinate Fidel Castro. The interview further brings to light Giancana's partnership with Richard Cain, a corrupt law enforcement officer turned mob associate, expanding their operations to include gun smuggling, espionage, and international intrigues.
The narrative takes a dark turn as Giancana's mysterious death in 1975 is analyzed, with several theories suggesting mob involvement, internal power struggles, and CIA conspiracies behind his assassination. The interview speculates on potential conspirators, including Tony Accardo, Santo Trafficante Jr., and even the CIA, reflecting the convoluted web of betrayal, power dynamics, and covert operations that characterized Giancana's tumultuous life.
Ultimately, Sam Giancana's legacy endures as a symbol of the murky intersections between crime and espionage, leaving behind a trail of unsolved mysteries, political entanglements, and violent retribution. The host encourages engagement from listeners, offering insights into mob history, sharing anecdotes, and inviting discussion on the complex and intriguing world of organized crime.
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Buy me a cup of coffee
Donate at Gangland Wire

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Philadelphia Mob Lawyer: Robert Simone

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 09:00:07 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary and his regular contributor, Australian lawyer and mafia researcher Tony Taourk look into the intriguing story of Robert Simone, a Philadelphia lawyer with deep ties to the mob. We learn that he was born in South Philadelphia in 1933, and Simone’s career took a dramatic turn when he defended showgirl Lillian Rees in 1961. Rees was charged in connection with the theft of half a million dollars from a wealthy Pennsylvania millionaire. Despite his limited experience in criminal law at the time, Robert Simone overturned Rees’ conviction on appeal, gaining attention in the media and among criminals alike. Simone’s involvement with Rees also led him to cross paths with mobsters, as Rees’ boyfriend and co-defendant was a mobster himself. Simone’s heavy gambling and drinking habits further connected him to the mob, as he often frequented bars where he encountered mobsters and borrowed money from mob loan sharks. One such loan shark, Frank Sindone, recommended Simone to other mobsters and eventually became Simone’s client in a successful acquittal for loan sharking charges. Simone’s reputation grew within the criminal underworld, and he attracted the attention of Roofer’s Local 30, a corrupt union that provided him with a steady stream of criminal cases. He also represented John McCullough, the head of the union, who was later murdered on the orders of the Philadelphia mob. Simone’s big break came when he represented mob boss Nicky Scarfo in a murder trial. The government charged Scarfo, along with his nephew, Phil Leonetti, and another mobster with the murder of a cement contractor. Despite the testimony of an eyewitness, Simone’s skills as a lawyer shone during this trial, showcasing his ability to sway jurors and play mind games in the courtroom to achieve a not-guilty verdict. Despite his success in defending Scarfo, Simone’s ties to the mob ultimately led to his downfall. He was disbarred 1989 for his involvement in a money-laundering scheme with Scarfo and other mobsters. Simone’s story is a cautionary tale of the dangers of getting too close to the criminal underworld.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [00:00:00] Welcome back in the studio of Gangland Wire. Good to be back here with you guys. I have our good friend from down under, Tony Taouk. Welcome, Tony. Thank you for having me, Gary. Oh, as you guys know, Tony is our expert on mob lawyers. We have done God. How many have we done now, Tony? We’ve done Goodman and who else have we done? Roy Cohen, Well, it’s coming out. It’s coming out. We’re recording this guys today, January the what? The third or the fourth and Corsak is coming out in two weeks. It’ll be out. I think a week from this Monday, I believe I’d have to look. I know. I just put it in to released so I can stay about two or three weeks ahead. Anyhow, Corsak, Sydney Corsak. Frank Regano. Oh, Regano. Yeah. From Traficante down in down in Florida. So good. Yeah. Well, we’re moving right on through them, Tony. We’re going to be through them all one of these days. Oh, Cutler. We did Bruce [00:01:00] Cutler. And see. I don’t know what we’ve got left after this. There’s some more guys out there. There’s kind of boring guys out there. They’re back in New York, I know. There’s a lot,

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Philadelphia Mob Lawyer: Robert Simone

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 09:00:02 +0000

Unmasking the Real Spider in Goodfellas!

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary looks into the intriguing life of Michael "Spider" Gianco, a real-life figure known from the movie "Goodfellas." Born in 1954 in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Gianco was associated with the Bonanno and Lucchese families and was a Jimmy the Gent Burke protege. Referred to as Spider due to his long limbs and excellent burglary skills, Gianco was a trusted member who could climb into hard-to-reach places. He was involved in organized crime from a young age, engaging in car theft and other illicit activities. Gianco was a crucial player in a car theft and smuggling ring, specializing in stealing cars from locations like JFK long-term parking. He would deliver these cars to a junkyard in Brooklyn, where they would be sold or shipped to Haiti. Gianco made money for every vehicle he stole and was involved in various criminal activities orchestrated by Jimmy the Gent and Paul Vario. However, his relationship with fellow mobster Tommy DeSimone was strained, leading to a fatal confrontation in July 1970. During a poker game at Robert's Lounge, DeSimone fatally shot Gianco after an argument, with Jimmy the Gent instructing DeSimone to bury the body. The murder, reminiscent of a scene from "Goodfellas," shocked those present, and despite the body never being found, Gianco's fate was sealed. The aftermath of Gianco's death further illuminated the ruthless nature of organized crime, showcasing the dangers and consequences of underworld disputes. The intricacies of mob life, rule-breaking, and allegiances are dissected, leaving listeners pondering the complexities of this dark underbelly of society.

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Unmasking the Real Spider in Goodfellas!

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary looks into the intriguing life of Michael “Spider” Gianco, a real-life figure known from the movie “Goodfellas.” Born in 1954 in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Gianco was associated with the Bonanno and Lucchese families and was a Jimmy the Gent Burke protege. Referred to as Spider due to his long limbs and excellent burglary skills, Gianco was a trusted member who could climb into hard-to-reach places. He was involved in organized crime from a young age, engaging in car theft and other illicit activities. Gianco was a crucial player in a car theft and smuggling ring, specializing in stealing cars from locations like JFK long-term parking. He would deliver these cars to a junkyard in Brooklyn, where they would be sold or shipped to Haiti. Gianco made money for every vehicle he stole and was involved in various criminal activities orchestrated by Jimmy the Gent and Paul Vario. However, his relationship with fellow mobster Tommy DeSimone was strained, leading to a fatal confrontation in July 1970. During a poker game at Robert’s Lounge, DeSimone fatally shot Gianco after an argument, with Jimmy the Gent instructing DeSimone to bury the body. The murder, reminiscent of a scene from “Goodfellas,” shocked those present, and despite the body never being found, Gianco’s fate was sealed. The aftermath of Gianco’s death further illuminated the ruthless nature of organized crime, showcasing the dangers and consequences of underworld disputes. The intricacies of mob life, rule-breaking, and allegiances are dissected, leaving listeners pondering the complexities of this dark underbelly of society.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Wiretappers out there back here in the studio of gangland wire i want to take a look at kind of a short one again here about michael spider gianco michael spider gianco his he was spider in the movie goodfellas he’s the one that joe petty character shot in the foot and then later killed when when he bucked it back up to him let’s tell you a little bit as a real guy this really happened as you know you know everything really happened in goodfellas for the most part he was you have of a young guy back then, I guess. He was born in 1954. He was killed in 1970. That tells you anything. He was from Brownsville, Brooklyn, and grew up in the neighborhood, South Ozone Park, Queens area. He was a, you know, an associate of the Bonanno family and the Lucchese family, as all those guys around in that Roberts Lounge were, and there really was a Roberts Lounge, he was a protege of Jimmy the Gent Burke, he was a guy. [0:59] Who would go out and do stuff. He was, and what’s interesting about him, he could be trusted. He was from Italy, but he was from Sardinia, which is another island like Sicily off the coast of Italy. He was born Michael Gianfranco. He shortened it to Gianco when he got over here. And then of course, everybody became, started calling me Spider. Now, the reason they called him Spider is because he had really long arms and long limbs and he was a great burglar. where he could climb up and get into places and things like that. His family brought him over here when he was a kid. They settled in Queens. He was a runaway. He was just a bad kid growing up,

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Mafia Confessions with Nick Parisi

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 09:00:45 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Dive into the world of Joseph Parisi, the man who murdered Carlo Siniscalchi. Gary interviews author Nick Parisi about his book Mafia Confessions, “King of Bootlegers” Murder. This book sheds light on organized crime during the Prohibition era in the Springfield, Massachusetts, area. Nick offers a glimpse into this city’s early Italian-American criminal groups and the surrounding area and how his ancestor killed Carlo Siniscalchi, the King of the Bootleggers.” Mafia Confessions relies heavily on the diary of the author’s ancestor, Giuseppe “Joseph” Parisi, trial transcripts, and newspaper accounts. Nick Parisi provides a rare and intimate look into the thoughts, emotions, and connections of the man who murdered Carlo Siniscalchi, who was known as the “King of the Bootleggers.” We discuss the ensuing gang war and the trial, revealing the emotional turmoil of a high-level Italian criminal. While not a traditional biography, the book focuses on Parisi’s murder trial rather than his entire life story. The author highlights the challenges of balancing Parisi’s criminal past with the audience’s empathy, akin to rooting for a criminal in “The Shawshank Redemption.” Mafia Confessions fills a void in organized crime literature, particularly Springfield’s criminal history. The author emphasizes the importance of familial connections and heritage in understanding the rival factions and the impact of murders and revenge. Mafia Confessions’ authenticity and narrative captivate, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in Prohibition-era crime or Italian-American organized crime history. Click here to get a copy of Mafia Confessions from Amazon. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Hey, welcome all you wiretappers out there. Good to be back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. We have a show about the Springfield, Massachusetts mob and the foundings of it from a relative who has written a really interesting book. I have Nick Parisi here with me. Welcome, Nick. Thanks, Gary. Great to meet you. Nick, it’s Mafia Confession, King of the Bootleggers. Let me read you guys a couple of the reviews. Very well written by author Nick Parisi, he takes readers back to the days of Prohibition seen through the eyes of a family member who was there. [0:38] Here’s another one, one of the most gripping true crime stories I have ever read. Be warned, it is not for the fainthearted. This book will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. I highly recommend it for true crime aficionados and fans of mob thrillers. From Reader’s Favorite Awards. Praise for “Mafia Confession, King of the Bootleggers” [0:54] So you’ve got some pretty good praise there, Nick. Oh, yeah. I’m getting some good reviews. And even from some of the grandkids of the people that are in the book that are actually in the current mafia today in Springfield, they’re taking pictures with the book and telling me it’s so well done and they love it. Cool. I was actually expecting the opposite, to get some backlash from the other family, but they love it. They love it. They said I did it properly. I got the story right and they appreciate it. Cool. That says a lot in itself. I know these. It’s interesting. A lot of mobsters today,

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Mafia Confessions with Nick Parisi

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 09:00:02 +0000

Danny Greene: Celtic Warrior

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 09:00:42 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Learn about the shadowy world of crime from the life of Danny Greene, also known as the Celtic warrior. If you haven’t seen it, watch “To Kill the Irishman,” a film featuring Christopher Walken and Paul Sorvino. Danny Greene was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1933, orphaned three days after birth, and raised by paternal grandfather and aunt in Collinwood. Danny’s rebellious spirit and tumultuous relationship with his father and stepmother led to a challenging adolescence. Military Service and Union Involvement: After being expelled from high school, Danny Greene enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he excelled as a boxer and earned the rank of corporal. After military service, he became a longshoreman and quickly rose to become the president of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). Double Life as an Informant: Danny Green became a top informant for the FBI, navigating the worlds of labor racketeering and organized crime. Criminal Activity and Conflicts: Formed the Celtic Club and allied with figures like John Nardi and Alexander Burns, leading to conflicts with the Cleveland Mafia. He was involved in bombings, violent clashes, and assassination attempts, solidifying his reputation as a formidable force. Downfall and Legacy: Despite his cunning intellect and adaptability, Danny Green’s luck ran out when he was killed by a car bomb in 1977. His death exposed a criminal conspiracy involving mafia families from Cleveland, New York City, and Southern California.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [00:00:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there. Welcome to gangland wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired intelligence detective, and this is your portal into the shadowy world of crime. Today we’re going to take a deep dive into the tumultuous life of Daniel John Patrick Green, a. k. a. Danny Green, the Celtic warrior. You may know him from To Kill the Irishman. Well, no movie, Christopher Walken was in it. I think, , Paul Cervino maybe was in it. My friend, Rick Perrello from Cleveland wrote the book and did a documentary and was involved in making the movie. Anyhow, Danny Green, he was a figure whose legacy is etched into the annals of organized crime, especially in Cleveland and the Midwest. Really? Now, so join me and we’re going to unravel the intricate details of Danny Green’s journey through power, betrayal, and the criminal underworld of Cleveland, Ohio. Danny Green was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1933. His early life was a saga of [00:01:00] hardship, aren’t they all? Don’t they all these organized crime guys grew up in some kind of hardship? He was orphaned three days after he was born, and he got the nickname Baby Green until his mother’s burial and his paternal grandfather and aunt took him in and raised him and named him His gave him his name and they were in the blue collar neighborhood of Collinwood in Cleveland. Danny’s tumultuous relationship with his father and stepmother later on in life set the stage for a really challenging adolescence if you can imagine that. Growing up in Collinwood, Danny developed a rebellious spirit and was always running away from home and you know he hit the streets and you know what happens when these young guys hit the streets. What is there out there?

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Danny Green: The Celtic Warrior

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 09:00:01 +0000

Pasqualina Albano

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 09:00:13 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode of Gangland Wire, we talk with the niece of the Bootleg Queen of Springfield, MA, Gina Cunningham, and Justin Cascio of Mafia Geneology about the mafia in Springfield, Massachusetts. We explore bootlegging during Prohibition, Pasqualina Albano’s rise to power, rivalries with other mafia groups, and the unique presence of women in the male-dominated subculture. We learn how she married a man from the NYC Genovese family and how this led to the Genovese Family’s continuing presence and influence in Springfield. We discuss Pasqualina’s assassination, the impact of the documentary about her, and the importance of open conversations about family history.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Welcome all you wiretappers out there back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. I really appreciate y’all tuning in every week or maybe twice a week sometimes. You know, I’ve got a show today about Springfield, Massachusetts. Now, I’ve gotten several inquiries. I think it was on my YouTube question and then on the Gangland Wire podcast Facebook page, which you guys ought to get on because we’ve got a huge, we’ve got 50,000 people on that thing with all Sharon Motley information. But about Springfield and I didn’t know a lot about it and and then I happened to see I think maybe on Justin’s Justin Cascio’s website or he made it into a post or somehow I saw about this new documentary that our other guy other guest had Gina Cunningham who is a great niece of an early. [0:48] Mob couple if you will a mob power couple in Springfield and so I thought you know let’s go go into this. She has a documentary. Gina is a great niece of Albano, who was the bootleg queen of Springfield during Prohibition. And Justin, of course, you guys know, runs the Mafia Genealogy Facebook page and website. And he has a ton of great Mafia family connections stretching back to Sicily on his website. And he’s a real expert in that. He has this great, I have to apologize to you on air here, Justin, that guy that stole your picture and wiped out your attribution to it and put it on my Facebook page or group. So, you know, we took it off and then I posted a link to it and I noticed you’ve updated it. I think we’re all square on that, but he has a lot of great information. And there’s this one photo he’s got that he made showing the five families in Manhattan and greater New York area and what their geographic outlines of the other domain would, as it were, would be. So welcome, guys. I really appreciate y’all coming on the show. Thank you, Jerry. So Gina, tell us a little bit about yourself personally and how you made this happen to make this documentary. Gina Cunningham’s Personal Journey and Documentary Creation [1:59] Okay, so my name’s Gina Cunningham. And obviously, when you hear Cunningham, you don’t think of an Italian American, but I’m half Italian American. But I grew up in a totally 100% Italian American family. And everything in my family was always a mystery, especially the the story of Pasqualina. We knew that we had a great aunt Pasqualina, but we didn’t know anything about her. My mother would take me to her grave where she would ask me to pray for Pasqualina. But when I asked why I was praying for Pasqualina,

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Pasqualina Albano

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 09:00:02 +0000

Joseph "The Animal" Barboza

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 22:15:01 +0000

Joseph “The Animal” Barboza

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:00:57 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Joseph Barboza, aka the Animal, was born September 20, 1932. His criminal career went on from being a young thug and boxer to becoming a notorious mob hitman for the Patriarca crime family of New England during the 1960s. Starting his criminal life as a Mafia enforcer in Boston’s underworld, Barboza ended his criminal career as an FBI informant in 1967 and entered the Witness Protection Program. He was a star witness in the trial of six men convicted in the 1965 murder of Edward Deegan; a court sentenced four of the accused to death, and another two were sentenced to life imprisonment. Eventually, facts surface that Boston FBI agents helped set up these innocent men and used Barboza to frame the six defendants in a case of wrongful conviction for the Deegan killing. Barboza, himself, and Boston Mafia hitman Vincent Flemmi did this murder. Listen to learn about this case of corrupt FBI agents and more.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! transcript Buckle up as we navigate the shadows of organized crime and betrayal in this in-depth exploration of Joseph the Animal Barbossa’s life. , [00:00:00] well hey all you wiretappers out there. Guys, I’m back here in the studio, retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins. Join me as we navigate the twists and turns of Boston mobster Joseph the Animal Barbossa. His life, well, goes from the boxing ring to the criminal underworld and an unexpected role as a key witness in a gangland murder. Gangland Wire is the podcast that brings you an in depth exploration of these hidden stories that helped shape the American Mafia. Now buckle up, buckle up, I say, as we delve into the shadows of organized crime and betrayal. And I’m going to tell you the story of Joseph the Animal Barbossa. Joseph Barboza was born September 20th, 1932. His criminal career will go from a young thug and boxer to become one of the most notorious mob hitmen for the Patriarca crime family in New England. Starting as a mafia enforcer in the Boston’s underworld, he will end [00:01:00] his criminal career as an FBI informant in 1967 and enter the witness protection program. He was a star witness at the trial of six men convicted of a 1965 murder of a burglar named Edward Deegan. Four of these accused men were sentenced to death and two others were given life in prison. Eventually facts will surface that the Boston FBI helped set up these innocent men and used Barboza to help frame these defendants and they’ll become a case of wrongful conviction later on. But not after these guys spend most of their life in the penitentiary. Barbosa himself and Bo Boston Mafiaa hit man. Vincent Fleming actually did this murder.. Now Joseph Barbosa Jr’s early life, seemed destined for a different path. He was raised by Portuguese immigrants. His father, Joseph Barbosa Sr., was a middleweight boxer. His mother, Pamelda Camil, was a seamstress. He was fluent in Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish.[00:02:00] Young Barbosa, the animal, hadn’t got his nickname yet, but he follows in his father’s footsteps, and he trained as a boxer. He was ranked as a professional light heavyweight boxer and a member of the United States Boxing Association. He fought under the moniker of the Baron. Barbosa’s first boxing match was in April of 1949 against a...

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Bloodlines and Betrayal: Civella vs. Spero

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:00:43 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode of the Gangland Wire Podcast, Gary Jenkins explores the intense gang war between the Civella and Spero families. Gary explains the key figures, Nick Civella and his brother Cork Civella, and outlines their roles within the mob. Jenkins also highlights Nick Spero, a flamboyant character with connections to the mob. He explains Nick Civella’s strict dress code, including rules against facial hair and the requirement for specific haircuts. He shares stories of Civella’s involvement in sports gambling charges and the first FBI wiretap that led to his indictment. The murder of Saul Landie and the attempted murder of Lester Moore further escalated tensions within the organized crime network. Moving on, Jenkins focuses on Carl Spero and his criminal activities. A professional criminal, Carl aligns himself with other professional criminals to create his own organization. The speaker emphasizes Carl Spero’s cautious nature and his crew’s efforts to avoid surveillance. He describes the stalking of the Spero faction by the Civella Faction. Tensions rise as both families continue surveillance efforts, culminating in a shooting incident at the Virginia Tavern that leaves Carl Spero paralyzed. In the latter part of the podcast, He provides updates on Joe Spero’s involvement in a bombing attempt and eventual capture. After Joe Spero is killed, Carl remains a target, facing multiple assassination attempts, including a dynamite bombing of his car. Jenkins highlights the collaboration between an undercover state trooper and a professional thief and as thet build a case against Spero. Ths stoy culminated in a bomb planted under Carl Spero’s office, signaling the end of the Spero-Civella War.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there, good to be back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired KCPD intelligence detective. I’m going to tell you another story about my career and things that I lived through here in Kansas City, the 1970s mob wars. I told you about the war in the River Key, the war between the Commissaros and Bonadonna and the fallout from all that. Well, now I’m going to tell you about the Civella-Spero war. I did a movie on this. The Civella-Spero Mob War, I think was the name of it. I don’t know, but if you want to find it, you’ll find it. First thing I want to talk about is the Civella family. Nick Civella, he was a famous boss that came out of Appalachian. He was caught back there with Joe Filardo, who was an old gangster from the 30s and 20s. He was being introduced as a new boss in 1957. [0:51] Growing up in the mob, really, during those years, He had been the boss until he died. He had a brother, Cork Civella, who was a real firebrand. The guy really never had a little crew that worked for him. He seemed to be kind of an independent operator, although he always bent to the will of his older brother, Nick Civella. They called him Cork because he’d pop off. He was the kind of guy that he got mad at some newsmen one time during a grand jury hearing. They were all sitting around in the hallway outside the grand jury room. Cork was waiting to go in and he started getting mad at him for some reason. We don’t really know why.

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Bloodlines and Betrayal: Civella vs. Spero

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:00:02 +0000

Chicago Police Gambling Raid

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 10:00:28 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, I share a riveting story of a raid conducted by the Chicago Police Department’s Intelligence Unit on a high-stakes gambling operation. The operation, ordered by Captain Duffy, involved meticulous surveillance of key figures of the Outfit’s Westside crew, leading to the apprehension of nine individuals and the seizure of significant cash and incriminating records. Reflecting on the event, I highlight the strategic approach taken during the raid and the cooperation received from some of the individuals involved. This narrative provides a glimpse into the intense undercover operations and confrontations with organized crime that defined law enforcement efforts in 1960s Chicago.Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here!

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Chicago Police Gambling Raid

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, I share a riveting story of a raid conducted by the Chicago Police Department's Intelligence Unit on a high-stakes gambling operation. The operation, ordered by Captain Duffy, involved meticulous surveillance of key figures of the outfit's Westside crew, leading to the apprehension of nine individuals and the seizure of significant cash and incriminating records. Reflecting on the event, I highlight the strategic approach taken during the raid and the cooperation received from some of the individuals involved. This narrative provides a glimpse into the intense undercover operations and confrontations with organized crime that defined law enforcement efforts in 1960s Chicago.
Buy me a cup of coffee
Donate at Gangland Wire

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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Det. William Flynn and the New York Mafia

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 10:00:42 +0000

Retired Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins brings you his unique perspective on organized crime. The Bulldog Detective: William J. Flynn’s Battle Against the New York Mafia and More Introduction: In the tumultuous landscape of early twentieth-century America, where threats from organized crime, espionage, and terrorism loomed large, one man stood as a bulwark against the rising tide of criminality. Meet William Flynn, the Bulldog Detective, who played a pivotal role in shaping the course of American law enforcement. gary and author Jeffrey Simon look into the remarkable career of William Flynn, focusing on his crusade against the New York Mafia and his enduring legacy in the fight for justice. Early Life and Education: Born on November 18, 1867, in the heart of New York City, Flynn’s journey into public service began in 1897 after a standard public school education. Little did the nation know that this unassuming figure would become a central force in combating some of American history’s most notorious criminal organizations. Early Career: Starting as a Manhattan plumber, Flynn’s trajectory shifted dramatically when he joined the United States Secret Service. His early focus on counterfeiting soon led him to confront the Black Hand extortionists and the infamous Morello crime family members. Flynn’s tenacity and strategic acumen set the stage for his future battles against organized crime. Collaboration with Detective Giuseppe “Joe” Petrosino: Flynn’s path intertwined with that of Detective Giuseppe “Joe” Petrosino, who met an untimely end in 1909 while investigating gangsters in Sicily. Undeterred by Petrosino’s tragic fate, William Flynn continued the pursuit, successfully building a case that resulted in the imprisonment of Giuseppe Morello and his associates in 1910. Reorganization of the New York City Detective Force: In 1911, Flynn showcased his leadership skills by successfully reorganizing the New York City Detective Force. This began his rise in law enforcement, earning him recognition for his influential and innovative approach. World War I and Espionage Investigations: As the shadows of World War I loomed over America, Flynn’s role expanded to include investigating threats of sabotage. His dedication to national security became evident when he exposed a German-owned wireless station on Long Island, leading to the seizure of critical documents. Director of the Bureau of Investigation: Flynn’s crowning achievement came in 1919 when he was appointed Director of the Bureau of Investigation. Praised by Attorney General Palmer as “the leading, organizing detective of America,” William Flynn uncovered a German spy network operating on U.S. soil. His relentless pursuit of justice and national security earned him the nickname “the Bulldog.” Challenges, Resignation, and Reinstatement: Flynn’s hardline approach and public statements on German espionage strained relations within the German-American community, resulting in his resignation. However, in the face of escalating terrorist actions, Flynn was reinstated to lead the charge against the perpetrators, assigning a young J. Edgar Hoover to monitor suspected radicals. Semi-Retirement and Legacy: William Flynn ventured into business, founding a detective agency with his children after his tenure in the Bureau of Investigation. Despite challenges, he contributed to the field through writing and scenario development for the motion picture industry. Flynn’s Weekly Detective Fiction, the magazine he edited, became a lasting testament to his influence in crime fiction. Conclusion: William J. Flynn’s legacy is one of resilience, dedication, and an unyielding commitment to justice. His battles against the New York Mafia, German spies, and terrorists shaped the trajectory of American law enforcement. The Bulldog Detective’s story serves as a beacon, reminding us of the indomitable spirit required to confront and overcome the challenges of our times. William J. Flynn,

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Det. William Flynn and the New York Mafia

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins brings you his unique perspective on organized crime.

The Bulldog Detective: William J. Flynn's Battle Against the New York Mafia and More Introduction: In the tumultuous landscape of early twentieth-century America, where threats from organized crime, espionage, and terrorism loomed large, one man stood as a bulwark against the rising tide of criminality. Meet William J. Flynn, the Bulldog Detective, who played a pivotal role in shaping the course of American law enforcement. This blog article delves into Flynn's remarkable career, focusing on his crusade against the New York Mafia and his enduring legacy in the fight for justice.

Early Life and Education: Born on November 18, 1867, in the heart of New York City, Flynn's journey into public service began in 1897 after a standard public school education. Little did the nation know that this unassuming figure would become a central force in combating some of American history's most notorious criminal organizations.

Early Career: Starting as a Manhattan plumber, Flynn's trajectory shifted dramatically when he joined the United States Secret Service. His early focus on counterfeiting soon led him to confront the Black Hand extortionists and the infamous Morello crime family members. Flynn's tenacity and strategic acumen set the stage for his future battles against organized crime. Collaboration with Detective Giuseppe "Joe" Petrosino: Flynn's path intertwined with that of Detective Giuseppe "Joe" Petrosino, who met an untimely end in 1909 while investigating gangsters in Sicily. Undeterred by Petrosino's tragic fate, Flynn continued the pursuit, successfully building a case that resulted in the imprisonment of Giuseppe Morello and his associates in 1910.

Reorganization of the New York City Detective Force: In 1911, Flynn showcased his leadership skills by successfully reorganizing the New York City Detective Force. This began his rise in law enforcement, earning him recognition for his influential and innovative approach. World War I and Espionage Investigations: As the shadows of World War I loomed over America, Flynn's role expanded to include investigating threats of sabotage. His dedication to national security became evident when he exposed a German-owned wireless station on Long Island, leading to the seizure of critical documents.

Director of the Bureau of Investigation: Flynn's crowning achievement came in 1919 when he was appointed Director of the Bureau of Investigation. Praised by Attorney General Palmer as "the leading, organizing detective of America," Flynn uncovered a German spy network operating on U.S. soil. His relentless pursuit of justice and national security earned him the nickname "the Bulldog."

Challenges, Resignation, and Reinstatement: Flynn's hardline approach and public statements on German espionage strained relations within the German-American community, resulting in his resignation. However, in the face of escalating terrorist actions, Flynn was reinstated to lead the charge against the perpetrators, assigning a young J. Edgar Hoover to monitor suspected radicals.

Semi-Retirement and Legacy: Flynn ventured into business, founding a detective agency with his children after his tenure in the Bureau of Investigation. Despite challenges, he contributed to the field through writing and scenario development for the motion picture industry. Flynn's Weekly Detective Fiction, the magazine he edited, became a lasting testament to his influence in crime fiction.

Conclusion: William J. Flynn's legacy is one of resilience, dedication, and an unyielding commitment to justice. His battles against the New York Mafia, German spies, and terrorists shaped the trajectory of American law enforcement. The Bulldog Detective's story serves as a beacon, reminding us of the indomitable spirit required to confront and overcome the challenges of our times. William J. Flynn, America's first line of defense against the underworld, may have been forgotten by history, but his legacy lives on in the annals of crime-fighting heroism.
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The Many Murders of Marshall Caifano

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 10:00:55 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Marshall Caifano was a dangerous yet unassuming figure from Chicago’s mob scene.Background of Marshall Caifano: Caifano, a physically small but influential figure in the Chicago outfit, was brought up by Paul Ricca, a key behind-the-scenes figure in the outfit. Unlike the loud and flashy mobsters, Caifano operated quietly, focusing on strategic connections and criminal activities.Caifano’s Activities: Caifano was known for his involvement in various criminal activities, including the murder of mobster Bugsy Siegel in Los Angeles, which paved the way for the Chicago outfit to take over Las Vegas. He was also implicated in several other murders and extortion attempts.Caifano’s Style: Despite his criminal activities, Caifano maintained a low profile, appearing well-dressed and unassuming. He was known for his intelligence and ability to stay out of the spotlight, unlike other more flamboyant mobsters. Conclusion: Caifano’s story illustrates the complex and dangerous world of organized crime, where individuals like him operated in the shadows, wielding significant influence. His life and activities shed light on the inner workings of the Chicago outfit and its impact on various criminal enterprises. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript: Marshall Caifano [00:00:00] Gary Jenkins: well, hey, all you wiretappers out there back here in studio gangland wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City police intelligence detective. I worked a mob for 14 years altogether here in Kansas City from here to really to Las Vegas. We helped uncover the scheme and, you know, reached out to Chicago and Milwaukee and Cleveland. Anyhow. I’ve been telling these mob stories for a few years now in the podcast. Here’s another one. Kind of a short little story about a very unassuming but very dangerous little guy named Marshalll Caifano. from Chicago. Now, Marshall Caifano, I know that Red knew him and knows a lot about him. So you might want to check out Red Wemette channel or the Las Vegas blog, my blog with Adam Flowers. They may have a whole story on Marshall Caifano. This is kind of a short little story about him. He was a little guy.[00:01:00] And when he got old, I remember I ran into a couple of these mob guys, really old guys, guys out of the 30s that were still alive in the 70s. I got on the elevator with two of them once. Turned out they were going to their lawyer’s office. It was Joe Filardo and Tano Lococo. These were dangerous, dangerous men in the 30s. They were like these tiny little shriveled up. thin silver haired kind of, you know, like five foot tall, 105 pound, 110 pound guys. That’s the way Marshalll Caifano ended up and he was always was, they always were little guys, but He was a little guy physically, but he was a huge guy in the outfit and and he was a quiet guy, you know Paul Rico kind of brought him up. Paul was came out of the thirties is you know, kind of the behind the scenes boss when Accardo was more out front. Ricca was in penitentiary [00:02:00] down here at Leavenworth for a while and Cardo was really running things. He was going back Ricca forth and getting instructions. And when Ricca came back, he never really assumed like any kind of out front. Kind of a role while Accardo was more out front...

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The Many Murders of Marshal Caifano

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 10:00:02 +0000

Gus Russo on Murray "The Camel" Humphreys

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 22:10:01 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary jenkins brings you a unique insight into the Mafia. Today, Gary interviews the noted Chicago outfit expert, Gus Russo, known for his books such as "Supermob," "The Outfit," and "Best of Enemies."

Gus Russo tells how Murray "The Camel" Humphreys is an intriguing figure in the Chicago Outfit. He provides insights into Humphreys' early life, born with the Welsh name of Llewellyn in Illinois, growing up in poverty, and getting involved in petty crime. Gus continues by telling how Humphreys was able to climb the ranks of an organized crime family and become a valued and trusted advisor, political fixer, and business operative. He was so well connected that when his daughter needed a prom date, he was able to induce Frank Sinatra to fill that role.

Click here on Gus Russo to buy his books

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Gus Russo on Murray “The Camel” Humphreys

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 10:00:21 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you a unique insight into the Mafia. Today, Gary interviews the noted Chicago outfit expert, Gus Russo, known for his books such as “Supermob,” “The Outfit,” and “Best of Enemies.” Gus Russo tells how Murray “The Camel” Humphreys is an intriguing figure in the Chicago Outfit. He provides insights into Humphreys’ early life, born with the Welsh name of Llewellyn in Illinois, growing up in poverty, and getting involved in petty crime. Gus continues by telling how Humphreys was able to climb the ranks of an organized crime family and become a valued and trusted advisor, political fixer, and business operative in the Chicago mafia known as “The Outfit.” Murray Humphreys was so well connected that when his daughter needed a prom date, he was able to induce Frank Sinatra to fill that role. Click here on Gus Russo to buy his books Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Gary: [00:00:00] Welcome all you wiretappers. Good to be back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. I have a man who is probably one of the most respected mafia historians in the United States, Gus Russo Russo. You probably have heard of his books Supermob welcome, Gus Russo. I’m really glad you’re here. Hey, Gary. Thanks for having me. Supermob and all of a sudden, let’s see, and The Outfit. And do you have other Gus Russo: books, Gus Russo? Oh my goodness. Yeah, I’ve got about nine now. I think I’ve done a couple. I’ve done a couple of the Kennedys and I’ve got a really one that’s been really successful called Best of Enemies, an espionage book that’s being made into a feature. Your film so very excited Gary: about that. I read something about that. I’d forgotten about that interesting Well, what I’ll do guys is is I’ll have a link to his author’s page on Amazon So you can search among his books and and he is probably Like I said one of the most respected mob historians in the United States today. Oh along with, , Selwyn Rabb, probably. He ranks right up there with Selwyn Rabb, and, as [00:01:00] far as Chicago’s concerned, to me, he is the man for Chicago, and we all love Chicago up there, and I have to thank, speaking of Chicago, I have to thank my friend, Chicago native Ben Ellickson for sending me this book, The Outfit. He’s been after me to do this for a while and I don’t know, some of you get distracted by, you know, the glitz and the glamour of New York sometimes. I forget about my Chicago guys, I get back to them periodically. So he’s been, thank you very much for sending me this book because I did some shorts out of the book, a little one minute things for YouTube, just a little quick little stories out of the book. And now we’re going to do a full interview with Gus Russo Russo. And Gus Russo, I’ll tell you what, the Chicago guys, I’ll get, I’ll get an extra bump up in Chicago when that starts. I promise you that they love you in Chicago. But we’re going to talk about Murray Humphreys, Murray the Camel Humphreys, and I’ve wanted to do this guy for a long time. He’s an interesting guy, and one reason I feel a connection to him because my family came over [00:02:00] from Wales a lot longer before his family did. His mother and father came from Wales. Now here’s a Welshman who becomes a trusted, highly valued, Maybe upper echelon, if you will, member of the Chicago outfit. And Gus Russo just said, you know, he said,

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Anatomy of a Golf Course Muder Part 2

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 10:00:18 +0000

Gary tells another account of the intriguing and often murky world of crime. In today’s episode, we unfold the gripping tale of how a hapless hitman, Daniel Bounds, was entangled in a web of deceit and betrayal that ultimately led to his demise. An Outfit member named Sam Guzzino orchestrated the entire murder attempt of Al Pilotto. He played a pivotal role in recruiting Bounds. Guzzino provided him with a weapon, trained him, and even supervised the rehearsals leading up to the crime. The chilling revelation unfolds as Guzzino stands by, watching as Daniel Bounds carries out the hit, only to vanish into the night. The Chicago Outfit has its own rules, and hitting a target involves high stakes. We explore the harsh reality that the target might survive if a hit goes wrong – if the bullets or the gun are faulty. Survivors often become dangerous witnesses, turning the tables against their assailants. In the case of Sam Guzzino and Daniel Bounds, this dilemma becomes a crucial aspect of their criminal enterprise. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Hey guys, hey all you wiretappers out there back here in the studio, Gangland Wire, retired intelligence sergeant Gary Jenkins. I need to do a follow-up on a short one I did about Al Pilotto the other day. I was on Facebook and a gal, Jimmy Free, and thanks for, at Ben Alex, and thanks for reminding me about this. There’s a whole other story about the The murder plot on Al Palato, the Chicago outfit, Southside crew chief leader, labor racketeering guy. He had a case pending at that point in time when this happened. And the outfit decided he needed to go. I mean, Al needs to go. Now, when they say you need to go, you probably need to go. Sam Guzzino and the Inept Hitman [0:47] Now, let me tell you about exactly how this whole thing went down. Now, I just brushed across the top of it, kind of a fun little story. Sam Guzzino, whose brother Richard Guzzino was in the foursome with Al Pallado. Go back and take a look at that if you haven’t seen it. [1:05] Sam Guzzino was an outfit member, and he was also the former father-in-law of the hit man on this deal, a guy named Daniel Bounds, who was a cab driver. He had been married to Guzzino’s daughter and fathered a child with her. They’d gotten a divorce, but he needed money, I suspect, and Sam Guzzino knew it. But now, Sam Guzzino is probably not the sharpest tool in the toolbox, wouldn’t you say? Hires this Peckerwood cab driver to do this important hit. This is a pretty important hit, and you don’t want this to go wrong, right? You don’t want this to go wrong. But he tells him, hey, I got a job for you. And Bounds reluctantly, according to the court transcript, accepted this assignment. The Deal and Promises Made [1:51] Sam, one thing he did, he said, I’ll make sure that you get a lot more access to your daughter. His granddaughter, and so that, and I’ll pay you some money, and he promised him a down payment of $2,000 plus a weekly amount, which was not said exactly what it was, plus another job, but a business that Sam owned, you know, Nate, and that’d be a cab driver in the morning, see his kid a little more often, have $2,000 in cash, not very much money for a murder, if you ask me, me but you know that’s that was the deal he also said after he got into this he said now you understand now you know a hit’s going down get this ...

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Murder on the Golf Course Part 1

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 10:00:04 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In 1981, Southside Outfit crew chief Al Pilotto was still watching his tee shot in the air on the 8th hole at Lincolnshire Country Club when a gunman stepped out from behind the bushes and started shooting. Al survived and will die a natural death. The hitman was an amateur hired by one of the golfers, Sam Guzzino. In the end, Guzzino’s brother, Richard Guzzino, and Robert Ciarrocchi were convicted of training and arming Daniel Bounds to murder Pilotto. The Outfit took care of Sam Guzzino in the usual manner. Daniel Bounds testified and left town. Check out Part 2 for an anatomy of how this murder was carefully planned by the Marx Brothers and carrried out by the keystone cops. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! [0:00] Hey guys, welcome all you wiretappers. Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Intelligence Unit detective here, back in the house again. Hey, I got a short story here for you again. Al Pilotto, he was a Chicago outfit crew leader, if you will, crew chief of the Southside crew. He was also big in the labor union racketeering. He was the head of Local 5 in the Laborers International Union. Union. They liked to play golf. Al Pilotto’s Assassination Attempt on the Golf Course [0:31] Now, he was out playing golf on a nice warm July day back in, oh, when was that? Back in 1980-something, 30 years ago or so. Anyhow, Tony Splattro was out in Las Vegas. Tony Accardo was running the outfit at the time because they both were co-defendants on a labor racketry charge. And like I said, he was out playing golf. He was He was playing with one particular guy was Sam Guzzino. And there was Rudy Bamonte and Nick Fusci. Early in the morning, 8 o’clock in the morning, they were just on the AT at the Lincoln Shire. It was 1981 is what it was. I just glanced up to see what it was. [1:17] Anyhow, he had a great tee shot off that AT, they say. And somebody jumped out behind the bush that was there and started shooting at him. and shot him four or five times with a handgun and ran off. Well, he goes down with his golf partners and supposes shot golf partners. These guys, I don’t know if they teed up and played on through and left him back there, or they just ran off. They didn’t call the police is the main point I’m trying to make here. Lack of Police Involvement and Speculation on Motives [1:45] They did not call the cops. Some neighbor lady heard the shots and called the police, and they came driving up looking to see what was going on there. There’s our friend Al Pilotto, bleeding like a stung hog, probably. So they take him to the hospital. He survives this assassination attempt, which there’s no other way to put it. It was an assassination attempt. And Al Pilotto, if you think about it, his chief enforcer was Billy Dauber, who was killed by some of the guys that worked under Joey Lombardo, through the wild bunch in angelo la pietra so you know his chief enforcer had been killed they had these they had a kind of a war in that south side what they called the chop shop war there’s a bunch of people been killed in that war so you know with these mob heads you have to really look around for the motives and see who benefits but again like i said he had a. Al Pilotto’s Indictment and Potential Motives for the Hit

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Anatomy of a Golf Course Murder Part 2

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 10:00:02 +0000

Gary tells another account of the intriguing and often murky world of crime. In today's episode, we unfold the gripping tale of how a hapless hitman, Daniel Bounds, was entangled in a web of deceit and betrayal that ultimately led to his demise.
The Setup
An Outfit member named Sam Guzzino orchestrated the entire murder attempt of al Pilotto. He played a pivotal role in recruiting Bounds. Guzzino provided him with a weapon, trained him, and even supervised the rehearsals leading up to the crime. The chilling revelation unfolds as Guzzino stands by, watching as Daniel Bounds carries out the hit, only to vanish into the night.
The Chicago Outfit has its own rules, and hitting a target involves high stakes. We explore the harsh reality that the target might survive if a hit goes wrong – if the bullets or the gun are faulty. Survivors often become dangerous witnesses, turning the tables against their assailants. In the case of Sam Guzzino and Daniel Bounds, this dilemma becomes a crucial aspect of their criminal enterprise.

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Buy me a Cup of Coffee
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Murder on the Golf Course Part 1

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 10:00:02 +0000

Life in the Bonanno Family

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 10:00:13 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, we have a special guest, Jack Amato, who shares his experiences growing up in Sicily and the United States. He talks about his father’s encounters with the mafia and their journey from owning a restaurant in Brooklyn to buying a luncheonette in Glendale. Jack discusses how his father dealt with tough guys and troublemakers in the neighborhood, sometimes reaching out to wise guys for assistance. He also shares his experiences in the lunch wagon business and his involvement with figures like Joe Massino and Rusty Rastelli. The conversation then delves into the early days of running lunch wagons and catering businesses. Jack Amato discusses the relationships formed with prominent figures in the industry, such as mafia members like Joe Massino and Rusty Rastelli. They talk about the buying and selling of products, including cigarettes without a stamp, and the arrangement in which a percentage of sales would be paid to Joe Massino for the items provided. Jack Amato describes his personal experiences and interactions with various mobsters. He shares stories of confrontations, alliances, and even getting shot in the stomach during a robbery attempt. He discusses his decision to focus on the pizzeria business and interact with figures like Pizza Connection conspirators like Baldo Amaro and Cesar Bonaventura. Jack also relates his involvement in bookmaking and other ventures, including opening a maintenance and cleaning business. The conversation then turns as Jack Amato discusses legal troubles, accusations, and encounters with law enforcement. They talk about Jack being arrested and facing serious charges, including attempted murder and conspiracy. Jack Amato maintains his innocence and describes the pressure to cooperate with authorities. They also discuss the changing dynamics within the mob and the different power figures that emerged. Support the podcast. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Welcome, all you wiretappers out there. Good to be back here in the studio. Gangland Wire, you know, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins here. And I have a really interesting, different sort of an interview. We’ve got a man from Sicily. I started noticing this man on our podcast page. Gangland Wire podcast was posting and he has a book that he’s written and it tells about his life, you know, both in Sicily and when he came over. And when he came over, his family ended up, you know, getting jobs and being around some of the Bonanno families. So he has a lot of experiences with this from, shall we say, from the, not really from the associate side, not even associate, more like from just somebody that lived in the neighborhood and people that had to do business with mob guys and with his roots in Sicily. So his name is Jack Amato. So welcome, Jack. [0:57] Thank you for getting me to your show. You invited me to your show. Well, I’m really anxious to have you now. A Father’s Belief, part one. That’s the name of your book, correct? Yes, yes. All right, and you can get that on Amazon, I believe, can’t you? Yeah. Let’s move along. In this next segment, let’s move along to your life in the United States. And as your father, you know, he had a restaurant and there were mafia around and they had th...

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Life in the Bonanno Family

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 10:00:02 +0000

On Our Watch

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 10:00:40 +0000

Retired intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you a new podcast that he is excited about. On Our Watch: New Folsom is a gripping investigative podcast series brought to you by KQED. This show delves into the stories of two courageous correctional officers. These officers face severe consequences after exposing corruption and abuse within their ranks. Through powerful elements like interrogation tapes, 911 audio, prison phone calls, personal recordings, and emotional interviews, the show masterfully unravels the flaws in the accountability system. It’s a heart-pounding and explosive narrative that you don’t want to miss. But wait, there’s more! Stay tuned for an upcoming trailer that will give you a taste of the intensity and intrigue that awaits you. And once you’ve listened, find and follow On Our Watch wherever you get your podcasts. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on the whole story. The journey begins with a man who dreams of becoming an investigator in Folsom, California’s most dangerous prison. He knows correctional officers promise to protect the innocent and hold each other accountable. However, inside the prison walls, promises are broken, fear, intimidation, and violence take control, and lives hang in the balance. It’s a stunning tale of two individuals who dare to challenge the unwritten brotherhood code and pay a heavy price. As this captivating case unfolds, it raises numerous crucial questions, and the pursuit of truth comes at an unimaginable cost. Get ready for On Our Watch, Season 2, a production from KQED. Starting on February 6th, you can expect weekly episodes to keep you on the edge of your seat. If you want to learn more, go into the app you are on now and find On Our Watch. Or click this link, On Our Watch. Trust me, this is one podcast series you won’t want to miss. Support the podcast. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Hey guys, Gary Jenkins, retired intelligence unit detective here. We’re going to do something a little different today. I wanted to introduce you to a new show that I know you’re really going to want to listen to, On Our Watch. On Our Watch is an investigative podcast series from KQED. This season, it follows the stories of two correctional officers who pay a high price for exposing corruption and abuse by their fellow officers. The show shines a light on a broken accountability system through interrogation tapes, 911 audio, prison phone calls, personal audio recordings, and hours of emotional interviews. It’s an explosive, gripping narrative you need to hear. Next up, we have a trailer just for you. Take a listen, take it in, and then find and follow On Our Watch wherever you’re listening to this right now. The Dangerous Prison Job: A Promise and a New Family [0:43] You’re going to want to hear the whole story. He wanted to be an investigator. He said it was the most dangerous prison in California. Each day, people step inside prison walls, not to serve a sentence, but to do a job. I, state your name, recognize the badge of my office. Correctional officers promise to protect the innocent and hold each other accountable. And I accept it as a public trust. And in turn, Thayer promised a new family. Congratulations. Welcome to the family. Broken Promises and the Dark Reality Behind the Walls [1:27] But once behind the walls, those promises are hard to keep. He texted,

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On Our Watch

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 10:00:02 +0000

Retired intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you a new podcast that he is excited about. On Our Watch is a gripping investigative podcast series brought to you by KQED. This show delves into the stories of two courageous correctional officers. These officers face severe consequences after exposing corruption and abuse within their ranks. Through powerful elements like interrogation tapes, 911 audio, prison phone calls, personal recordings, and emotional interviews, the show masterfully unravels the flaws in the accountability system. It's a heart-pounding and explosive narrative that you don't want to miss. But wait, there's more! Stay tuned for an upcoming trailer that will give you a taste of the intensity and intrigue that awaits you. And once you've listened, find and follow On Our Watch wherever you get your podcasts. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on the whole story. The journey begins with a man who dreams of becoming an investigator in Folsom, California's most dangerous prison. He knows correctional officers promise to protect the innocent and hold each other accountable. However, inside the prison walls, promises are broken, fear, intimidation, and violence take control, and lives hang in the balance. It's a stunning tale of two individuals who dare to challenge the unwritten brotherhood code and pay a heavy price.
As this captivating case unfolds, it raises numerous crucial questions, and the pursuit of truth comes at an unimaginable cost. Get ready for On Our Watch, Season 2, a production from KQED. Starting on February 6th, you can expect weekly episodes to keep you on the edge of your seat. If you want to learn more, go right into the app you are on now and find On Our Watch. Or click this link, On Our Watch. Trust me, this is one podcast series you won't want to miss.
Support the Podcast
Venmo @ganglandwire
Buy me a Cup of Coffee
Donate at Gangland Wire

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Growing up in Sicily

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 10:00:44 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, we have a captivating interview with Jack Amato, the author of “A Father’s Belief,” a book about his life in Sicily and his journey to the United States. Jack shares his experiences growing up in the fishing town of Carini and the matchmaking that led his family to immigrate to the US. He discusses his father’s work as a fisherman and the challenges they faced in their hometown. Moving on to his life in the United States, Jack talks about his early years in school and the language barriers he had to overcome as an immigrant. He also touches upon the presence of the Mafia in Sicily and the admiration for the Mafia folk hero Salvatore Giuliano. The episode concludes with a preview of the upcoming second part of the interview, where Jack will delve deeper into his experiences in the US, including his interactions with influential figures from the Bonanno family. Listeners are reminded to pay attention to motorcycles on the streets and provided with resources for PTSD and addiction support. Support the podcast. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Welcome, all you wiretappers out there. Good to be back here in the studio. Gangland Wire, you know, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins here. And I have a really interesting, different sort of an interview. We’ve got a man from Sicily. I started noticing this man on our podcast page. Gangland Wire podcast was posting and he has a book that he’s written and it tells about his life, you know, both in Sicily and when he came over And when he came over, his family ended up, you know, getting jobs and being around some of the Bonanno families. So he has a lot of experiences with this from, shall we say, from the, not really from the associate side, not even associate, more like from just somebody that lived in the neighborhood and people that had to do business with mob guys and with his roots in Sicily. So his name is Jack Amato. So welcome, Jack. [0:57] Thank you for getting me to your show. All right. You invited me to your show. Well, I’m really anxious to have you. Now, A Father’s Belief, part one, that’s the name of your book, correct? Yes, yes. All right, and you can get that on Amazon, I believe, can’t you? Yes. All right, good. We’ll have links to how you click on to get that book, and in the YouTube version, I’ll have a picture of it whenever we talk about it. Every once in a while, we’ll have a picture of it So people will know what it looks like. And then going to gangland, why our Facebook group and Jack post quite a little bit. And he’ll post a little bit about his book every once in a while and have a link to it and tell some stories from from his childhood and growing up in New York City. [1:41] But first of all, Jack, we just talked a little bit. And you have a really fascinating back story in Sicily before you got to the United States. So tell me a little bit about it. Tell the guys here a little bit about, you know, where you came from, What area was that in Sicily and what was life like over there? I was born in Carini, Sicily, province of Palermo. Life in Carini, Sicily and the Fishing Trade [2:03] The location of the town, it was on the hill. And then there was the mountains surrounded and the sea.

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Life in Sicily

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 10:00:02 +0000

Battle for the River Quay

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 10:00:17 +0000

In this episode, we explored the fascinating history of the River Quay area in Kansas City and its unfortunate downfall at the hands of organized crime. The conversation began by highlighting the initial grassroots development led by artists like Lou Marik and Philomene Bennett, who opened studios and attracted other entrepreneurs to the area. Marion Trozzolo renovated and leased old buildings to artists, boutique owners, and young restaurant owners. The area quickly became a hotspot for young people, singles, and live music lovers. The rise of the River Quay district also caught the attention of the mob, who wanted a share of its success. Members of the Civella family felt they owned this area next to the City Market. Nick Civella, the boss, operated through his brother Corky and underboss Tuffy DeLuna. Willie Cammisano, a capo for the mob, had a crew responsible for street rackets and enforcement activities. Despite the presence of the mob, many clubs and businesses thrived in the area. A large urban renewal project forced out 12th Street strip clubs owned by mobsters. Gary remembers working in the area and being offered drinks by generous bar owners. These events turned darker as tensions between a River Quay bar owner named Freddy Bonadonna, who owned a joint in the River Quay area, and the mob. The mob demanded a cut of his parking lot profits and assistance obtaining liquor licenses, but Freddy resisted their control. This resistance placed him at odds with the organized crime family and eventually led to dangerous confrontations. Freddy’s father, David Bonadonna, was found murdered in the trunk of a green Mustang, marking a tragic turn of events. Gary recounts this mob murder that was never solved and offers insight into the tight-lipped nature of the Kansas City mob when it came to disclosing information about murders. He shared stories about other mob members who were uncooperative with the FBI’s efforts to gather evidence. The conversation also mentioned a large brick building owned by Freddy and his brother, which was mysteriously blown up, leading investigators to suspect an insurance scheme rather than a mob war. The episode concluded by discussing the revitalization of the city market and downtown Kansas City, with new developments, lofts, clubs, and the construction of the T-Mobile Center. The River Quay area eventually recovered and became thriving once again, showcasing the city’s resilience. Support the podcast. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there, Gary Jenkins here, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Detective back here in the studio. I want to tell you a Kansas City story. I don’t often do Kansas City stories, but I like to do one every once in a while. And this is a story of give you a broad overview. [0:17] This is a story of a grassroots entertainment district development that was really ruined by the mob. Urban renewal, mob bombs, a lot of stuff going on in this. Murders, there was an area close to the city market. It was along one street called Delaware, which was on one side of the city market was Little Italy, where all the mob guys, their families first moved to, where they first got their first jobs is at the city market. On the other side, there’s this street that had actually been the original downtown of Kansas City. The old city hall was on this street.

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War in the River Quay

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 10:00:02 +0000

Capone Shot Himself?

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 10:00:16 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary shares an exciting story about Al Capone, the famous gang leader. It turns out that in the 1920s, Capone accidentally shot himself with his pistol. He ended up in the hospital with bullet wounds in his legs and groin. It reminded me of a similar mishap involving a policeman and his gun. Capone was playing golf with a guy named Johnny Patton, known as Burnham’s boy mayor. They were at a golf course called the Burnham Golf Lanes, where Capone had a .45 caliber pistol in his pocket. The gun discharged and injured him. Patton took him to the hospital in Hammond, where Capone was given a suite under the name Gary. He stayed with his guards until he recovered, and visitors were turned away to maintain his secrecy. The article mentioned some of his guards, including Louie “Little New York” Campagna and the Gennaro brothers. Capone seemed to be surrounded by tight security during his time at the hospital. Interestingly, the article also revealed that the golf course where the accident occurred was associated with the mayor of Burnham, who used the clubhouse for gambling and speakeasy activities. Overall, it’s an intriguing piece of Capone’s history, and if anyone knows more stories about him playing golf, feel free to share in the comments. Gary encourages listeners to check out the Gangland Wire Facebook Group, which boasts over 50,000 members. While occasional arguments arise, we strictly avoid engaging in politics or bullying. If anyone harasses or bullies others, we promptly block them. As the group administrator, I dedicate a significant amount of time to handle any problems that may arise. Additionally, I have two co-administrators who assist me with managing the group. If you’re interested in delving further into the Kansas City Mob, you can find my movies on Amazon. “Gangland Wire” explores the skim investigation from the Kansas City perspective, offering unique insights not covered in the film “Casino.” A hidden microphone placed in Ross Strada’s tavern known as the Villa Capri first revealed the Las Vegas connection. I also have another movie available for rent that focuses on the mob war in Kansas City called Brothers Against Brothers: The Civella Spero. If you prefer reading, check out my book Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. It is available on Kindle for $4.99. You’ll find links within the book to listen to the actual wiretaps and conversations. For those interested, I also have physical copies of the book. At the moment, I can’t think of anything else to promote, but I want to express my gratitude to all of you for tuning in. If you or someone you know is struggling with drugs or alcohol, I recommend visiting Anthony Ruggiano in Florida. He’s a former Gambino soldier who is now a drug and alcohol counselor, and he has a YouTube page where he shares valuable information. So, please remember to come back and listen to me every week. Support the Podcast Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:01] Hey, welcome all you wiretappers out there, back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. I found an old article I think is really interesting. In the Chicago Tribune in 1920-something, I don’t remember the exact date, Al Capone, the headline was,

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

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To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Caopne Shot Himself?

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary shares an exciting story about Al Capone, the famous gang leader. It turns out that in the 1920s, Capone accidentally shot himself with his pistol. He ended up in the hospital with bullet wounds in his legs and groin. It reminded me of a similar mishap involving a policeman and his gun. Capone was playing golf with a guy named Johnny Patton, known as Burnham's boy mayor. They were at a golf course called the Burnham Golf Lanes, where Capone had a .45 caliber pistol in his pocket. The gun discharged and injured him. Patton took him to the hospital in Hammond, where Capone was given a suite under the name Gary. He stayed with his guards until he recovered, and visitors were turned away to maintain his secrecy. The article mentioned some of his guards, including Louie "Little New York" Campagna and the Gennaro brothers. Capone seemed to be surrounded by tight security during his time at the hospital. Interestingly, the article also revealed that the golf course where the accident occurred was associated with the mayor of Burnham, who used the clubhouse for gambling and speakeasy activities. Overall, it's an intriguing piece of Capone's history, and if anyone knows more stories about him playing golf, feel free to share in the comments.

Gary encourages listeners to check out the Gangland Wire Facebook Group, which boasts over 50,000 members. While occasional arguments arise, we strictly avoid engaging in politics or bullying. If anyone harasses or bullies others, we promptly block them. As the group administrator, I dedicate a significant amount of time to handle any problems that may arise. Additionally, I have two co-administrators who assist me with managing the group. If you're interested in delving further into the Kansas City Mob, you can find my movies on Amazon. "Gangland Wire" explores the skim investigation from the Kansas City perspective, offering unique insights not covered in the film "Casino." A hidden microphone placed in Ross Strada's tavern known as the Villa Capri first revealed the Las Vegas connection. I also have another movie available for rent that focuses on the mob war in Kansas City called Brothers Against Brothers: The Civella Spero. If you prefer reading, check out my book Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. It is available on Kindle for $4.99. You'll find links within the book to listen to the actual wiretaps and conversations. For those interested, I also have physical copies of the book. At the moment, I can't think of anything else to promote, but I want to express my gratitude to all of you for tuning in. If you or someone you know is struggling with drugs or alcohol, I recommend visiting Anthony Ruggiano in Florida. He's a former Gambino soldier who is now a drug and alcohol counselor, and he has a YouTube page where he shares valuable information. So, please remember to come back and listen to me every week.
Support the Podcast
Venmo @ganglandwire
Buy me a Cup of Coffee
Donate at Gangland Wire

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Kansas City $2.5 Million Jewelry Robbery

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 10:00:08 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, we are joined by former KCPD detectives Jim Harrington and Rick Smith to discuss a famous case involving mobster Angelo Porrello. The case revolves around stealing millions of dollars in diamonds and jewelry from a high-end jewelry store in Kansas City. The detectives initially suspected that a car chase involving out-of-town robbers from Los Angeles might be connected to the theft. However, further investigation revealed that the robbers were involved in credit card fraud, making it unlikely that they were responsible. Undeterred by the lack of leads, Harrington and Smith took on the case and gathered information through tips and informants. They discovered a possible connection to a man named Clarence Burnett, who may have been involved in the robbery. The detectives observed that the theft involved suspects arriving in a Jeep Cherokee and splitting up to break into the safe and display cases. They also noted that the suspects had previously committed other robberies, indicating a progression in their skills and targets. During their investigation, the detectives found links to a bondsman in Kansas City who bought stolen jewelry from the targeted store. Through surveillance, they identified Burnett leaving the bondsman’s location, leading to a breakthrough in the case. This information was shared with the FBI, who conducted a sting operation and purchased stolen diamonds, one of which was identified as stolen from the jewelry store. As the investigation progressed, Burnett was arrested for cocaine possession and persuaded to cooperate with the FBI. His cooperation helped identify the rest of the crew involved in the robbery. Additionally, connections were made to the Porrello crime family, specifically Angelo Porrello and their pawn shop. The stolen merchandise was believed to have been unloaded at the pawn shop and sold through Joe Porrello’s legitimate jewelry store. The FBI played a crucial role in uncovering these connections. The case led to numerous sting operations and ultimately resulted in the arrests and prosecution of those involved. The detectives reflect on Clarence Burnett’s criminal associates and his progression from stealing cars as a young kid to his involvement with the mob. They discuss the possibility of inviting Burnett onto the show to share his story and explore the evolution of criminal activity. Throughout the episode, the detectives also discuss their experiences with surveillance, collaboration with the FBI, and some personal anecdotes from their time working on the case. They highlight the importance of teamwork and cooperation in solving complex cases. The episode ends with reminders to support the podcast and messages related to mental health and addiction issues. Support the podcast. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Well, welcome all you wiretappers out there and back here in the studio, Gangland Wire. I have a really cool show for you, I think a couple of friends of mine, a couple of former KCPD guys, Jim Harrington and Rick Smith. Jim Harrington was a robbery detective and Rick Smith was a robbery detective at one time. Now they went on to have other things. Rick went on to be the chief of police and and Rick, you went. Were you a detective the whole time? In robbery, just in robbery. OK. Okay. So I remained in fact, in my whole career.

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Kansas City $2.5 Million Jewelry Robbery

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode of Gangland Wire, we are joined by former KCPD detectives Jim Harrington and Rick Smith to discuss a famous case involving mobster Angelo Porrello. The case revolves around stealing millions of dollars in diamonds and jewelry from a high-end jewelry store in Kansas City. The detectives initially suspected that a car chase involving out-of-town robbers from Los Angeles might be connected to the theft. However, further investigation revealed that the robbers were involved in credit card fraud, making it unlikely that they were responsible. Undeterred by the lack of leads, Harrington and Smith took on the case and gathered information through tips and informants. They discovered a possible connection to a man named Clarence Burnett, who may have been involved in the robbery. The detectives observed that the theft involved suspects arriving in a Jeep Cherokee and splitting up to break into the safe and display cases. They also noted that the suspects had previously committed other robberies, indicating a progression in their skills and targets. During their investigation, the detectives found links to a bondsman in Kansas City who bought stolen jewelry from the targeted store. Through surveillance, they identified Burnett leaving the bondsman's location, leading to a breakthrough in the case. This information was shared with the FBI, who conducted a sting operation and purchased stolen diamonds, one of which was identified as stolen from the jewelry store. As the investigation progressed, Burnett was arrested for cocaine possession and persuaded to cooperate with the FBI. His cooperation helped identify the rest of the crew involved in the robbery.
Additionally, connections were made to the Porrello crime family, specifically Angelo Porrello and their pawn shop. The stolen merchandise was believed to have been unloaded at the pawn shop and sold through Joe Porrello's legitimate jewelry store. The FBI played a crucial role in uncovering these connections. The case led to numerous sting operations and ultimately resulted in the arrests and prosecution of those involved. The detectives reflect on Clarence Burnett's criminal associates and his progression from stealing cars as a young kid to his involvement with the mob. They discuss the possibility of inviting Burnett onto the show to share his story and explore the evolution of criminal activity. Throughout the episode, the detectives also discuss their experiences with surveillance, collaboration with the FBI, and some personal anecdotes from their time working on the case. They highlight the importance of teamwork and cooperation in solving complex cases. The episode ends with reminders to support the podcast and messages related to mental health and addiction issues.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
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To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

The Broadway Butterfly Must Die

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 10:00:09 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, author Michael Wolraich and Gary discuss his book, The Bishop and the Buterfly. This is about the murder of Vivian Gordon, a prostitute connected to wealthy men, and Prohibition-era organized crime figures like Arnold Rothstein, Legs Diamond, Dutch Schultz, and others. The author explains the corruption within the government and political system, highlighting the investigation’s challenges and media coverage. We learned the investigators uncovered a collection of diaries with incriminating information about gangsters, leading to demands for an anti-corruption investigation. The climax occurs during a meeting between Mayor Jimmy Walker, investigator Samuel Seabury, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. We also touch on the history of New York City and Mayor LaGuardia’s efforts to clean up the city. Click here to find Michael Wolraich’s author page. Support the podcast. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Welcome all you wiretappers out there back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. Retired intelligence unit detective Gary Jenkins coming from Kansas City. And guys, I have Michael Wolraich here with us in the studio or on the Zoom. And he has a book called The Bishop and the Butterfly. I’ll have links to how you buy that book in the show notes. Here’s a picture of the cover. If you’re on YouTube, you’ll see that. It’s a really interesting look at New York City. The son of the seamy underbelly and the corruption of New York City during the 1930s just come out of prohibition, really, and going into the Depression era during this time. And there’s a prostitute named Vivian Gordon that has been murdered. A good murder mystery always starts out with a body. And so we start out with a body. Right, Michael? Exactly. Yeah. I mean, she was, you know, they discovered her and they didn’t know who she was at first. Her body was found in a gully in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, which is a number. It was a popular dumping ground for bodies in the 1930s, maybe still is. Kind of describe, where did she fit in society? She was a prostitute and she was connected to the famous Polly Adler in some manner. And that Manhattan at the time, especially in New York City, was a smaller town. People knew each other. So how was she connected into that Simi underbelly, the mob and the rest of the people that were doing crimes? [1:25] Well, she was much more than a prostitute. That’s what she was originally convicted for in 1923, although that conviction is a little dubious. She claimed she was framed by her ex-husband who was seeking custody of her child, her eight-year-old child. And she was arrested and sent to the Bedford Reformatory upstate. And after that experience, she’s bitter, bitter. She’s lost her daughter. She’s branded as a prostitute. Then she turned to a life of crime. And she did some prostitution, but she was much more than that. She was best known for seducing wealthy men, wealthy New Yorkers, prominent businessmen, some politicians, and often blackmailing them as well, or blackmailing them after the affair was over. She ran stock frauds. she ran a call girl service. She did work for Polly Adler as a high-end prostitute sometimes, but they had a falling out in the late 1920s that the journalist reported that there was ...

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

The Broadway Butterfly Must Die

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary and author Michael Wolraich discuss his book, The Bishop and the Butterfly, and the murder of Vivian Gordon, a prostitute connected to wealthy men and Prohibition-era organized crime figures like Arnold Rothstein, Legs Diamond, Dutch Schultz, and others. The author explains the corruption within the government and political system, highlighting the investigation's challenges and media coverage. We learned the investigators uncovered a collection of diaries with incriminating information about gangsters, corrupt politicians, and businessmen, leading to demands for an anti-corruption investigation. The climax occurs during a meeting between Mayor Jimmy Walker, investigator Samuel Seabury, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. We also touch on the history of New York City and Mayor LaGuardia's efforts to clean up the city.

Click here to find Michael Wolraich's author page.
Support the Podcast
Venmo @ganglandwire
Buy Me a Cup of Coffee
Donate at Gangland Wire

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
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Sidney Korshak – Mob Lawyer

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 14:00:32 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary and Mob lawyer expert Tony Taouk continue exploring the world of mob lawyers and focus on Sidney Korshak, a mob lawyer and fixer for the Chicago Outfit. Korshak’s success was built on his connections, using them to negotiate criminal charges and bribe officials. He extended his influence to labor unions, Hollywood, and Las Vegas. Despite investigations, he remained anonymous and evaded severe consequences. We also touch on the role of Jewish gangsters in Las Vegas development. Lastly, we provide resources for veterans with PTSD and individuals struggling with substance abuse. Support the Channel Support the podcast. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Traqnscript [0:00] Welcome, all you wiretappers out there back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. As you can see, if you’re on YouTube, it’s a nice cold day in Kansas City here, and we are going all the way back down to Sydney, Australia. You know our friend Tony Tok, who is, shall we say, a contributor and the mob lawyer aficionado and expert that we go to. We want to know about mob lawyers. I notice not many other people deal with mob lawyers out there, And we’ve dealt with, I don’t know, God, Bruce Cutler and Oscar Goodman and a bunch of them. So I know if you haven’t, if you’re interested in mob lawyers and you haven’t listened to those or watched them on YouTube, go back and find those that we have on mob lawyers because they’re a great show. Tony, welcome. Thank you for having me. It’s great to have you back. As we can tell by your accent, you’re down under and it’s winter here, but it’s getting summer down there. Is that correct? [0:55] That’s right. Right. It would be equivalent to, say, San Diego. Okay. Interesting. Well, it’s nice weather in San Diego. I know that. Year-round, it’s nice weather in San Diego. Sidney Korshak: A Shadow Among Shadows [1:07] So we’re going to talk about Sidney Korshak, and I’ve looked up stuff on him. I even had a book about him for a while. I borrowed from a friend of mine that was so dense, and I finally just gave it back to him. But I did a bunch of research for this show, and I know you’ve really done a lot of research, and I want to ask you some questions once you’ve learned about Sidney Korshak. Guys, he was a mob lawyer and fixer for the Chicago Outfit, started back in Capone days and came all the way up until whenever he died in the 80s, I think. And he was everywhere, but he was nowhere. Let me give you a quote I read about him was, in the land of dreams, Sidney Korshak was a shadow among shadows, just a wisp of air floating around the land of dreams or Hollywood. Nobody could ever quite get their hands on Sidney Korshak. So, Tony, tell us, how did he get started? I kind of gave it away. He started in Chicago under Capone, but tell us how he got started in his early days. [2:06] Well, he was born in Chicago in 1907, and he graduated from the University of Wisconsin, but he received his law degree from DePaul University in about 1930. Now, Gary, there are rumors that he was employed by Al Capone as a driver during his college years and that Capone even paid his college tuition. I personally don’t put much stock in that. Capone had all these hardened criminals at his disposal.

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
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Sidney Korshak Mob Lawyer

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 10:00:02 +0000

Dominic “Sonny Black” Napolitano

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 10:00:04 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, we explore the captivating story of Dominic Napolitano aka “Sonny Black” and his crew, prominent members of the Bonanno crime family. We delve into Sonny Black’s rise through the mafia ranks, his close bond with Joe Massino, and their involvement in various criminal activities. The dynamics between Sonny Black and Joe Pistone, aka Donnie Brasco, unfold in a tale of trust and betrayal. We uncover Sonny Black’s illegal activities and Joe Pistone’s undercover role, highlighting the dangers of organized crime. Lastly, we examine the aftermath and the impact on the Bonanno family. Plus, we hear retired FBI Agent Doug Fencl’s account of telling Sonny Black that the man he knows as Donnie Brasco is FBI agent Joe Pistone. Support the podcast. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript …outside till I could see nobody else was in there, and I went in, and I introduced myself to him, and he’d heard my name before, so he knew who I was, and he went ballistic, and I mean… [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there back here in studio of Gangland Wire, retired intelligence unit detective Gary Jenkins, I’ve got the story of Dominic Sonny Black Napoleon Tano. He is he will go down in history as the most stand up guy ever, I think, in the mob. You know, he and Joe Pistone, those are two names that are forever, I mean, forever intertwined in the history of organized crime in the United States. Their story is one of trust, betrayal, and the dangerous world of the Mafia, and believe me, we know it’s a dangerous spot out there. Sonny Black Napolitano was a really high -ranking member of the Bonanno family, and one of the five families that dominated organized crime in New York City during the mid -20th century. [0:44] He was known as a tough, savvy mobster, had risen through the ranks really by his personality, his strong personality, his leadership skills, and a sheer force of will. This guy, he was a man’s man. He was born in 1930, which doesn’t make him 93 today. That’s kind of hard to believe, isn’t it? A little history on him. His grandparents were immigrants from Naples now, so he’s Napolitano. He was not from Sicily. He was from Naples, so he is not born and bred mafia dude. Sonny Black was born with blonde hair, of all things, but by his 40s, it turned to kind of a gunmetal white silver color. And to hide that color, he dyed it black, which gave him the nickname Sonny Black. He was a really close friend to the future Bonanno crime family boss, Joe Massino, all through his mob career. [1:35] He lived in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. He was born there. He grew up there. He raised his children there. He died there. Sonny Black rose to prominence as a soldier when he was taken in the crew of a guy named Mike Sabella in the 1970s, the early 70s. Now, Mike Sabella was closely connected to Carmine the Cigar Galante and that faction, the Bonanno family. And he was demoted after the cigar was murdered. Now, the cigar, Carmine, just a little bit about him, you know, he was a really bad dude. He was one tough mafia gangster. If you’ve ever seen the picture of the guy laying dead with a cigar clamped between his lips, one of the most famous mob pictures, one of the most iconic mob murder scenes ever,

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Dominic "Sonny Black" Napolitano

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 10:00:02 +0000

St. Louis Mafia Part 3

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 10:00:44 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. This episode delves into the ongoing mob war in St. Louis, focusing on the power struggle between the Syrians and the Italians. Led by Paul Leisure, the Syrians aimed to gain control of the labor union racketeering and diminish the influence of the Italians, who were closely aligned with Jimmy Michaels. The murder of John Spica, appointed by Tony Giordano to push out the Syrians, still remains a mystery to law enforcement. On the other hand, the Italians are facing internal disarray with a weak leader, Mike Trupiano, who has lost respect within the organization. Both factions heavily rely on the construction industry unions, which provide opportunities for corruption and control over job placements. Pauly Leisure, a meticulous planner, had already devised a plan to kill John Spica. Now, he and his crew set their sights on Jimmy Michaels. Attempting to ambush Michaels at a diner and his home failed, leaving them frustrated. They eventually decided to use a bomb, meticulously practicing the installation process on a stolen car identical to Michaels’. They discovered that Michaels often attended a Wednesday luncheon at a church, where he mingled with politicians and business leaders. On the day of the hit, the team arrived at the church undercover in a van, with one member keeping a watchful eye in a nearby tow truck. David Leisure successfully planted the bomb under Michaels’ car while Anthony Leisure had the remote control device. However, the bomb failed to detonate when they activated the transmitter. On high alert, they caught up with Michaels on the road, hoping to get close enough for the remote control to work. To their surprise, the van bombed Michaels’ car, causing his death in a gruesome manner. The van managed to escape the scene and sought refuge in Illinois, utilizing connections within the criminal underworld to cover their tracks. Michaels’ death sent shockwaves through the St. Louis community, suspecting Pauly Leisure as the culprit. St. Louis mafia boss John Battaglia confronts Leisure, but Leisure refuses to acknowledge his involvement. Leisure’s actions inadvertently benefit the Italian mafia, as Michaels’ ownership in a Las Vegas casino will transfer to remaining investors upon his death. Leisure takes over Local 110 and eliminates Michaels’ relatives from the union, further consolidating his power. This death raises concerns among mob bosses across the country, tarnishing their reputations. The situation in St. Louis remains tense, with some believing the dispute has been resolved, while uncertainty lingers. Leisure gains more power through an alliance with Raymond Flynn in Laborers Union Local 42, promising extra money to his loyal soldiers. In response, the Michaels family seeks revenge and contributes to a war chest to eliminate those responsible for Michaels’ death, putting bounties on the heads of Polly and Anthony Leisure. The host then transitions to a different segment, discussing the various tactics employed by the Leisures and their associates in seeking retribution. They assemble a hit squad, renting an apartment for secret planning. They collaborate with the Chief of Police in St. George for untraceable surveillance vehicles. They construct a bomb, leaving behind incriminating evidence and fingerprints. The hit squad manages to ambush Leisure, detonating a remote-control bomb under his car, severely injuring him. However, Leisure remains determined to seek revenge. The feud escalates further, leading to kidnappings and torture, with brutal methods including red-hot pokers and a blowtorch being considered. The host informs listeners of the evolving story, detailing their attempted bombings and multiple clashes with associates and rivals. Ultimately, the FBI begins turning people, leading to convictions for all the Leisures, with Paul Leisure receiving a 55-year sentence.

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St. Louis Mafia Part 3

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. This episode delves into the ongoing mob war in St. Louis, focusing on the power struggle between the Syrians and the Italians. Led by Paul Leisure, the Syrians aimed to gain control of the labor union racketeering and diminish the influence of the Italians, who were closely aligned with Jimmy Michaels. The murder of John Spica, appointed by Tony Giordano to push out the Syrians, still remains a mystery to law enforcement. On the other hand, the Italians are facing internal disarray with a weak leader, Mike Trupiano, who has lost respect within the organization. Both factions heavily rely on the construction industry unions, which provide opportunities for corruption and control over job placements. Pauly Leisure, a meticulous planner, had already devised a plan to kill John Spica. Now, he and his crew set their sights on Jimmy Michaels. Attempting to ambush Michaels at a diner and his home failed, leaving them frustrated. They eventually decided to use a bomb, meticulously practicing the installation process on a stolen car identical to Michaels'. They discovered that Michaels often attended a Wednesday luncheon at a church, where he mingled with politicians and business leaders. On the day of the hit, the team arrived at the church undercover in a van, with one member keeping a watchful eye in a nearby tow truck. David Leisure successfully planted the bomb under Michaels' car while Anthony Leisure had the remote control device. However, the bomb failed to detonate when they activated the transmitter. On high alert, they caught up with Michaels on the road, hoping to get close enough for the remote control to work. To their surprise, the van bombed Michaels' car, causing his death in a gruesome manner. The van managed to escape the scene and sought refuge in Illinois, utilizing connections within the criminal underworld to cover their tracks. Michaels' death sent shockwaves through the St. Louis community, suspecting Pauly Leisure as the culprit. St. Louis mafia boss John Battaglia confronts Leisure, but Leisure refuses to acknowledge his involvement. Leisure's actions inadvertently benefit the Italian mafia, as Michaels' ownership in a Las Vegas casino will transfer to remaining investors upon his death. Leisure takes over Local 110 and eliminates Michaels' relatives from the union, further consolidating his power. This death raises concerns among mob bosses across the country, tarnishing their reputations. The situation in St. Louis remains tense, with some believing the dispute has been resolved, while uncertainty lingers. Leisure gains more power through an alliance with Raymond Flynn in Laborers Union Local 42, promising extra money to his loyal soldiers. In response, the Michaels family seeks revenge and contributes to a war chest to eliminate those responsible for Michaels' death, putting bounties on the heads of Polly and Anthony Leisure. The host then transitions to a different segment, discussing the various tactics employed by the Leisures and their associates in seeking retribution. They assemble a hit squad, renting an apartment for secret planning. They collaborate with the Chief of Police in St. George for untraceable surveillance vehicles. They construct a bomb, leaving behind incriminating evidence and fingerprints. The hit squad manages to ambush Leisure, detonating a remote-control bomb under his car, severely injuring him. However, Leisure remains determined to seek revenge. The feud escalates further, leading to kidnappings and torture, with brutal methods including red-hot pokers and a blowtorch being considered. The host informs listeners of the evolving story, detailing their attempted bombings and multiple clashes with associates and rivals. Ultimately, the FBI begins turning people, leading to convictions for all the Leisures, with Paul Leisure receiving a 55-year sentence. In a side story, the host shares their experience working with a group of Syrian men connected to the St. Louis mob, who come to Kansas City to buy gold, particularly class rings. The host facilitates their transactions and provides security, as these men occasionally buy stolen items without thorough checks, causing some friction with the police property unit. The episode concludes with a reminder to be cautious of motorcycles on the road and urging veterans with PTSD to seek help from the VA hotline. The host also recommends reaching out to Anthony Ruggiano, a former Gambino member turned counselor, for those struggling with drugs and alcohol. They encourage listeners to support the podcast by liking, subscribing, and sharing, emphasizing their dedication to delivering content based on listener demand.

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Angelo “The Gentle Don” Bruno

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 10:00:04 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this segment, we delve into the life and influence of Angelo Bruno, the Philadelphia boss of the Mafia. We aim to fill in knowledge gaps and increase our understanding of the Mafia in the United States. Angelo Bruno, also known as the Gentle Don, stood out from others in the mob due to his preference for peace over violence. He was born in Italy and migrated to the United States as a child. One of his significant associations was with Carlo Gambino, the boss of the New York Gambino crime family. Bruno’s cousin, John Simone, connected him to the mob. To establish himself in the Philadelphia Mafia, Bruno changed his name from Antoloro to Bruno and was sponsored by Michael Maggio. Bruno married in 1931 and had two children. He owned various businesses, including an extermination company in New Jersey and an aluminum products company in Florida. Additionally, he had a share in the Plaza Hotel in Havana, Cuba. Throughout his life, Bruno faced several arrests for offenses such as illegal alcohol sales and gambling. In 1959, there was a plot to assassinate him, but he emerged as the boss of the family after the conspiracy was revealed. Bruno successfully evaded media attention and lengthy prison sentences for the next two decades. He prohibited his family’s involvement in narcotics trafficking and focused on traditional Costa Nostra operations like bookmaking and loan sharking. Some family members were discontent with this decision and suspected Bruno of profiting from the narcotics business secretly. This will ultimately lead to his murder. Support the podcast and subscribe to get a new episode every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, guys, welcome back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. Gary Jenkins here, retired Kansas City Police intelligence detective with one more of my little short bios, not a real in-depth bio, but a bio of the Philadelphia boss, Angelo Bruno. You know, I’m doing these bios to kind of fill in any knowledge gaps because, you know, when you talk about to interview an author, for example, from a book and he’ll say something about, of course, Angelo Bruno was killed. Well, you know, sometimes we go, well, who is Angelo Bruno? Well, I know he’s from Philadelphia. Well, you know, what else about him? So I’m trying to help you all fill in your knowledge gaps and fill in my own too. Lots of times, you know, I can’t remember all this stuff, but if I do a story, I can remember quite a little bit of it. So I’m doing this story for me and for you and to increase my knowledge about the mafia in the United States. [0:48] He was from Sicily. He’s going to rule the Philadelphia crime family for two decades AIDS until his assassination. He was known as the Gentle Don. Now, we’ve all heard of the Gentle Don. Well, this is the Gentle Don, because he had a preference for conciliation over violence, which was in a stark contrast to what happened later on after he left. He was born in the Villababa province of Colton, Assetta, Italy. Bruno came to the United States as a child, settled in South Philly with his brother Vito. His father was a foundry worker. They opened a small grocery store at Fort North 6th Street in Philadelphia, in Feltonville, Philadelphia. So you guys in Philadelphia will probably know where that is. I’m not sure.

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Angelo "The Gentle Don" Bruno

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 18:50:02 +0000

St. Louis Mafia Part 2

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 10:00:32 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode of Gangland Wire, I discuss the unusual setup between the St. Louis Italian Mafia’s Tony Giordano and a Lebanese-Syrian mob family boss named James “Horseshoe Jimmy” Michaels, the former leader of the notorious Cuckoo Gang in St. Louis during Prohibition. Michaels had an agreement with the Italian Mafia, and they had a peaceful coexistence. However, after the death of St. Louis mafia Don Anthony “Tony G” Giordano, the Leisure family, half Syrian and half Lebanese, saw an opportunity to challenge Michaels and his organization. They blamed Michaels for not retaliating for the murder of one of their brothers years prior. The Leisures were involved in labor union racketeering, which was also a focus of Michaels’ organization. I explore the background of John Spica, an underling of Giordano with a criminal history, including murder. Giordano was grooming Spica for more significant things within the mafia. He was a rising star in the St. Louis mafia, and Giordano saw him as a surrogate son. Giordano’s trust in Spica was evident when he made him a part owner of a cigarette and amusement machine company. This episode sets the stage for the conflict between Horseshoe Jimmy Michaels and the Leisures and the internal power struggles within the St. Louis mafia. During his early days in prison, John Spica attempted to muscle in on the narcotics traffic, but other convicts quickly put him back in line. In 1979, he made a serious error in judgment by putting his loyalty to his prison buddy, Carl Spero, above his subservience to the Mafia. The Sparrow brothers were engaged in a deadly war with the Kansas City Mafia, and Spica’s actions were seen as a betrayal. Nick Civella, a member of the Mafia, demanded that Spica be murdered. However, Tony Giordano, a boss in the St. Louis family, believed Spica could still be valid and convinced Civella to spare his life. A sit-down was arranged between Spica and Civella to try and reconcile their differences, but the meeting did not go well, leading to tensions between St. Louis and Kansas City. A power struggle among the Syrians in the Laborers’ Union will cause problems. Giordano has appointed his nephew, Mike Trupiano, as president despite not having the interests of the working class at heart. Trupiano, known more for being a gambler, is seen as a bumbling mobster. A federal informant records Trupiano saying derogatory things about the rank and file, adding to his lack of respect. Tony G, suffering from cancer, is grooming Trupiano to take over as boss, but many doubt his ability to lead. To increase Italian influence and decrease Syrian influence in the union, a plan is launched to take money and power from Ray Flynn, a closer ally of the Syrians. Spica, already on edge from his troubles in Kansas City, openly discusses his plan to take out Flynn. Despite being assured of his safety by Giordano, Spica is killed in a car bombing. The murder sparks a war between the different crime families in St. Louis, particularly the Italian Mafia, the Syrian and Lebanese factions, and the Local ruled by Art Berne in Illinois. These families all have a stake in the lucrative construction contracts and control over influential labor unions. The power dynamics and conflicts within the St. Louis underworld will dominate headlines for years. In the final episode of our podcast, we delve into the cold case of the Spica bombing. This mafia murder has remained unsolved, with nobody coming forward to provide any leads. The hope is that someone involved in another case will confess to the murder, but that is unlikely. Over the years, it becomes apparent that Nick Civella is the prime suspect, and Paul Leisure is relying on this to avoid retaliation from the Italians. We also explore the story of Matthew Trupiano, a do-nothing boss, while the Syrian factions battle it out for control of ...

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St. Louis Mafia Part 2

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 10:00:03 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode of Gangland Wire, I discuss the unusual setup between the St. Louis Italian Mafia and a Lebanese-Syrian mob family. We introduce James "Horseshoe Jimmy" Michaels, the leader of the notorious Cuckoo Gang in St. Louis during Prohibition. Michaels had an agreement with the Italian Mafia, and they had a peaceful coexistence. However, after the death of St. Louis mafia Don Anthony "Tony G" Giordano, the Leisure family, half Syrian and half Lebanese, saw an opportunity to challenge Michaels and his organization. They blamed Michaels for not retaliating for the murder of one of their brothers years prior. The Leisures were involved in labor union racketeering, which was also a focus of Michaels' organization. I explore the background of John Spica, an underling of Giordano with a criminal history, including murder. Giordano was grooming Spica for more significant things within the mafia. He was a rising star in the St. Louis mafia, and Giordano saw him as a surrogate son. Giordano's trust in Spica was evident when he made him a part owner of a cigarette and amusement machine company. This episode sets the stage for the conflict between Horseshoe Jimmy Michaels and the Leisures and the internal power struggles within the St. Louis mafia. During his early days in prison, John Spica attempted to muscle in on the narcotics traffic, but other convicts quickly put him back in line. In 1979, he made a serious error in judgment by putting his loyalty to his prison buddy, Carl Spero, above his subservience to the Mafia. The Sparrow brothers were engaged in a deadly war with the Kansas City Mafia, and Spica's actions were seen as a betrayal. Nick Civella, a member of the Mafia, demanded that Spica be murdered. However, Tony Giordano, a boss in the St. Louis family, believed Spica could still be valid and convinced Civella to spare his life. A sit-down was arranged between Spica and Civella to try and reconcile their differences, but the meeting did not go well, leading to tensions between St. Louis and Kansas City. A power struggle among the Syrians in the Laborers' Union will cause problems. Giordano has appointed his nephew, Mike Trupiano, as president despite not having the interests of the working class at heart. Trupiano, known more for being a gambler, is seen as a bumbling mobster. A federal informant records Trupiano saying derogatory things about the rank and file, adding to his lack of respect. Tony G, suffering from cancer, is grooming Trupiano to take over as boss, but many doubt his ability to lead. To increase Italian influence and decrease Syrian influence in the union, a plan is launched to take money and power from Ray Flynn, a closer ally of the Syrians. Spica, already on edge from his troubles in Kansas City, openly discusses his plan to take out Flynn. Despite being assured of his safety by Giordano, Spica is killed in a car bombing. The murder sparks a war between the different crime families in St. Louis, particularly the Italian Mafia, the Syrian and Lebanese factions, and the Local ruled by Art Berne in Illinois. These families all have a stake in the lucrative construction contracts and control over influential labor unions. The power dynamics and conflicts within the St. Louis underworld will dominate headlines for years. In the final episode of our podcast, we delve into the cold case of the Spica bombing. This mafia murder has remained unsolved, with nobody coming forward to provide any leads. The hope is that someone involved in another case will confess to the murder, but that is unlikely. Over the years, it becomes apparent that Nick Civella is the prime suspect, and Paul Leisure is relying on this to avoid retaliation from the Italians. We also explore the story of Matthew Trupiano, a do-nothing boss, while the Syrian factions battle it out for control of the Laborers' Union racketeering in St. Louis. The Italians slowly retreated from the conflict, leaving the Syrians to fight amongst themselves. As we conclude our St. Louis Mafia story, it becomes evident that the presence of a Syrian mafia is often overlooked. It is interesting to discover the connection between St. Louis and the Detroit family, as Tony Giordano had ties to Detroit, and his nephew, who is being groomed as the next mob boss, comes from there. Thank you for listening. Please like, subscribe, and leave a review for us. Please spread the word to your friends and help us gain more listeners.

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The Business of Al Capone

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 10:00:09 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the book “The Outfit” by Gus Russo, which explores the life of Al Capone and sheds light on the hypocrisy of the American justice system and the robber barons of the era. Capone ran his bootleg empire like a corporation, complete with divisions, managers, and a division of labor. He even had a political lobbying arm and a succession plan in place. Frank Nitti, who came from the Brooklyn to Chicago gangster pipeline, played a significant role in Capone’s organization. Starting as a barber, Nitti eventually became a top-shelf whiskey smuggler and took over as boss when Capone went to prison. However, the pressure of being the boss took its toll on Nitti, and he tragically committed suicide after taking the fall for a Hollywood extortion scam. Capone often compared his organization to supposedly legitimate companies and robber barons of the time, highlighting their mistreatment of employees and battles against labor unions. It was an era with few federal regulations, allowing businesses to operate as they pleased. Capone even influenced dairy companies to put expiration dates on milk bottles after his niece fell ill from rancid milk. These parallels between so-called legitimate companies and mobsters are fascinating, as they both operated with little concern for the well-being of others. In another part of our conversation, we delve into corruption involving banks and robber barons. During the time of the failing banks, certain individuals encouraged people to put their money into another bank that would also fail, yet no legal consequences were faced. We also discuss Joseph P. Kennedy, who engaged in unethical practices to acquire a chain of film theaters and was involved in bootlegging. Although he was initially convicted on false charges, his conviction was later reversed. Regarding Joe Kennedy’s involvement in bootlegging, there is limited concrete evidence, but we do know that his father had a bar and a wholesale liquor business. Kennedy seized the opportunity to capitalize on liquor sales during Prohibition until it was lifted. He then made a significant profit through exclusive contracts with British distillers. In comparison, Al Capone had a different approach to illegal activities. We want to give special thanks to Ben Ellickson for providing us with valuable reading material on this subject. Ben has also proven a great friend through his thoughtful gift of a Prohibition-era glass whiskey bottle and his expertise in operating a backhoe. Support the podcast. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Get 50% off use the code gangland50 when check out at Factor Foods Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:01] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there back here in studio gangland wire, I got a little different studio look, a little different camera placement. Anyhow, I was messing around trying to clean some stuff up and put some books in the thing in the bookcase and throw some stuff away. So it’s still a mess in here, but it’s a little better of a mess. I want to talk a little more about that great book, The Outfit by Gus Russo. And thanks to Ben Ellickson for getting me that book. about Al Capone, and he talked about the hypocrisy of the American justice system and the robber barons at the time and kind of compared him...

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

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To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

The Business of Al Capone

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the book "The Outfit" by Gus Russo, which explores the life of Al Capone and sheds light on the hypocrisy of the American justice system and the robber barons of the era. Capone ran his bootleg empire like a corporation, complete with divisions, managers, and a division of labor. He even had a political lobbying arm and a succession plan in place. Frank Nitti, who came from the Brooklyn to Chicago gangster pipeline, played a significant role in Capone's organization. Starting as a barber, Nitti became a top-shelf whiskey smuggler and took over as boss when Capone was imprisoned. However, the pressure of being the boss took its toll on Nitti, and he tragically committed suicide after taking the fall for a Hollywood extortion scam.
Capone often compared his organization to supposedly legitimate companies and robber barons of the time, highlighting their mistreatment of employees and battles against labor unions. It was an era with few federal regulations, allowing businesses to operate as they pleased. Capone even influenced dairy companies to put expiration dates on milk bottles after his niece fell ill from rancid milk. These parallels between so-called legitimate companies and mobsters are fascinating, as they both operated with little concern for the well-being of others.
In another part of our conversation, we delve into corruption involving banks and robber barons. During the time of the failing banks, specific individuals encouraged people to put their money into another bank that would also fail, yet no legal consequences were faced. We also discuss Joseph P. Kennedy, who engaged in unethical practices to acquire a chain of film theaters and was involved in bootlegging. Although he was initially convicted on false charges, his conviction was later reversed.
There is limited concrete evidence regarding Joe Kennedy's involvement in bootlegging, but we know that his father had a bar and a wholesale liquor business. Kennedy seized the opportunity to capitalize on liquor sales during Prohibition until it was lifted. He then made a significant profit through exclusive contracts with British distillers. In comparison, Al Capone had a different approach to illegal activities.
We want to give special thanks to Ben Ellickson for providing us with valuable reading material on this subject. Ben has also proven a great friend through his thoughtful gift of a Prohibition-era glass whiskey bottle and his backhoe expertise.
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St. Louis Mafia Part 1

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 10:00:10 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. This is the first in my three-part series on the history of organized crime in St. Louis, MO. This episode delves into the fascinating world of St. Louis crime families. We are joined by author Daniel Waugh, who has written several books on the topic. Daniel introduces his books, including “Egan’s Rats,” “Gangs of St. Louis, Men of Respect,” “Off Color: Detroit’s Purple Gang,” “Vinnita: The Birth of the Detroit Mafia,” and “Beithioch: The Life and World of a Chicago Gangster.” We discuss the diverse mix of Syrians, Irish, and Italians in St. Louis, eventually forming the Italian and Syrian mafia. We learn about the connection between the Detroit and St. Louis mafia, as many families from both regions come from the same Sicilian towns. Click here to find all of Daniel’s books on Amazon. Daniel takes us back to the early days of gangs in St. Louis, specifically discussing Egan’s Rats. This gang started as a riverfront gang and later became a political terrorist, engaging in illegal voting and other forms of intimidation. We also learn about Thomas Kenny, one of the early gangsters, and the relationship between Fred Killer Burke and Al Capone. Fred Killer Burke, who started as a small-time criminal in Kansas, joined Egan’s Rats and later became involved in bootlegging and high-profile thefts. One notable crime committed by Egan’s Rats was the robbery of the United Railways Company office in St. Louis. They got away with $39,000 in cash but had to carjack another motorist when their getaway car had a tire issue. After Egan’s Rats went to prison, some members joined the Cuckoo Gang and later attached themselves to the Purple Gang. Fred Burke, in particular, became an expert with the Thompson machine gun and was eventually taken in by the Capone mob, carrying out high-risk assignments. He was connected to the murder of Frankie Yale and the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. We also explore the Pillow gang, originating from Sicilian Mafiosi, and their transition from homemade whiskey to illegal stills and beer production. A war broke out between the Sicilian gangs and the Cuckoo Gang in 1926, resulting in the Cuckoo Gang inflicting heavy casualties on the mafia and forcing other mob bosses to intervene. This war dealt a major blow to the St. Louis mob’s reputation. We then delve into the Russo brothers and the migration of their faction to Cleveland and Detroit after they were killed during Prohibition. Thomas Licavoli established a powerful crew in Toledo, and his cousin, Jack Licavoli, became the boss of the Cleveland family. Another Licavoli brother, Pete, remained in Detroit before eventually moving to Arizona. Tony Giordano emerges after Prohibition and becomes connected to a gangland homicide. We also discuss the Syrian families led by Jimmy Michaels, who grew up in Soulard and formed the Cuckoo Gang. They partnered with older crooks and eventually became leaders themselves through criminal actions. Jimmy Michaels, in particular, became a prime suspect in multiple gangland homicides by the age of 22. We learn about the autonomous relationship between Jimmy Michaels and the Sicilian mafia and the emergence of the Leisure family, which later clashed with Michaels, leading to a war in the early 1980s. The St. Louis mob, managed by Chicago, made significant profits from gambling, union racketeering, and handling stolen goods. The Chicago outfit had a strong influence over the St. Louis mob, including approving the appointment of a new boss. We also touch on the corrupt practices within the St. Louis Police Department during Prohibition, including their access to Thompson submachine guns before the gangsters did. The Greenlease kidnapping and its connection to Irish gangster Jack Griffin is discussed, as well as the involvement of lawyer Morris Schenker, Joey Lombardo, and local politics.

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St. Louis Mafia Part 1

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. This is the first in my three-part series on the history of organized crime in St. Louis, MO. This episode delves into the fascinating world of St. Louis crime families. We are joined by author Daniel Wall, who has written several books on the topic. Daniel introduces his books, including "Egan's Rats," "Gangs of St. Louis, Men of Respect," "Off Color: Detroit's Purple Gang," "Vinnita: The Birth of the Detroit Mafia," and "Beithioch: The Life and World of a Chicago Gangster." We discuss the diverse mix of Syrians, Irish, and Italians in St. Louis, eventually forming the Italian and Syrian mafia. We learn about the connection between the Detroit and St. Louis mafia, as many families from both regions come from the same Sicilian towns. Daniel takes us back to the early days of gangs in St. Louis, specifically discussing Egan's Rats. This gang started as a riverfront gang and later became a political terrorist, engaging in illegal voting and other forms of intimidation. We also learn about Thomas Kenny, one of the early gangsters, and the relationship between Fred Killer Burke and Al Capone. Fred Killer Burke, who started as a small-time criminal in Kansas, joined Egan's Rats and later became involved in bootlegging and high-profile thefts. One notable crime committed by Egan's Rats was the robbery of the United Railways Company office in St. Louis. They got away with $39,000 in cash but had to carjack another motorist when their getaway car had a tire issue. After Egan's Rats went to prison, some members joined the Cuckoo Gang and later attached themselves to the Purple Gang. Fred Burke, in particular, became an expert with the Thompson machine gun and was eventually taken in by the Capone mob, carrying out high-risk assignments. He was connected to the murder of Frankie Yale and the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. We also explore the Pillow gang, originating from Sicilian Mafiosi, and their transition from homemade whiskey to illegal stills and beer production. A war broke out between the Sicilian gangs and the Cuckoo Gang in 1926, resulting in the Cuckoo Gang inflicting heavy casualties on the mafia and forcing other mob bosses to intervene. This war dealt a major blow to the St. Louis mob's reputation. We then delve into the Russo brothers and the migration of their faction to Cleveland and Detroit after they were killed during Prohibition. Thomas Licavoli established a powerful crew in Toledo, and his cousin, Jack Licavoli, became the boss of the Cleveland family. Another Licavoli brother, Pete, remained in Detroit before eventually moving to Arizona. Tony Giordano emerges after Prohibition and becomes connected to a gangland homicide. We also discuss the Syrian families led by Jimmy Michaels, who grew up in Soulard and formed the Cuckoo Gang. They partnered with older crooks and eventually became leaders themselves through criminal actions. Jimmy Michaels, in particular, became a prime suspect in multiple gangland homicides by the age of 22. We learn about the autonomous relationship between Jimmy Michaels and the Sicilian mafia and the emergence of the Leisure family, which later clashed with Michaels, leading to a war in the early 1980s. The St. Louis mob, managed by Chicago, made significant profits from gambling, union racketeering, and handling stolen goods. The Chicago outfit had a strong influence over the St. Louis mob, including approving the appointment of a new boss. We also touch on the corrupt practices within the St. Louis Police Department during Prohibition, including their access to Thompson submachine guns before the gangsters did. The Greenlease kidnapping and its connection to Irish gangster Jack Griffin is discussed, as well as the involvement of lawyer Morris Schenker, Joey Lombardo, and local politics. Throughout the conversation, we highlight the diverse and well-preserved ethnic neighborhoods of St. Louis, such as Dogtown and the Hill, which are famous for their Italian cuisine. We also discuss the importance of understanding the development of the Midwest mafia and its connections to other major cities. The host, Gary, mentions his upcoming book on Egan's Rats and emphasizes the value of solid mob history over sensationalism. We thank Daniel Waugh for sharing his knowledge, encouraging listeners to explore his books and author's page on Amazon, and reminding everyone to be cautious on the road and seek help when needed. St. Louis has played a significant role in the history of organized crime, and by delving into its past, we gain a deeper understanding of this underground world.

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Richie the Boot Boriardo

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 10:00:32 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, we dive into the captivating life and legacy of Ruggerio “Ritchie the Boot” Boriardo, an infamous figure in organized crime. From his humble beginnings to his rise to power, we explore the triumphs and tragedies that defined his existence. Join us as we uncover the story of a man who became an emblem of a criminal empire. Support the podcast. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Get 50% off use the code gangland50 when check out at Factor Foods Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Hey, guys, here’s a little bonus episode for you. The untold saga of Ritchie the Boot Boriardo. In a dimly lit underworld of crime and betrayal, one name echoed through the decades like a haunting refrain. Ruggiero Boriardo, also known as Boot, Ritchie the Boot. Born on December the 8th, 1890 in Naples, Italy, Boriardo’s life unfolded like a gripping drama, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of organized crime. From the gritty streets of Newark, New Jersey to the sprawling territories of North Jersey, Richie the Boot emerged as a formidable force, a capo regime in the New Jersey faction of the infamous Genovese crime family. His ascent to power was marked by a web of intrigue and ruthlessness that captivated the criminal underworld for over three tumultuous decades. [0:48] Boyardo’s early years were shrouded in mystery. He painted a vivid picture of a man molded by adversity. Placed in an orphanage as a child, he spun tales of being the illegitimate son of an Italian nobleman claiming descent from Matteo Maria Boiardo. His ominous moniker, the Boot, hinted at a heavy-footed disposition that struck fear in the hearts of his gangland foes. Richie the Boot: A Rollercoaster of Violence and Vendettas [1:11] In other words, he kicked their butt every once in a while. [1:15] Richie the Boot had a career criminal that was a rollercoaster of violence and vendettas. In In the early 1930s, he survived a vicious ambush, leaving him with 12 buckshot pellet wounds in his chest. There was speculation surrounding this attack, and this speculation pointed fingers at rival gang leaders, including the notorious Abner Zwilman or the Mazzocchi brothers. The attempt on Boyardo’s life thrust him into an unusual position. He was a victim turned the accused, and if prosecutors sought answers to a crime, it would remain shrouded in mystery because he didn’t get to talk. As the 1930s unfolded, prohibitions over, gambling’s coming in, Biordaro or Richie the Boot will ascend the rank of made man in the Luciano crime family. By the 1950s, when Vito Genovese rises to the boss of the old Luciano family and makes it into the Genovese family, Richie the Boot will become a key player for this new Genovese family. Richie the Boot’s Criminal Reign and Downfall [2:12] With the death of Aids Wilman in 1959, Richie the Boot sees control of Newark and all the rackets therein. Richie the Boot will wield power over gambling activities all the way to Cuba and Florida. The pinnacle of Boyardo’s criminal reign came crashing down in April 1969 when he was convicted of a conspiracy to violate gambling laws. He was sentenced to state prison and fined $1,000. [2:36] The once mighty mob boss found himself behind bars for really the first time in his life. And this investigation showed an association with ...

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Richie the Boot Boiardo

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 10:00:03 +0000

The Bombing of Charlie Cavallaro

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 10:00:03 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary discusses the Youngstown Mob. with special guests Johnny Chechitelli and James Jimmy Naples, who share their experiences and insights. The conversation is about a tragic bombing that took place in 1962, where Charlie Cavallaro Sr. and his two sons were targeted. This incident sparks our interest in further exploring the history of the Youngstown mob. Jim Naples started a Facebook group called Youngstown Mob, which gained an impressive membership of 31,000. This online community eventually led to the creation of the Youngstown Mob Talk podcast, and their live shows also gained significant attention. A particularly intriguing guest who joined their group was Charlie Cavallaro Jr., who survived the bombing despite severe injuries. Despite his involvement in the mob, Charlie had never spoken about his experience. However, he agreed to talk to the podcast hosts, forming a friendship with them through their online platform. The guests tell us about an event they organized that focused on the Cavallaro bombing. They brought in Cecil Moses, the last living FBI agent who worked on the case codenamed CAVBOMB. Throughout the discussion, we learn about the various mafia factions involved in the Youngstown mob, such as LaRocca in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. The Naples faction, with Sandy Naples as its leader, engaged in racketeering and gambling operations. The story follows a familiar pattern of mafia conflicts, with the established mafia seeking a cut of Sandy’s successful operations. The hosts share their experience organizing the CAVBOMB show, where they brought together the Naples and Cavallaro families for a memorable evening with dinner and live music. The event was filmed, and plans are underway to release it on pay-per-view for Christmas. The conversation also touches on the history of remote car starters, the creativity of mob bombings, and Charlie Cavallaro Sr.’s involvement in the mob. Charlie traveled and worked in various cities, including Rochester, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh. Interestingly, despite facing numerous challenges and near-death experiences, Charlie survived and even became a family man. The hosts discuss the Youngstown mob’s involvement in gambling, including policy operations and the tradition of gambling in Youngstown dating back to the 1940s. They also explore the FBI’s investigations into the mob’s activities but acknowledge that their efforts were often ineffective in bringing down the mob due to their ability to care for themselves. To shed further light on the Youngstown mob, retired FBI agent Cecil Moses joins the conversation. He shares intriguing documents, including the story of an informant who was offered induction into the local mob and J. Edgar Hoover’s directive to persuade the informant to accept the offer. Moses also reveals that Youngstown was not under the rule of either Cleveland or Pittsburgh but operated separately by Italian factions. The conversation weaves in personal anecdotes, emphasizing the deep ties between Youngstown and the mob. The hosts discuss their interactions with judges and their grandfather’s behind-the-scenes influence on local politics. They also mention various live shows and events, including a master class with a prominent burglar and the role of Eddie Allen, the former chief of police who consulted on the Godfather film. Support the podcast. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Get 50% off use the code gangland50 when check out at Factor Foods Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book,

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The Bombing of Charlie Cavallaro

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary discusses the Youngstown Mob. with special guests Johnny Chechitelli and James Jimmy Naples, who share their experiences and insights. The conversation is about a tragic bombing that took place in 1962, where Charlie Cavallaro Sr. and his two sons were targeted. This incident sparks our interest in further exploring the history of the Youngstown mob. Jim Naples started a Facebook group called Youngstown Mob, which gained an impressive membership of 31,000. This online community eventually led to the creation of the Youngstown Mob Talk podcast, and their live shows also gained significant attention. A particularly intriguing guest who joined their group was Charlie Cavallaro Jr., who survived the bombing despite severe injuries. Despite his involvement in the mob, Charlie had never spoken about his experience. However, he agreed to talk to the podcast hosts, forming a friendship with them through their online platform. The guests tell us about an event they organized that focused on the Cavallaro bombing. They brought in Cecil Moses, the last living FBI agent who worked on the case codenamed CAVBOMB. Throughout the discussion, we learn about the various mafia factions involved in the Youngstown mob, such as LaRocca in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. The Naples faction, with Sandy Naples as its leader, engaged in racketeering and gambling operations. The story follows a familiar pattern of mafia conflicts, with the established mafia seeking a cut of Sandy's successful operations. The hosts share their experience organizing the CAVBOMB show, where they brought together the Naples and Cavallaro families for a memorable evening with dinner and live music. The event was filmed, and plans are underway to release it on pay-per-view for Christmas. The conversation also touches on the history of remote car starters, the creativity of mob bombings, and Charlie Cavallaro Sr.'s involvement in the mob. Charlie traveled and worked in various cities, including Rochester, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh. Interestingly, despite facing numerous challenges and near-death experiences, Charlie survived and even became a family man. The hosts discuss the Youngstown mob's involvement in gambling, including policy operations and the tradition of gambling in Youngstown dating back to the 1940s. They also explore the FBI's investigations into the mob's activities but acknowledge that their efforts were often ineffective in bringing down the mob due to their ability to care for themselves. To shed further light on the Youngstown mob, retired FBI agent Cecil Moses joins the conversation. He shares intriguing documents, including the story of an informant who was offered induction into the local mob and J. Edgar Hoover's directive to persuade the informant to accept the offer. Moses also reveals that Youngstown was not under the rule of either Cleveland or Pittsburgh but operated separately by Italian factions. The conversation weaves in personal anecdotes, emphasizing the deep ties between Youngstown and the mob. The hosts discuss their interactions with judges and their grandfather's behind-the-scenes influence on local politics. They also mention various live shows and events, including a master class with a prominent burglar and the role of Eddie Allen, the former chief of police who consulted on the Godfather film.

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Thomas Lucchese

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 10:00:04 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. The Lucchese family, sometimes referred to as the "Brogada," was involved in a wide array of criminal activities such as extortion, loan sharking, and gambling. As a cunning and violent leader, Lucchese aligned himself with Vito Genovese during Genovese's bid to become the boss of bosses. However, Lucchese later allied with Lucky Luciano, Frank Costello, Meyer Lansky, and Carlo Gambino. He played a pivotal role in orchestrating a narcotics conviction against Genovese, which ultimately led to Genovese's downfall and marked the beginning of the Mafia's decline. Interestingly, connections between families exist even within the criminal underworld. An example of this is seen in the feudal world where Thomas Gambino, Carlos Gambino's son, married Frances Lucchesi, the daughter of Three Fingers Brown. It is these intricate webs of relationships that add further complexity to the fabric of organized crime. Despite his involvement in nefarious activities, Lucchese garnered a level of respect within the community due to his charitable donations to local organizations. He passed away in New York City in 1969, leaving behind a notorious and influential legacy as one of the most dominant mobsters of the 20th century. While not as widely recognized as figures like Lucky Luciano or Frank Costello, Lucchese operated behind the scenes, exerting significant influence. Support the podcast. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Get 50% off use the code gangland50 when check out at Factor Foods Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Well, hey guys, Gary Jenkins here, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective. Back here with one of my little short bios. I, you know, I did Vito Genovese recently. This is gonna be about Thomas Lucchese, better known as Tommy Brown or Three Fingers Brown. He was a prominent American mobster and the founding member of the Lucchese crime family. He was born June 10th, 1889 in Palermo, Italy and immigrated to the United States with his family at a young age. So he's like a real Sicilian. [0:28] Tommy Brown or Tom Lucchese earned his nickname Three Fingers after losing parts of two fingers Rise in organized crime during prohibition [0:34] on his right hand in an industrial accident when he was working at a cement plant when he was a kid. That didn't hold him back. Little Tommy Lucchese became involved in organized crime at an early age, quickly rose through the ranks of the underworld because of prohibition primarily. You can see the photo up here of him holding up his right hand with only three fingers. In his early years, Tommy Lucchese was a close associate of the mobster Gaetano Reina, who was a real old school Sicilian mobster and an old Mustached Pete Blackhanders. He worked as a hitman and an enforcer for the Reina crime family, and he was known for his first endeavor. Lucchese's early criminal activities and rise in power [1:11] Tommy Lucchese hired guys to wash store windows in East Harlem and set up a little business when he was young. When a store owner refused to pay the Casey's guys to wash the windows, mysteriously, vandals broke out those same windows. And then, of course, they came back around and, you know, hey, we can probably stop those windows from being br...

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Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
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Thomas Lucchese

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. The Lucchese family sometimes referred to as the "Brogada," was involved in a wide array of criminal activities such as extortion, loan sharking, and gambling. As a cunning and violent leader, Lucchese aligned himself with Vito Genovese during Genovese's bid to become the boss of bosses. However, Lucchese allied with Lucky Luciano, Frank Costello, Meyer Lansky, and Carlo Gambino. He played a pivotal role in orchestrating a narcotics conviction against Genovese, which ultimately led to Genovese's downfall and marked the beginning of the Mafia's decline.
Interestingly, connections between families exist even within the criminal underworld. An example is seen in the feudal world where Thomas Gambino, Carlos Gambino's son, married Frances Lucchesi, the daughter of Three Fingers Brown. These intricate webs of relationships add further complexity to the fabric of organized crime.
Despite his involvement in nefarious activities, Lucchese garnered respect within the community due to his charitable donations to local organizations. He passed away in New York City in 1969, leaving behind a notorious and influential legacy as one of the most dominant mobsters of the 20th century. While not as widely recognized as figures like Lucky Luciano or Frank Costello, Lucchese operated behind the scenes, exerting significant influence.

Support the podcast
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Donate at Gangland Wire
Buy me a Cup of Coffee

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
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Louis the Coin Colavecchio - Master Counterfeiter

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Louis “Louis the Coin” Colavecchio

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 10:00:01 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins dives into the thrilling story of Louie, “Louis the Coin” Colavecchio, a mob associate from Providence, Rhode Island, with guests Andy Thibault, the author of the book “You’d Think It Was More,” and retired Connecticut State Police officer Jerry Longo, who arrested Louie. The book delves into Louie’s life as a master thief and counterfeiter, providing intriguing stories about the Rhode Island mob. After reading a column that Andy and Jerry had published together, Louie approached Andy with his manuscript. With the help of their friend Franz Dusky and Jerry, they worked on the manuscript for several years and got it published. The book is set to be released next June. Jerry shares his experience as a Bureau of Criminal Investigations member and his involvement in catching the individual responsible for counterfeiting casino tokens. They collaborated with law enforcement in New Jersey and Connecticut, employing a unique approach to track the suspect’s presence in the casino using the inventory system. The suspect was eventually caught with evidence of counterfeiting tokens for various casinos. The conversation continues with discussions about Louie’s connections to the Providence mob and the involvement of the Patriarca crime family in his operations. The main speaker reflects on Louie’s charismatic personality and how he maintained a presence in the casinos despite being banned by many. Louie’s criminal activities ranged from insurance scams to counterfeiting money, and he had various professions, including being a metallurgist and reverse engineer. The conversation concludes with discussions on the gaming industry, Louie’s preferences for playing slot machines for perks, and his involvement in other illegal activities. Click here to get the book, https://louisthecoinbook.com/ Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Get 50% off use the code gangland50 when check out at Factor Foods Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Welcome all you guys back here to the studio Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City, Missouri, police intelligence detective turned radio show host, or in this case, podcast host. And I really appreciate y’all listening. And I have a pretty interesting story about the Providence, Rhode Island, Patriarcha a mob or a mob associate guy named Louie, the coin. Colavecchio. And he was right next to Patriarcha. I read this book called, you’d think it was more. And this guy was a master thief, a master criminal, and he could counterfeit anything. It’s just, it’s a crazy story, I think. And it’s really well written by our guest here, Andy Thibault. And we have Jerry Longo, retired from the Connecticut State Police, who actually arrested Louis the Coin at the end. So we’ll get to hear about that and the relationship he developed with this guy, because all these kinds of really good criminals, they always have really good personalities, I’ve noticed. Do you ever notice that, Jerry? [1:00] Huge personalities. I mean, they’re good. I tell you, this book, it sounds interesting. I haven’t really got a chance to read it all, but I read enough of it to make notes that it’s got some great stories in it about the Rhode Island mob. Here’s what an assistant U.S.

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Giacomo “Black Jack” Tocco

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 10:00:34 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode of Gangland Wire, we delve into the fascinating story of Giacomo “Blackjack” Tocco, an influential figure in the Detroit Mafia. Tocco, who was born in 1927 and spent his entire life in Detroit, came from a Mafia lineage. His father, William “Black Bill” Tocco, was one of the founding members of the Detroit Mafia, known as the partnership. Tocco’s ascent within the ranks was facilitated by his familial connections, as well as his reputation for violence and intimidation. The partnership controlled various illicit activities, including gambling, loan sharking, and drug trafficking, but their most lucrative venture was their control over Jimmy Hoffa and the Teamsters Union. We catch a glimpse of Tocco’s appointment as boss through an FBI surveillance squad, who witnessed the event at a hunting farm in rural Michigan. Tocco’s intelligence, leadership abilities, and knack for consolidating power cemented his status as one of Detroit’s most formidable and feared bosses. Moving on, this part of the podcast focusses on a well-known photograph that has circulated on mob Facebook pages. When Joseph Zerrilli died in 1977, the most senior Mafia member, John Prizola, took the reins. Before Zerrilli died, he had given a blessing to his nephew, “Black Jack” Tocco to be considered as the future boss. When Prizola died two years after Zerrilli, Partnership members honored Zerrilli and named Giacomo “Black Jack” Toco boss. He became one of the most powerful bosses the city had ever seen because of his intelligence and leadership abilities. In 1979, Black Jack Tocco was appointed as the boss of the Detroit Mafia. In an interesting sidenote to Tocco’s appointment, FBI agent Greg Stejskal and his surveillance squad were watching a rural Michigan farm the day Black Jack Toco was anointed boss. They even trespassed into the back of this farm and grabbed a photo of Black Jack talking with Anthony Corrado and Vito Giacalone immediately after the ceremony. During his tenure as boss, Tocco oversaw the Partnership’s various illegal activities and was responsible for the organization’s continued success. It is later revealed that “Black Jack” Tocco orchestrated numerous illegal activities and expanded the Mafia’s influence, especially in Las Vegas. Despite his involvement in organized crime, Tocco was also respected within the Detroit Italian-American community for his philanthropic work and involvement in community events. Tocco’s reign came to an end in 2014, marking the end of an era for the Detroit Mafia. Despite losing their grasp on the Teamsters and facing intense scrutiny from the FBI, Tocco will forever be remembered as a dominating presence in the Detroit Mafia. Additionally, I take this opportunity to remind our listeners to exercise caution on the roads and seek assistance if they are grappling with PTSD or substance abuse. Our friend Anthony Ruggiano, a former member of the Gambino crime family, is now a drug and alcohol counselor in Florida. Make sure to visit his website for valuable resources and treatment options. Lastly, we would greatly appreciate it if you could like, subscribe, and leave a review on podcast platforms. Your support means a lot to us, and we eagerly await your intriguing mob stories in our Facebook group. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Get 50% off use the code gangland50 when check out at Factor Foods Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos.

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Giacomo "Black Jack" Tocco

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode of Gangland Wire, we delve into the fascinating story of Giacomo "Blackjack" Tocco, an influential figure in the Detroit Mafia. Tocco, born in 1927 and spent his entire life in Detroit, came from a Mafia lineage. His father, William "Black Bill" Tocco, was one of the founding members of the Detroit Mafia, known as the Partnership. Tocco's ascent within the ranks was facilitated by his familial connections, as well as his reputation for violence and intimidation. The partnership controlled various illicit activities, including gambling, loan sharking, and drug trafficking, but their most lucrative venture was their control over Jimmy Hoffa and the Teamsters Union. We glimpse Tocco's appointment as boss through an FBI surveillance squad, who witnessed the event at a hunting farm in rural Michigan. Tocco's intelligence, leadership abilities, and knack for consolidating power cemented his status as one of Detroit's most formidable and feared bosses. This part of the podcast focuses on a well-known photograph circulated on mob Facebook pages. When Joseph Zerrilli died in 1977, the most senior Mafia member, John Prizola, took the reins. Before Zerrilli died, he had blessed his nephew, “Black Jack” Tocco to be considered the future boss. When Prizola died two years after Zerrilli, Partnership members honored Zerrilli and named Giacomo “Black Jack” Toco boss. He became one of the most powerful bosses the city had ever seen because of his intelligence and leadership abilities. In 1979, Black Jack Tocco was appointed the Detroit Mafia's boss. An interesting side note to Tocco’s appointment is that FBI agent Greg Stejskal and his surveillance squad watched a rural Michigan farm the day Black Jack Toco was anointed boss. They even trespassed into the back of this farm and grabbed a photo of Black Jack talking with Anthony Corrado and Vito Giacalone immediately after the ceremony. During his tenure as boss, Tocco oversaw the Partnership's various illegal activities and was responsible for the organization's continued success. It is later revealed that "Black Jack" Tocco orchestrated numerous illegal activities and expanded the Mafia's influence, especially in Las Vegas. Despite his involvement in organized crime, Tocco was also respected within the Detroit Italian-American community for his philanthropic work and involvement in community events. Tocco's reign ended in 2014, marking the end of an era for the Detroit Mafia. Despite losing their grasp on the Teamsters and facing intense scrutiny from the FBI, Tocco will forever be remembered as a dominating presence in the Detroit Mafia. Additionally, I take this opportunity to remind our listeners to exercise caution on the roads and seek assistance if they are grappling with PTSD or substance abuse. Our friend Anthony Ruggiano, a former member of the Gambino crime family, is now a drug and alcohol counselor in Florida. Make sure to visit his website for valuable resources and treatment options. Lastly, we would greatly appreciate it if you could like, subscribe, and leave a review on podcast platforms. Your support means a lot to us, and we eagerly await your input on our Facebook group.
Support the Podcast
Venmo @ganglandwire
Donate at www.ganglandwire.com
Please buy me a Cup of Coffee

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

A Murder in Nassau County

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 10:00:46 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins tells a captivating story of Tommy Karate Pitera and his associates. We start off with the tale of Billy Bright, a New York kid who teams up with Frank Gangi, a man with a mafia background. Together with Arthur Guvernaro, they embark on a large-scale marijuana operation. However, when Guvernaro becomes unreliable and starts stealing from the business, Billy and Frank decide to take action. They lure him to a stash house and attempt to shoot him, but Guvernaro manages to escape only to run into a police car, where he eventually dies, revealing the culprits in his dying declaration. After serving a prison sentence for weapon possession, Frank and Billy face threats of revenge from Guvernaro’s brother, Louis Bob. Seeking protection, they turn to Tommy Karate Pitera, a respected Bonanno soldier known for his karate skills and ability to earn money for the family. With the backing of Tommy and the powerful Bonanno and Genovese families, Frank and Billy feel secure. However, their troubles continue when Greg Reiter, an associate of John Gotti Jr., enters the picture. Reiter complains to Frank Michael Harrigan, claiming that Harrigan and Gotti Jr. are squeezing him out of a business venture. Unfortunately for Reiter, Harrigan is aligned with Tommy Pitera, making it difficult for him to go against Pitera’s interests. Harrigan decides to discuss the situation with Pitera and arranges a meeting with Reiter, unaware that they are being watched by DEA agents. Pitera suggests meeting in a Nassau County parking lot, with Billy Bright serving as backup. Pitera reaches out to Michael, another individual involved in their dealings, and calmly informs him that Greg Reiter needs to be dealt with immediately. Harrigan, initially hesitant, is swayed by the fear of losing money and potential involvement of dangerous individuals. When Reiter questions why this is happening, Pitera pulls out a shotgun and shoots him multiple times. Ken Harrigan points at Pitera in response to Reiter’s confusion. Reiter dies shortly after, and his body is placed in Harrigan’s car trunk. The three men then bury Reiter in a wildlife sanctuary in Nassau County. Despite witnessing such brutality, Harrigan continues doing business with Pitera until he eventually distances himself. Harrigan faces legal consequences and is implicated in Pitera’s trial. Gansey, who testified against Pitera and joined witness protection, initially intended to give an interview but later retracted and may have passed away. Pitera, meanwhile, currently serves a life sentence for his involvement in drug dealings and sells paintings. Rumors circulate that Bright was killed in prison by the A.B. gang, allegedly hired by Greg Reiter’s brother, Mark Reiter, seeking revenge. It is noteworthy that they couldn’t get the A.B. to kill Tommy Karate, suggesting that Tommy himself pulled the trigger in Reiter’s shooting. In further discussion, we explore Tommy Karate’s power and the mob’s influence within the federal prison system. While other groups hold some power, the ABs seem to have the most sway, not just in prisons but across the entire system. It’s yet another fascinating tale of murder and the mob in New York City. We appreciate your support and encourage you to like, review, and subscribe to our podcast. New episodes are released weekly, with occasional bonus episodes. If you ride motorcycles, stay alert on the streets, and if you’re dealing with PTSD, don’t hesitate to seek help from resources like the VA website and hotline. Anthony Ruggiano, a Gambino guy, is also available on his website, YouTube channel, and hotline to assist with drug and alcohol problems. Lastly, we welcome corrections if there are any inaccuracies in our presentation. Thank you once again for your support. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Get 50% off use the code gangland50 when check out at Factor Foods Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a be...

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

A Murder in Nassau County

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 10:00:03 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins tells a captivating story of Tommy Karate Pitera and his associates. We start with the tale of Billy Bright, a New York kid who teams up with Frank Gangi, a man with a mafia background. Together with Arthur Guvernaro, they embark on a large-scale marijuana operation. However, when Guvernaro becomes unreliable and starts stealing from the business, Billy and Frank decide to take action. They lure him to a stash house and attempt to shoot him. Still, Guvernaro manages to escape, only to run into a police car, where he eventually dies, revealing the culprits in his dying declaration.
After serving a prison sentence for weapon possession, Frank and Billy face threats of revenge from Guvernaro's brother, Louis Bob. Seeking protection, they turn to Tommy Karate Pitera, a respected Bonanno soldier known for his karate skills and ability to earn money for the family. Frank and Billy feel secure with the backing of Tommy and the powerful Bonanno and Genovese families.
However, their troubles continue when Greg Reiter, an associate of John Gotti Jr., enters the picture. Reiter complains to Frank Michael Harrigan, claiming that Harrigan and Gotti Jr. are squeezing him out of a business venture. Unfortunately for Reiter, Harrigan is aligned with Tommy Pitera, making it difficult to go against Pitera's interests. Harrigan decides to discuss the situation with Pitera and arranges a meeting with Reiter, unaware that they are being watched by DEA agents.
Pitera suggests meeting in a Nassau County parking lot, with Billy Bright as backup. Pitera reaches out to Michael, another individual involved in their dealings, and calmly informs him that Greg Reiter needs to be dealt with immediately. Harrigan, initially hesitant, is swayed by the fear of losing money and the potential involvement of dangerous individuals. When Reiter questions why this is happening, Pitera pulls out a shotgun and shoots him multiple times. Ken Harrigan points at Pitera in response to Reiter's confusion. Reiter dies shortly after, and his body is placed in Harrigan's car trunk. The three men then bury Reiter in a wildlife sanctuary in Nassau County.
Despite witnessing such brutality, Harrigan continues doing business with Pitera until he eventually distances himself. Harrigan faces legal consequences and is implicated in Pitera's trial. Gansey, who testified against Pitera and joined witness protection, initially intended to give an interview but later retracted and may have passed away. Pitera, meanwhile, currently serves a life sentence for his involvement in drug dealings and sells paintings. Rumors circulate that Bright was killed in prison by the A.B. gang, allegedly hired by Greg Reiter's brother, Mark Reiter, seeking revenge. It is noteworthy that they couldn't get the A.B. to kill Tommy Karate, suggesting that Tommy himself pulled the trigger in Reiter's shooting.
In further discussion, we explore Tommy Karate's power and the mob's influence within the federal prison system. While other groups hold some power, the ABs seem to have the most sway, not just in prisons but across the entire system. It's yet another fascinating tale of murder and the mob in New York City. We appreciate your support and encourage you to like, review, and subscribe to our podcast. New episodes are released weekly, with occasional bonus episodes. If you ride motorcycles, stay alert on the streets, and if you're dealing with PTSD, don't hesitate to seek help from resources like the VA website and hotline. Anthony Ruggiano, a Gambino guy, is also available on his website, YouTube channel, and hotline to assist with drug and alcohol problems. Lastly, we welcome corrections if there are any inaccuracies in our presentation. Thank you once again for your support.

Support the Podcast
Venmo @ganglandwire
Buy Me a Cup of Coffee
Donations at Gangland Wire

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Rob Angelo “The Hook” LaPrietra?

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 10:00:13 +0000

We have an incredible story to share in today’s episode. It revolves around three burglars, Jerry Scalise, Art Rachel, and Bobby Palia, who were connected to the Chicago outfit. These individuals were planning to break into the home of the deceased leader of the vicious Chinatown crew, Angelo “the Hook” La Pietra. However, this case is even more intriguing because La Pietra was already deceased, yet his widow was still residing there. At the same time, the FBI was conducting an investigation into these criminals. As a former cop, I can tell you that catching criminals in the act is an exhilarating experience. In 2010, the FBI had been closely monitoring Scalise, Rachel, and Palia, who were known to be highly skilled thieves. The FBI obtained audio intercepts of their conversations, which further piqued their interest. Interestingly, these intercepted conversations hinted at the possibility of solving the infamous Marlboro Diamond Theft that had taken place in 1980. Scalise and Rachel, the leaders of the group, were involved in this diamond theft in London, where the Marlboro Diamond, worth millions of dollars, was stolen and never recovered. The FBI also overheard the burglars discussing their plan to break into La Pietra’s house. They even mentioned using toothpaste to hide any holes they would drill. The FBI’s primary interest, however, was gathering information about the whereabouts of the stolen Marlboro Diamond. As it turns out, the decision to target La Pietra’s house was fueled by the discovery that a high-ranking mob member, Nick Calabrese, possessed a considerable amount of cash and diamonds. This inspired the thieves to target La Pietra’s widow, as they believed valuable items would be inside the house. This wasn’t just a typical burglary but a full-blown home invasion. The FBI had been diligently tailing these criminals and collecting evidence against them. Finally, in early April 2010, the FBI made their move and apprehended Scalise, Palia, and Rachel outside La Pietra’s home. The burglars were caught red-handed with various tools such as drills, blades, a ladder, tool bags, black tape, and flashlights. They seemed to have all the necessary items to carry out their intended robbery. The presence of glass cleaner could have been an attempt to remove fingerprints, while the black tape was likely intended to restrain both the widow and the housekeeper. Deciding when to intervene in a crime is always challenging for law enforcement. In this case, with evidence of the criminals’ plans and witnessing their movement towards the target location, the FBI decided it was time to take them into custody. Scalise, Palia, and Rachel were all charged with attempted burglary and a gun possession charge. They received equal sentences for their involvement in the crime. Catching criminals in the act is a thrilling experience for law enforcement, especially when it involves dismantling an entire crew. We appreciate your support and also like to remind you to be cautious of motorcycles on the road. If you or someone you know is dealing with PTSD, we recommend reaching out to the VA for assistance. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Get 50% off use the code gangland50 when check out at Factor Foods Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript Chicago Outfit Burglary Gone Wrong [0:00] Well, hey, guys, welcome all you wiretappers back here in the studio. Gangland wire again.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Let's Rob Angelo "The Hook" LaPietra?

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 10:00:02 +0000

We have an incredible story to share in today's episode. It revolves around three burglars, Jerry Scalise, Art Rachel, and Bobby Palia, who were connected to the Chicago outfit. These individuals were planning to break into the home of the deceased leader of the vicious Chinatown crew, Angelo "the Hook" La Pietra. However, this case is even more intriguing because La Pietra was already deceased, yet his widow still resides there.
At the same time, the FBI was investigating these criminals. As a former cop, I can tell you that catching criminals in the act is an exhilarating experience. In 2010, the FBI had been closely monitoring Scalise, Rachel, and Palia, who were known to be highly skilled thieves. The FBI obtained audio intercepts of their conversations, further stirring their interest.
Interestingly, these intercepted conversations hinted at the possibility of solving the infamous Marlboro Diamond Theft that had taken place in 1980. Scalise and Rachel, the leaders of the group, were involved in this diamond theft in London, where the Marlboro Diamond, worth millions of dollars, was stolen and never recovered.
The FBI also overheard the burglars discussing their plan to break into La Pietra's house. They even mentioned using toothpaste to hide any holes they would drill. The FBI's primary interest, however, was gathering information about the whereabouts of the stolen Marlboro Diamond.
As it turns out, the decision to target La Pietra's house was fueled by the discovery that a high-ranking mob member, Nick Calabrese, possessed considerable cash and diamonds. This inspired the thieves to target La Pietra's widow, believing valuable items would be inside the house.
This wasn't just a typical burglary but a full-blown home invasion. The FBI had been diligently tailing these criminals and collecting evidence against them. Finally, in early April 2010, the FBI made their move and apprehended Scalise, Palia, and Rachel outside La Pietra's home.
The burglars were caught red-handed with various tools such as drills, blades, a ladder, tool bags, black tape, and flashlights. They seemed to have all the necessary items for their intended robbery. The presence of glass cleaner could have been an attempt to remove fingerprints, while the black tape was likely intended to restrain both the widow and the housekeeper.
Deciding when to intervene in a crime is always challenging for law enforcement. In this case, with evidence of the criminals' plans and witnessing their movement towards the target location, the FBI decided it was time to take them into custody.
Scalise, Palia, and Rachel were all charged with attempted burglary and a gun possession charge. They received equal sentences for their involvement in the crime.
Catching criminals in the act is a thrilling experience for law enforcement, especially when it involves dismantling an entire crew. We appreciate your support and remind you to be cautious of motorcycles on the road. If you or someone you know is dealing with PTSD, we recommend reaching out to the VA for assistance.

Support the Podcast
Venmo @ganglandwire
Donate at www.ganglandwire.com
Buy me a Cup of Coffee

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Chicago Outfit Goes to London

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 10:00:32 +0000

In this episode, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins dives into the thrilling story of two master thieves from Chicago, Jerry the Monk Scalise and Art the Brain Rachel. These notorious criminals were part of the infamous Wild Bunch and were involved in various criminal activities in Chicago. However, their story takes an interesting turn when they fly to London in 1980 to steal the famous Marlboro Diamond, a massive 45-carat diamond. Lawrence Graff, the owner of Graff’s Jewelry Store in Knightsbridge, London, had acquired a reputation for luxury jewelry and had famous diamonds like the Emperor Maximilian and Idol Eye in his collection. In 1980, he purchased the Marlboro Diamond, which had an intriguing history as it originally belonged to Gladys Marie Spencer Churchill, the wife of the 9th Duke of Marlboro. On September 11th, 1980, two men, eventually revealed as Jerry “the Monk” Scalise and Art “the Brain” Rachel, entered Graff’s store to assess its security measures. Two days later, they returned dressed in suits that allowed them easy access. Armed with a gun and what appeared to be a hand grenade, they threatened the security guard and swiftly grabbed the Marlboro Diamond along with other valuable pieces from the display. Unbeknownst to the thieves, Colin Prothero, an alert accountant on his lunch break, and his girlfriend witnessed their suspicious behavior and promptly informed the authorities about the incident. Prothero even managed to jot down the license plate of their getaway car, which turned out to be a rental from Hertz at Heathrow Airport. While the thieves made a hasty escape, the alert account followed them on foot through the bustling streets of London without being noticed. He observed their every move and noted important details that aided the investigation. Meanwhile, the owner of Graff’s store had already called the police, and London detectives were on their way. The car was rented in the names of Joseph Scalise and Art Rachel, who had checked into the Mount Royal Hotel. The hotel staff confirmed their presence on September 4th, indicating that the thieves had meticulously planned their crime. The detectives began checking flight manifests at the airport and discovered that Scalise and Rachel were on a British Airways flight bound for Chicago. The cunning thieves had already taken a cab to the airport and even sent a package along the way, leaving witnesses who remembered their actions. Scotland Yard swiftly contacted the Chicago police, who intercepted and arrested the thieves upon their arrival. Jerry “the Monk” Scalise and Art “the Brain” Rachel They were extradited to London, where the court convicted them based on eyewitness testimonies and additional evidence. Both Scalise and Rachel received 15-year sentences in a British prison. To this day, neither of the thieves has admitted their involvement in the robbery, maintaining their innocence. Despite their advanced age, Jerry the Monk Scalise and Art the Brain Rachel are still recognized as skilled criminals. However, their return to Chicago proved to be their downfall as they were met by Scotland Yard and the FBI upon arrival. The authorities detained them, much to their confusion, as they claimed they had merely gone on a trip to London. It is speculated that their familiarity with the leniency surrounding criminal activities in Chicago led to their carelessness in London. They likely underestimated the increased surveillance and scrutiny in a big city like London, ultimately leading to their capture. In addition to this thrilling tale, Gary Jenkins takes a moment to remind listeners to be mindful of motorcycles on the road. Furthermore, he encourages those who have served in the military and are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to visit the VA website for assistance and access to the hotline. He thanks you for tuning in and joining us on this captivating journey. And remember,

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Chicago Outfit goes to London

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 10:00:03 +0000

In this episode, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins dives into the thrilling story of two master thieves from Chicago, Jerry the Monk Scalise and Art the Brain Rachel. These notorious criminals were part of the infamous Wild Bunch and were involved in various criminal activities in Chicago. However, their story takes an interesting turn when they fly to London in 1980 to steal the famous Marlboro Diamond, a massive 45-carat diamond.
Lawrence Graff, the owner of Graff's Jewelry Store in Knightsbridge, London, had acquired a reputation for luxury jewelry and had famous diamonds like the Emperor Maximilian and Idol Eye in his collection. In 1980, he purchased the Marlboro Diamond, which had an intriguing history as it originally belonged to Gladys Marie Spencer Churchill, the wife of the 9th Duke of Marlboro.
On September 11th, 1980, two men, eventually revealed as Jerry "the Monk" Scalise and Art "the Brain" Rachel, entered Graff's store to assess its security measures. Two days later, they returned dressed in suits that allowed them easy access. Armed with a gun and what appeared to be a hand grenade, they threatened the security guard and swiftly grabbed the Marlboro Diamond along with other valuable pieces from the display.
Unbeknownst to the thieves, Colin Prothero, an alert accountant on his lunch break, and his girlfriend witnessed their suspicious behavior and promptly informed the authorities about the incident. Prothero even managed to jot down the license plate of their getaway car, which turned out to be a rental from Hertz at Heathrow Airport.
While the thieves made a hasty escape, the alert account followed them on foot through the bustling streets of London without being noticed. He observed their every move and noted essential details that aided the investigation.
Meanwhile, the owner of Graff's store had already called the police, and London detectives were on their way. The car was rented in the names of Joseph Scalise and Art Rachel, who had checked into the Mount Royal Hotel. The hotel staff confirmed their presence on September 4th, indicating that the thieves had meticulously planned their crime.
The detectives began checking flight manifests at the airport and discovered that Scalise and Rachel were on a British Airways flight bound for Chicago. The cunning thieves had already taken a cab to the airport and even sent a package along the way, leaving witnesses who remembered their actions. Scotland Yard swiftly contacted the Chicago police, who intercepted and arrested the thieves upon their arrival. Jerry "the Monk" Scalise and Art "the Brain" Rachel They were extradited to London, where the court convicted them based on eyewitness testimonies and additional evidence. Both Scalise and Rachel received 15-year sentences in a British prison.
To this day, neither of the thieves has admitted their involvement in the robbery, maintaining their innocence. Despite their advanced age, Jerry the Monk Scalise and Art the Brain Rachel are still recognized as skilled criminals. However, their return to Chicago proved to be their downfall as they were met by Scotland Yard and the FBI upon arrival. The authorities detained them, much to their confusion, as they claimed they had merely gone on a trip to London.
It is speculated that their familiarity with the leniency surrounding criminal activities in Chicago led to their carelessness in London. They likely underestimated the increased surveillance and scrutiny in a big city like London, ultimately leading to their capture.
In addition to this thrilling tale, Gary Jenkins takes a moment to remind listeners to be mindful of motorcycles on the road. Furthermore, he encourages those who have served in the military and are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to visit the VA website for assistance and access to the hotline.
He thanks you for tuning in and joining us on this captivating journey. And remember, the search for the stolen Marlboro Diamond continues, with the English Insurance Company offering a $100,000 reward for its recovery.
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Corleone Sicily with Justin Cascio

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 10:00:52 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary discusses with Justin Cascio, a mafia genealogist, his book In Our Blood: The Mafia in Corleone, Italy, In Our Blood: The Mafia Families of Corleone. We explore the roots and activities of the Mafia in Western Sicily, debunking many romanticized notions. We also discuss the migration of mafia families to the United States and their influence in various cities. The conversation concludes with insights into the rise of the Mafia as a political force. Listen n to learn more about the history and impact of the Mafia. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Get 50% off use the code gangland50 when you check out at Factor Foods Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript Transcript Introduction to Mafia genealogist Justin Cascio [0:00] Well, welcome all you wiretappers back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. You know, I have a guest that we had him before, Justin Cascio. And if you follow my Facebook group, you’ll see him post a little bit. And he is a mafia genealogist. Justin, welcome. I really appreciate you coming back on the show. [0:19] Thanks for having me on, Gary. Justin, I remember us talking before. Now, you’ve written a book about your search for the roots the Mafia in Corleone, Italy, or Sicily. Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into this work. Mafia genealogy is kind of interesting. I think you have a personal connection, don’t you? [0:39] I do. I first heard the name Corleone from my grandmother when I was a little kid. So way too young to have watched The Godfather. It took me years before I made that connection between the mythical, fictional Don Corleone and the place where my grandfather was from. Both of his parents were born in Corleone, which is a little mountain town about an hour away from Palermo. If you drive it today, I think it’s about an hour. Country town, but it’s also a transportation hub, and it was also a center of culture in the mostly rural place that didn’t have a lot of institutions of higher learning, for instance. It attracted skilled artisans, so it had some wealth. It was a little more of a destination than any of the other villages that surround it. So Corleone was just a little bit special in Sicily’s history. Discussion on the roots of the Mafia in Corleone [1:30] William Sturkey You know, I noticed as I was doing a little research before you came on the show here that, for example, Ciro, the artichoke king Terranova, and Tommy Gagliano, and the Dragna family are all from the little town of Corleone, and I’m sure there’s others from that province right around there between there and Palermo. That was a hotbed of mafia activity to the roots of the mafia in the United States, correct? Absolutely. The Mafia started in Western Sicily, just that one little tip of the island. [1:58] Interesting. Does that go all the way back to when the French soldier supposedly, raped or came on to a Sicilian woman and they had the real night of the Sicilian Vespers, or is that after that, in that area? The Sicilian Vespers happened in Palermo. The Mafia started a little later, maybe in the 1800s, maybe as early as the late 1700s. And most people would say that it started in Western Sicily and probably in the countryside, although some theorists say that they think it started in the city.

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Corleone Sicily with Justin Cascio

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 10:00:03 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary and Juston Cascio of the Mafia Geneology website and Facebook Group discuss his new book, In Our Blood: The Mafia Families of Corleone. We learn about the roots of the Mafia in Corleone Sicily. Many of the modern families are rooted in this rural area of Sicily. Justin answers why this area was such fertile ground for the Mafia.

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Giacamo Tocco – Detroit Partnership

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 10:00:40 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, a Retired KCPD Intelligence Detective looks into the fascinating story of Giacomo “Blackjack” Tocco, an influential figure in the Detroit Mafia. Tocco, born in 1927 and spent his entire life in Detroit, came from a Mafia lineage. His father, William “Black Bill” Tocco, was one of the founding members of the Detroit Mafia, known as the Partnership. Tocco’s ascent within the ranks was facilitated by his familial connections, as well as his reputation for violence and intimidation. The partnership controlled various illicit activities, including gambling, loan sharking, and drug trafficking, but their most lucrative venture was their control over Jimmy Hoffa and the Teamsters Union. We glimpse Tocco’s appointment as boss through an FBI surveillance squad, who witnessed the event at a hunting farm in rural Michigan. Tocco’s intelligence, leadership abilities, and knack for consolidating power cemented his status as one of Detroit’s most formidable and feared bosses. Moving on, this part of the podcast focuses on a well-known photograph circulated on mob Facebook pages. The picture captures a conversation between Greg Stejskal, his accomplice Anthony Corrado, and Vito Giacalone, which took place after a ceremony. Stejskal and his partner trespassed onto someone else’s property to get close enough to the house for the photo. It is later revealed that Thomas “Black Jack” Tocco, who was the boss during that time, orchestrated numerous illegal activities and expanded the Mafia’s influence, especially in Las Vegas. Despite his involvement in organized crime, Tocco was also respected within the Detroit Italian-American community for his philanthropic work and involvement in community events. Sadly, Tocco’s reign ended in 2014, marking the end of an era for the Detroit Mafia. Despite losing their grasp on the Teamsters and facing intense scrutiny from the FBI, Tocco will forever be remembered as a dominating presence in the Detroit Mafia. Additionally, I take this opportunity to remind our listeners to exercise caution on the roads and seek assistance if they are grappling with PTSD or substance abuse. Our friend Anthony Ruggiano, a former member of the Gambino crime family, is now a drug and alcohol counselor in Florida. Make sure to visit his website for valuable resources and treatment options. Lastly, we would greatly appreciate it if you could like, subscribe, and leave a review on podcast platforms. Your support means a lot to us, and we eagerly await your intriguing mob stories in our Facebook group. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Get 50% off use the code gangland50 when check out at Factor Foods Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript [0:00] Hey, guys. Welcome back here to the studio of Gangland Wire. Gary Jenkins, retired intelligence unit detective here in Kansas City. I’m going to bring you a story today about Giacomo Blackjack Tocco. He was a prominent figure in the Detroit Mafia. He was well known for his ruthless tactics, but he had a lot of leadership skills. Born in 1927, in February of 1927 in the suburbs of Detroit. So he’s a lifelong Detroit resident. He was a Mafia legacy because his father, of William Black Bill Tocco was a founding member of the Detroit Mafia family, also known as the partnership. You know, they have never had the outfit in Chicago, then the partnership in Detroit. Now, Black Bill,

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Giacomo "Black Jack" Tocco

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 10:00:02 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, we delve into the fascinating story of Giacomo "Blackjack" Tocco, an influential figure in the Detroit Mafia. Tocco, born in 1927 and spent his entire life in Detroit, came from a Mafia lineage. His father, William "Black Bill" Tocco, was one of the founding members of the Detroit Mafia, known as the Partnership. Tocco's ascent within the ranks was facilitated by his familial connections, as well as his reputation for violence and intimidation. The partnership controlled various illicit activities, including gambling, loan sharking, and drug trafficking, but their most lucrative venture was their control over Jimmy Hoffa and the Teamsters Union. We glimpse Tocco's appointment as boss through an FBI surveillance squad, who witnessed the event at a hunting farm in rural Michigan. Tocco's intelligence, leadership abilities, and knack for consolidating power cemented his status as one of Detroit's most formidable and feared bosses.
Moving on, this part of the podcast focuses on a well-known photograph circulated on mob Facebook pages. The picture captures a conversation between Greg Stejskal, his accomplice Anthony Corrado, and Vito Giacalone, which took place after a ceremony. Stejskal and his partner trespassed onto someone else's property to get close enough to the house for the photo. It is later revealed that Thomas "Black Jack" Tocco, who was the boss during that time, orchestrated numerous illegal activities and expanded the Mafia's influence, especially in Las Vegas. Despite his involvement in organized crime, Tocco was also respected within the Detroit Italian-American community for his philanthropic work and involvement in community events.
Sadly, Tocco's reign ended in 2014, marking the end of an era for the Detroit Mafia. Despite losing their grasp on the Teamsters and facing intense scrutiny from the FBI, Tocco will forever be remembered as a dominating presence in the Detroit Mafia. Additionally, I take this opportunity to remind our listeners to exercise caution on the roads and seek assistance if they are grappling with PTSD or substance abuse. Our friend Anthony Ruggiano, a former member of the Gambino crime family, is now a drug and alcohol counselor in Florida. Make sure to visit his website for valuable resources and treatment options. Lastly, we would greatly appreciate it if you could like, subscribe, and leave a review on podcast platforms. Your support means a lot to us, and we eagerly await your intriguing mob stories in our Facebook group.
Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week.
Support the Podcast
Venmo @ganglandwire
Buy me a cup of coffee
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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
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Canadian Mafia

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 10:00:43 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, he interviews Peter Edwards, a reporter from the Toronto Star who specializes in covering organized crime. Peter’s Background: Peter Edwards explains his extensive experience as a journalist at the Toronto Star, specializing in organized crime. He mentions his numerous books on the topic, including an encyclopedia on organized crime. He also notes that he collaborates with reporters from other cities due to the mobility of organized crime figures. Sicilian Mafia in Canada: The discussion delves into the history of the Sicilian Mafia’s presence in Canada, focusing on the 1950s and the influence of individuals like Carmen Galante. The conversation also highlights the role of Frank Catroni, Vic Catroni, Nicoli Rizzuto, and Vito Rizzuto of the Montreal Mafia. Power Struggles: The conversation covers the power struggles within the Montreal Mafia, including Vito Rizzuto’s leadership and subsequent imprisonment in the United States. The murder of three Capos in New York is mentioned, and the intriguing involvement of a mob figure from Montreal in that event is discussed. Changing Alliances: Peter Edwards discusses how organized crime in Canada is evolving, with a shift away from strict family lines. He emphasizes the importance of alliances and connections between different criminal groups, which have become more prevalent with the advent of the Internet. Hells Angels: The conversation turns to the Hells Angels, exploring their rise in Canada. They discuss the structured nature of the Hells Angels and their complex, sometimes unscrupulous, alliances. The shift from being “thugs” to a formidable organization is highlighted. Modern Activities: The discussion touches on the diversified activities of organized crime, including involvement in strip clubs, girls, and white-collar crimes. The role of gambling in power struggles between different crime groups is also mentioned. Organization and Alliances: The conversation elaborates on the structure and alliances of the Hells Angels. It is noted that the Hells Angels prefer to be seen as equals rather than a pyramid structure, which is common in the traditional mafia. Biker Clubs and Mob Associations: The conversation delves into the concept of biker clubs, their affiliations, and how they can be incorporated into the larger Hells Angels network. Peter explains how different provinces in Canada have different criminal organizations, with the Drangheta being more prominent in Toronto. Drug Trafficking: The conversation briefly touches on the historical “French connection” for smuggling heroin into Montreal and then into New York City. The ease of drug trafficking across the Canada-U.S. border and strategies for evading law enforcement are discussed. Changing Tactics: The conversation mentions how criminals adapt to law enforcement efforts. Criminals are now forming alliances, sharing loads, and utilizing encrypted messaging, making it difficult for authorities to track their activities. The use of GPS technology to target victims is also highlighted. Covert Assassinations: The conversation discusses the changing tactics in assassinations, with drive-by shootings becoming more common, increasing the risk to bystanders. Starbucks and High-End Operations: Criminals are increasingly seen at high-end locations like Starbucks. They spend on expensive coffee, reflecting their evolving operations and changing preferences. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the shifting dynamics of organized crime in Canada, the roles of different criminal organizations, and their adaptation to modern challenges, including the use of technology and changing criminal tactics. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Get 50% off use the code gangland50 when check out at Factor Foods Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick...

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Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
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The Canadian Mafia

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, he interviews Peter Edwards, a reporter from the Toronto Star who specializes in covering organized crime.
Peter's Background: Peter Edwards explains his extensive experience as a journalist at the Toronto Star, specializing in organized crime. He mentions his numerous books on the topic, including an encyclopedia on organized crime. He also notes that he collaborates with reporters from other cities due to the mobility of organized crime figures.
Sicilian Mafia in Canada: The discussion delves into the history of the Sicilian Mafia's presence in Canada, focusing on the 1950s and the influence of individuals like Carmen Galante. The conversation also highlights the role of Frank Catroni, Vic Catroni, Nicoli Rizzuto, and Vito Rizzuto of the Montreal Mafia.
Power Struggles: The conversation covers the power struggles within the Montreal Mafia, including Vito Rizzuto's leadership and subsequent imprisonment in the United States. The murder of three Capos in New York is mentioned, and the intriguing involvement of a mob figure from Montreal in that event is discussed.
Changing Alliances: Peter Edwards discusses how organized crime in Canada is evolving, with a shift away from strict family lines. He emphasizes the importance of alliances and connections between criminal groups, which have become more prevalent with the advent of the Internet.
Hells Angels: The conversation turns to the Hells Angels, exploring their rise in Canada. They discuss the structured nature of the Hells Angels and their complex, sometimes unscrupulous, alliances. The shift from being "thugs" to a formidable organization is highlighted.
Modern Activities: The discussion touches on the diversified activities of organized crime, including involvement in strip clubs, girls, and white-collar crimes. The role of gambling in power struggles between different crime groups is also mentioned.
Organization and Alliances: The conversation elaborates on the structure and alliances of the Hells Angels. It is noted that the Hells Angels prefer to be seen as equals rather than a pyramid structure, which is common in the traditional mafia.
Biker Clubs and Mob Associations: The conversation delves into the concept of biker clubs, their affiliations, and how they can be incorporated into the more extensive Hells Angels network. Peter explains how different provinces in Canada have different criminal organizations, with the Drangheta being more prominent in Toronto.
Drug Trafficking: The conversation briefly touches on the historical "French connection" for smuggling heroin into Montreal and then into New York City. The ease of drug trafficking across the Canada-U.S. border and strategies for evading law enforcement are discussed.
Changing Tactics: The conversation mentions how criminals adapt to law enforcement efforts. Criminals are now forming alliances, sharing loads, and utilizing encrypted messaging, making it difficult for authorities to track their activities. The use of GPS technology to target victims is also highlighted.
Covert Assassinations: The conversation discusses the changing tactics in assassinations, with drive-by shootings becoming more common, increasing the risk to bystanders.
Starbucks and High-End Operations: Criminals are increasingly seen at high-end locations like Starbucks. They spend on expensive coffee, reflecting their evolving operations and changing preferences.
Overall, the conversation provides insights into the shifting dynamics of organized crime in Canada, the roles of different criminal organizations, and their adaptation to modern challenges, including the use of technology and changing criminal tactics.

Support the podcast
Venmo @ganglandwire
Buy me a Cup of Coffee
Donate at Gangland Wire

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
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Andrea Giovino - Get Gotti

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 10:00:03 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, Gary looks into the life of Andrea Giovino and her long-standing involvement with the mafia. Growing up in Brooklyn, Andrea's family was deeply intertwined with organized crime, with her mother running illegal gambling games and her brothers becoming contract killers for various crime families. During our interview, Andrea shares intimate details of her time in the drug trade and her relationships with prominent mob figures.
She is in the recently released Netflix documentary, "Get Gotti," which sheds light on the infamous mobster John Gotti. Andrea reveals that she had a personal connection to Gotti's inner circle, as she was once the live-in girlfriend of Bonanno capo Frank Lino, who later became a government witness against his son. With her firsthand experiences, Andrea provides an intriguing perspective on the documentary and its portrayal of the mob's inner workings.
Furthermore, Andrea opens up about her past relationships with drug dealers, including her involvement with a Gotti-connected heroin dealer named Mark Reiter. She later married another drug dealer named John Fogarty, who had strong ties to the Gotti family and a reputation for being tough. Andrea shares the challenging dynamics of her relationship with Fogarty, suspecting him of committing a murder and eventually praying for his arrest as a means to escape the chaos.
Andrea's life takes a sharp turn when Fogarty is caught in a drug deal and subsequently arrested. At this time, her phone is tapped, uncovering conversations about violent threats and debt collection. Both Andrea and her brother are also arrested and charged. However, Fogarty eventually confesses to several murders, spending six years in prison before entering witness protection. During this tumultuous period, Andrea herself provides valuable information to the authorities and is rewarded with a settlement, which enables her to relocate to a small town in Pennsylvania under the protection of DEA agents.
Reflecting on her past, Andrea reveals how her upbringing in a neighborhood plagued by poverty and influenced by street guys led her into the mafia lifestyle. Initially attracted to their way of life, she found herself dating and associating with high-profile organized crime figures like John Gotti. Andrea recounts a story where she sought the assistance of respected figure Danny Marino to recover funds that she had put down on the house. This anecdote highlights the deep sense of loyalty and protection within organized crime.
However, as Andrea's life unravels, she becomes increasingly disillusioned with the criminal lifestyle. She loses custody of one of her children and faces threats to her life. Today, she is unafraid to speak out against criminal activities and is determined to turn her life around. Andrea displays a newfound appreciation for integrity, honesty, and a humble life. She encourages others, especially women, to avoid being enticed by bad characters or the allure of quick money, emphasizing the importance of education and making better choices.
As the conversation draws to a close, they discuss the consequences faced by those involved in criminal activities, dispelling the misconception that they can avoid prison time. Despite her struggles and regrets, Andrea is grateful for her past experiences, as they have allowed her to grow and develop a deep understanding of the wrongs inherent in that lifestyle. She expresses appreciation for the support of her listeners and encourages them to engage with her content, as well as explore Andrea's book, "Divorced from the Mob," and the Netflix series, "Get Gotti." Additionally, Gary highlights resources for individuals dealing with PTSD, and substance abuse, and encourages feedback and discussion.

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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Anthony Accardo Impersonates a Lawyer

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 09:00:37 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this bonus episode, we explore the fascinating relationship between Tony Accardo and Paul Ricca, two influential figures in Chicago’s organized crime scene. Ricca held Accardo in high esteem, appointing him as his second in command and entrusting him with the outfit’s leadership during Ricca’s incarceration. Together, they orchestrated a strategy to infiltrate labor unions and extort funds from Hollywood studios during the 1940s. Accardo’s skills proved invaluable as he managed to secure Ricca’s early release and that of their associates, serving only three years of a ten-year prison sentence. While Ricca and Accardo were behind bars, they devised a cunning scheme to maintain communication through a lawyer named Elmer Bernstein and his associate Joseph Bulger, who was, in fact, Accardo in disguise. Unfortunately, this scheme was eventually uncovered, leading to a federal trial where Accardo and Bernstein faced conspiracy charges to defraud the government. Remarkably, despite overwhelming evidence against them, they were acquitted, showcasing the immense power and influence of the outfit. With Ricca stepping back, Sam Giancana emerged as the new face of the Outfit. However, Giancana’s downfall eventually paved the way for Joseph Aiuppa to become the new boss. This episode sheds light on the pivotal role played by Accardo as Ricca’s chosen successor. As we conclude, I’d like to remind you to support veterans dealing with PTSD and to remain vigilant and mindful of motorcyclists on the road. If you or someone you know struggles with substance abuse, I encourage you to contact Anthony Ruggiano’s treatment center in Florida. To learn more about Anthony Ruggiano and access additional resources, you can easily find his website by searching for him on Google or YouTube. Thank you all for your continued support of the show. Your presence and engagement mean so much to me. As always, please show your support by liking, subscribing, and leaving reviews for the podcast. I apologize for neglecting to mention these in recent episodes. I truly value your connection and enjoyment of the content. Thank you wholeheartedly for being a part of this journey with me. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Get 50% off use the code gangland50 when check out at Factor Foods Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript Tony Accardo: The Genuine Godfather [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there, back here in the studio of Gangland Wire, another little shorty, another bonus episode. This is going to be about Tony Accardo, your favorite from Chicago, the genuine godfather, as Bill Romer once called him, the big tuna, a real Joe Batters, as Al Capone called him. So speaking of Al Capone, according to legend, and I’m going to have to look at my cheat seat. Paul Ricca once said of Ocardo, this guy has more brains at breakfast than Al Capone had all day long. So Paul Ricca had high expectations and a high regard for Tony Ocardo, who would be his second in command, basically, and would step in for him when Ricca went to the prison in 1943, I believe it was. In the 40s, the outfit sent some guys out to Hollywood, California, and infiltrated the, I believe, the Stagehands Union, and they’d already infiltrated the Projectors Union in Chicago, in the movie theaters. So they got out to California,

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Andrea Giovino – Get Gotti

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 09:00:08 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, Gary looks into the life of Andrea Giovino and her long-standing involvement with the mafia. Growing up in Brooklyn, Andrea’s family was deeply intertwined with organized crime, with her mother running illegal gambling games and her brothers becoming contract killers for various crime families. During our interview, Andrea shares intimate details of her time in the drug trade and her relationships with prominent mob figures. She is in the recently released Netflix documentary, “Get Gotti,” which sheds light on the infamous mobster John Gotti. Andrea reveals that she had a personal connection to Gotti’s inner circle, as she was once the live-in girlfriend of Bonanno capo Frank Lino, who later became a government witness against his own son. With her firsthand experiences, Andrea provides an intriguing perspective on the documentary and its portrayal of the mob’s inner workings. Furthermore, Andrea opens up about her past relationships with drug dealers, including her involvement with a Gotti-connected heroin dealer named Mark Reiter. She later married another drug dealer named John Fogarty, who had strong ties to the Gotti family and a reputation for being tough. Andrea shares the challenging dynamics of her relationship with Fogarty, suspecting him of committing a murder and eventually praying for his arrest as a means to escape the chaos. Andrea’s life takes a sharp turn when Fogarty is caught in a drug deal and subsequently arrested. At this time, her phone is tapped, uncovering conversations about violent threats and debt collection. Both Andrea and her brother are also arrested and charged. However, Fogarty eventually confesses to several murders, spending six years in prison before entering witness protection. During this tumultuous period, Andrea herself provides valuable information to the authorities and is rewarded with a settlement, which enables her to relocate to a small town in Pennsylvania under the protection of DEA agents. Reflecting on her past, Andrea reveals how her upbringing in a neighborhood plagued by poverty and influenced by street guys led her into the mafia lifestyle. Initially attracted to their way of life, she found herself dating and associating with high-profile organized crime figures like John Gotti. Andrea recounts a story where she sought the assistance of respected figure Danny Marino to recover funds that she had put down on a house. This anecdote highlights the deep sense of loyalty and protection within organized crime. However, as Andrea’s life unravels, she becomes increasingly disillusioned with the criminal lifestyle. She loses custody of one of her children and faces threats on her life. Today, she is unafraid to speak out against criminal activities and is determined to turn her life around. Andrea displays a newfound appreciation for integrity, honesty, and a humble life. She encourages others, especially women, to avoid being enticed by bad characters or the allure of quick money, emphasizing the importance of education and making better choices. As the conversation draws to a close, they discuss the consequences faced by those involved in criminal activities, dispelling the misconception that they can avoid prison time. Despite her own struggles and regrets, Andrea is grateful for her past experiences, as they have allowed her to grow and develop a deep understanding of the wrongs inherent in that lifestyle. She expresses appreciation for the support of her listeners and encourages them to engage with her content, as well as explore Andrea’s book, “Divorced from the Mob,” and the Netflix series, “Get Gotti.” Additionally, she highlights resources for individuals dealing with PTSD, substance abuse, and encourages feedback and discussion. Get 50% off order from Factor Foods by using the code gangland50 Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee”

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Was Tony Accardo a Lawyer?

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 09:00:03 +0000

Frank Ragano and Santo Trafficante Jr.

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 09:00:41 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary and Australian contributor Tony Taouk examine the life and career of mob lawyer Frank Ragano. He started defending mafia boss Santo Trafficante Jr.’s Bolita bankers and runners, defended James Hoffa, and advised Carlos Marcello on some matters. One of the most exciting things Frank Ragano claims was that Santo Trafficante Jr. and New Orleans mob chieftain Carlos Marcello ordered the assassination of JFK. He claimed that Santo Trafficante Jr. confessed this to him shortly before his death. More specifically, Trafficante supposedly said he regretted killing John Kennedy and that he should have killed his brother, Robert Kennedy. Tony Taouk is an Australian lawyer and a Mafia researcher who specializes in the subject of mob trials and mob lawyers. He has also traveled to the United States and visited mob-related sites in New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas. Get 50% off order from Factor Foods by using the code gangland50 Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! GARY JENKINS 00:00 Well hey guys back here in the studio gangland wire. This is your intelligence unit detective Gary Jenkins retired former guys. We’re here with Tony toke from Down Under. He is our expert on mob lawyers. We’ve done several in the past. Tony, we did Oscar Goodman last. And what did we do before that? Oh, we did Roy Cohn and today we’re going to do Frank Ragano. And guys, there’s a heck of a book out there Mob Lawyer if you want to know a lot more about them. What we’re going to say about Frank Ragano get this book that he co wrote with a really highly respected well known mob historian Selwyn Rob wrote the Five Families I believe was his quiz, his premier work. And so it’s called Mob Lawyer. So Tony, let’s talk a little bit about how he got started. I was reading the book and it looks like as a young lawyer down in Tampa Ybor City, there’s a lot of numbers racket or boleto going on. And as any young lawyer, he starts taking some of these low level cases, probably in city court, more than likely that’s what it would be here in Kansas City or maybe the lower level the associate Circuit Court taken on some of those and I believe, Santos Trafficante took notice that a man what do you remember about how I got into this business of being a mob lawyer? Tony Taourk 01:26 Well, frankly, Ragano was born in 1923. He grew up poor in Tampa, Florida. His parents were working class Sicilian immigrants. He actually fought in the Second World War and he received a Bronze Star for bravery. After the war, he went to the University of Tampa and Stetson Law School on the GI Bill of Rights. He clerked for the Florida Supreme Court, and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1952. Now, during his stint with the Florida Supreme Court, he attracted the attention of a Pat Whittaker. He was a maverick criminal defense attorney in the Tampa area, who was the go to lawyer for local mobsters. Now, Whitaker took Ragano under his wing and encouraged him to start his own practice and promised to refer him work. He’s big break came in 1954 when Florida mob boss Santo Trafficante and 34 men were arrested on gambling and bribery charges. This was in connection with the whole Bolita operation that you just referred to, I think we didn’t get represented Trafficante, who was quite because Ragano was quite young at this point.

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Frank Ragano Trafficante's Lawyer

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 09:00:03 +0000

NYPD and Corruption

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 17:35:58 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary talks with retired NYPD cop turned-author Vic Ferrari. Vic has written several books depicting his experiences as an NYPD officer and detective. They discuss a recent documentary, Blue Code of Silence, and a narrative movie about the same subject, Prince of the City. Vic and Gary discuss the problems of working with Federal law enforcement when uncovering corruption within a police department. Click here to find Vic Ferrari’s books on Amazon Get 50% off order from Factor Foods by using the code gangland50 Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript Gary Jenkins: [00:41:00] Well, hey guys, Gary Jenkins here, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective. I’m here with my good friend Vic Ferrari, another retired copper out of New York City. Welcome, Viv Ferrari: Vic. Hey, Gary, how you doing today? Thank you for having Gary Jenkins: me on your show. Well, it’s really great to have you back. I love talking to you. Gary Jenkins: You know, it’s kind of like, you know, I sit down with my buddies once a while, about I don’t know, once a week, he’s easily for coffee or we go play golf and we, you know, we ended up telling old war stories. Of course it is. There’s such an ease between coppers and their life, right? Viv Ferrari: We speak the same language. Gary Jenkins: It’s funny. It’s, it’s, it’s a club, I guess. We have our own little club. It’s like the Palma Boys social club that Tony Fat Tony Salerno had, or the Bergen Hunt and Fish Club Ravenite that Gotti Viv Ferrari: had. Yeah. I never saw the rate. Well, I did see the Ravenight years later, the Bergen Hunt and Fish club. I never saw, but the Palmer boys. Viv Ferrari: Yeah. Remember Gary Jenkins: that one, that one. [00:42:00] So anyhow, of course, this, this podcast is mainly about organized crime, but we like to spin off into other things. I’ve got a ton. I’ve got 400 and some organized crime stories out there, probably 375, but I like to spin off and other things. I’d like to give you guys. Kind of a little inside look at police department and police officers, detectives, and how we work with other agencies, particularly the FBI, the U S attorney’s office. Gary Jenkins: Now happened to be watch actually Ken Couture, one of my Facebook guys that helps me administer my administrate my podcast group on Facebook posted a link or a post about a documentary called the Code Blue of silence. It was a, if you remember seeing the movie about the Prince of the city and this NYPD detective, Bob Lucy, who ended up working with us attorney’s office and the FBI and, and exposed a lot of corruption and both [00:43:00] in, in lawyers and bail bondsmen and, and other cops and in the court system in New York city. Gary Jenkins: And I remember watching that movie Prince of the city. Back in the early seventies and it, like it brought it home, you know, working with the U S attorney’s office and Vic and I were talking just before we turned on the recorder here is like, it’s like dealing with a steamroller. If you get in their way, they’re just going to power over you. Gary Jenkins: You got to do exactly what they want. And Bob Leuci found that out. And so I watched this Code Blue of Silence, which by the way, guys, I’d recommend is a really good documentary. I found it on Plax, PLAX.

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NYPD Corruption

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 17:35:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Retired NYPD Detective turned author Vic Ferrari, and Gary explore the captivating story of former Narcotics detective Bob Leuci and his role in the complex dynamics surrounding his collaboration with Federal law enforcement and exposing corruption. We discuss promotions within the NYPD and the challenges of oversight. Vic tells about the unique process of promotions within the department. Additionally, we discuss the availability of Vic's books on the NYPD. For listeners dealing with PTSD or substance abuse, we provide valuable resources.

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Sam Manninaro’s Big Score

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 09:00:42 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary interviews David Rabinovitch, an EMMY-winning investigative journalist and filmmaker, about his uncle Wolf Rabin and his association with Pittsburgh mafia member Sam Mannarino. David wrote a book titled Jukebox Empire: The Mob and the Darkside of the American Dream and told several stories from his book. Sam Mannarino was a prominent La Cosa Nostra figure in Western Pennsylvania when he went into business with Wolf Rabin. Mannarino and his brother, Gabriel “Kelly” Mannarino, controlled gambling and related activities in New Kensington for the Pittsburgh Crime Family. Of interest is that Sam Mannarino also had an interest in the Sans Souci casino in Cuba in the 1950s. This Cuban connection will be instrumental in the laundering of stolen bonds. David tells a story of international crime that stretches from the US to Canada to Cuba and Switzerland. David’s uncle, Wolf Rabin, got into the Jukebox business in the 1930s and developed many organized crime connections. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Get 50% off on your Factor Food order use code gangland50 at checkout Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS, David Rabinovitch GARY JENKINS 00:00 Well welcome all you Wiretappers out there. It’s good to be back here in studio gangland wire. I have a really interesting story. I didn’t remember how I got onto this somewhere on the internet of course. And it was about a man named Wolf Rabin now what a cool name Wolf Rabin. And he got involved with Sam Mannarino, who was a many of you all know is a big time Pittsburgh mafia member and they did a international kind of a crime and then I found there’s a book on it, you know, and then it’s by I believe a relative of south of not Sam Manariono but of Wolf Rabin, and so I have that man here, David Rabinovitch. Thanks a lot for coming on, David. David Rabinovitch 00:41 Nice. Thank you for inviting me Gary was one thing in my family we pronounce to Rabin. GARY JENKINS 00:48 Rabbit work. Okay. All right, a little more Russian, Russian. My grandpa used to say those Russians, David Rabinovitch 00:57 My grandfather left Ukraine GARY JENKINS 01:04 in hell really interesting. David is an Emmy winning documentary filmmaker and has a bunch of stuff out there. So David wants you tell the guys a little bit about your history your boat a few days, if you will. David Rabinovitch 01:19 Know, this is pretty much all I’ve ever done. Since I was a teenager, I had the good fortune to have some wonderful mentors who a bureau chief from Time magazine, who might wind up breaking the ever start. I’m 19 years old. I grew up in Canada. So I worked a lot for media and Broadcasting Corporation, pretty young agent, we the longest producer, on staff and at 21 or 22. So we documentaries, really all over the world. I moved to the the United States 45 years ago and continue doing well. I think one of the most significant films made during my career was a film called Politics of Poison, which was an investigation of the use of chemicals known as Agent Orange. The other kind of major production that I’ll mention is still I’m this is a mini series called Secret Files of the Inquisition. And this is a four part Docudrama, based on files from the Vatican archive other archives in Europe that reveal jus...

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Sam Manninaro's Big Score

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 09:00:03 +0000

Vito Genovese was not a nice man

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 18:10:03 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this short episode, Gary tells a short overview of the feared Mafia boss Vito Genovese. Get 50% off use the code gangland50 when check out at Factor Foods Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here!

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Vito Genovese was not a nice man

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 18:05:07 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this short episode, Gary briefly overviews the feared Mafia boss, Vito Genovese.

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Billy D’Elia and Russell Bufalino

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 09:00:10 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, I speak with author Matt Birkbeck about the life of William “Big Billy” D’Elia, a prominent figure in the mafia. We discuss D’Elia’s role as a negotiator for the mob and his close relationship with Russell Bufalino. The conversation delves into behind-the-scenes dealings, connections to influential individuals, and the complexities of the criminal world. We highlight the scarcity of information about the Russell Bufalino family and the power they held. One fascinating aspect that emerges is Billy’s role as a negotiator for the mob across different industries, including films, music, and politics. We discuss his connections with influential individuals like Nick Civella and Tony Ripe Civella, the nephew who took over the family business. A notable episode involves Billy intervening when Donald Trump wanted Michael Jackson to perform at his casino, ultimately becoming Jackson’s co-manager. The book offers unparalleled insights into the inner workings of organized crime, including behind-the-scenes dealings and Billy’s rise to power within the mob. We uncover Muhammad Ali’s visit to Ted Kennedy on Russell Bufalino’s behalf, showcasing these hidden alliances’ unpredictable nature. The power and respect commanded by Bufalino become evident as we explore anecdotes of his interactions with figures like Frank Sinatra. We also touch on Bufalino’s influence through his connection to the Teamsters Union. We recommend Matt Birkbeck’s book for true crime enthusiasts and provide valuable resources for listeners dealing with PTSD and substance abuse. Get the Book The Life We Chose by Matt Birkbeck. Get 50% off your Factor Foods order – use the code gangland50 when you check out at Factor Foods Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript Introduction of special guest Matt Birkbeck [0:00] Welcome, all you guys back here in the studio Ganglans Wire where I have a special guest today, Matt Birkbeck. He wrote The Life We Chose, and he examines the life of William Big Billy D’Elia. Did I get that right, Matt D’Elia? You got that right. Well, Matt, welcome. I’m really happy to have you on the show. Thanks for having me. And you write a lot about Russell Bufalino and who Big Billy D’Elia came up under. So that’s something that my guys out here really want to know about, because he was such an important mafia member nationally. Bufalino was, and D’Elia, Big Billy, he came up under him. He kind of took over his kind of mantle, it looks to me like, from reading your book. Guys, let me tell you a couple of quotes. You may all know mafia reporter, my favorite mafia reporter and expert, George Anastasia. And he said about The Life We Choose, he said it’s a riveting, extraordinary account of one of the last 20th century goodfellas. And Nicholas Pelleggi, who is the, of course, Las Vegas expert, called it a good read and an unforgettable story. So there’s pretty high praise, Matt, from guys like that. Matt Birkbeck’s other true crime books [1:14] What other true crime books do you have? So this was my, I believe it was my seventh book. So I’ve written about Robert Durst in my first book, A Deadly Secret. [1:25] I wrote two books on a really interesting case involving a girl who was kidnapped as a toddler, called Books for a Beautiful Child and Finding Sharon,

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Billy D'Elia and Russell Bufalino

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 09:00:03 +0000

Jilly Greca – The Man Who Cleared the Way for Donnie Brasco

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 09:00:28 +0000

In this episode of Gangland Wire, Gary Jenkins delves into the story of Donnie Brasco, aka Joe Pistone, and his introduction to the mob through a minor criminal named Jilly Greca. Jilly, whose real name was Angelo J. Greca, was a member of the Colombo family and owned a store in Brooklyn called Acerg that was a front for stolen goods. Jilly and his crew would meet at the store to plan heists and socialize. Donnie Brasco became close with Jilly and started hanging out at the store, discussing scores and sharing stories. Jilly’s crew was involved in stealing from docks, warehouses, and truck lines, with inside connections to dock workers and truck drivers. Donnie, an undercover FBI agent, gained acceptance among the crew and played a role in getting Jilly indicted. Donnie engaged in illegal activities throughout his undercover work but constantly fed information to the FBI. Jilly was later killed, possibly due to the information provided by Donnie. Jilly’s capo, Charlie “Moose” Panarella, was a renowned and feared mafia figure known for torturing and killing a powerful capo named Dominic Mimi Schiallo. Despite Jilly’s lack of earning power, his murder became necessary due to his potential murder charge and the risk he posed to the crew. Moose Panarella was eventually exiled to Las Vegas but was called back periodically by Carmine Persico to carry out murders. The episode concludes with reminders to seek help for PTSD or substance abuse, and recommendations for resources, like Joe Pistone’s book, “Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia.” Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript The Mysterious Jilly Greca – Donnie Brasco’s First Target [0:00] Well, hey guys, Gary Jenkins here, back here in the studio of Gangland Wire, bringing you a story. I’ve been asked several times about Donnie Brasco or Joe Pistone, and how did he really get started? And one guy mentioned that the very first guy was Jilly Greca. As a matter of fact, I think it was a comment on YouTube or email or Facebook. I don’t remember, but he asked about Jilly Greca and a little bit about him and he said this was the very first guy that got Joe Pistone going into the Bonanno family and actually the Colombo family and then the Bonanno family. And, you know, I looked it up. I did all the research I could. There isn’t a lot about this guy. He’s kind of a minor guy who was just your career criminal in New York City back in the 50s and 60s and 70s. Joe Pistone talked about him a little bit, not a lot. I think it was kind of, it was just one more stepping stone on Joe Pistone’s career to fame, which he has done that. Let me tell you what I could find out about him. You know, his real name was Angelo J. Greca. [1:13] And he was born in 1927, which made him, you know, in his 50s and 60s back in those days. He did a stint behind bars in the early 70s. He got arrested in Switzerland on the charges of conspiracy to transport and sell a $100,000 U.S. Treasury note that had been stolen from a New York brokerage firm. Now, the mob used to do that. They’d steal these Treasury notes or these bonds that could be cashed, and they’d take them to Switzerland, and take them to a bank and get loans against them, because then they’d just hold on to it until the loan was finally called years later, because they weren’t making the payments,

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The Real Story of Donnie Brasco and Jilly Greca

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 09:00:03 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings his unique perspective to the Mafia in the real story about Jilly Greca - The man who introduced Joe Pistone, aka Donnie Brasco, into the NY Mob.
Jilly, whose real name was Angelo J. Greca, was a member of the Colombo family and owned a store in Brooklyn called Acerg that was a front for stolen goods. Jilly and his crew would meet at the store to plan heists and socialize. Donnie Brasco became close with Jilly and started hanging out at the store, discussing scores and sharing stories. Jilly's crew was involved in stealing from docks, warehouses, and truck lines, with inside connections to dock workers and truck drivers. Donnie, an undercover FBI agent, gained acceptance among the crew and got Jilly indicted. Donnie engaged in illegal activities throughout his undercover work but constantly fed information to the FBI. Jilly was later killed, possibly due to the information provided by Donnie. Jilly's capo, Charlie Moose Paranella, was a renowned and feared mafia figure known for torturing and killing a powerful capo named Dominic Mimi Schiallo. Despite Jilly's lack of earning power, his murder became necessary due to his potential murder charge and the risk he posed to the crew. Moose Parinella was eventually exiled to Las Vegas but was called back periodically by Carmine Persico to carry out murders. The episode concludes with reminders to seek help for PTSD or substance abuse, recommendations for resources, Joe Pistone's book, "Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia."

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Rochester Mob War

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 09:00:21 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. He welcomes Mafia author Blair Kenny, who lived through the Rochester Mob wars and has written on the battle between the A-Team, the B-Team, and later the C-Team. We explore the rise and fall of Frank Valenti, the boss of the Rochester crime family in the 1960s and 1970s. Valenti ran a tight ship, appointing Samuel Russotti as his second-in-command, Rene Picarreto as his advisor, and five other men as his captains. He assigned them different rackets, such as gambling, extortion, loan sharking, insurance fraud, arson, narcotics, and weapon trafficking. He also orchestrated a series of bombings in 1970 to divert the attention of the authorities from his operations. However, Valenti’s reign was challenged by Russotti, Picarreto, and one of his captains, Salvatore Gingello, who accused him of pocketing money from the family. They also had the support of the Bonanno crime family from New York. Valenti refused to step down, but he lost his most trusted ally and bodyguard, Domenic Chirico, who was shot and killed. Valenti decided to leave Rochester and retire in Phoenix, Arizona, where he was later arrested and convicted of extortion. He died in 2008. After Valenti’s departure, Russotti took over as the boss, with Picarreto and Gingello as his right-hand men. The family seemed stable until January 1977, when they were all arrested and convicted of murdering Vincent Massaro based on fabricated evidence. They received 25 years to life sentences. Thomas Didio became the acting boss but soon faced problems from within and outside the family. So tune in and learn more. To find Blair Kenny’s book, click on The Rochester Mob Wars. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here!

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Rochester Mob War

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. He welcomes Mafia author Blair Kenny, who lived through the Rochester Mob wars and has written on the battle between the A-Team, the B-Team, and later the C-Team. We explore the rise and fall of Frank Valenti, the boss of the Rochester crime family in the 1960s and 1970s. Valenti ran a tight ship, appointing Samuel Russotti as his second-in-command, Rene Picarreto as his advisor, and five other men as his captains. He assigned them different rackets, such as gambling, extortion, loan sharking, insurance fraud, arson, narcotics, and weapon trafficking. He also orchestrated a series of bombings in 1970 to divert the attention of the authorities from his operations. However, Valenti's reign was challenged by Russotti, Picarreto, and one of his captains, Salvatore Gingello, who accused him of pocketing money from the family. They also had the support of the Bonanno crime family from New York. Valenti refused to step down, but he lost his most trusted ally and bodyguard, Domenic Chirico, who was shot and killed. Valenti decided to leave Rochester and retire in Phoenix, Arizona, where he was later arrested and convicted of extortion. He died in 2008. After Valenti's departure, Russotti took over as the boss, with Picarreto and Gingello as his right-hand men. The family seemed stable until January 1977, when they were all arrested and convicted of murdering Vincent Massaro based on fabricated evidence. They received 25 years to life sentences. Thomas Didio became the acting boss but soon faced problems from within and outside the family. So tune in and learn more. To find Blair Kenny's book, click on The Rochester Mob Wars

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John Gotti and Bruce Cutler

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 09:00:29 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary and Tony Taouk discuss the famous mafia attorney Bruce Cutler and his representations of John Gotti. We learn why a judge denied Bruce Cutler the ability to represent Gotti at his last trial. We also learn how Bruce Cutler represented a Chicago Outfit boss after Chicago got permission to hire him from Gotti. Tony Taouk is an Australian lawyer and a Mafia researcher who specializes in the subject of mob trials and mob lawyers. He has also traveled to the United States and visited mob-related sites in New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SPEAKERS Tony Taourk, GARY JENKINS GARY JENKINS 00:00 Well welcome all you Wiretappers. I’m back here in studio Gangland Wire with our good friend from Down Under Tony Taourk. Tony. Welcome. Tony Taourk 00:09 Glad to be here. GARY JENKINS 00:11 All right, Tony. It’s good to have you and I understand that it’s winter down there while it’s summer here. Always seems kinda weird. I’m talking to a dude in Australia sit there in Kansas City. Tony Taourk 00:23 Live Yes. Match up courtesy, GARY JENKINS 00:27 magic of the inner that this morning down there just before you go to work in your office. And it’s evening here just as I’m getting ready to get off. Yeah. Anyhow, so we’re gonna talk about Bruce Cutler, guys. You know, Tony is our expert on mob lawyers. And we’ve done Frank Ragano and Roy Cohn. And we do another one or just those two. Oscar Goodman, Oscar, Oscar Goodman. How could I forget Oscar Goodman, the guy that cross examined me and Oscar Goodman. So we’ve been fun shows are fun stories. And nobody really talks about in these other podcasts out here. I don’t see him talking about the mob lawyers. And they play an important part in Bob history, a huge part in mob history. And somebody policemen always think that they’re part of the mob now Bruce Cutler, he, he may have been he actually was kicked off a case because and I’ll let Tony go into that he knows more about that than I do. But Bruce Cutler it was famous because of John Gotti. And he was and he played the cameras too. And he played doing like an audience in the theater all the time, too. So Tony, tell us a little bit about how Bruce Cutler got his start. Tony Taourk 01:42 Well, Bruce was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1948. So his father was a Police Officer turned lawyer. That sounds familiar. GARY JENKINS 01:50 That’s me. Tony Taourk 01:54 He went to Hamilton College in Brooklyn, poly prep, where he had been an aggressive linesman on the football team and a champion wrestler which kind of explains his pagination civic courtroom style, which I’m gonna go into later. He graduated from Brooklyn Law School in 1974. He worked as a trial attorney with the Brooklyn da from 1974 to 1981. And then he joined private practice with Barry Slotnick. He went towards Barry Slotnick. Now bearish last week’s bearish topics famous small representative representing Bernie gets the vigilante subway shooter in the 1980s is one of the premier criminal defense lawyers in New York. And now, Heartland met John Gotti early 1985 while he was working for Slotnick, and in April 1986, Gotti went on trial for in Brooklyn, on racketeering charges bought by a zealous prosecutor.

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John Gotti and Bruce Cutler

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary and Tony Taouk discuss the famous mafia attorney Bruce Cutler and his representations of John Gotti. We also learn how Cutler represented a Chicago Outfit boss after Chiocago got permission to hire him from Gotti.

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The Outfit and the Chicago Board of Trade

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary interviews Anjay Nagpal, producer and host of the new limited series podcast Brokers, Bagmen, and Moles. Anjay's documentary-style podcast tells the story of corruption at the Chicago Board of Trade. Chicago in the 1980s was a rock and roll economy. And in Chicago, corruption usually pays off. When illegal money is flowing, the Chicago Outfit smells it out. James (Jimmy) Kaulentis was a Chicago Mercantile Exchange trader looked up to by all the up-and-comers on the Board of Exchange. They did not know that Kaulentis was connected to Outfit heavies like Tony Spilotoro, Joe Lombardo, and Joe “The Builder” Andriacchi.

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Scarface Capone v. Dapper Don John Gotti

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 09:00:28 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary and Camillus “Cam” Robinson compare and contrast the lifestyles, management styles, and organizational abilities of Scarface Al Capone and The Dapper Don, John Gotti.Overview Al Capone and John Gotti are two of the most infamous figures in the history of the American Mafia. They both rose to power through their involvement in dealing in contraband, racketeering, murder, gambling, and other crimes. However, they also had notable differences in their personalities, styles, and fates. Here are some points of comparison and contrast between them: Early Years Al Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York 1899, to Italian immigrants from Naples. He dropped out of school at 14 and joined a street gang led by Johnny Torrio, a mentor who later brought him to Chicago. John Gotti was also born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1940 to Italian-American parents with roots in Naples. He also dropped out of school at 16 and became involved in various gangs and criminal activities. Rise to Power Al Capone became the boss of the Chicago Outfit, one of America’s most powerful crime syndicates, after he orchestrated the murder of his rival, Big Jim Colosimo, in 1920. He expanded his empire by eliminating or allying with other gangs, bribing public officials, and controlling all bootlegging activity and other Chicago illicit businesses. John Gotti became the boss of the Gambino crime family, the largest and most influential Mafia group in New York, after he ordered the assassination of his predecessor, Paul Castellano, in 1985. He consolidated his power by promoting loyal associates, intimidating rivals, and cultivating a public image as a charismatic and generous leader. Publicity: Al Capone was known for his flamboyant lifestyle and lavish spending. He wore expensive suits, drove luxury cars, and frequented nightclubs and restaurants. He also donated money to charities and soup kitchens, earning him some popularity among the poor. He was often featured in newspapers and magazines as a celebrity gangster. John Gotti was also fond of dressing well and living large. He frequented social clubs, bars, and casinos, where he mingled with celebrities and politicians. He also enjoyed media attention and often gave interviews or made statements to reporters. He was nicknamed “The Dapper Don” for his style and “The Teflon Don” for his ability to evade prosecution. Downfall Al Capone’s downfall came because of his tax evasion. Despite being suspected of numerous crimes, he was never convicted of anything more severe than contempt of court until 1931, when he was found guilty of failing to pay taxes on his illegal income. He was sentenced to 11 years, where he contracted syphilis and suffered mental deterioration. He was released in 1939 and died in 19471. John Gotti’s downfall came because his underboss, Sammy Gravano, turned government informant and testified against him. After being acquitted in three previous trials, he was convicted of murder and racketeering in 1992. A Court sentenced Gotti to life without parole, where he died of cancer in 2022. It should be noted that no Outfit members testified against Capone, while several Mafia members testified against Gotti. Don’t forget to look at Chicago Swan Song: A Mob Wife’s Story, co-written by Camillus with Lisa Swan, the wife of Frank Calabrese Jr., about her life in the Calabrese Crew. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Veg...

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Scarface Capone v. Dapper Don John Gotti

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary and Camillus "Cam" Robinson compare and contrast the lifestyles, management styles, and organizational abilities of Scarface Al Capone and The Dapper Don, John Gotti.
Overview
Al Capone and John Gotti are two of the most infamous figures in the history of the American Mafia. They both rose to power through their involvement in dealing in contraband, racketeering, murder, gambling, and other crimes. However, they also had notable differences in their personalities, styles, and fates. Here are some points of comparison and contrast between them:
Early Years
Al Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York 1899, to Italian immigrants from Naples. He dropped out of school at 14 and joined a street gang led by Johnny Torrio, a mentor who later brought him to Chicago. John Gotti was also born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1940 to Italian-American parents with roots in Naples. He also dropped out of school at 16 and became involved in various gangs and criminal activities.
Rise to Power
Al Capone became the boss of the Chicago Outfit, one of America's most powerful crime syndicates, after he orchestrated the murder of his rival, Big Jim Colosimo, in 1920. He expanded his empire by eliminating or allying with other gangs, bribing public officials, and controlling all bootlegging activity and other Chicago illicit businesses. John Gotti became the boss of the Gambino crime family, the largest and most influential Mafia group in New York, after he ordered the assassination of his predecessor, Paul Castellano, in 1985. He consolidated his power by promoting loyal associates, intimidating rivals, and cultivating a public image as a charismatic and generous leader.
Publicity: Al Capone was known for his flamboyant lifestyle and lavish spending. He wore expensive suits, drove luxury cars, and frequented nightclubs and restaurants. He also donated money to charities and soup kitchens, earning him some popularity among the poor. He was often featured in newspapers and magazines as a celebrity gangster. John Gotti was also fond of dressing well and living large. He frequented social clubs, bars, and casinos, where he mingled with celebrities and politicians. He also enjoyed media attention and often gave interviews or made statements to reporters. He was nicknamed “The Dapper Don” for his style and “The Teflon Don” for his ability to evade prosecution.
Downfall
Al Capone’s downfall came because of his tax evasion. Despite being suspected of numerous crimes, he was never convicted of anything more severe than contempt of court until 1931, when he was found guilty of failing to pay taxes on his illegal income. He was sentenced to 11 years, where he contracted syphilis and suffered mental deterioration. He was released in 1939 and died in 1947. John Gotti’s downfall came because his underboss, Sammy Gravano, turned government informant and testified against him. After being acquitted in three previous trials, he was convicted of murder and racketeering in 1992. A Court sentenced Gotti to life without parole, where he died of cancer in 2022. It should be noted that no Outfit members testified against Capone, while several Mafia members testified against Gotti.

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The Life and Crimes of Jimmy Chagra – Part 6

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:00:16 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this sixth and final episode of the six-part series documenting the life and crimes of the marijuana smuggler kingpin Jimmy Chagra, Gary tells tells about the trial, imprisonment and death of Jimmy Chagra. Hey all you wiretappers welcome back to the end of Jimmy Chagra. A little recap, Jimmy Chagra was the son of Lebanese immigrants who settled in El Paso after the last Mexican Revolution. His brothers Lee and Joe both became successful Texas criminal attorneys specializing in defending smugglers. Jimmy Chagra makes connections with Colombian marijuana growers and starts exporting shiploads of high grade Colombian weed landing on the East coast. After losing a couple of shiploads, a couple of planes and a pilot, he throws in with another smuggler. This partnership goes south, and the new partner starts informing and setting up Jimmy Chagra. In November 1978 someone ambushes US Attorney James Kerr as he drives away from his El Paso home. Kerr has been on a crusade to put together a conspiracy charging Jimmy and his brother Lee Chagra under the narcotic kingpin laws. In November 1978, someone fires several rounds at James Kerr as he leaves his El Paso home. One month later, A couple of off-duty solders rob Lee Chagra at his law office and murder him. Jimmy Chagra is distraught after the murder of his brother and suspects the Feds may have orchestrated the murder of his brother. He makes some vague threats and names Judge John Wood as the possible man behind the murder of his brother. In March of 1979, 3 months after Lee Chagra’s murder, El Paso cops arrest the suspects. One confesses and shortly after everybody knows this was a run of the mill robbery planned by the uncle of his brother’s landlord who hired a couple of soldiers from nearby Ft. Bliss to do this robbery. No big dastardly federal plot here. But Jimmy has other worries. The Feds have indicted him and many others in his network and he is arrested about the same time. Of course, this case will be heard by Maximum John Wood and prosecuted by James Kerr. The government ensured that Judge Wood will preside over Jimmy’s trial because they indicted him in Midland Texas. Maximum John hears all the criminal cases in the Western District of Texas. Jimmy’s main relief from his grief is the action around the table in Las Vegas. He does not believe the men really confessed to robbing and murdering his brother Lee and suspects a government coverup. He is arraigned in Judge John Wood’s court. The US Attorney removes James Kerr from this prosecution. The new attorney reindicts Jimmy Chagra in El Paso and adds the continuing criminal enterprise and designates him the Kingpin. These charges can result in life in prison. He is out on bond when the Benny Binon hosts a month’s long poker game between Nick the Greek and Johnny Moss. This game will be the inspiration for the World Series of Poker. Las Vegas is hopping. Binon’s Horseshoe is the only casino left that will take Chagra’s crazy giant plays. He would arrive and place 100 K on a blackjack table and demand to risk it on one turn of the cards. Binon claimed later that between the time the court released Jimmy on bond and his trial, the Horseshoe lost 2 million dollars to Jimmy Chagra. Everybody noticed he played as if there were no tomorrow. Jimmy noticing the recent publicly generated for Oscar Goodman, he hired him for his El Paso case. Jimmy’s brother, Joe Chagra, joined Goodman on the defense team. I read that Jimmy really wanted his brother Lee and was distraught about his murder. Joe Chagra filed a motion for Judge Wood to recuse himself because of public remarks made by Wood. It seems he had called this case “The Colombia connection” case and was known to leak derogatory information to the media. A year before, Judge Wood had remarked to Lee Chagra in open court,

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The Life and Crimes of Jimmy Chagra Part 6

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:00:01 +0000

Remo catches Frank Sinatra at Social Club

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:00:48 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Remo Franceschini was a famous mafia-busting NYPD Intelligence officer. This is another story of his vaunted career. Gary tells about how Remo worked on a Lucchese Capo named Big Sam Cavalieri. He installed a hidden microphone inside his social club on Second Avenue between 111th and 112th. Among other tidbits of information, he heard the Lucchese acting boss, Carmine Tramunti, Mr. Grebs, call Jilly Rizzo and invite him to a feast at the social club. He asked Rizzo to bring some of the NY Yankees players who frequented Jilly’s, and Rizzo replied, “Sure, and Franks in town, so I will get him.” Everybody in that world knew he meant Frank Sinatra. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Remember to click on www.BetterHelp.com/gangland for 10% off Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! GARY JENKINS 00:00 Well hey guys, I’m bringing you another story of the well known and hated and feared New York copper Lieutenant Remo Franceschini and nobody hated him more than John Gotti because Gotti knew that Remo focused a lot of manpower on Gotti and a lot of attention on Gotti especially once he ascended to become the boss of the Gambino family after they killed Paulie Castellano. The NYPD intelligence unit was not like the FBI. Now Remo Franceschini’s worked for the NYPD intelligence unit. And they investigated all five families that kind of depending on you know, where what looked fine, what looked interesting what looked possible, or if there was some crime had been committed that had a lot of heat on it. That was maybe a mob connected deal. Then they might focus on a particular guy or particular family, but they didn’t just focus on one family like the Bureau has, you know, the banana squad my friend Doug pencil worked on the banana squad, and they have a separate squad the Gambino squad is separate squad for everyone in the families at that time. Now looking back over remote career, I found a great story about him, exposing the fact that Frank Sinatra was meeting with wiseguys there in New York City. He had put a wire on a phone and installed a hidden mic inside an East Harlem Social Club operated by a Lucchese family Capo named Big Sam Cavalieri. This club was located for you New York listeners the club was located on Second Avenue between 11th and 12th street I don’t have any more info than that Remo put a listening post inside the basement of a low rent apartment a couple of blocks away now that’s why they would do it in New York tap in but find the the line for the phone and put the microphone inside someplace and then run it down and along with the phone lines and up outside up to a pole and then maybe down a pole and then drop it back down into a listening post and they just put one down in the basement of this apartment building and they just go sit in there on on there all by themselves sometimes they’re made they’d have to guys it’s kind of depends on who was available and they may be sitting in there and they may not Remo usually sat on this listening post by himself he’s probably one of those guys this is when he was still a detective he’s probably one of those guys that everybody else was wanting to go shopping or go dog off someplace he would go ahead and keep working.

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Remo catches Frank Sinatra at Social Club

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:00:02 +0000

The Life and Crimes of Jimmy Chagra Part 5

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 09:00:37 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this fifth episode of the six-part series documenting the life and crimes of the marijuana smuggler kingpin Jimmy Chagra, Gary interviews Jason Cavanagh, an expert on Charles Harrelson, and they examine whether or not Jimmy Chagra paid Charles Harrelson to assassinate Federal Judge John H, Wood aka Maximum John. Cavanagh extensively researched Charles Harrelson’s life and relationship with his two sons. One of those sons is the famous actor Woody Harrelson. Jason produced and hosted a 10-episode podcast series titled Son of a Hitman. Transcript SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS, Jason Cavanagh 00:00 Well hey guys, all you Wiretappers out there. Welcome back to the show. You know, I’m back here to studio gangland wire. But I’ve got a famous man here. A guy that that agreed to come on the podcast, Jason Kavanagh. You know, I got on to Jason. I was researching his stories, Jimmy Chagra story and I found this podcast called Son of a Hitman and I listened to it was about Charles Harrelson who was the man who was convicted of murdering Judge John Wood and Jimmy Chadwick was not convicted. He was arrested and accused of paying Charles Harrelson and Jason did a real in-depth. Deep Dive into the life of Charles Harrelson, the hitman who has a great podcast. It’s called Spn of a Hitman. And I highly encourage you to listen to that. Jason, welcome. I really appreciate you coming on the show. Thanks so much for having me. Now working guys find that Son of a Hitman is not on the Apple app. So you explain to him how to find that. 01:00 Sure. So it is you know, we originally produced it for Spotify with Spotify. So it is exclusive to Spotify at the moment. Although actually today, I just spoke to Spotify, we’re going to be getting a wide release where it’s going to be available on all platforms in the near future, probably in a couple of weeks. So at the moment, check it out on Spotify. But yeah, it will be it will be wide very soon. 01:23 Okay. And by the time this is released, guys, just look out look for set of the Hitman on whatever podcast app you’ve gotten, you’re gonna be able to find it. So I looked at this story. And it’s a story that just keeps on givin this Jimmy chakra and his whole marijuana smuggling operation as we’ve already had a couple of episodes, three episodes by now. And it’s just, it’s the most complex, interesting. And he is the most complex and interesting guy and story that I have done that I can find so much information about to it’s just, it’s amazing. And I want to go in on a deep dive on Charles Harrelson with Jason because he is the expert on Charles Harrelson. And as you all know, he is the father of Woody Harrelson, the actor. And as I understand and what he’s not really crazy about anybody doing that there’s no movies about this. I don’t know if you’ve noticed that guys, but there’s no movies about this. And I don’t know if there ever will be. Jason, you know, we talked a little bit before in Harrelson goes back into South Texas, Texas roots and he was a Texas criminal for sure. From day one. Tell us a little bit about that first murder. I think that that Berg murder, the first 02:39 murder that Charles Harrelson was charged with was Alan Berg. He was a carpet salesman in Houston, Texas. I was introduced to the story of Charles, you know, based on the rumors, you know, he claimed that he had been involved in the JFK assassination. So that was how I, like entered into the story in the first place began looking at it then of course, the judge would murder. The assassination of a federal judge in 79 is huge news. But then when you you know, you start doing research looking back further, right, he killed this carpet salesman, whether it’s the first murder he committed, I don’t know. It’s the first murder he was charged with. He was found not guilty for this murder.

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The Life and Crimes of Jimmy Chagra Part 5

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Angelo LaPietra Extorts Two Million Dollars

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary and James Cosenza from the Chicago Mob Trials YT channel discuss how Angelo LaPietra extorted two Million dollars from a prominent Chicago real estate businessman named Victor Cacciatore. In the famous Family Secrets trial, Cacciatore testified against the notorious Chicago organized crime syndicate known as The Outfit. He told about how the Chinatown Crew boss; Angelo LaPietra extorted two million dollars from him. Nick Calabrese also testified that he was the person who made the actual threats. Victor Cacciatore was a prominent Chicago businessman, lawyer, and banker who died in 2014. He was also a victim of extortion by the Chicago Outfit, a notorious organized crime syndicate that dominated the city for decades. He told how he kept getting threats from two men asking for money, and later, he found dead rats in his car and other similar threatening behavior. Cacciatore visited Angelo LaPietra, the boss of the Chinatown crew, and asked for help. He didn’t realize that this man, the feared Angelo LaPietra, was behind these threats. This Family Secrets trial was a landmark federal prosecution that exposed the inner workings and crimes of the Outfit. Victor Cacciatore was not a member of the Chicago mafia but rather a successful entrepreneur who faced threats and violence from them. He was also a philanthropist who supported various causes and institutions in the Italian. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Remember to click on www.BetterHelp.com/gangland for 10% off Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript GARY JENKINS 00:00 Well welcome all you Wiretappers here in Kansas City and my studio Gangland Wire. It’s a very stormy day. We had a hell of a storm last night. I had to go out in the balcony and pick everything up this morning blew plants over. It was crazy last night here in the middle of a Midwestern summer. But speaking of the Midwest, I have as you can see, on your screen, I have James Cosenza of the Chicago mob trials YouTube page. So I’m saying that slow so you can write that down. James Cosenza COSENZA. And it’s the Chicago mob trials YouTube page. Welcome, Jim. I really am happy to have you back on here. Pleasure to be here. Gary. Good to see you. Tell the guys a little bit about your YouTube page. What they’re gonna see on it. Okay, my, James Cosenza 00:50 my YouTube channel is Chicago mob trials by JCosenza. And basically, it’s an insight, a perspective from a court buffs view. Back in the 90s to the early 2000s. I attended 25 plus major federal trials downtown Chicago. So my little YouTube stories are basically an insight from what it was like being an observer at some of these large trials. So basically, I’m just talking about all the major federal trials that I went to in one thing I wanted to point out is all these trials are open to the public. Any one of us can go at any time. And I highly recommend if there is a trial in your area in your city, by all means go check it out. It’s pretty interesting. GARY JENKINS 01:45 Yeah, I wish I had done a bunch of ours back in the day, but I don’t know I just, you know, you just forget about it. You don’t think about it, and all of a sudden it’s gone. It’s here and it’s gone. I could have attended all those Skim trials.

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Angelo LaPietra Extorts Two Million

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Victor Cacciatore was a prominent Chicago businessman, lawyer, and banker who died in 2014. He was also a victim of extortion by the Chicago Outfit, a notorious organized crime syndicate that dominated the city for decades. Cacciatore testified against several mobsters in the “Family Secrets” trial. He told how he kept getting threats from two men asking for money, and later, he found dead rats in his car and other similar threatening behavior. Cacchitore visited the boss of the Chiocatown crew and asked for help. He didn't realize that this man, the feared Angelo LaPietra, was behind these threats. This Family Secrets trial was a landmark federal prosecution that exposed the inner workings and crimes of the Outfit. Victor Cacciatore was not a member of the Chicago mafia but rather a successful entrepreneur who faced threats and violence from them. He was also a philanthropist who supported various causes and institutions in the Italian.

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The Life and Crimes of Jimmy Chagra Part 4

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 09:00:16 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this second episode of the six-part series documenting the life and crimes of the marijuana smuggler kingpin Jimmy Chagra, Gary tells tells about the life and death of Lee Chagra, Jimmy Chagra’s brother and lawyer. But first we learn about the attempted murder of the Chagras’ nemesis, Assistant U.S. Attorney James Kerr and shortly after someone murders Lee Chagra. Hey Wiretappers, welcome to the ongoing series on the shenanigans of the El Paso drug smuggler Jimmy Chagra. By now as a little recap, Jimmy Chagra was born to Lebanese immigrants in El Paso Texas. He started his life working at his parent carpet store. Kind of a cliché, a Lebanese rug merchant. His two brothers, Lee and Joe Chagra become well respected and almost famous drug lawyers. As best as I can tell, neither of them became involved in the drug smuggling ventures of Jimmy. But Lee was a flamboyant degenerate gambler, and he ran though a lot of dirty money from other smugglers. Lee’s main nemesis was a Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney or AUSA named James Kerr. The Judge he practiced in front of was John “Maximum John” Wood. Jimmy has earned millions from his ventures smuggling high grade Colombian marijuana up the Atlantic Coast to New England where they off-loaded into a safe house and distributed it throughout the United States. He had a bad year in 1977 where he lost two airplanes and a lot of dope. He threw in with another smuggler and made an enemy. Fellow smuggler Henry Wallace ended that year working with the DEA to make a case on Jimmy Chagra. The Federal law enforcements in the southwest circling around the Chagra enterprise. James Kerr had been a young Department of Justice attorney how had written the continuing criminal enterprise section of the 1970 Drug Control Act. The Department of Justice moved him to El Paso to prosecute these drug conspiracies and he found a friend in Judge William Wood. Some lawyers would even later say they thought the two were too friendly and often saw them socializing together away from work. They both hated drug dealers and were on a warpath to rid the country of this scourge. James Kerr learned that Lee had been charged in Tennessee for a conspiracy to distribute marijuana after he had defended a local smuggler. The Tennessee court quickly dismissed this charge after Lee asked for the production of evidence and got a hearing. The only evidence of Lee Chagra’s involvement was the unsubstantiated word of one defendant about a meeting at Chagra’s law office. Kerr was looking at the entire Chagra family as part of a conspiracy, so he traveled back to Tennessee to review this case. He was convinced that Lee Chagra was the actual brains behind his brother, Jimmy, Jack Stricklin who was involved in the Ardmore bust, and others. He pulled a little-known section from the 1970 Drug Control act that gave a road map how to prosecute a drug organization as a Continuing Criminal Enterprise with a special sentence for the person deemed as the Kingpin. That is what they used on my friend Steven St. John to get him 12 years. He was offered many chances to talk, and he refused. The US Attorney called a special grand jury to investigate this conspiracy and the Chagra’s knew that the government was declaring war on them. James Kerr would not finish what he started. On November 21, 1978 AUSA James Kerr was driving his one luxury he permitted himself, a Lincoln Continental. A series of gunshots ran out from a van causing him to dive down onto the floorboard. When he peered out, he could see nobody. Responding El Paso cops find his car had been riddled with .30 cal. bullets and buckshot but none of them struck Kerr. A AUSA like Kerr could have many enemies and the FBI and local cops asked informants and did an area canvass and came up empty, except for a possible suspect van. On December 28, just 37 days later,

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The Life and Crimes of Jimmy Chagra Part 4

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this second episode of the six-part series documenting the life and crimes of the marijuana smuggler kingpin Jimmy Chagra, Gary tells about the life and death of Lee Chagra, Jimmy Chagra's brother and lawyer. But first, we learn about the attempted murder of the Chagras' nemesis, Assistant U.S. Attorney James Kerr, and shortly after, someone murders Lee Chagra.

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Carlos Lehder Cartel Kingpin

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 09:00:19 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary interviews true crime author Ron Chepesiuk about an upcoming series on VIX TV he helped write. Ron is a well-known and prolific author and expert on the South American cocaine cartels. In this episode, we discuss Carlos Lehder. We learn that Lehder began his criminal career stealing cars and making small sales of marijuana. He met the famous cocaine smuggler (see Blow with Johnny Depp) George Jung in prison. In the film Blow, Carlos connected Jung with Pablo Escobar, and together these two men brought thousands and thousands of cocaine kilos into the United States. They were the first to use airplanes that flew directly from the Colombian jungles to Norman Key in the Bahamas. These men sent planes or boats to Florida from their own private island. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Remember to click on www.BetterHelp.com/gangland for 10% off Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here!

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Carlos Lehder Cartel Kingpin

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 09:00:03 +0000

The Life and Crimes of Jimmy Chagra Part 3

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 09:00:20 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. We last heard the inside story of the enormous Folly Cove marijuana smuggling operation. Gary continues this six-part series in Part 3 where he tells several harrowing stories of Chagra’s bold marijuana smuggling capers. In the Fall of 1976, we can see the beginning of the end for Jimmy Chagra. At that time, Jimmy made friends with two Las Vegas-based private pilots that often flew him to Vegas on gambling junkets. He recruited Jerry Wilson and Dick Joyce pilots to help fly in loads. Wilson will go on to invent and become fabulously wealthy from inventing the Soloflex. Chagra recruited these two pilots to fly Colombian weed from the Cayman Islands. They were both private pilots in Las Vegas, and Jimmy had used their air service when he flew back and forth between El Paso and Las Vegas on gambling junkets. By 1976, Jerry Wilson was flying a DC-4 and Dick Joyce a Cessna 310. The DEA had put trackers on other planes used by these men, but not the new DC-4 and Cessna. In December 1976, DEA and Customs had information Chagra was expecting shipments from Colombia, and they were probably going to a rural area around Ardmore, Oklahoma. This is a middle size town about halfway between Ok City and Dallas Ft. Worth. On December 30, 1976, Dick Joyce landed his Cessna 310 in New Orleans, told Customs he was coming in from the Cayman Islands, and headed to Ok City. Agents found no drugs on this plane. They alerted DEA and an army of DEA and Customs agents, and the Air Controllers went on the alert as Joyce took off. They tracked him as he headed north through Texas. At about the same time, other air traffic controllers had a request from a DC-4 for a place in Texas to refuel. A DC 4 is a huge plane with 4 propeller-driven engines. The pilot claimed he was carrying Radioactive waste. Th DC-4 landed, refueled, and took off again before anyone could get there. Next, Ft. Worth air controllers saw blips for two planes traveling parallel heading north. One was a DC-4, and the other was Dick Joyce in his Cessna 310. Customs and the DEA were all over this. Joyce and Wilson were using a known scam called the piggyback formation. A plane with a known destination would fly close to the plane carrying the contraband to appear as one plane. When they reached the destination, the aircraft with the narcotics drops down quickly while the other empty plane continued the planned route. It was New Year’s Eve, but the DEA assembled a large ground crew who drove to Ardmore, OK, and alerted the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigations. This combined force blasted in the early morning hours toward Ardmore. The DC-4 lost one engine, and for unknown reasons, both planes landed at a small airport just south of Ardmore. This gave the agents the exact location. When they arrived, the cops stopped 4 U-Haul trucks and drivers with the marijuana. They caught the pilots and two others driving away from the scene in rental cars. The authorities arrested ten men and recovered 17,000 lbs of pot in 276 burlap bags. The searches on the U-Haul trucks were shaky, and they would have difficulty linking the pilots with the planes. They missed Jimmy Chagra at the scene. Jimmy’s brother, Lee Chagra, will coordinate the legal defense. Before the El Paso 10 trial, as they became known, another unfortunate event occurred in Colombia. The Colombians fronted the load lost at Ardmore, and Jimmy had to make good. The Colombian supplier was Lionel Gomez, who operated out of Santa Marta, Colombia. This small city on the northeast coast is one of the points nearest to the Caymans and other Caribbean Islands. Chagra sent one of the Ardmore defendants, Jerry Wilson, and another pilot down to get another load. This plane was overloaded, and they crashed on takeoff. Wilson was injured but not badly, while the co-pilot burned over 70% of his body and was taken to a local clinic.

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The Life and Crimes of Jimmy Chagra Part 3

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 09:00:03 +0000

Working with DEA Agents Bonus epsiode

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 09:00:54 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this short bonus episode, Gary tells about his experiences working with the agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Listen to the end and hear a short trailer from a new podcast series titled Betrayal on the Bayou. Gary encourages you to check this new series out and listen by clicking here in BETRAYAL ON THE BAYOU. Support the Podcast Venmo @ganglandwire Donate at Gangland Wire

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Working with the DEA

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this short bonus episode, Gary tells about his experiences working with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents. Listen to the end and hear a short trailer from a new podcast series titled Betrayal on the Bayou. Gary encourages you to check this new series out and listen by clicking here in BETRAYAL ON THE BAYOU.
Support the Podcast
Venmo @ganglandwire
Donate at Gangland Wire

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The Life and Crimes of Jimmy Chagra Part 2

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 09:00:35 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this second episode of the six-part series documenting the life and crimes of the marijuana smuggler kingpin Jimmy Chagra, Gary interviews one of Chagra’s low-level smugglers. Kermit Schweidel tells about the famous Folly Cove operation. In this famous operation, Jimmy Chagra partners with two other El Paso smugglers, and they orchestrate an entire sea-gong freighter load of Colombian marijuana. After an adventurous trip up the Atlantic Coast, they arrive off the Massachuttas coast at Folly Cove. Here Kermit Schweidel and others off-load the post and distribute it to hiding spots throughout the United States. Click here to buy Folly Cove: A Smuggler’s True Tale of the Pot Rebellion written by my guest Kermit Schweidel. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Remember to click on www.BetterHelp.com/gangland for 10% off Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS, Kim Schwiedel Kim Schwiedel 00:00 Well, of course everybody started out using it, smoking it and liking it. The whole trick was, hey, I can I can buy half a pound or a pound or a kilo. I can break this down and sell it to my friends and then I can smoke for free. That’s probably how 90% of the people that were in it started. Just wanted some good good old free pot, our geographic location on the border being what it was. It was very tempting to take that pound and turn it into five pounds or 10 pounds and the border was wide open. GARY JENKINS 00:38 Welcome while you Wiretappers out there. Back here in the studio Gangland Wire. I have a most interesting show today. Kim Schweidel I pronounced that right Kim? Yes, sir. Well, thanks a lot Kim. You know, guys, I’ve started down a path. You know, I like to do stories and take deep dives on the things and into the eggs that I started looking at this whole you know, the killing of Judge woods and by Woody Harrelson, his dad, Charles Harrelson and the Jimmy Chagra thing. And so I started looking at this guy named Jimmy Chagra and he was as he was Lebanese heritage out of El Paso, and he was supposedly this huge drug smuggler, and then I find out he has this whole life up in Las Vegas. And he’s, he’s spending millions and millions of dollars gambling in Las Vegas, I thought this is a heck of a story. And I got into it. I was noodling around on the internet and, and he’s supposedly Jimmy and his brother Lee had something to do with it may we’ll find out today. They made some huge score, bringing really a high quality Colombian pot from Colombia and a freighter of some kind, semi big ship, one of the early examples of this kind of smuggling in the narcotics business, clear up to Boston. And then the mothership has the little baby ships that bring it on to the shore, and they hide it up in Boston and then go from there. That was it was a big deal. And I found Kim here who wrote a book on that was part of that. So Kim, welcome. I really appreciate you coming on the show. Well, thank Kim Schwiedel 02:19 you, Gary. It’s nice to be here. GARY JENKINS 02:21 So can you tell us the name of your book and show that show that to us? Kim Schwiedel 02:25 That’s the book Folly Cove A Smuggler’s Tale of the Pot Rebellion. And it really it really kind of takes place in the in the y...

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The Life and Crimes of Jimmy Chagra Part 2

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 09:00:02 +0000

The Dallas Mafia Family

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 09:00:03 +0000

The Dallas Mafia Family – Bonus Episode

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 09:00:01 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary gives an overview of the La Cosa Nostra in Dallas, Texas. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Remember to click on www.BetterHelp.com/gangland for 10% off Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript GARY JENKINS 00:00 Well welcome all you Wiretappers out there back here in studio Gangland Wire. As you can see, I don’t know why I say that each time. I’m going to look at the Dallas family now. Dallas. It was part of the Midwest families of those Dallas was they weren’t really connected to Kansas City or Chicago. They were more connected if anybody to Carlos Marcello down in New Orleans, you know southern people. There’s a little bit of action down in Houston and a regular family in Dallas, the first man who be like The Godfather, shall we say the first one from Sicily was a Carlo Paraino to Carlo Paranio came to the United States from Sicily in 1901, with his brother Joseph who will work with him and become his underboss. As he formed a family. They first settled in Shreveport, Louisiana, which is real close to Dallas. I don’t know if you know how close that is, but it’s real close. He began the Dallas faction in 1921, with Joseph as his underboss he will be described as mob historians look back as the original head of the mafia in Texas. Carlo Piraino was born in Corleone, Sicily in 1876. At the same hometown as one of the early New York bosses Giuseppe Morello. He married Carlo Pariano married an 18 year old Italian girl in 1903. They had a son, Angelo and 1904. By the time Carlo and his brother Joseph moved to Dallas. It was probably 1905 Six after Angela was born. The April 1910 census says that the family lived temporarily at 7744 Main Street in Dallas. That household had Carlo and Clemencia, which would be the young 18 year old girl from Sicily that he married his son Angelo, and his brother Joseph Piraino, when his bride Lina Carlo ran a real estate business out of his house and Joseph worked as a grocery salesman, supposedly, Joseph wouldn’t really settled in Texas, he moved back to Louisiana for a while. And then by 1914 or 15, he and his family came back to Dallas. Prohibition takes off and of course, they start getting into that and bootlegging and running speakeasies and, and organizing all that all the way up to the Midwest, everybody did throughout the whole United States. You know, that’s the mother’s milk for the mafia throughout the whole United States. So the National Crime Syndicate as we began to know what to buy the 80s and 90s was formed out of prohibition, Carlo dies of natural causes in 1930. And Joseph takes over the family and becomes a boss. He owned a lot of bars and gambling operations, of course, and some labor rackets in construction business and which has begun in Dallas over the years has underboss was Joseph Civello. Joseph Civello was born in 1902. And he was a native born he was born in West West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. And Baton Rouge is even closer to New Orleans and really almost part of New Orleans. So definitely connections back to the New Orleans family. His father was a farm laborer and came to the United States around 1900 and had a whole bunch of brothers and sisters and Joseph Civello. His father, turnips Abello,

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The Life and Crimes of Jimmy Chagra Part 1

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 09:00:24 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary Starts a six-part series documenting the life and crimes of the marijuana smuggler kingpin Jimmy Chagra. In this first episode, Gary starts a story that will eventually end with the 1979 murder of Texas Western District Court of Texas Judge John Wood, aka Maximum John. This investigation became the FBI’s most expensive operation since the JFK assassination. The Bureau collected 500,000 pieces of information, conducted 30,000 interviews, and had hundreds of hours of recorded conversations. In the end, the government convicted Woody Harrelson’s father, Charles Harrelson, of being the trigger puller, Harrelson’s wife for obtaining the murder weapon, a lawyer named Joe Chagra for conspiracy, and Elizabeth Chagra, the wife of marijuana smuggler Jimmy Chagra for delivering the payment to the wife of the hitman, Harrelson. The government charged the mastermind behind this plot, a marijuana smuggler named Jimmy Chagra. Jimmy Chagra hired famous Las Vegas mob lawyer Oscar Goodman, and in Goodman’s biggest win ever, the jury found him not guilty. Folks, get ready for a ride because I am taking you down many twists and turns through the seamy underbelly of the southwest Texas underworld. To give you an idea of where we are going, let’s start back to the 1960s. The 1960s counterculture demanded Marijuana, and the descendant of a Lebanese Immigrant started smuggling marijuana and made millions. His brothers, Joe and Lee Chagra went to law school and practiced criminal law in El Paso. Lee Chagra became the go-to lawyer for drug smugglers along the border. Richard Nixon started the war on drugs. An attorney named James Kerr went from private practice into the U.S. attorney’s office, and he is assigned to a court overseen by a hanging judge named John Wood, aka Maximum John, because of the draconian sentence he hands down. Jimmy Chagra is bubbling to the top of the DEA hit list because of his larger-than-life persona and gambling habits in Las Vegas. A tip to all you big-time criminals, keep a low profile. This story contains the attempted murder of AUSA James Kerr outside his home, the murder of Lee Chagra shortly after, the arrest of Jimmy Chagra, and the murder of Judge John Wood. The investigation of these events was the most extensive and expensive FBI investigation since the JFK case in 1963. They will conduct over 30,000 interviews, gather 5000,000 pieces of information, and record hundreds of hours on hidden microphones and wiretaps. I will start with El Paso because that city is just as much a character in this story as the individuals. El Paso has long had the reputation as a wild west kind of town. El Paso earned this reputation over its long checkered history. It is an old town, and the Spanish built a mission here in 1659. El Paso del Rio Grande del Norte, or the Pass of the Great River of the North, became an important trading center on the south bank and will be renamed Ciudad Juarez. After Sam Houston and other settlers fought off Mexican troops, they formed the nation of Texas. Missouri merchants split off from the Sana Fe trail to carry trade goods to Juarez and south to Chihuahua City. Smugglers, bounty hunters for Comanche and Apache scalps, gamblers, and adventurers found a home in El Paso. Of all the old west cities, only El Paso maintains the reputation of being a wild city in modern times. At one time, the Director of U.S. Customs said that if he stopped all smuggling through El Paso, the economy of both sides of the border would collapse. DEA made El Paso the center of all their nationwide intelligence gathering about the international narcotics smuggling trade. The 1970s Drug scene During the 1970s, under President Richard Nixon, the United States started the never-ending war on drugs and promoted draconian laws to deal with drug organizations called Kingpin laws.

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The Life and Crimes of Jimmy Chagra Part 1

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Tony Accardo Impersonates a Lawyer

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 09:00:04 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. During the 1940s, an Outfit turncoat named Willie Bioff implicated all the Outfit’s higher echelon in an extortion scheme. They had infiltrated labor unions connected to the film business and started extorting money from Major Motion Picture Studios. After they went to prison, Anthony Accardo was left. Paul Ricca had a plan to run the Outfit through Accardo. Listen to hear that plan. This episode was brought to you by BetterHelp Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here!

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Accardo Impersonates a Lawyer!

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Diary of a Chicago Mob Wife

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 09:00:28 +0000

Retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins interviews former Mob Wife, Lisa Calabrese Swan, about her life with Frank Calabrese Jr. and the Calabrese family. Lisa takes the listener from her first days meeting a young, exciting, handsome man named Frankie Calabrese. She did not know or even understand what his family was all about. She describes the gradual realizations she experienced as she saw Frank Calabrese Jr. becoming more involved in the Outfit life as he descended into an addiction to cocaine. She stuck by him like any good Outfit wife until she could not handle the stress. Losa Swan found life as a Mob Wife to be anything but glamorous and exciting. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Get the book by Lisa Swan by clicking on the title, Chicago Swan Song. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Remember to click on www.BetterHelp.com/gangland for 10% off Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS, Lisa Swan 00:00 My husband was dealing cocaine and using cocaine and I would find bags of cocaine in his closet in his drawers, and I was totally against drugs. And I would just dump everything in the toilet 1000s of dollars of cocaine in the toilet. And it was something that didn’t belong to him or he was selling for somebody else. And any time I looked, I found it. And I made sure I got rid of it. Yeah, I think was he was gone for a weekend, or he didn’t come home one night. So I packed all this stuff and put it on the front steps. And when his friend went to drop him off, he goes, is that a suitcase and Frank is like, yeah, keep going. 00:40 Welcome all you wiretappers, good to have you back here in the studio. And as you can see, if you’re on YouTube, I have two special guests. Now one of them. You guys all know cam Camillus Robinson and the other you may not know, but you may know something about her ex husband, Frank Calabrese Jr. And her name is Lisa Swan. And Lisa and my friend cam have partnered up to write a book about her life with a mob I believe it’s called and married with a mob what’s the name of it? Chicago Swan Song: a mob Wife’s Story. Been through a couple iterations of the title but but that one really sort of summed up Lisa’s story. Chicago Swan Song: A Mob Wire’s Story. Okay, great. Well, welcome. They said they really had anxious to get your story. Thanks, Gary. How did you guys first get together? Me and Cam are me and Frank, where are you? and Cam first? How did you? 01:35 So um, my ex husband and I are very, very close. We’re best friends. And he suggested that I do a do a interview with the guys. And I had a lot of fun. It was very cathartic to talk about stuff and throw in a little humor. And then I talked to Ken because he wanted to do another spot. And I said, Hey, can we can we write a book? Can we do something with it? Listen, go bigger. And he’s like, I was gonna ask you the same question. Cool. So the rest was history. And I did a lot of zoom calls from where I worked, because I work a lot. And we we plugged through and got it done. Good. The second question would be you and Frank Calabrese Jr. How did you guys get together? Do you guys go to high school together your high school sweetheart? Or will your older? No, we lived in the neighborhoods next to each other. So I was in Galewood,

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Diary of a Chicago Mob Wife

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins interviews Lisa Calabrese Swan about her life with Frank Calabrese Jr. and the Calabrese family. Lisa takes the listener from her first days meeting a young, exciting, handsome man named Frankie Calabrese. She did not know or even understand what his family was all about. She describes the gradual realizations she experienced as she saw Frank Calabrese Jr. becoming more involved in the Outfit life as he descended into an addiction to cocaine. She stuck by him like any good Outfit wife until she could not handle the stress. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week.
Get the book by Lisa Swan by clicking on the title, Chicago Swan Song.
BetterHelp sponsors this Episode. Click here to get 10% off!
Support the Podcast
Venmo me @ganglandwire
Donate at Gangland Wire

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Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

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David Berman – From Capone to Bugsy Seigel

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 09:00:59 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. David Berman was a Jewish-American organized crime figure active in Sioux City, Iowa, the Twin Cities, and the Las Vegas Strip. He was a casino gambling pioneer in Las Vegas, a partner with mobster Bugsy Siegel at the Flamingo Hotel. Berman died in 1957 during surgery. Berman began his criminal career at 13 by running a crew of teenage thugs committing petty extortions and eventually a string of illegal distilleries. He then went on to supplement his earnings by also running his own armed robbing crew. Later after a time in the Twin Cities and serving in WW II, Berman moved his crew to the Las Vegas strip and operated there in concert with Genovese Family associates Bugsy Siegel, Dutch Goldberg, and Moe Sedway. According to journalists Ed Reid and Ovid Demaris, Berman was involved in the mob’s investigation into Siegel and the missing profits of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. Both journalists further allege that Berman “had talked to Benny many times about it, warning him that if the matter was not settled soon, he was going to find himself minus a head.” Twenty minutes after the 1947 assassination of Bugsy Siegel in Beverly Hills, California, Gus Greenbaum, Moe Sedway, and David Berman walked into the lobby of the Flamingo and announced that they were in charge. This episode was brought to you by BetterHelp Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here!

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Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

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David Berman - From Capone to Bugsy Seigel

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. David Berman was a Jewish-American organized crime figure active in Sioux City, Iowa, the Twin Cities, and the Las Vegas Strip. He was a casino gambling pioneer in Las Vegas, a partner with mobster Bugsy Siegel at the Flamingo Hotel. Berman died in 1957 during surgery. Berman began his criminal career at 13 by running a crew of teenage thugs committing petty extortions and eventually a string of illegal distilleries. He then went on to supplement his earnings by also running his own armed robbing crew. Later after a time in the Twin Cities and serving in WW II, Berman moved his crew to the Las Vegas strip and operated there in concert with Genovese Family associates Bugsy Siegel, Dutch Goldberg, and Moe Sedway. According to journalists Ed Reid and Ovid Demaris, Berman was involved in the mob’s investigation into Siegel and the missing profits of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. Both journalists further allege that Berman “had talked to Benny many times about it, warning him that if the matter was not settled soon, he was going to find himself minus a head.” Twenty minutes after the 1947 assassination of Bugsy Siegel in Beverly Hills, California, Gus Greenbaum, Moe Sedway, and David Berman walked into the lobby of the Flamingo and announced that they were in charge.

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But me a Cup of Coffee

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Bad Henry with Ron Chepesiuk – Bonus Episode

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 09:00:11 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you a little different show today. He interviews well-known true-crime author Ron Chepesiuk about his latest book. In Bad Henry, Ron strays from his usual topic of organized crime, drug cartels, and cocaine smuggling to the work of serial killers. Click here to find a copy of Bad Henry. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Remember to click on www.BetterHelp.com/gangland for 10% off Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here!

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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Bad Henry with Ron Chepesiuk

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 09:00:03 +0000

Frank Costello – The Underworld’s Prime Minister

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 16:48:22 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary interviews author Ronald Fried about his book on Frank Costello. Mr. Fried researched Costello and crafted a novel using actual situations and Costello’s exact language taken from newspapers, court proceedings, and transcripts from the famous Kefauver hearings. He tells how Frank Costello helped the Mafia transition from bootlegging during Prohibition into the 1930s and showed them how to transfer the organization into interstate gambling. Some of the stories he learned were how Costello ensured his slot machines had a step stool for kids to reach the coin slot. We learn how Costello was such a serious gambler that he would drink water and challenge other men to see who could urinate for the longest time. He won every time. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Remember to click on www.BetterHelp.com/gangland for 10% off Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes, click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript GARY JENKINS 00:00 But welcome all you Wiretappers out there back here in the studio of gangland wire in the studio with me and Ron Fried. Right. Okay, Fried has written a book about the Prime Minister of the underworld. And he was an immensely important man in that transition from the old mustache Pete days on into the modern crime syndicate. He was kind of the, I’d say the brains behind Lucky Luciano, in my opinion. But anyhow, rod has written a book about the Prime Minister of the underworld. So rod, welcome. Ronald Fried 00:33 Thanks a lot. Thanks for having me. GARY JENKINS 00:35 So tell me, I know this is a novel, it’s a novelized form, but it’s based on facts. Right? How did you go about, you know, how do you go about doing that? Transport, translating facts into the novelization form? Ronald Fried 00:51 Well, one of the things that I noticed I worked on a TV show about the history of organized crime, about founding of the New York Mafia, what I noticed is that a lot of the mistakes historical errors or rumors or myths, or plain old nonsense, from One Book To the next book to the next book get repeated, repeated, repeated. So I thought it was really hard to get at the truth, for a number of reasons. One is that it’s not as though like the History Department at Harvard University of study, this is exactly what happened. The other the other problem is that all the people who were there when these events unfolded, were actually criminals, right? And one thing we know about criminals is they lie a lot, right? They do not tell the truth. And they make up stories, and they’re very self aggrandizing. When you’re dealing with the history of organized crime, particularly those sort of mythical days of the 20s 30s 40s, and 50s, is there’s a lot of exaggeration, a lot of lies, there’s a lot of nonsense people want to believe things that simply aren’t true. So I thought that a novel would be would be one way to try to get at the truth. However, I wanted it to be historically accurate. So what I did was, I wrote a novel in which everything that Frank Costello said is, on the record, he actually said, so what he said in court, what he said in interviews, and what he said in the keep over hearings, televised congressional hearings about organized crime in America. That’s all those are actually his words. He gave interviews,

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Frank Costello - The Underworld's Prime Minister

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:02 +0000

NYPD: Stories from Vic Ferrari

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 09:50:16 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary interviewed author and retired NYPD Detective Vic Ferrari. Gary and Vic exchange several stories from the streets. Vic starts with a brush with an NYPD Internal Affairs investigation that connects directly to the new podcast, The Set: The Story of the Dirty 30. Vic describes how his father worked as a butcher in a Mob-owned meat locker. Vic tells about other confrontations with the New York Mafia before becoming a cop. Click here to find Vic’s books.Click here to find Vic’s new podcast. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Remember to click on www.BetterHelp.com/gangland for 10% off Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here!

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NYPD Blue with Vic Ferrari

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 09:00:02 +0000

From Luciano to Scarpa

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 09:00:54 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary interviews fellow podcaster Adrien Martinez from Invest in Yourself and A Lifetime of Mafia Stories. Go to @investinyourself6878 to see his show. We show and discuss clips from his new Mafia history documentary. You will learn about mob figures like Lucky Luciano, Joe Bonanno, Vic Amuso and Greg Scarpa. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Remember to click on www.BetterHelp.com/gangland for 10% off Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here!

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From Luciano to Scarpa

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 09:00:02 +0000

The Crack Cocaine Wars – Bonus

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 09:00:24 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary tells a few stories from his days as a soldier in Ronnie Reagen’s War on Crack Cocaine. He also plays a trailer from a new podcast titled The Set. The parent company of this new podcast helped Gangland Wire out by broadcasting free promos. In exchange, Gangland Wire is doing free promos for this new exciting documentary-style podcast titled The Set. This is the story of the NYPD officers assigned to the 30th Precinct in Harlem. I hope you will give it a try. Click here to go directly to this new show, The Set. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here!

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The Crack Cocaine Wars

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 09:00:02 +0000

The Black Mafia

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 09:00:41 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary tells stories about the Black Mafia in Kansas City, from their early days when they dominated the Heroin market to the murder of a prominent Black politician, Leon Jordon, to the epic war between Sam Haley and Aaron Gant. Finally, he ends with a disturbing story about a drug house robbery. The primary connection between the La Cosa Nostra Mafia and the Black Mafia appeared to be between a fence named Jimmy Ciarelli and a black liquor store owner called Baby Face Norris and one of the suspects in the Leon Jordan murder named Jimmy Willis. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Remember to click on www.BetterHelp.com/gangland for 10% off Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript GARY JENKINS 00:00 Hey, all you Wiretappers out there. Good to be back here in the studio Gangland Wire. I’ve got a story of the Black Mafia in Kansas City. Now, I’ve often been asked what connections did the Italian Mafia have with professional black criminals or African American criminals. And there was some. And it all revolves around drugs and politics. So let’s go back to some of the early days in the late 60s and early 70s. What we had in Kansas City there, the heroin racket, back in the day, blacks had heroin, and the Italians got the heroin and sold it to the blacks go all the way back to the French Connection days and Carmine Galante in New York. Now, by the late 60s, early 70s. Our local African American guys got a connection in Los Angeles to get heroin now it was seemed like it was peckerwoods out there. It wasn’t Italians. Anyhow, they got that but they were kicking up a little bit to the Italians, and they needed to coexist with the Italians at the time. And so it’s kind of started this ongoing relationship that neither party really ever acknowledged to anybody. But it started coming out in little bits and pieces. Because I guess we really go back to the old 18th and Vine, the Kansas City song Wilbert Harrison, Kansas City song about being a 12th. And bind goes way back. But 18th and Vine, by the late 50s and 60s, was the place and it’s all black clubs and jazz clubs and everything were there and there was a corner liquor store owned by a guy named Joe Centimano, Cokie Joe or Crazy Joe, they called him 01:45 and he was a connection with the blacks because he was in the black community. Now he was connected primarily because of politics. It was late 60s, there formed a black political organization named freedom Incorporated. And there were other black, political, smaller black political organizations. And Joe was the mom’s contact with those people. There’s a guy down the street that had a liquor store called a blueprint liquor store, a guy named maybe face north and they called him babyface north and he continued to be that for years and years really until he died up until I don’t know the 80s there was a mob guy named Jimmy Cirelli that would show up talking to one of our Capos Willie the rat Cammisano. He was a professional thief and offense and he would be down at Baby Faces Blue Front liquors every day. Now, back in the day, when I first came on the police department, baby face was always good for couple of six packs. If you’re getting off of work and you want some beer of our if we had the ce...

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The Black Mafia

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 09:00:02 +0000

The Bone Harvesting Conspiracy with Michael Vecchione – Bonus

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 09:00:11 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. He interviews former Brooklyn prosecutor Michael Vecchione about the case of the disgraced dentist who started a bone harvesting business. If you ever got a dental implant, you know the dentist uses a bone graft to prepare for the implant. This fact creates a market in human bone. Michael Vecchione tells about a case he worked on where he investigated and prosecuted a dentist who was robbing human bodies to get bone for resale. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Remember to click on www.BetterHelp.com/gangland for 10% off Support the Podcast. Click here if you want to listen to the new podcast called The Set. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here!

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The Bone Harvesting Conspiracy with Michael Vecchione - Bonus

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. He interviews former Brooklyn prosecutor Michael Vecchione about the case of the disgraced dentist who started a bone harvesting business. If you ever got a dental implant, you know the dentist uses a bone graft to prepare for the implant. This fact creates a market in human bone. Michael Vecchione tells about a case he worked on where he investigated and prosecuted a dentist who was robbing human bodies to get bone for resale.
Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week.
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Dirty Money: The Prosecutor and the Mafia Cops

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 09:00:22 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. He interviews former Brooklyn prosecutor Michael Vecchione, who helped uncover the Mafia Cops Louis Eppolito and Steve Caracappa. Michael Vecchione tells how he worked with NYPD Det. Tommy Dades to expose these traitors to law enforcement. They learned how Eppolito and Caracoppa worked under the direction of Lucchese’s Underboss, Anthony Gaspipe Casso. Michael Vecchione tells how a mother saw Eppolito on TV promoting his mafia book and remembered he was a cop looking for her son, Jimmy Hydell, just before someone murdered him. Starting with this clue Vecchione and Dades gathered all the information they could find on these two cops and exposed their life-long pattern of committing crimes for the Mafia. Eppolito’s Mob connections were deep. His father, Ralph “Fat the Gangster” Eppolito, acted as a Gambino soldier and enforcer. His uncle was James “Jimmy the Clam” Eppolito, a Gambino captain who led gambling and other rackets. “Jimmy,” who made his son, James Jr., a family member, had once worked for family boss Carlo Gambino and associated closely with racketeer Carmine Lambordozi. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Remember to click on www.BetterHelp.com/gangland for 10% off Support the Podcast. If you want to listen to The Set podcast click here. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript GARY JENKINS 00:00 They had one called gangster capitalism and I asked them if they do a promo for me on their show if I do a promo for them on my show and they agreed they did. I recorded a little promo put it on gangster capitalism, and I gotta, I gotta get pretty good run up. Welcome all you guys back here in the studio of gangland wire, have a show today that we’re going to deal with official corruption a little bit. And the reason I’m doing this show is I want to give a little plug for some people another podcast company that our favor to that and so I am returning the favor. Now they have a new podcast just coming out called the set 00:37 suit up in my uniform. And you’re going out on patrol. What are we going to do tonight? What we’re going to rob some drug dealers and I know how to do it really well. 00:52 Listen to and follow the set an odyssey originals documentary podcast series available wherever you get your shows. I’m not a 01:00 bad guy man. But I love being that dirty mother. GARY JENKINS 01:06 That’s s e t and it’s about the what was became known at the time as the dirty 30 which is a precinct in Manhattan. And there was all this crap money flowing around during the 90s and and there’s people that took money so when became quite a investigation publicly and these guys are taking a dive deep dive into it. They’ve got some of the former cops and criminals that are have given them interviews. So that will be an interesting podcast and I’ll have a link to it in the show notes. So that’s my promo for the set at Miko. Vets. Yone is my guest here and he’s been on before, if you remember the Luigi, the zip, the Sicilian hitman. Well, this is Michael Vecchione. And the man that interviewed Luigi zip and came up with a lot of really interesting insights into the Sicilian Mafia and the city city and mafia in New York City, and kind of how that works. And I know a lot of you really liked that show. So welcome,

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Dirty Money: The Prosecutor and the Mafia Cops

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Remo Franceschini and the New York Mafia

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 09:00:45 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary tells how NYPD Intelligence Unit Lt. Remo Franceschini led an investigation into Bonanno boss Phil “Rusty” Rastelli for extorting money from lunch wagon drivers in New York City. Next, he tells how Lt. Franceschini learned about a mob hit and missed putting detectives on the scene before the murder. We also learn about the Bonanno Family funeral fight. Remo Franceschini quickly became a hero cop when he saved his partner’s life in a violent gun battle with an armed robbery suspect. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Remember to click on www.BetterHelp.com/gangland for 10% off Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript GARY JENKINS 00:00 Hey guys, it’s Gary Jenkins and welcome back in the studio Gangland Wire, which we’ll get to say my name I don’t know most people do say that but I think all you guys probably know who I am by now. I would hope anyhow. So I’m starting a series of shorts about the exploits of the colorful New York City Police mob Buster, Lieutenant Remo Franceschini, it’s hard name for me to say Franceschini. I got it there. Franceschini. Remo was known to every mob boss in New York City as a tough, incorruptible and determined, dude. And he worked his way up to the different branches of the NYPD intelligence. He started out as a street policeman, of course, got a shootout saved his partner got like the Medal of Honor whatever they got in New York City, and ended up in the intelligence unit kind of like me, No, I never gotten the shoot out and say my partner but I ended up in the intelligence unit, and started out in the early days working to street mob guys and narcotics dealers. And eventually, by the end, he’s taken on the boss’s head on and they all know who he is. Now, he did have a short stop along the way in his career working on Black Panthers and other groups advocating civil disorder, which I did some of that to the Black Panthers was gone. But there were some other groups and the Klu Klux Klan here in Missouri, worked on them for a while, not very much fun, not as much fun as a mob guys. One of the early cases he had was he went after a boss, who was actually the acting boss after Carmine Galante went to prison on a narcotics conviction. This guy’s name was Phil Rastelli. He was running the Bonanno family. The Bonanno family was extorting lunch truck operators. Now we’ve all gotten a sandwich from a lunch truck, right? They’ve got those quilted aluminum backs to them and they flop down the sides and they have coffee and they have cold drinks and on ice and they have sandwiches you know pre made sandwiches. Some of them are a little more fancy we always call them Tomaine wagons. I remember we had one guy. It was little more fancy downtown. He was an Italian guy and he specialized in really good cold cut sandwiches that had salami and prosciutto and bologna and Italian beef and the big ones we called them Hurt Your Mouth. They were so big, that huge big pieces of bread. They were great sandwiches. Oh, we also had meatball sandwiches, hot meatball sandwiches and Italian steak sandwiches and variety of other things. And anyhow, these lunch wagons are all over the place especially at one time I’m not in that world now. They’re still now their food dress.

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Remo Franceschini and the New York Mafia

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Big Tuna Accardo and his Red Mercedes

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 09:00:16 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary and Chicago Outfit expert and author Camillus Robinson discuss Mafia Boss Anthony “Big Tuna” Accardo and the most significant criminal charge he ever faced. The IRS charged Anthony Accardo with tax evasion, just like Al Capone. Accardo went to a jury trial where several people testified that he was a beer salesman and always drove his Red Mercedes Benz sports car when he called on customers. They had to do this because he had deducted his depreciation, mileage, and gasoline for his work use of this unlikely car. We learn that future Southside Chicago Height’s Capo Al Pilotto was instrumental in testifying for Accardo. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Remember to click on www.BetterHelp.com/gangland for 10% off Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS, Camillus Robinson GARY JENKINS 00:00 Well welcome all you Wiretapperss back here in studio Gangland Wire got my good friend Camilius “Cam” Robinson. Welcome cam. Camillus Robinson 00:06 How you doing? Very good to see you. GARY JENKINS 00:08 Well, it’s a cold up there in Chicago with cold and hell down there. Camillus Robinson 00:12 Yeah, it is it was in the it was in the teens earlier I might get up into the midterm needs to GARY JENKINS 00:16 do. Anyhow, we’re going to talk about the big Tuna or Joe Batters, Anthony Accardo today and him and I both stumble across this little story. And I mentioned to him and he’d already knew something about it. And it’s the little red sportscar story. This is really fascinating, I think, in the lender in the 50s. Tony Accardo had the perfect job. He was a beer salesman, I remember as a kid guys wanted to get a job with the pearl brewery or on the brewery truck, because you got all the free beer you wanted to drink. Accardo had it for other reasons. Of course, you know, he was an outfit guy. He was he was the boss at the time. And he had a lot of connections with Chicago bars and liquor distributors and places to buy beer when you say Camillus Robinson 01:09 Damn, that’s where you make the pickups. Three pickups, cash. That’s where GARY JENKINS 01:13 you pick up the case, man. sports gambling was going on out. That’s where the deals are made. And that’s where that’s where the gamblers were, that’s where the money was. And he made $65,000 a year as a beer salesman. For everyone round he got he also got I mean, look at my notes here. He got five cents a case on all Foxhead beer. he sold. He was working for this company. It wasn’t really a mob company particularly but he was he was the mob guy representing them. And it probably was more of a mob company. We realize he deducted his expenses and like car expenses. Other expenses depreciated. That is a concern. But what’s interesting is his car was a little red sports car, but it wasn’t just any little red sports car. Was it what was it? I know you’re this Camillus Robinson 02:06 guy as a car guy, you know, I know your motorcycle guy. But so for me the 300 SL, Mercedes Gullwing. We know what’s going on because Gary, I wondered for years, Gary found a great quote from the judge talking about the up and down doors. But 300 300 SL Goldwing was the first supercar I sat in one at an auction it’s got a steering wheel ...

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Accardo's Red Sports Car

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Oscar Goodman: Mafia, Law, and Justice

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 09:00:40 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary and mob lawyer expert Tony Taouk examine the life and career of famous mafia lawyer Oscar Goodman. Based in Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman has been the Midwest and Western Mob’s go-to lawyer for his 40-year career. Oscar Goodman remained professional in all his encounters with Mob bosses like Tony Spilotro, Nick Civella, Lefty Rosenthal and many others. Mr. Goodman’s most dramatic courtroom victory had to be when he obtained a Not Guilty verdict for the El Paso drug kingpin, Jimmy Chagra. In this case, juries convicted Woody Harrelson’s father, Charles Harrelson, for the murder of Texas Federal Judge John “Maximum John” Wood in El Paso. The government claimed that Jimmy Chagra paid Harrelson to murder the judge. Harrelson’s wife, Chagra’s wife, and Chagra’s brother were all convicted in the same case. Tony Taouk is an Australian lawyer and a Mafia researcher who specializes in the subject of mob trials and mob lawyers. He has also traveled to the United States and visited mob-related sites in New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Remember to click on www.BetterHelp.com/gangland for 10% off Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SPEAKERS Lefty Rosenthal, Announcer, GARY JENKINS, Tony Taourk, Harry Reid, Oscar Goodman, Tuffy DeLuna, Nick Civella 00:00 Frank Rosenthal was obviously ruffling a few feathers because he’s high profile battle with the authorities in Las Vegas to obtain his gaming license was attracting too much attention which the mob, especially the Chicago outfit tended to shun. Apparently he made it even worse when he started his own talk show on television. 00:22 Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Why stop snowing. 00:30 And Frank Rosenthal was who was already a colorful gambling figure he had attracted the attention of the authorities because of his ties to the Chicago outfit. He was a bookmaker gambler, and he was also implicated in multiple sports bribery scandals over the years, so he was already attracting a lot of attention. They just wanted him to come down. 00:55 lack of better word. 01:00 I think that’s what it was referred to that why tap? Isn’t that right? 01:03 Yeah. Yeah, that’s it. Well, welcome. While you were to average out there, back here in studio of Gangland Wire, I’m on the Zoom call. If you’re on YouTube, with our friend, Tony Taourk from Sydney, Australia. Tony is a lawyer down there, and he has a huge interest in mob lawyers and being lawyer, you know, you got to have interest in other lawyers. And when you look into them, you want to see a lot more about how they work and what made them successful or not successful. I know I do the same thing when I read about Mob lawyers. And so Tony has done that. And you know, we’ve done one other show about Roy Cohen with him, which was really interesting. I didn’t know hardly anything about Roy Cohn at the time. Tonight, we’re gonna do Oscar Goodman. I know a lot about Oscar good. And then because I sat in the witness chair while he cross examined me one time scared the heck out of me. He wasn’t that big a deal, but I didn’t have that much to say. Anyhow. So welcome, Tony. It’s really good to have you back. 02:00 Thank you for having me, Gary. 02:02

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Oscar Goodman: Mafia, Law, and Justice

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Mafia Dreams – The Young Italians

Mon, 29 May 2023 09:00:44 +0000

Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews non-fiction author Frank Hayde about his newest book, Mafia Dreams: A True Crime Saga of Young Men at the End of an Era in Kansas City. Frank tells how an FBI investigation into the insurance crimes of Travis Riley ended with his son, Joe Riley, being shot to death during a drug reverse-sting in an Airport hotel room. The FBI turned their sights on Riley’s son, Joe Riley, to put pressure on the Father and learn where he had hidden all his hidden assets. Joe Riley delivered himself up to the FBI because he was trying too hard to be a gangster. He was inexperienced and easily tricked. Before that investigation was done, an FBI agent shoots and kills Joe Riley. This story also tells about the demise of the KC Mafia and how the FBI used the grand jury immunity process to jail many young men whose only crime was to be seen talking to a made guy and then refuse to testify. Other books by Frank Haye are The Mafia and The Machine, The Italian Gardens: A History of Kansas City though its Most Favorite Restaurant. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS, Frank Hayde 00:00 Welcome all you Wiretappers out there good to be back here in studio Gangland Wire. I have a Kansas City story but it kind of stretches out to Las Vegas you’re gonna hear a little tidbit little interesting teaser about Oscar Goodman, the famous mob lawyer which is you know, I’ve done a story about so Welcome Frank. Hey, I really appreciate you coming on the show Frank. 00:24 Thanks for having me back Gary 00:26 Now we did another show about the Mafia and the Machine is like the history of the mob and Kansas City so Frank is steeped in the mafia in Kansas City. And go back and check that show out I think I titled it the Mafia and the Machine and but whatever you can find it you know, Google Frank Hatde HAYDE on YouTube or you know, gangland wire and Frank Hayde Mafia and the Machine. You’ll you’ll find it I’ll have a link to it down below guys. We’re going to talk about his new book mafia dreams a true crime saga of young men at the end of an era in Kansas City. Frank, you told me this is about these young guys that came along after we did the straw man caper. And all the old guys Nick’s about died, Corky Civella, Tuffy DeLuna and Tony Ripe Civella and Charlie Mortena. All of them went to jail for long periods of time. And these are the next generation of Mob guys. So, Frank, start, tell me how did you get into this book? How did you get into this? It’s an interesting story with twin twist. 01:32 Right? Well, you know, after I wrote them off you in the machine, I worked with the DiCapofamily, and we wrote the history of Italian Gardens restaurant, this very iconic restaurant in Kansas City, it was downtown at 12 iand Baltimore for 75 years run by the same four families that were all in a related by blood and marriage. It was a real icon of the city, very much a landmark restaurant. And you can kind of experience the history of Kansas City through the history of Italian Gardens. So that was a really fun book fun project. And that’s how I got clued into this story, that the DiCapos and other people that were closely associated with Italian Guardian mention this story.

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Mafia Dreams End With Death in Kansas City

Mon, 29 May 2023 09:00:03 +0000

NYPD Secrets: Bugging the Ravenite – Bonus

Thu, 25 May 2023 09:00:19 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this bonus episode, Gary tells five short stories about the New York City Police Intelligence Unit and their efforts to plant hidden microphones on John Gotti and Neil Dellacroce in and around the Ravenite Social Club. Gary found these first-person accounts in a book titled Cop Talk : True Detective Stories From the NYPD by E. W. Counts. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS 00:00 Hey all you Wiretappers out there back here in the studio of Gangland Wire, this is kind of a shorty want to take care of you guys in the especially the audio. I started working on a book written by some New York City policemen or they like collaborated with another author and they told a lot of stories about being in New York City policeman and in particular they got a bunch of guys from the Intelligence Unit to tell stories and so I was going through them and they were great stories about trying to bug the Ravenite Social Club which was Gotti’s social club and Dellacroce social club also, before then before that, you know, it’s this social club the Raven night on 477 I think Mulberry Street and he has in Mulberry Street down there little it lay in Manhattan. It goes all the way back to Albert Anastasia. And then Carlo Gambino took it over and then Carlo Gambino, you know if you know anything about him at all, he likes to keep a low profile. And by the time he took it over and been there for a while there was so much heat on it and so much police and agents, FBI agents attention that he left there, and he gave it to Neil Dellacroce. So he took it over and then God he will eventually take it over. So it’s got a long and storied history, it’s a shoe store. Now by the way, I’ll put some pictures up here on the YouTube channel. But the NYPD we’re working on it big time because like Gambino noted noted there’s a lot of attention paid to it and they got what what the FBI was called a plant or an observation point. And that would be a upper floor apartment with a window and where you could see the front of the social club but we did it down here in Kansas City boy and we were in what we call Little Italy or Columbus Park down here for our social club and it was really hard to get matter of fact we the FBI talked about buying a whole house but that house was not for sale and it was right across the street but there was nothing else really speak up we had a spot there was a buy at a community center there was almost a block away now with with binoculars you could pick out tags and then after a while you knew guys cars so didn’t have to actually see the tag and note that so it’s okay but you couldn’t really exactly see the front you could only see the cars as they pulled along Troost and then took a left and parked somewhere around the club or if they went east and west on Fifth Street and if they came from the east and parked on the east side you didn’t you couldn’t see him from that particular plant we had it was kind of a temporary deal anyhow I want spent Super Bowl Sunday up there watching to see who was coming and going and and if we’d see one of the name targets on the FBI wiretap affidavit column that the wire room and say so and so is there and then they could turn on the bug that was insid...

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Bugging the Ravenite

Thu, 25 May 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Unveiling Harlem’s Infamous Purple Gang

Mon, 22 May 2023 13:00:34 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary interviews well-known mob historian and author Scott Dietche about his most recent book, Hitmen: The Mafia, Drugs, and the East Harlem Purple Gang. Scott Dietche is a nationally recognized expert on organized crime in the United States. This Tampa-based author has written books like Garden State Gangland: The Rise of the Mob in New Jersey, The Silent Don: The Criminal Underworld of Santo Trafficante Jr., Cigar City Mafia: A Complete History of the Tampa Underworld, and The Everything Mafia Book. Click anywhere on the highlighted text to find these books. In Hitmen, Scott tells of this minor league New York City Mafia crew known as the Purple Gang. These gangsters aspired to make their Purple Gang into the 6th Family by selling narcotics, committing murder, and extortion. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SUMMARY KEYWORDS mafia, gang, east harlem, purple, connection, drug, genovese, family, murders, tied, heroin, mob, early 70s, guns, killings, la cosa nostra, florida, gangs, new york, drug dealers SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS, Scott Dietche 00:00 The early years of the purple gangs appearance on the drug scene were a tumultuous era for many of the mob like drug syndicates operating in New York City, including the ones operating in East Harlem. But within the gangs own ranks internal strife and petty beefs led to several killings that law enforcement scrambled to solve more often than not, they were added to the list of unsolved gangland homicides. This early violence was one catalyst that led to the myth us of the Purple Gang as something akin to an elite hit squad for hire in the underworld. There were a lot of blood spatter drug related homicides, everybody suspected them the Purple Gang of doing a bunch of them, but we couldn’t prove it. The drug game was a violent one and the gang was certainly amenable to dispatching business rivals with little to no provocation. A 1976 DEA report stated much like the original Purple Gang that terrorize Detroit during the Prohibition era, the members of the current Purple Gang appear to have an enormous capacity for violence, involvement in numerous homicides and a lack of respect for other members of organized crime. Well, welcome 00:59 Welcome all you wiretappers out there, that little snippet you heard was a little bit from Scott oout his new book about the Purple Gang of East Harlem, New York. I’ll have links to get it but welcomes Scott, it’s really good to have you. 01:14 Yeah, great to be back. Good to see you again. 01:16 Alright, Scott’s been on here before he did a show and we did a show about the New Jersey mobs. And what was that gangland Garden State gangland Garden State gang land so I’ll have a link to find that down below guys. Really good books. And Scott does his research. I’ll tell you right now he does his research. Scott also does famous for the Ybor City or Tampa area mob tour, which I took and if you look on my YouTube channel, you can download a 10 minute segment of what you would see so if you’re, you’re down in Tampa in the winter, particularly I don’t think you do it in the summer days got 01:53 no we don’t walk around. It’s not conducive to walking outside during the day. 01:57

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Unveiling Harlem's Infamous Purple Gang

Sun, 21 May 2023 09:00:01 +0000

A Nicky Scarfo Sitdown

Wed, 17 May 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this bonus episode, Gary interviews his recent contributor, Paul Hodos, to understand why Nicky Scarfo Sr. Phil Leonetti and Nicky Scarfo Jr. came to Pittsburgh to meet with Pittsburgh's Underboss Chuckie Porter. Paul wrote the only in-depth book on the Pittsburgh Crime Family titled Steel City Mafia.
This excerpt is from a private Zoom call Gary does with his supporters. Donate at least $100.00, and I will include your email on the notification list for my monthly confidential Zoom call.
Support the Podcast
Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire
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Buy me a Cup of Coffee

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KC Confidential: Inside the Kansas City Mafia

Mon, 15 May 2023 14:01:29 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary interviews KC Mafia historian Frank Hayde, author of The Mafia and the Machine. They discuss the KC Mob from Prohibition to the Murder of the Two Charlies. Charlie Binnagio became a dual threat when he joined Tom Pendergast and became a political boss and the mob boss of Kansas City. His bodyguard, Charlie Gargotta, remained in the shadowy world of mafia hitmen and enforcers. Someone will murder both of the men dramatically. These dramatic murders expose the unholy partnership between the Mafia and the Machine. Get Frank Hayde’s book The Mafia and the Machine Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS, Frank Hayde 00:00 Well, hey, all you Wiretappers out there. It’s good to be back here in studioof Gangland Wire. First of all, I want to introduce you to my friend and fellow mob historian Frank Hayde, as you can see right there. I know many of you and because I’ve seen you on Facebook talking about the Mafia and the Nachine. Well, this is the dude that wrote the mafia machine, the first the first definitive history of the mob in Kansas City. So and you know, my friend Bill Ouseley wrote another one called Open City, but this was the first one and, you know, Frank, I know he was working on at the time and all sudden, the both of them came out at about the same time, if I remember right, and, you know, Frank helped me out with an interview, if you guys have seen my Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup about the theft of the 1946 election, which a lot of you have, and if you want to see it, you got to go to my website, and I can, I can rent you a link for $1.99. But Frank helped me out with that. And, you know, he’s just he is an expert on the mob and Kansas City, there’s the whole over you, you know, me I, I mainly know about the skim days and the days when I was a copper, but I don’t know that old history, like, like Frank does. And today, we’re going to talk about the joining of the Irish political machine and the Italian Mafia, and a man named Charlie Binnagio. That came out of it. Frank, welcome. I really appreciate you being here. 01:28 Gary Thank you for having me. It’s great to be on your show. 01:31 So we’ve talked many times, and emailed and that kind of thing, different things. And first time, we’ve really had a show like this together. So this will be fun. Now, before we really get started, guys, Frank, tell them a little bit about the new book, which is really exciting, because this is something I live in and was around during the time when this this subject was was hot. So tell me a little bit about your new book, 01:53 I do have a new book coming out that is, in a way a sequel to the Mafia and the Machine, in the sense that it covers the case, the underworld in the 1990s. So you know all the other treatments of the KC mob, basically ending the 80s with the skin and the big takedown and straw man. So this story kind of pushes the timeline forward into the 1990s. The book is going to be called mafia dreams. The subtitle is, what is myself but the subtitle is a true a true crime saga of young men at the end of an era in Kansas City. So it’s about some young guys who were trying to break into the life in the 1990s,

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KC Confidential: Inside the Kansas City Mafia

Mon, 15 May 2023 09:00:01 +0000

John Drummond aka “Bulldog” Covers the Outfit

Mon, 08 May 2023 09:00:03 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary interviews Bulldog John Drummond. The listener learns about filming the Chicago Outfit up close and personal. Bulldog Drummond tells about a situation where it got almost too personal for Bulldog and his camera crew. Bulldog and his film crew watched as Chicago outfit associate and enforcer William “Billy” Dauber and his wife Charlotte left the Will County courthouse after the judge continued his hearing for cocaine and weapons charges. Bulldog wanted to follow the couple to find their county home because he had heard it was like a fortress. Bulldog’d editor ordered them back to downtown Chicago because he wanted coverage of another incident at the Cook County courthouse. The crew did not know that an Outfit hit team was waiting to follow the Daubers with guns, not cameras. They narrowly missed becoming witnesses and possibly victims of an Outfit hit team in the act of killing the Daubers. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript Well, hey guys, all you wiretappers out there, another show of Gangland Wire back here in the studio. You can see my little library over there. A couple of last legal manuals I’ve got over there, those black and gold things, I need to get rid of them too. So today I went back to an old interview where I did with John Bulldog Drummond. You guys in Chicago will remember John Bulldog Drummond he was a very famous, very well known dynamic TV reporter at the time over the 50s 60s and 70s is kind of cut his teeth on the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Actually, I interviewed him years ago and and we just went on, I just let him have his head and he just told about all his different Bob stories and his relation to him. And he’s got some good ones we start off with let’s see, I had to make some notes here. We started off with what he remembers about Jerry Scalise and Rachel coming back on the airplane from England after they stole the Marlboro diamond and then when they got caught trying to break into Angelo law presenters house, then we go to oh, he he does the whole thing on Tony Spilotro and Lefty Rosenthal. But I think I think the best story in here, and it’s worth going through the early stories, he talks pretty fast, but I know you guys in Chicago will enjoy listening to Bulldog grumman’s voice again. But he almost got caught up in a mob hit of Billy Dauber, who was in a mob enforcer got killed with his wife. So he’s got a really good story on that. He’s got several other stories. A man named John, DeJohn, that he developed as a source was also talking to the Feds that that app the guy got killed shortly after the last time he met with him and the guy was telling him all kinds of good info about the outfit at the time. And it was kind of a minor guy, but he knew some stuff. And the guy got hit about a week later and Bulldog was told by somebody else that this guy was hit because he was getting too close to Bulldog and he was afraid that that Bulldog would expose too many of their secrets on the television on their own his new show. So it’s it’s a fun, interesting, wild ride through 70s and 80s Chicago outfit from the viewpoint of one of your more famous newsman John Bulldog Drummond. 02:29 What happened that day I recall when it happened,

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The Day the Wild Bunch murdered Billy Dauber with Bulldog Drummond

Mon, 08 May 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary interviews the famous Chicago newsman Bulldog John Drummond. Listeners hear his stories about covering the Chicago Outfit up close and personal. Bulldog tells a story where it got almost too personal for Bulldog and his camera crew. Bulldog tells about filming Chicago Outfit associate and enforcer William Dauber and his wife Charlotte as they left the Will County Ilinois courthouse. A judge had continued Dauber's cocaine and weapons charges. Bulldog wanted to follow them for a while and find his home. His editor ordered the crew back to the Cook County courthouse. This news crew did not know that an Outfit hit team was waiting to follow the Daubers with guns, not cameras. They narrowly missed becoming witnesses and possibly victims of an Outfit hit team in the act of killing the Daubers.

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Bobby Salerno – Outfit Killer

Mon, 01 May 2023 09:00:37 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews Chicago Outfit Historian James Cosenza about the second trial of Outfit gambler, fixer, and killer Bobby Salerno. We learn Salerno worked with a Cicero shakedown and hit team that went too far when they murdered bookmaker Hal Smith. An Outfit associate named B. J. Jahoda turned witness after the Hal Smith murder because they used him to set up Smith without his cooperation and foreknowledge. Salerno was represented by his son, defense attorney Alex Salerno. James reports that during the trial, the prosecutor elicited from Jahoda that Salerno and others killed Smith because he refused to pay any extra tribute to the crew. He felt he had paid enough “street tax.” When a crew member named Solly DeLaurentis asked for more, Smith refused, and they got into a loud argument in a public place. James Cosenza did not perceive that B. J. Jahoda was a believable witness. He spoke with Bobby Salerno at the water fountain during a break. Salerno said he was so proud that his son, Alec Salerno, was one of his two lawyers at the Defense table. He said, “I told my son that if he lost, don’t feel too bad because I have been around, and I can take it.” In this trial, the government used William B.J. Jahoda, who had been Solly DeLaurentis’ driver, as their star witness. Jahoda owned the Long Grove, Illinois home where the crew murdered Hal Smith. Jahoda testified that he was ordered to bring Smith to his house for a “talk.” Instead, Bobby Salerno, Robert (Bobby the Gabeet) Bellavia, and Louis (Louie Tomatoes) Marino murdered Hal Smith. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SPEAKERS SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS, James Cosenza 00:00 During B. J. Jahoda’s testimony now he was the star witness against Bobby Salerno. He was a kind of a tough witness to listen to. And they called the break outside in the hallway near the water cooler. For some reason, Gary, I was so aggravating, a little little disturbed by B. J. Jahoda’s testimony that I made a couple of comments out loud that I normally don’t do. And to my surprise, Bobby Salerno actually replied and spoke to me. And he told me I’ll never forget it. He said that you can see my son Alex, who’s representing me is a very fine attorney. And I told Alex, before this trial started, if we lose, I don’t want you to hang your head low. I want you to continue to be a top defensive lawyer. Don’t let this trial affect your career in any way. Don’t worry about me. I’m an old fighter. I’m a boxer. I can handle it. Then he went on to say And I’ll never forget this. He said, you can see I have my son. Alex is a very fine attorney. He was very proud of his son representing them. He’s like my second kid. She’s going to law school right now. And I’m listening. Then he put his head down. He’s like, my third kid, he dropped out of school in the ninth grade. And he kind of smiled. He’s like, Jimmy, two out of three ain’t bad. And that was that. That was my little conversation with Bobby that two of his kids are successful. And the third one dropped out of school. 01:29 Well, that’s interesting. We’ll welcome you guys back here in studio ganglion. We’re got James M. Black back on again. He’s my friend in Chicago,

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The Trial of Bobby Salerno

Mon, 01 May 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews Chicago Outfit Historian James Cosenza about the second trial of Outfit gambler, fixer, and killer Robert Salerno. We learn Salerno worked with a Cicero shakedown and hit team that went too far when they murdered bookmaker Hal Smith. An Outfit associate named B. J. Jahoda turned witness after the Hal Smith murder because they used him to set up Smith without his cooperation and foreknowledge. Salerno was represented by his son, defense attorney Alex Salerno. James reports that during the trial, the prosecutor elicited from Jahoda that Salerno and others killed Smith because he refused to pay any extra tribute to the crew. He felt he had paid enough "street tax," When a crew member named Solly DeLaurentis asked for more, Smith refused, and they got into a loud argument in public. Sollu D left him with these words, "You are going to become trunk music!"

James Cosenza did not believe that B. J. Jahoda was a very believable witness. He spoke with Bobby Salerno at the water fountain during a break. Salerno said he was so proud that his son, Alec Salerno, was one of his two lawyers at the Defense table. He said, "I told my son that if he lost, don't feel too bad because I have been around, and I can take it."

In two trials, the Outfit crew used Williama B.J. Jahoda, who had been Solly DeLaurentis’ driver. He also owned the Long Grove, Illinois home where the crew murdered Hal Smith. Jahoda testified that he was ordered to bring Smith to his house for a "talk." Instead, Bobby Salerno, Robert (Bobby the Gabeet) Bellavia, and Louis (Louie Tomatoes) Marino murdered Hal Smith.

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Scarpa Assaults Vic Amuso

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 09:00:28 +0000

Retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins interviews Robert McNeese, a man who served many years in two different federal prisons and was the cellmate of Lucchese Boss Vic Amuso. He was nearby when Colombo mobster Greg Scarpa Jr. attacked and injured Vic Amuso. Robert tells precisely how this fight started and what resulted. Robert McNeese tells how Danny Marino introduced him to the federal prison Mafia society. Marino suggested that Vic Amuso take him in as a cellie. Robert McNeese became good friends with Amuso, which gave him credibility with every other Mafia nab he met in the Federal prison system. He tells about Mafia prison life, prison guard corruption, and how he received a life sentence while in prison for a much shorter bank robbery sentence. The most exciting story is how he befriended a female inmate and learned information that assisted authorities in finding the bodies of two dead children and earned an early out. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS, Robert McNeese 00:00 The one day that was had open court on handball, Greg Scarpa, Jr. and his friend approached Vic and his friend aspect that they wanted to play doubles. And Vic said no, because you know dudes old man’s a snitch, and I don’t know if if he’s tainted, you know, he might be one two, I don’t know. So later that day or that evening, we had all had some pasta not to pick was Washington’s bowl out in my closet. He was bent over that. And Greg Scarborough Jr. You’re walked in there with a pipe and cracked him in the back of the head with a Game Over 170 stitches. They locked down the hole. Actually, they lock down the entire Bureau of Prisons when it happened. And then they ship colonial was out of there, and I went to Atlanta, and then about two weeks later, Vic showed up in Atlanta. But welcome 00:43 Welcome all you Wiretappers out there back here in the studio Gangland Wire, got a show for you today with a man named Robert McNeese. I got onto him. I can’t remember he was on another podcast I think and I listened to his stories and and he was great update you I was impressed and and we have Robert McNeese here Welcome, Robert. Thank you. I’m really happy to have you on the show we you know, we’ve had a couple three conversations and you know, I understand you live up in Cedar Rapids Iowa right now and there’s about five feet of snow or something 01:20 there’s enough there’s a lot of snow today and I’m Blizzard blizzard conditions today. 01:26 Let’s start off with you met a lot of mob guys in prison and and you got a lot of great stories, you also got noticed by Paramount Pictures. And they want to tell your life story even though you’ve never written a book and and I’m not sure how they got ahold of you exactly, but somebody told them about your story. And they were impressed enough with with your life experiences that they want to do a whole series on you. And I believe it’s gonna be called The Honorable Man. Is that correct? 01:57 Yeah they got onto me from Bill Staxx. Okay. 02:00 Just tell us a little bit. I think everybody’s curious about that. How does that go down when they just like call you or did Bill introduce you? Or whatever? How does that work? 02:10 Well, I got a call. Bill Staxxs reached out to me. He had interviewed a guy that I was incarcerated with, and he gave him my information.

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Scarpa assaults Vic Amuso

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Ray Liotta Mafia Actor

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 09:00:45 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary found a clip of Ray Liotta telling about working on the set of GoodFellas and how one of the Mafa Cops, Lou Eppolito stole his wallet. He also adds a story about how Gaspipe Casso refused to hire the Mob cops because they wanted too much money. Gaspipe paid some other mob guy to do a hit, and the guy murdered the wrong man. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SPEAKERS JEFFREY SUSSMAN, GARY JENKINS, Ray Liotta 00:00 Hey all you wiretap errs out there welcome back to the studio is kind of low shorty I was noodling around and I found this clip of Ray Liotta talking about filming Goodfellas and dealing with Lou Eppolito The mom one of the mafia cops Steven Caracappa and Lou Eppolito where the mafia cops they were New York City policemen that that really they should have been mob guys then they were mob guys that went on the police department work there waves and positions that one of them was in the intelligence unit and actually for a while and then there was a homicide Dick I think they also did hits for mainly for Gaspipe Casso. Eppolito wrote a book and was pretty popular and he was consulting with on Hollywood movies and even at a small bit part in Goodfellas. And I think maybe it’s something else to do in the movies. But I thought Ray Liotta had some really interesting stories about working with the mob working with Joe Pesci working with Eppolito on Goodfellows check this out 01:02 Bob was there dinero Lorraine pesci didn’t make it though. Oh, he didn’t know he sent the letter. Oh, really old fashioned Bob read it. Did he really um basically it said sorry I can’t be there but the even curses when he writes he’s a funny guy. That is that might be the greatest scene ever. I mean really? It still makes me nervous even though I know what’s happening in that scene. So Goodfellas eatery right? You learn to ride a horse do you learn to be a mobster for a movie like that? And can you even What they said they gave me a guy who used to be a cop whose family was in the mob and he later went mob and I remember one day we go to we go to lunch right we go we get there eating and I want to pay he’s he’s you know he’s telling me things and sharing things with my my wallets left they’re like what the heck oh my gosh, what I do with my wallet? We go back No, this is like in Queens people all over the place walking up and down. And all of a sudden I walk boom there’s my wallet. There’s no question he took it from me. He took it from me and then I guess after he threw it on the streets and Oh look there it is. Why do you think that heavy he had a he’s a douche All right, well, that’s a good reason. The the night that I got the part Lorraine and I found out we went to Marty’s apartment then we went to a place called rails. You know it? Yeah, sure. And then we went there, we’re having a nice dinner. Then all of a sudden, towards dessert. All these guys start coming up. And basically they were auditioning, but but they did it by saying I knew a guy who did this than the other one Thompson. I knew a guy who did that and their stories got worse and worse and you know they were talking about themselves. So they were just not now I got some you think that’s a whacking? That kind of thing. Oh,

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Ray Liotta Mafia Actor

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Steel City Mafia

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 09:00:29 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary interviews the author of Steel City Mafia: Blood Betrayal and Pittsburgh’s Last Don. Starting with the bombing of mob associate Paul Hankish, this is a story of Mafia life in Steel City with all its blood and betrayal. Paul Hankish was the boss of Wheeling West Virginia and he kicked up the Pittsburgh Family. Plus, we learn about the last Don and how a 1/2 Sicilian named Chuckie Porter became Underboss and took down the family. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS, Paul Hodos 00:00 So you may have heard of Paul Hankish. He was a Wheeling associated Pittsburgh mobster, his nickname was No Legs basically how he got that nickname is pretty interesting story. He was an up and coming bookmaker and gambler and his rival and Wheeling was getting a little nervous about him in 1964. Paul Hankish on one morning was coming out of his house and he got into his car and started the car. Fortunately for him, there was a dynamite bomb in the engine block, his car exploded. Basically there was a shock wave throughout the neighborhoods and windows were blown out. The authorities arrived pretty quickly. Luckily for him, he was conscious throughout the ordeal was car was on fire. He was stuck in there. His one leg was partially severed and the other one was completely blown off. When the police arrived. He was basically just screaming come and help me please. And so they got him out, took them to the hospital and it ended up that they had to amputate his other leg. That’s how he basically had to go and wear prosthetics to walk with crutches basically for the rest of his life. 00:55 But welcome all you Wiretappers back here in the studio of Gangland Wire, I’ve got a story that I think a lot of you guys would really be interested in because it was such a big response to my friend Steve say John talked about being in the penitentiary down at Springfield in the hospital penitentiary with Lefty Ruggerio. And he told a story about a man named Paul Hankish. And we’re going to talk about Paul Hankish, a little bit and his connection to the Pittsburgh crime family and more about the Pittsburgh mob. So welcome my guest, Paul Hodos. Paul, welcome. 01:28 Thank you, Gary. Nice to be here. 01:30 It’s really great to have you here. And this is perfect this Paul Hankish had so many questions about Paul Hankish said I know my friend Steve, who I see every Wednesday anymore kind of interesting story may being a Copper and really be in charge of the Surveillance crew that helped get him put in the penitentiary and we become friends in the last few years after he got out and he led the straight life. But after he got out, he’ll really be interested to hear more about Paul hankies. And I know I have a lot of guys, especially my friend, Rob Starr, who wants to hear more and more about the Pittsburgh crime family. And it is an interesting small little family kind of like the Kansas City family. So you have done a lot of history, a lot of background into that. And tell us about your own personal history how you got into this. 02:17 So I’m actually from Western Pennsylvania, originally, I live in Maryland now. But I’m from the area where the current family was based,

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Steel City Mafia

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Tommy Karate -The Early Days

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary tells short stories about the feared Bonnano killer, Tommy "Tommy Katatre" Pitera. We learn about his first mentor, Bruno "Whack Whack Indelicato, and those early days as a young Bonanno Family enforcer. Tommy Karate survived the murder of the three Capos even though his mentor's father was a victim and had to go on the run. This will be the first of short stories taken from the life of Tommy Karate Pitera.
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Crooked: Interview about a Corrupt 1920’s Attorney General

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 09:00:03 +0000

Retired Intelligence detective Gary Jenkins interviews Nathan Masters about his new book Crooked: The Roaring ’20s Tale of a Corrupt Attorney General, a Crusading Senator, and the Birth of the American Political Scandal. We learn about a corrupt U.S. Attorney General named Harry Daugherty, the puppet master behind President Warren G. Harding’s unlikely rise to power. Daugherty was well-known to maintain cozy relations with bootleggers and gamblers like Arnold Rothstein and other scofflaws. When his constant companion and trusted fixer, Jess Smith, is found dead of a gunshot wound in the apartment the two men share, a corruption-busting senator from Wyoming and the incorruptible J. Edgar Hoover go to work. This book is packed with political intrigue, salacious scandal, and many similarities to our modern era of political discord. Nathan Masters’ thrilling historical narrative shows how this intricate web of inconceivable crookedness set the stage for the next century of American political scandals. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS, Nathan Masters 00:00 Yeah, so one of the scenes that really got me going when I started writing this book was something that happened on Memorial Day 1923 at the Wardman Park in fashionable Hotel in Washington where the Attorney General lived, there was a gunshot somebody and there was a man dead from a gunshot wound inside the suite that the Attorney General lived in. And the first law enforcement officer in the scene was none other than the head of what became the FBI, a man named William J. Burns, which if you think about it, it’s a pretty unusual circumstance to have the head of the FBI investigating a local homicide. I’ll read it from my book here a little bit inside the bedroom suite 600 E. Burns found the body of a man named Jeff Smith 50 crumpled at the foot of two beds, in his right hand was a 32 caliber revolver, single bullet had plowed through his head. This was clearly a matter for the local authorities burns knew better than to summon the police immediately, the situation called for discretion for a few in Washington had known as much as the man who now lay before him in a bloody heap, then the book just sort of unfolds from there. 00:56 Thanks a lot. That’s great. Yeah, guys, welcome. I’ll you work average out there. You just heard a little bit out of a new book out crooked. And it’s going to tell us all more than we ever want to know about a variety of things. If you remember back when you were a kid, you heard about the Teapot Dome scandal. There was this corrupt administration under Warren G. Harding, where the President and the founding of the FBI came out of this and just a lot of other interesting stories. The Attorney General the FBI was investigating their own attorney general and he was crooked as heck, as you can tell, but that was his sweet. So welcome. Nathan masters. Thanks a lot, Nathan, for coming on the show. 01:37 Well, thanks for having me, Gary. 01:39 So we’re a little bit about your background. You were in public TV, get background Public TV. Tell us a little bit about that. 01:47 Yeah, I’ve hosted a public television show called last la that explores Los Angeles history through the archives. I’ve been doing that since 2016. So I have a lot of experience digging through archival materials for compelling stories to share th...

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The Rise of J. Edgar Hoover

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 09:00:01 +0000

Retired Intelligence detective Gary Jenkins interviews Nathan master about his new book Crooked: The Roaring '20s Tale of a Corrupt Attorney General, a Crusading Senator, and the Birth of the American Political Scandal. We learn about a corrupt U.S. Attorney General named Harry Daugherty, the puppet master behind President Warren G. Harding’s unlikely rise to power. Daugherty was well-known to maintain cozy relations with bootleggers and gamblers like Arnold Rothstein and other scofflaws. When his constant companion and trusted fixer, Jess Smith, is found dead of a gunshot wound in the apartment the two men share, a corruption-busting senator from Wyoming and the incorruptible J. Edgar Hoover go to work.
This book is packed with political intrigue, salacious scandal, and many similarities to our modern era of political discord, Nathan Masters’ thrilling historical narrative shows how this intricate web of inconceivable crookedness set the stage for the next century of American political scandals.
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Did Al Capone really do that?

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 19:15:01 +0000

Retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins researched many myths about Al Capone. In this episode, Gary explains the Capone baseball bat tale. For example, did Capopne murder underlings by beating them to death at a banquet in front of his entire upper echelon? True or false, listen to find out.
Check out other Myths about Al Capone at My Al Capone Museum.

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Did Al Capone Really Do That?

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 09:00:30 +0000

Retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins researched many well-known myths about Al Capone. In this episode, Gary explains the myths and the real story behind each myth. If you want to learn my about these myths, go to My Al Capone Museum website. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SUMMARY KEYWORDS scalise, capone, chicago, al capone, policemen, people, sicily, gangsters, big, starts, sicilian, gun, named, real, jenna, banquet, kill, olson, outfit, firing SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS 00:00 They can see he’s got a blue steel turned out a 30 caliber gun in his hand and he starts firing at them as he falls down. Well, he already had a severed femoral artery in his leg at the time, but he’s still going and, of course, they open up on him. And he’s still alive when they call an ambulance and Genna, Genna starts kicking at the ambulance drivers and you know, take that you son of a bitch. I tell you what, he was a bad dude. Hey, oh, all you wiretappers out there back here in the studio gangland wire. Good to be back here. And I have a story for you today about the myth about how Al Capone had this big banquet and he had some guy there who was a traitor that he knew about and he called him out and he beat him to death with a baseball bat and made famous in the movie. The Untouchables was Sean Connery and and I can’t think of that the guy’s name you know who it is who played Eliot Ness? Anyhow, Connor, he played the tough old Irish, Chicago copper. First of all, I saw a video the other day my my daughter My granddaughter told me about this is a true crime podcast on YouTube. And this wouldn’t work on the audio platform that I mainly use. A lady starts telling about some horror crime primarily some kind of a true crime deal, but she also instructs people on how to put on makeup the time so I thought well, well, there’s a gimmick. We’re always looking for a gimmick. There’s a gimmick. Here’s a gimmick. So what can I do? Alright, here’s what I’m thinking I should tell you how to clean and get a 4026 Smith and Wesson my old service pistol ready to go but you know I tell you what, I don’t know if I can tell that story a true crime story or keep concentration because it takes way too much concentration, I be going God Damnit , where is that spring, how does that thing spring go back in there. I forget how to do that. First. Whe I first got this gun, it was a pain in the butt. It was a good gun and I never had to use it for anything. But it’s always here in the house. For home protection anyhow. So let’s get on with the story of the two guys that really incurred the wrath of Al Capone and the kind of the the basis for that story. There was two men from Sicily named Alberto Anselmi and Giovanni Scalise. They came to Sicily Rackley running from came that they came to Chicago actually running from Benito Mussolini. Mussolini was after the mafia and he had warrants out for him for things like consorting with known criminals and some basic, you know, general, kind of a warrant like that. Even just putting them all in jail, but they were they were cold blooded, black hander mafia killers from Sicily. I came to Chicago and of course, the first time they first place they came to in Chicago was a Taylor Street area and the Patch and little Italy had actually had two areas, Little Italy and then little Sicily was just north of that a...

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Did Tony Accardo Spoil HIs Daughter?

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 09:00:42 +0000

Retired intelligence detective tells about the time that the daughter of Tony Accardo took off with her friend on an unapproved trip out west. “The Boys” had given her a Triumph Sports car as a gift, probably for graduation. Without permission, she convinced her best girlfriend to accompany her on a driving trip out west. She neglected to tell her father, feared mob boss Tony Accardo. Gary received an anonymous email from this friend’s sister, who told the story. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here!

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Did Tony Accardo Spoil His Daughter?

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired intelligence detective tells about the time that the daughter of Tony Accardo took off with her friend on an unapproved trip out west. "The Boys" had given her a Triumph Sports car as a gift, probably for graduation. She convinced her best girl friend to take off, without permission, on a driving trip out west. Gary received an anonymous email from this friend's sister, who told the story.

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The KC Mob and Narcotics

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 09:00:35 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this video, Gary interviews retired Assistant US Attorney Chuck Ambrose. He tells us the story of two brothers who were mob associates. Steven Vest was married to the granddaughter of Joe Filardo. Filardo took Nick Civella to the famous Mob Meeting in upstate New York when New York State Troopers arrested them. Steven Vest was a vicious and greedy cocaine dealer. Chuck tells how a witness described a double murder and pointed out the burial site. This investigation took the FBI into a dark underground of addicts, cocaine, and drug houses. Among many other crimes, Steven and Darrell Vest murdered two Colombian drug mules, buried the body, and kept the cocaine claiming the couriers never arrived. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SUMMARY KEYWORDS mob, kansas city, book, couriers, case, money, son, homicide, brothers, food stamp fraud, prosecutors, running, kilos, business, chuck, cocaine, spend, cartel, vest, rules SPEAKERS Chuck Ambrose, GARY JENKINS 00:00 One thing I can get into a little bit if you want me to is that you got the old mob mythology that they never did dope. But we all know that not the case. Even the New York families were running heroin wherever the money was the fastest. That’s where they win. You are listening to gangland wire hosted by former Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective, Gary Jenkins. 00:24 Welcome all you Wiretappers out there back here in the studio gangland wire. And I have an old friend of mine in many ways. We crossed paths many times. But we didn’t really know each other. He worked with the guys that worked for me, I was a sergeant in the intelligence unit. So I kind of stayed out of the day to day activities. And I had, you know, 12 guys that I was overseeing what everybody was doing and, and so my guys work with US Attorney’s Office and a particular FBI agent, who was one of the best I’ve ever met Larry Tongate. We have the US attorney that’s Assistant US Attorney that a lot of the guys worked with on several narcotics cases involving the mob in Kansas City. Chuck Ambrose, welcome, Chuck. Thank you, glad to be with you. It’s great to have you and kind of get to know you. Like I said, I heard your name so many times from these guys. But somehow we just our paths never crossed, never met face to face. So it’s really been good catching up with you. Before we started recording to hear some of the stories we’re not going to tell on the area. You have been writing crime fiction, and you have used your experience as a US Attorney here in Kansas City and other places a lot to create the storylines in these books. And that’s really sounds interesting. Chuck why don’t name off some of those books. 01:38 Okay, well, the first I wrote just a little bit of background I did several years in DC before moving to Kansas City, I’d come home every day and tell my wife what we’ve been doing it work and he can’t make this stuff up, he ought to write a book. So I finally did. The first one published about 10 years ago now is Capital Kill set in DC and it had to do with a Jamaican posse and a serial killer. And most of my books are based on either real cases or real investigations. Sometimes I will blend two or three into one novel.

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The KC Mob and Narcotics

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Scarpo versus Trafficante: A Florida Story

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 09:00:22 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews Tony Scarpo about his family and how they fought to establish themselves independently of the Trafficante Mafia Family. Tony’s grandfather migrated from Bari, Italy, to the Pennsylvania coalfields and moved to Tampa, Florida, for an opportunity. His grandfather, Antonio, fought off gangsters in Pennsylvania, and his father, Art Scarpo, found himself in the same battle when they opened a bar and restaurant in Tampa. When the Scarpo family arrived, they encountered the powerful Trafficante family, an established American Mafia family. Tony Scarpo grew to adolescence witnessing and helping his father and uncles fight back against the Trafficantes. As an adult, Tony Scarpo achieved great success as a diamond importer and has become a generous philanthropist. At one point, he asked his sister, “Did we live through what I remember?” This put him on a path to document and memorialize his exciting family history in this book. Tony has obtained interest from a motion picture company, and a screenwriter is working on a script. Please click here to buy the book La Mia Famiglia: Never Let Them Steal Your Name. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SUMMARY KEYWORDS tampa, father, book, mafia, people, dad, family, mob, anthony, italian, story, began, fbi, bar, growing, narcotics, man, sat, brothers, bookmaking SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS, Tony Scarpo 00:00 I don’t know the circumstances of how this meeting came about. He may have been invited. He may have been forced, or he may have been thinking he was going to dinner with friends, but he found himself at a scene straight out of the godfather. Two men he had never seen before asked him to join them for a cup of coffee. The meeting was to take place at hares diner on Hillsborough Avenue. When my dad entered to the well known restaurant, he was escorted back to a dimly lit banquet room, wondering why the main diner tables weren’t sufficient. He heard the door slam behind him. They’re sitting at a four top or two men waiting to meet him. He noticed several other men scattered throughout the room, all standing with their eyes focused intently on him, each man standing at attention as if waiting for some sort of signal. Well, thanks a lot. Anthony. Welcome while you are tappers out there. Back here in the studio gangland wire. You just heard a little short reading from Anthony’s book about the Trafficante mafia and family and his father growing up in Tampa, Florida. Welcome, Anthony. Thank you. Thank you for having me. Well, this is kind of a long torturous trip we took to get here. This date one time, folks, I hate to admit it, but I dropped the ball here. And Anthony got ahold of me a couple of years ago, just before COVID hit. And somehow I was looking back at my old podcast by my podcast group on Facebook and the messages and I see this not that well, what the heck, I never did talk to him. Let’s go find him because I’m thinking about doing something with Scott detail. Or Scott is going to talk about the Purple Gang up in Harlem. But Scott Deitche. If you guys don’t know he is kind of the main premiere historian of the southern Florida crime families. And he has the Ybor City mob tour, which I took if you look on my YouTube channel, you’ll find my kind of going on that tour so you can get a taste for what that’s like right ...

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Scarpo Family versus Trafficante Family

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews Anthony Scarpo about his family and how they established themselves independently of the Trafficante Family. Tony's grandfather migrated from Bari, Italy, to the Pennsylvania coalfields and moved to Tampa, Florida, for an opportunity. His grandfather, Antonio, fought off gangsters in Pennsylvania, and his father, Art Scarpo, found himself in the same battle when they opened a bar and restaurant in Tampa. When the Scarpo family arrived, they encountered the Trafficante family, who were already a powerful American Mafia family. As Tony grew to adolescence, he watched his father and uncles fight back against the Traficantes.
Click here to buy the book, La Mia Famiglia: Never Let Them Steal our Name.
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The Purple Gang of New York

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 09:00:41 +0000

Retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins explains the Purple Gang of East Harlem in this bonus episode. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here!

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Purple Gang of East Harlem

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins explains the Purple Gang of East Harlem in this bonus episode.

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Mafia Lawyers – Roy Cohn

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:00:16 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews an expert on Mob lawyers, Australian lawyer Tony Taouk, about Roy Cohn. We learn that Mr. Cohn was a flamboyant fixture in New York City and “made his bones” as the advisory lawyer to Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Committee on Un-American activities during the 1950s. One of Roy Cohn’s most famous mob cases was the time he helped Carmine Galante beat a parole revocation. To contact our guest or get a good lawyer in Syndey, Australia, Click here Tony Taouk is an Australian lawyer and a Mafia researcher who specializes in the subject of mob trials and mob lawyers. He has also traveled to the United States and visited mob-related sites in New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS, Roy Cohn, Tony Taouk, Carmine Galante 00:00 And this grandfatherly man said that I’m gonna leave 00:04 the country good. What 00:05 are you gonna do when you get to the country? 00:07 Well, I mean, I tried peppers last week now I’m gonna plant tomatoes. 00:11 His name is Carmine Galante, the late Carmine Galati, who the papers said was the godfather of the mafia. Okay. 00:18 You think that had an influence on the federal judgment? He held that you were right in the parole customers role? I 00:23 think so 00:24 he thinks a farmer ought to be able to say the right thing. 00:26 So I mean, it’s very well known that what I do, 00:29 I don’t have to believe a person is innocent. Like we thought we got Galante or Tony Salerno or something like that. I don’t have to believe in their innocence in a particular case, I have to believe one of two things. Number one, that that person is innocent in the particular case, or that there are some extraordinary circumstances which make the prosecution unfair. 00:50 Well, hey all you wiretappers out there. Welcome back to the studio of Gangland Wire. We got a special show if you listen to that little promo that was Carmine Golante talking with his lawyer Roy Cohen right after Roy did a deal that got him out of jail. He was talking about that what he was gonna go do. I’ve got a an Australian lawyer, Tony Taouk, from down-under from Sydney, Australia, who is an expert on mob lawyers. And we’re gonna do a series of shows and today we’re gonna do one about Roy Cohen. Roy Cohen is not a household name when it comes to the mob lawyers, but he was a mob lawyer as well as the lawyer for Donald Trump and, and a lot of other people in New York City and that character all on his own. So I just thought it was an interesting guy. And that’s gonna be our first one there. We’re gonna do some of the other famous mob lawyers over the next several months. So just sit back and listen to my friend Tony Taouk. from Down Under and I will have a link to his website if you’re in Sydney and you need a lawyer. Thanks a lot for helping me out Tony. Good. We’re just gonna cut right into this guy’s 01:55 he’s one of the most he’s a toxic combination of brilliant and evil is probably one of the most interesting and complex and a moral character. I have least in the legal world, 02:09 really. I have to agree when it first started coming down. Now he was Donald Trump’s legal advisor. I’m thinking he’s still alive. He’s still around doing, man. I mean, he goes from Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump then stops at the mafia in bet...

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Mob Lawyers - Roy Cohn

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:00:02 +0000

Andrew DiDonato and How to Rob a Bank

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Drew DiDonato – How to Rob a Bank

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Retired Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins interviews Andrew DiDonato, a former mafia associate of the Gambino crew that Nicky Corazzo skippered. Andrew tells how Corazzo took him in and groomed him to be a part of his crew and how he made money for the Gambino family. He learned the hard way that there is no real honor in the mafia, only greed. As he brought in guys from other families and created a bank robbery crew, Corazzo became jealous and wanted more money and more money while Drew took all the risks. He describes a successful bank robbery in great detail. Andrew DiDonato and his co-author Denny GFriffin released a popular book about his exploits. Click here to get Surviving the Mob: A Street Soldier’s Life inside the Gambino Crime Family. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes, click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Transcript SUMMARY KEYWORDS money, knew, bags, life, lawyer, run, people, kill, friend, bank robbery, pinched, gary, day, put, nicky, street, lived, problems, location, years SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS, Andrew DiDonardo 00:00 Hey all you wiretappers out there back here in the studio gangland wire. Nice sunny day here in Kansas City. This is the second of a two part episode with Andrew D DiDonato. A Gambino family Nicky Corazzo crew associate and in this he tells about, a litle bit about his life getting into the Mob, how they recruited him how they groomed him. He tells in great detail, you got to wait a little bit for it stick with it about doing a big bank robbery, which is really interesting. Now he did it. Then it ends up down about how he ended up going into witness protection. Actually, he never went into witness protection. He lived in New York as you see him on Facebook every once awhile, I think he if you remember from the last episode, he was talking about being in the car business, I think he’s in the car business, I need to get ahold of him and see how he’s doing and what’s going on with it was really a good guy. I really liked talking to him and would mind talking to him to get an update on what’s going on. You know, he was involved with Nicky Corazzo in that crew during the time when Michael DiLeonardo ends up coming in and and he knew about that whole deal where John Gotti Jr. was gonna try to kill or actually was only gonna have him beat up and then the guy tried to kill him, Curtis Sliwa. And so he was real close to all those guys that were close to God. And he was. I mean, he was in there and he was a moneymaker for him. And he got tired of being, you know, the guy that made all the money. And while they got all the gravy, and he took all the risk at the end, which is the way it is in the mob, listen to this and bear with it, especially if you want to hear about that armed robbery because it’s a great story. And he’s a good storyteller. As you know, if you’ve listened to that last one. You haven’t listened to the one I put that before, go back and find it. And it’s just like a couple of weeks ago, I’m gonna put this up right away. Listen, guys, it’s a good one. It really is no Ilana, there’s no Ilana, these guys were robbed everyone, mothers with the lights off, there’s money on the table. There’s no honor here. That’s a fabricated thing. It’s a fabricated thing to brainwash young guys like me to think that when they’re out there doing these things, justified in their actions. For many years, I carried myself again, I was part of this honor system, I was wanted to be a man of respect, there is none.

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Anthony Ruggiano – Gambino Associate Tells All

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 10:00:13 +0000

Retired Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins talks with former Gambino Crime Family associate Anthony Ruggiano about his life as the son of Gambino member Fat Andy Ruggiano. Anthony Ruggiano was born into Mob life and never had a chance. It was a typical day for him as a young man to meet others at his Father’s Social Club and plan scores like sending people out to the suburbs with stolen credit cards. He would meet them on their return and pay them a small amount on the dollar for various electronic goods and other small high-dollar items. Then take these items to the retail fence he used. This was his college and internship. He got hooked on the action, drugs, and alcohol from this dangerous fast-paced life. Ultimately, he couldn’t take it any longer and realized he could not maintain this lifestyle and stay alive. He went into treatment and then long-term recovery. He found he could not return to criminal life, and Anthony now works at an addiction treatment center. For help from Anthony, if you have a problem, call 855-963-2113. To see Anthony’s show click here on his YouTube channel, Reformed Gangsters. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes, click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Transcription 00:00 Hi my name is Anthony Ruggiano Jr. and I am the son of Anthony Fat Andy Ruggiano who became a main member of the American mafia in 1953. When I became a teenager at 16, I followed my father into that life and he started schooling me he was a member of the Gambino crime family at that time, I started to work with him at the age of 16. I started using drugs around that time and committed crimes with him when I was age 23. I went to prison for the first time when I came out. I was friendly with John Gotti through my father’s Association, I stopped running around with that Crow and also continued using drugs. My father was a high ranking member of the Gambino family in 1984. My father was arrested by the FBI at that point in time I was still in the street I started freebasing cocaine and I guess that’s what I crossed over the line into addiction my father was doing for two years in prison, John Gotti was the boss of the Gambino family at the time. I had a very good relationship with them. Welcome all you wiretappers out there. It’s good to have you back here in the studio gangland wire. I have a really special guest today. And if you’re out there on YouTube, and you’re a real mob fan and YouTube Bob fan, you know there’s a lot of guys that were formerly in the life that are out there on YouTube. Sammy the bull, Michael Franchese, but we have another guy who was part of the Gambino family Anthony ruggiano, Jr. and I’ve got him right here in the studio with me if you’re on YouTube, and if you’re not, you’re gonna hear him in a few minutes. Thanks a lot, guys for listening and welcome, Anthony. Oh, well, thanks. Thanks for having me. I’m really glad Glad to have you on here. This is like kind of a new phenomenon you guys that were formerly in the live with YouTube channels Bobby Luisi. And there’s just a quite a few of you. So it’s, you know, what a what a what a difference of 30 years makes 01:53 very true very true. 01:56 I’m waiting for somebody in Kansas City to come in and start a YouTube channel or want to co host with me I don’t see it covered though. There was a big mob family in Kansas City at one time I don’t know what happened to them well, as well you know, there’s still one of our last surviving guys just died yesterday actually,

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Anthony Ruggiano Gambino Associate Tells All

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins talks with former Gambino Crime Family associate Anthony Ruggerio about his life as the son of Gambino member Fat Andy Ruggerio. Anthony Ruggerio was born into Mob life and never had a chance. It was a normal day for him as a young man to meet others at his Father's Social Club and plan scores like sending people out to the suburbs with stolen credit cards. He would meet them on their return and pay them a small amount on the dollar for various electronic goods and other small high-dollar items. Then take these items to the retail fence he used. This was his college and internship. He got hooked on the action, drugs, and alcohol from this dangerous fast-paced life. Ultimately, he couldn't take it any longer and realized he could not maintain this lifestyle and stay alive. He went into treatment and then long-term recovery. He found he could not return to criminal life, and Anthony now works at an addiction treatment center. For help from Anthony, if you have a problem, call 855-963-2113. To see Anthony's show click here on his YouTube channel

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Gone in 60 Seconds with Vic Ferrari

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 10:00:07 +0000

Vic Ferrari's colorful and unique storytelling style entertains and enlightens simultaneously.

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Vic Ferrari - Gone in 60 Seconds

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins interviewed retired NYPD auto theft detective Vic Ferrari about his experiences with the mob and the horrible auto theft problem in New York City. Vic Ferrari has written extensively about the NYPD culture, the mob, and his time in the Auto Theft Unit. Vic Ferrari's colorful and unique storytelling style entertains and enlightens simultaneously. He grew up on these "mean streets" and knows the Borough neighborhoods like a New York native who spent his career as a cop.

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SUMMARY KEYWORDS nypd, car, stolen, shipping, thieves, chinese, stolen cars, worked, run, case, brooklyn, winds, stolen vehicles, bronx, drive, cops, stories, year, precinct, books SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS,
Vic Ferrari 00:00 He's parked and this is on a midnight so my lieutenant gets on the radio goes Hey Vic, go up there recover that car and try not to be seen like not to be seen. So I I walk up there the cars running it's on a midnight I'm in this car. I'm like in a tomb the whole interior has been stripped. So there's no door handles no nothing. I don't even know how to get back out of the car. The dashboard is stripped and the interior of the car had been sprayed with WD 40. So so it's so you can't recover fingerprints. So now I'm sliding around in this car. I can't get out of it. And a four seven police car drives by and I said oh shit. If they run my plate, it's got to come back stolen. I can't even roll down the windows. 01:35 Well, welcome all you wiretappers out there back here in studio gangland wire. And I have an interesting guy to say the least another retired copper just like me. And like I used to say out of the mouths of the men that did it. Well, this is a guy that did it. And now he writes stories about it while he writes fiction, but he uses his real life experiences, of course to tell these fictional stories. Vic Ferrari Welcome Vic. 02:01 Gary, thank you so much for having me on your show. I'm a big fan. Great. Well, you 02:05 know, when you got hold on me, you said you'd been listen to the podcast for a while and I appreciate that. And we take all the listeners we can and I like to entertain people and I can tell you do too. I looked at some of the clips of you and other shows that are that he likes to entertain people So anyhow vic, I get you were with NYPD and where do you spend most of your career like I spent most of mine with the intelligence unit here in KC would you spend most of your career 02:31 for the most part I worked in the Organized Crime Control Bureau which and compartmentalized in the Organized Crime Control Bureau. I worked in the NYPD peds auto crime division as a detective for the last 10 years of my career. Okay, 02:45 cool. You retired? And did you start writing before you retired? Or when you get interested in writing? You Ever did you have an English Lit degree at some point in your life? 02:53 No, I got a high school diploma. After I retired from the NYPD, I was bored out of my mind and friends and family said you know you got all these wild stories. You know how to tell a story. Why don't you start writing these things down? And I did and I start I've written a series I've written six books for which are behind the scenes look at the New York City Police Department, you know, things that people wouldn't normally think about with with the NYPD. 03:19 If you were to recommend one year titles, which one that you like maybe the most proud of or the that you'd like personally yourself? 03:27 They're all my babies. But I would go with Grand Theft Auto the NYPD is auto crime division. That's everything you wanted to know about the stolen car industry who steals your car caught thieves mindset what happens to your car, the chop shop, how the auto theft industry works insurance fraud, how to protect your vehicle for being stolen, and the scams that caught these used to get your car. 03:50 Interesting. You know, we were talking before and you know, I had this guy on a mob guy Mob Associate named Andrew Didonato, folks, you got to go back and search you'll find that old interviews fun guy and, and he was he was your counterpart. On the other side. He was a mob guy who was stealing cars. And he told a really fun story about a time that that he was back in a car out of his chop shop and the only thing they taken the steering wheel off was Mercedes and it was a real highly desired steering wheel. So it had a pair of channel locks on the nut that that would hold the steering wheel on and mainly like a bunch of the fenders are off of it and he had to put a milk crate or some other seat in there to sit on and he backed out. And then he started driving down the street because he wanted to get it away from there chop shop and NYPD car pulls up behind him and turns red lights on it he ends up in a car chase and he loses them enough that he could bail out and then run through the neighborhoods which got I'd never caught anybody myself. The car chase me one time, but you may need to catch him so you got to experience Just like that, 05:00 oh, plenty. I mean it you gotta remember in the 90s, New York City averaged 150,000 stolen vehicles a year. So it was like shooting fish in the barrel. I remember going to like the Hunts Point section of the Bronx and you'd be driving around. And you'd see to heroin addicts drive past you when a car with no glass, the windshield is gone, the back windows gone. Or like you said, the doors like a clown car in the circus like it's missing major component parts the hood, and they just go by and you're like what, and by the time you start making that U turn, you're off to the races and we're talking about off air. We were doing a case where we had these guys shipping costs to Shanghai and the main, the main facilitator of this case was also chopping cause in his backyard so we were doing a midnight I'm on a rooftop watching this guy's garage Dodge Caravan goes in there for about an hour or so we run the play to stolen the caravan backs out goes up to White Plains Road and gets parked and this is on a midnight so my lieutenant gets on the radio goes Hey, Vic, go up there, recover that car and try not to be seen like not to be seen. So like I walk up there, the cars running it's on a midnight I jump into this Dodge Caravan I shut the door it's running. And then the first thing I realized once I'm in this car, I'm like in a tube the whole interior has been stripped so there's no door handles no nothing. I don't even know how to get back out of the car. The dashboard is stripped and the interior of the car had been sprayed with WD 40. So so as to you can't recover fingerprint. So now I'm sliding around in this car, I can't get out of it. And a four seven police car drives by and I said oh shit, if they run my plate, it's going to come back stolen. I can't even roll down the windows to tell them hey, I'm a cop show my ID they're gonna wind up pulling me out of the window by my head. The four seven cop comes behind me. I slap it into Drive and I take off. Now I'm getting chased by another police car. I'm trying to get our radio on the correct frequency to tell them to back off and I'm yelling into the radio to my counterpoint. We're on point by point which is like walkie talkie and I'm telling them go over the air until the fourth seventh and back left. They're gonna kill me. So finally I lost the police. I can drive I lost them. I drove into way a Metro North commuter parking lot off the Bronx River Parkway and I kicked out the back window of the car. That was the only way I can escape. And I got out and then my friends pull in a couple of minutes late and they're laughing at me. I'm coughing and glass I'm like shimmy I was got killed 07:19 With WD 40. Wow, that's a heck of a story. You probably had lots of adventures like that in New York, like you said, was probably like shooting fish in the barrel. It's and especially if you're a guy that as an eye for a you stolen card. There's some guys that have an eye for that. Terry Finn was my favorite guy I ever worked with that guy found more stolen cars and found more occupied stolen cards that car chases and everybody else put together. It was unbelievable. So you had that I 07:47 think well I grew up in a neighborhood where it was stealing call was a rite of passage. I wasn't a car thief. But at an early age I worked in a gas station. And there was always guys driving through there with stolen cars either trying to sell parts get gas, and you know, I'd see the broken steering column the punch vent window, the punch door lock you know dirty beat up plates on a brand new car. There's telltale signs the balloon tire, you know like the tire you get a flat it's supposed to last 240 miles. Yeah, you know, these guys got caught the four junkies driving around a stolen car, then I gotta go and invest in a tire. They'll drive that thing until the tire falls off. So things to look for. And yeah, I was always getting into car chases. 08:29 Interesting. So in your book, for example. Give us some examples. Some stories out of your book of the NYPD of auto theft Sure. That yeah, I'm sorry, Grand Theft Auto abs. I forgot the name of it, Grand Theft Auto. No, it's fine. 08:45 It's fine. So I worked in the Bronx office, we had a little bit of the mafia, but our Queens and Brooklyn offices, they basically targeted you know, the Gambino nose Lucchese. Every mafia family had their finger in the pie of auto theft, one way or another, whether they actually owned a salvage yard or a junkyard or a body shop.

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Drew DiDonato – Gone in 60 Seconds

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:00:28 +0000

Retired Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins interviews former Gambino associate Andrew DiDonato. As he is known on the street, Drew was a premiere car thief for the Nicky Corazzo crew in Brooklyn. He tells the best stories about car chases with cops, stealing a car belonging to Paul Castellano’s son-in-law, and finding a handgun with a book containing handwritten notations about loan shark collections and a lot of cash. Click here to get Andrew’s Book Surviving the Mob Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes, click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Transcript SUMMARY KEYWORDS car, money, friend, nikki, knew, listen, gambino crime family, genovese, bought, life, receipt, robbing, doors, give, hear, stolen, street, crew, told, put 00:00 Hey guys, welcome to Studio I got a heck of a story for you today. This is a guy Andrew de Donato grew was a member of or associate of the Nicki Carazzo crew and the Gambino family for a long time. And he has some stories and and I’m gonna taste them early on or is the best story ever heard about a car chase that he had, but we keep listening about 15 minutes in about the time that he and a buddy his stole a car belonging to the son in law Paul Castellano and in that car when it was a nice Mercedes that guy was, I won’t tell you the story. You got to listen to this story. When they got home, they found stuff in that car that Paul Castellano wanted back and his kappo Nicky Corrado was on the phone before he could even really get in and get back in and look at the car. He knew there was some stuff in the car, I knew there was a bag in the car, Nikki Corrazo said, you know, he just you gotta return that you gotta return that. And so, you know, the story of of what he found and his returning the car. And what happened after that is, it’s tell you this is one you guys got to share with your friends. You got to share this to everybody, this guy and he’s a heck of a storyteller too. So, so settle back and listen to this interview with Andrew DiDonado. 01:23 Friend of mine, Richie had a Mercedes Benz that, you know, on their cell that he was looking to put together, we found one in color, we took it, he took it out of a shopping center, we brought it to the location we were chopping the car, we couldn’t cut it the way we usually do where we can make a Pepsi came out of it. We had actually drive the shell out at night. And we had to get it out because a friend of mine we will use in his family’s garage at the time at this one location. What happened was, we had to signal setup that we were going to go out about two in the morning, a friend of mine was standing on a corner with a flashlight. I’m inside the garage and I’m crimping the why I’m crimping all the oil lines to the oil lines don’t squirt, and you know leave a trail back to the garage where we chopped the car. And then my friend comes up to me and says bottom line that you didn’t want to hear and your whole wildest dreams because we listened to I need that steering wheel. Like I can’t give it a steering wheel. I said I got to drive this car out. Because listen, it’s a wood wheels and naughty wheel. He goes it’s gonna cost about 500 If I gotta buy in the store. I said all right, right take this the steering wheel off the car and I put a vise grip on now the car’s got no seats in it just a shell engine is no trunk deck. There’s no hook. There’s no doors. There’s no not a friend of mine is standing outside. With a flashlight. He gives me the old gold single that it’s able ...

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Andrew Didonato - Gone is 60 Seconds

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:00:02 +0000

What happened Sin City Gangsters?

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 10:00:55 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins discusses the new book Sin City: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in Las Vegas with author Jeffrey Sussman. As you may know, your host, Gary Jenkins, chased the #mafia around Kansas City while they were secretly skimming millions from Sin City or Las Vegas casinos. Jeffrey Sussman has extensively researched the rise and fall of the Mafia in Las Vegas. Sin City had no home-grown Mafia family, and starting with Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, and Frank Costello, they built the Strip into a money-making machine. When Atlantic City opened, The New York mobsters took control of all gambling action in Atlantic City, while the Chicago Outfit moved into Sin City big time. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! Transcript Jeffrey Sussman Feb 07, 2023 12:50PM • 20:59 SUMMARY KEYWORDS las vegas, casinos, money, teamsters, mob, built, chicago, tony, rosenthal, howard hughes, buy, people, book, gangsters, jeffrey, character, lefty, moe, hand, friend SPEAKERS JEFFREY SUSSMAN, GARY JENKINS 00:00 A lot of people don’t realize is that the flamingo hotel was not started by Bugsy Siegel as portrayed in the movie bugzy. It was actually started by a man named Billy Wilkerson, who owns the Hollywood Reporter, and a number of other places in Hollywood, including several restaurants. He started a flamingo and named it the flamingo but it had nothing to do with Bugsy Siegel’s girlfriend Virginia Hill, which was the premise in the movie that the flamingo got its name for because Bugsy Siegel named it after Virginia hill. It never happened that way. 00:36 Welcome while you are to average out there. Good to be back here in studio gangland wire. We have my repeat guest Jeffrey Sesemann. Jeffrey, welcome. 00:45 It’s a pleasure to be with you again, Gary. 00:47 Well, Jeffrey, we’ve done boxing in the mob. We’ve done some other older mob things that you and I talk a year or so ago about this new book about the kind of the origins in Las Vegas, how it developed, you get a copy of that book there, hold that up. 01:04 I have a copy of the book. It’s called Sin City gangsters, the rise and decline of the mob in Las Vegas. And it was just published. 01:12 Cool. So guys, I’m gonna have links to the Amazon site where you can buy that book, I highly recommend you buy the book and and looking forward, you’ll see that your intrepid host, Gary Jenkins gets a little credit. 01:24 Absolutely. Well deserved credit. 01:28 So definitely that he interviewed me and he recorded what I knew about Las Vegas courts. My knowledge of Las Vegas, as you all know, is really from Kansas City. And that’s about the skimming and what happened in the Kansas City area of the skimming investigation in the 1970s. But I was happy to help Jeffrey and I wish you all luck in the world. And so how did you happen to get started this year in the easterner right what you boxing in the mob has been one of your things boxing is your real thing. So head right into this. 02:00 Well, I met three different people at different points and it sparked my interest. In the late 1970s. I met a man named Big Julie Weintraub, who looked like an ex heavyweight fighter, you know, he had a broken nose and he was about six foot five 250 pounds. And he was the creator or the inventor of what was called the Las Vegas junket where he would take high rollers to the dunes hotel,...

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Gangsters in Sin City

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Mr. Stinky Feet Finds a Killer

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 12:00:55 +0000

Retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins interviews Jim Cosgrove, aka Mr. Stinky Feet, a Kansas City children’s entertainer and author. Mr. Cosgrove reports on a multi-year investigation he conducted and chronicled in his book Ripple: A Long Strange Search for a Killer. This investigation takes him into the Low Country of South Carolina, where he finds the local crime boss and his underlings may have been the killers. Subscribe to the Podcast for a new gangster story every week. Support the Podcast. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here!

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Mr. Stinky Feet Finds a Killer

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins interviews Jim Cosgrove, aka Mr. Stinky Feet, a Kansas City children's entertainer and author. Mr. Cosgrove reports on a multi-year investigation he conducted and chronicled in his book Ripple: A Long Strange Search for a Killer. This investigation takes him into the Low Country of South Carolina, where he finds the local crime boss and his underlings may have been the killers.

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Tony Accardo and his Daughter

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 20:17:50 +0000

Retired Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins tells some stories he got from a childhood friend of the Tony Accardo family. We learn about the time “the boys” gave the daughter a new Triumph sports car. She graduated from high school, and she and a girlfriend headed west without parental approval. They had a few real schoolgirl adventures while Tony and the families worried. This and more. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes, click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Transcript 0:00:00 Hey, all you wiretappers out there. It’s gonna be a little short bonus episod. Wiat while we get adjusted here. I got a call. Actually, I got an email from a lady who lives in Chicago though, and she grew up with Tonia Accardo’s daughter. She and her sister lived in the same neighborhood in River Forest. About the big mansion with the pool in the bottom. First thing she told me was, I remember going in that mansion. She said it was really special. Said mister Carlo just said, you know, walk around, take a look, do whatever you want. So she met remembers going down into the basement where there was a big pool you remember. Right? And she said she saw a huge she thought it was a swordfish. She probably had the, like, the the sword down on them. Now. Maybe not a big tuna, but a big zordfish on the wall. She said it was really scary for her as a kid. And she said, remember seeing a a ball. Down there. And then she said she added, well, that was the vault that those two men were robbing. So I guess everybody in the neighborhood knew about somebody breaking into his house. Now she goes on to tell me her sister actually was better friends with with, I believe, the older daughter. Tony Accardo. 0:01:07 You know, I had that one story with Carlo Miceli, who was a young man, was asked by Tony to take his daughter to the school prom, and they ended up going up into Wisconsin drinking all night after they ditched the bodyguards. When he got back, Ricardo said, yeah, I understand, son. He knew his daughters. And they were they were wild. She talked about how they’d like one of them had a bunch of people over for the pool, for a pool party, and she hit all their regular clothes. Nobody was happy with that. One time she locked the gate so nobody could get out. She was always playing tricks like that. This was the older one. As I said, she was a wild hare. 0:01:46 The boys, as my informant tells me, the boys gave her a Triumph sports car sometime during the sixties. As a graduation present, and this is late in the year. So, schools out and she and my informant’s sister take off on an an unannounced, unapproved trip in this Triumph Sports Car, and they go out west. So they get to the Grand Canyon’s She remembers her sister told her that they rode the mules down into the bottom of the Grand Canyon, came back out there driving out across the desert down in the southwest and they had a flat tire. Well, you know, these little Italian American princesses aren’t gonna change their own flat tire. They’ve never had to change tire. A truckload of pickup truckload of of Native Americans, Indians came along. They stopped. And and so these five guys got out and and they loosened the lug nuts on their flat tire. They got the spare out. The other four lifted up the triumph and just held it up while the guy pulled the flat tire off and put the spare back on. 0:02:47 So I’d tell you these two girls that were on a real adventure. I wish I knew more of these stories.

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Tony Accardo and his daughter

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 20:16:07 +0000

Retired Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins tells some stories he got from a childhood friend of the Tony Accardo family. We learn about the time "the boys" gave the daughter a new Triumph sports car. She graduated from high school, and she and a girlfriend headed west without parental approval. They had a few real schoolgirl adventures while Tony and the families worried. This and more.

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Lucky Luciano and Operation Underworld

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 10:00:17 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews Matt Black about his new book about how Navy Commander Charles Haffenden recruited Lucky Luciano and Socks Lanza into Operation Underworld. We learn the U.S. Navy was alarmed by the sinking of the world’s largest cruise liner, USS Normandie, while it was cocked at New York Harbor being converted to a cargo and troop ship. The Navy had reports of the FBI arresting German spies and saboteurs on American soil. They were terrified these German spies might cripple the Navy’s efforts to get troops and supplies to the European Theater of War. Commander Haffenden recruited Socks Lanza, the mafia’s kingpin for the harbor area. Once he worked successfully with Lanza and incorporated his contacts into Operation Underworld, Lanza introduced him to Luciano. Then Commander has to get the approval of Thomas E. Dewey and other local and state authorities. Once he got everybody on board, he transferred Lucky Lucian to a prison close to New York and promised the state would release him after the war. Click here to get the book on Amazon. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes, click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Lucky Luciano Operation Underworld Tue, Feb 07, 2023 10:26AM • 44:03 SUMMARY KEYWORDS luciano, book, mafia, underworld, longshoremen, ship, operation, people, lucky luciano, adonis, waterfront, new york city, navy, sicily, teamsters, world war, story, big, prison, new york SPEAKERS GARY JENKINS, Matthew Black 00:00 They didn’t go to you know Luciano right away the Navy went to the district attorney’s office told them what they needed and they came up with you know, a few names that might be able to help. The first one you know, that really ended up being a lot of help was this mid level gangster named Socks Lanza. And Socks’ is nicknamed because he socked everybody. I mean, he’s like a big 275 pound man, you know, he’s got these enormous hands, you know, and he’ll punch you with brass knuckles. He was also the czar of the Fulton Fish Market. 00:33 Well, hey, all you are Wiretappers out there. It’s good to be back here in the studio. You know, we’re in the middle of winter right now here in Kansas City. It might be warm by the time I get this out, or at least warmer than it is right now. But this is about halfway between Christmas and New Year’s and then anybody that lives back East. I know you guys have had it. They’ve got it has been ordered back. They’re really cold here, but not so much snow. Anyhow, today. i It’s a treat for me. I don’t know about you guys. I hope you find it as a treat. But it’s a real treat for me. Ever since I was started in this mob stuff. I read my first mob book when I was probably in my teens, maybe early 20s I can’t remember and there’s this story about Lucky Luciano and World War Two and some naval officers and maybe in his in a movie or something a little bit about it. But I’ve never known the details on that. And it’s it’s kind of like a myth about Lucky Luciano. And you know, I like to get below where the myth it starts and what really gets that myth going. And what really happened in World War Two because you guys I don’t know how old you are. A lot of you are closer to my a lot of your post war baby boomers and, and I was just remarking to my wife, I really long from the time when everybody was together and World War Two. And those next few years afterwards. We were like together as a country. And I don’t know we’ve we’ve seemed like we’ve lost that. Anyhow,

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Lucky Luciano and the U.S. Navy

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 10:00:02 +0000

There’s More Bodies Out There!

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 10:00:15 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews noted true crime filmmaker and author Rick Porrello. You will remember Mr. Porrello from Kill the Irishman, the story of the Cleveland Celtic Warrior, Danny Greene. Rick has a new Book titled There’s More Bodies Out There: The True Story of a Mafia Associate and a Cop Who emerge as Suspected Serial Killers. Rick was able to obtain a series of prison interviews with Richard Henkel, who started life as an armed robber, became known to the Pittsburgh Mafia as a man who could kill without remorse, and participated in a famous hostage-taking standoff in Pittsbhurg’s Western Prison. Along the way, Richard Henke befriended Gary Small when he was an Edgewood Borough police officer and brought him into his schemes. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Transcript Rick Porrello edited bodies Thu, Jan 05, 2023 4:07PM • 24:06 SUMMARY KEYWORDS pittsburgh, youngstown, henkel, book, murder, mob, prison, cleveland, life insurance, story, kill, suspected, gary, writing, enforcers, mobsters, organized crime, hear, big, 70s 00:00 I first heard about Richard Henkel when I was writing my book super thief. And I learned that he was responsible for sending a bomb to a massage parlor to a prostitute who worked a massage parlor and sending it to her as a under the guise of a Christmas gift and blowing her up. He killed her, basically to keep her quiet over something else that had happened. And I was aghast and realize, Wow, this might be a story and a character that I want to look into. 00:31 Well, guys, I got a great show for you today. Rick Porello is going to be on here in a minute, a good friend of mine, ex cop, retired cop from back in Cleveland area, done a bunch of stuff you just heard kind of him talking to him a little bit of the low taste of what you’re gonna hear about from him. So let’s welcome Rick Porello. 00:50 And I was aghast and realize, Wow, this might be a story and a character that I want to look into. 00:57 Man, that guy was that guy was that cold Dude, why they? 01:00 He sure was I think he’s still he still is, you know, I’ve been in contact with him for over a year now about 10 months going into the completion of the book. And I first learned about Gary when I was writing my book, super thief, which goes back probably 15 years from working with Phil, Phil Christopher, the master burglar, the sub subject of my book, super thief. And he just kind of mentioned Richard Henkel in passing and, you know, said that he was involved in the murder for, for life insurance. And, you know, when you’re a writer, sometimes you hear you hear stories, or you’re a story or you hear about a certain character and sort of inserted plants a seed, you know, he kind of file that away. And that’s exactly what happened with with this character, Dick Henkel, Richard Henkel on file that away and years later, I started looking into him a little bit, I read a book actually a kind of a short story in a book called Pittsburgh characters. You know, he’s a Pittsburgh, he’s a pit he certainly is a Pittsburgh character. And it was written written by that particular short story was written by a journalist by the name of Paul Marciniak. And it basically tells the, the, you know, that the nuts and bolts of of, of Henkel story and just what a character I mean, he’s basically a mob that yeah, he’s, he’s a mob associate connected with the Pittsburgh mob, Youngstown, in a contract killer, or,

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Rick Porrello Bodies edited

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 10:00:02 +0000

How to Research and Write Crime Fiction

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 10:00:40 +0000

Intelligence detective Gary Jenkins interviews a mystery and thriller fiction writer, Jode Millman about her research and writing process. In Ms. Millman’s recent thriller, Hooker Avenue, she was inspired by a true crime involving sex workers in the Hudson Valley of New York. She also had a personal connection to those crimes. During the late 1990s, eight sex workers disappeared from the mean streets of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and for two years, the police took little action to locate them. Finally, in September 1998, after one woman escaped from the attacker’s clutches, the john, Kendall Francois, admitted to killing the women, and he buried them in his home. The perpetrator had solicited the women on the steps of Ms. Millman’s law office. Naturally, these heinous crimes and the lost lives of the victims haunted her. I wanted to discover whether Hollywood has perpetuated the early 20th Century stereotype of sex workers as boozy, broke, and burned out. She wanted to break through the Hollywood image of a sex worker and depict these women in their true form. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

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Chicago Mob War – Sam Carlisi

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 10:00:38 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins and Outfit historians Camillus Robinson and Paul Whitcombe discuss Sam Carlisi, The Chicago Outfit, and the time when the government after Sam Carlisi and his crew. They operated in Western Cook and DuPage Counties throughout the 1980s. Sam Carlisi was called “Wings” and some people believe it was in his youth he was known for his unrivaled ability to elude the authorities. Others claim it was because he flew around the country to connect with other mob families and was a traveling emissary for the Outfit. James “Litte Jimmy” Marcello worked for Sam Carlisi as his chauffeur, emissary, and all-around right-hand man. Carlisi’s third in command was Anthony Zizzo. On the street, guys knew “Little Tony” Zizzo as that boss of Frank Bonavolante, the head of the crew’s gambling operations, and Anthony “Big Tony” or “Tony the Hatch” Chiaramonti, who managed the crew’s juice loan racket. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes, click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Transcript Sam Carlisi Well welcome all you are Wiretappers out there we are back here in studio gangland wired. And if you’re on YouTube, you can see I have a couple of 00:07 guests that have been on here regularly and semi regularly. Cam Robinson and Paul Whitcomb from Chicago. We’re going to Chicago today, folks. So welcome cam and Paul, I really appreciate you guys coming on help and tell his story. Thanks for having us. Glad to be here. 00:26 As you know, now cams got a book out there somewhere and I’m supposed to get an interview with Frank Calabrese a Jr’s wife who is who he wrote the book with a story of being married to the Mob, shall we say in Chicago? how’s that coming along? Okay, so final edits I’ve seen the cover and we’ve turned everything in should be going to print here very soon. All the all the edits it’s written and done and they just everything is set to pop so they’re good to go. What was the final title? 01:02 Final title we went with was Chicago swan song a mob wife story. Okay. All right. Guys, this one Yeah. latest ones for that guys. And I’m gonna have an interview with him and Lisa Swan here probably about the time that comes out. So we’ll we’ll be you’ll be hearing from us on Facebook and and on the podcast here. We want to see that book get read by a lot of people don’t wait cam. Absolutely. Yeah. The more the merrier or more the merrier. 01:32 You want readers I understand being an author or podcasts or whatever you want people to to digest your work. I just want to know people are digesting my work. You know, there’s there is the money angle to it. But I think it’d be really valuable information, a real different insight into Chicago outfit. We’ve never had that before. Yeah, it is that validation is sort of seeing what what goes on is I think Paul said it best what comes home with a monster comes home for dinner. So you know, it was it was Paul’s wording in in the interview the we did the initial interview and I really think that that says it I mean, this is this is what what the family is going through, I think we sort of getting windows with Carmela soprano, or Karen Hill and we’ll be good fellows. But we really take a deep dive and it’s it’s quite a story. Yeah, or even Gerard and Karen and Deborah Gravano you know, they get caught up in that ecstasy thing down in Phoenix and and all of them caught a case behind it. So I mean, you know, the family that does crime together goes to jail together. 02:39

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Writing Crime fiction with author Jode Millman

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Retired intelligence detective Gary jenkins talks to crime fiction author Jode Millman about her process of writing a book. Jodé is a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Sisters In Crime, and Romance Writers of America. Her book reviews can be found at Booktrib.com and in the New York Journal of Books.

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Chicago Mob War Sam "Wings" Carlisi

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Retired intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins discusses the 1980s Outfit boss Sam "Wings" Carlisi with Outfit historians Camillus Robinson and Paul Whitcombe. When Carlisi achieved the notoriety of becoming the boss, the government set their sites on Carlisi, James "Litte Jimmy" Marcello, Carlisi's chauffeur, emissary, and all-around right-hand man. Carlisi's third in command was Anthony Zizzo. On the street, guys knew “Little Tony” Zizzo as that boss of Frank Bonavolante, the head of the crew's gambling operations, and Anthony “Big Tony” or “Tony the Hatch” Chiaramonti, who managed the crew's juice loan racket.

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Mob Stories from the Front Line – Bonus

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 20:41:33 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary jenkins tells a couple of stories about the recently deceased Kansas City mobster, Willie Cammisano. Transcript Well hey all you wiretappers out there back here in the studio as you can see. We had our the last man standing in the way the Kansas City mafia and he’s younger than me actually he’s only seventy-three Willie Camposanto Jr. Died today. HIs father was the feared mafia enforcer and Capo named Willie the rat or Willie rats they mean Willie rats because he had rat terrier that he let go around and kill rats now Willie Jr. We used to call him Willie the mouse. A lot of people call him Little Willie, but he was he was his father’s son and they were both feared mafia enforcers so Willie Jr. I remember one time we tried to run in on him he was he had a connection with a guy that had a Buy Here – Pay Here used car lot. He was probably getting money out of that. We had a guy undercover got a all decked out with a crapola car and he came in is like looking to buy a car and loaded up his trunk with a bunch of property that looked like it might be stolen. And so he said, you know, he said I got a deal here and they knew that Willie JR. He’s a big hunter and a fisherman you know had fishing equipment had really high end fishing equipment he had some other things I don’t remember what all they had exactly, but mainly the fishing equipment and and so he came in two or three times and he tried to move in a little closer when Willie Jr. was there and tried to interest him in some of this fishing equipment he had you know, come on, take a look at this in the trunk and you know, really high end stuff and, and Willie Jr. Just you know, he didn’t even hardly talk to him because they have no and walked back away and just stayed away from a guy. So he was he was pretty canny. He was a kind of a guy we’d follow Him and follow Him and not really see anything but yet he’d always had to disappear and then something would happen I know we had a murderer one night and the last guy he was playing darts with the victim was playing darts with Willie comes out of Jr. And we were all around and watching this that night and then that guy left and we stayed there Willie he disappeared. Somehow he slipped under our radar and that guy was found dead the next day. So you know go figure we don’t know. Another time. Kind of interesting little story is there’s an FBI agent friend of mine was he was working on putting in a hidden microphone with a technical team, a black bag team, that came in from town putting a microphone in the trap or the Columbus Park social club. So on top of the social club there was about three stories of apartmen ts. The real old building was over what we call a little bit later the North End. Tony is down in the basement finishing up some of the worrying couple of the other guys the real highly technical guys they brought in from out of town were already out and gone. He was putting up the word you know talking that back up in and making sure everything was cleaned up and looking around and given that the final inspection and he started out the front door because what these guys did we were running we were at what we call Jigger and for him that night and we just got like hung around and a marked police car and wore the uniform in case somebody came in said Hey, what are you doing. We would fly into action right away. And so he was he was on his way out and he got to the front door and that the stairs that went up to those upstairs apartments were right next to the front door of the social club. So he or somebody does he opens the door he is somebody clunking down and he closes the doors quietly and the other door the apartment opens up so he kind of hunkers down he looks out there’s Willie come was auto Jr. Walking out getting his car was parked just down the street and driving off. This is about like 430 in the morning. You know he then done his thing and went out and partied the night befo...

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Mob Stories From the Front Line

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 20:40:46 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary jenkins tells a couple of stories about the recently deceased Kansas City mobster, Willie Cammisano.

Transcript
Well hey all you wiretappers out there back here in the studio as you can see. We had our the last man standing in the way the Kansas City mafia and he's younger than me actually he's only seventy-three Willie Camposanto Jr. Died today. HIs father was the feared mafia enforcer and Capo named Willie the rat or Willie rats they mean Willie rats because he had rat terrier that he let go around and kill rats now Willie Jr. We used to call him Willie the mouse. A lot of people call him Little Willie, but he was he was his father's son and they were both feared mafia enforcers so Willie Jr. I remember one time we tried to run in on him he was he had a connection with a guy that had a Buy Here - Pay Here used car lot. He was probably getting money out of that. We had a guy undercover got a all decked out with a crapola car and he came in is like looking to buy a car and loaded up his trunk with a bunch of property that looked like it might be stolen. And so he said, you know, he said I got a deal here and they knew that Willie JR. He's a big hunter and a fisherman you know had fishing equipment had really high end fishing equipment he had some other things I don't remember what all they had exactly, but mainly the fishing equipment and and so he came in two or three times and he tried to move in a little closer when Willie Jr. was there and tried to interest him in some of this fishing equipment he had you know, come on, take a look at this in the trunk and you know, really high end stuff and, and Willie Jr. Just you know, he didn't even hardly talk to him because they have no and walked back away and just stayed away from a guy. So he was he was pretty canny. He was a kind of a guy we'd follow Him and follow Him and not really see anything but yet he'd always had to disappear and then something would happen I know we had a murderer one night and the last guy he was playing darts with the victim was playing darts with Willie comes out of Jr. And we were all around and watching this that night and then that guy left and we stayed there Willie he disappeared. Somehow he slipped under our radar and that guy was found dead the next day. So you know go figure we don't know. Another time. Kind of interesting little story is there's an FBI agent friend of mine was he was working on putting in a hidden microphone with a technical team, a black bag team, that came in from town putting a microphone in the trap or the Columbus Park social club. So on top of the social club there was about three stories of apartmen ts. The real old building was over what we call a little bit later the North End. Tony is down in the basement finishing up some of the worrying couple of the other guys the real highly technical guys they brought in from out of town were already out and gone. He was putting up the word you know talking that back up in and making sure everything was cleaned up and looking around and given that the final inspection and he started out the front door because what these guys did we were running we were at what we call Jigger and for him that night and we just got like hung around and a marked police car and wore the uniform in case somebody came in said Hey, what are you doing. We would fly into action right away. And so he was he was on his way out and he got to the front door and that the stairs that went up to those upstairs apartments were right next to the front door of the social club. So he or somebody does he opens the door he is somebody clunking down and he closes the doors quietly and the other door the apartment opens up so he kind of hunkers down he looks out there's Willie come was auto Jr. Walking out getting his car was parked just down the street and driving off. This is about like 430 in the morning. You know he then done his thing and went out and partied the night before he stayed there for a while and then was on his way home. He lived way out in the suburbs. There's another reason he was hard to follow is how you'd have to drive 30 miles to get out to where his house was to pick him up whenever he first went out on these rounds and running these traps as we say. There is a couple of Willie Jr. stories so Areverdici to Willie Camposanto Jr. Rest in peace. You know it's kind of like to line from I can't remember that group now mid 70s group where, you know, I'll swear there ain't no heaven but I'll pray there ain't no hell so Willie Jr. I bet you're praying there ain't no hell. Well, I hope you have been just one more little story in the life of a mafia detective. Oh, by the way, I ride motorcycles. Don't forget, watch out for motorcycles. And if you have problems with PTSD, why get on their website, the VA website, get that hotline if you've been in the service. And if you got a problem drugs or alcohol get ahold of Anthony Ruggiano Go to his reform gangsters YouTube page and he's got some information there for you. Thanks, guys.

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Luigi the Zip – A True Mafia Hitman

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 10:00:47 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews Michael Vecchione about his book; Homicide Is My Business: Luigi the Zip―A Hitman’s Quest for Honor. A retired New York City criminal prosecutor, Michael Vecchione, tells how he met Luigi Ronsisvalle and gives us an intimate look at the life of a professional killer. Luigi told Mr. Vecchione about his journey from Sicily to his arrival in the United States and his first murder for hire to his last. We learn that Luigi the Zip had an ambition at age twelve to be a made man in the Mafia. He appeared in front of a presidential commission and said, “American child falls in love with baseball, I fall in love with Mafia.” Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Transcript Hey, are you are tappers out there? It’s good to be back here in the studio with you gangland wired is going right on. Retired intelligence Sergeant Gary Jenkins here and I have on this as if you’re onto YouTube, you can see on the screen Miko Vecchione, is that correct, Michael? That’s correct. All right, great. And, Michael, I know if you’re on social media at all you and Bob stuff, you’ve seen this book we’ve seen come up, a lot of people are sharing this about Luigi, the zip. And he is the author of this book. So Michael, first of all, tell us a little bit about yourself how you are interested in you know what your work history, I know a little bit about it, but tell these guys about your work history. And then how you got interested in writing these my books? Sure. First of all, thank you, Gary, for having me. It’s such a pleasure to be here. And, and I, I have been involved in law enforcement, 00:58 probably for well over 40 years. I started way back in 1973, in a Brooklyn district attorney’s office after I graduated from law school, and, and I wound up leaving, after after about seven and a half years, to go into first Police Department as as an attorney for the New York City Police Department. And then after that, my own law practice for 10 years. At that point, the District Attorney in Brooklyn, a guy by the name of Joe Hines, Charles, Joe Heinz, had been elected and, and was looking to, to expand the trial aspect of the office, he had come up with this idea of dividing the borough, the Brooklyn, County of Brooklyn or county of Kings, into into five separate areas. And when police precincts in those five separate areas, was served by different bureaus in the in the office. And so the people who were working in the ADH, who were working in those bureaus got to know the police officers, detectives, the informants, the bad guys, and and he needed someone to try cases and asked me if I wanted to come back and I did. For I came back, I was promoted to Deputy Chief for the homicide bureau. Then I was promoted to homicide chief at about three months later, then Chief for trials and ultimately, in 2001. Just before 911, I was promoted to Chief for the rackets division. 02:30 And I retired from the office in 2013 as chief of the rackets division and first deputy district attorney and, and all those years, Gary, I was trying cases myself, in addition to being the supervisor, I wouldn’t ask people to do what I wouldn’t do and, and I wrote homicide duty going out to talk to pre two witnesses and defendants and precincts in the middle of the night. I did all of that stuff. And, and it was a it was I have to say that it was it was a very rewarding career. I really loved what I did.

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Luigi the Zip: A Mafia Hitman

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews Michael Vecchione about his book; Homicide Is My Business: Luigi the Zip―A Hitman’s Quest for Honor.

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How the Mafia Robs Jewelry Salesmen

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 23:33:02 +0000

Retired Mafia Detective Gary Jenkins tells how Mafia gangsters set up and rob jewelry salesmen. You may not know, but every day in the U.S., thousands of honest, hardworking salesmen load up their sales cases and hit the road to show their samples of gold, silver, or platinum jewelry with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, or other precious stones embedded. Mafia associates gather intelligence constantly on these salesmen. Gary tells about a gang working for the infamous Chicago Police Superintendent William Handhardt and gives an example from his own experience in Kansas City. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Transcript Guy Altabello dealt with Hanhart second command a guy named Joseph Basinski. Ultra Bella will provide the names addresses car descriptions and license numbers and schedules of the various salesman that called on his son how to rob a jewelry salesman I happen to see on Facebook this morning, Mike Byrne up in Chicago, puts out Chicago Tribune articles and he put one out about William Hanhart. And some of his juries that gang he had a big gang of Chicago outfit kind of a lot of associates and professional criminals up there that went around robbing jewelry salesmen in jewelry stores. So how to rob a jewelry salesman in every major American city, jewelry salesman ply their trade by the hundreds of 1000s throughout the country, carrying jewelry samples around in jewelry salesman cases and call on independent Europe jewelers, and you know, they just travel around like any independent traveling salesman does. They travel in cars, they stay in hotels, they eat on the road, they stopped for gas, they use the bathroom, they do all the other normal roadtrip activities, which makes them kind of vulnerable to these guys mak es them a soft target. 01:14 Professional Jewelrey. The professional jewel thief needs intelligence on these guys though. So when the FBI broke up this jewelry theft ring of Chicago police superintendent William and heart a lot of these trade secrets were revealed and we kind of knew what they were but they got some solid information. When they when they took this whole crew down. There’s in this article and Tribune they had a guy learned they had a guy named Guy Ottobello of Elmhurst. And he worked in his son’s jewelry store which was called Altabellos. And it was in Wheaton, which is a far west kind of Chicago, small town suburb, and Guy Altabello dealt with Hanhart second command a guy named Joseph Basinski. Alta Bello will provide the names addresses, car descriptions and license numbers and schedules of the various salesman that called on his son or his son’s store, he could even give him approximate time of how long they would be in the Chicago area and when they came and when they might come back. And example this was real specific was one day in 1996 Altabello passed along the description of a salesman’s rental car that called on his store that day Hanhart then used the police aboard that you know, a called a sergeant a Sarja you know, as Commander Hanhart you know, would you find out about this cards and rental company cards, so they found out everything they could from rental company, and they get more of a fix on the guy and and then they start trying to find the guy that see where he goes next or where he’s staying what hotel he’s in, and, and and they know that he’s gonna have maybe $100,000 worth of jewelry or less or more, they’re gonna have he’s gonna have a lot. Now,

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How to the Mob robs Jewelry Salesmen

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 23:32:33 +0000

Retired Mafia Detective Gary Jenkins tells how Mafia gangsters set up and robe jewelry salesmen. You may not know, but every day in the U.S., thousands of honest, hardworking salesmen load up their sales cases and hit the road to show their samples of gold, silver, or platinum jewelry with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, or other precious stones embedded. Mafia associates gather intelligence constantly on these salesmen. Gary tells about a gang working for the infamous Chicago Police Superintendent William Handhardt and gives an example from his own experience in Kansas City.
Support the Podcast
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The Night of the Sicilian Vespers Fact or Myth?

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 10:00:58 +0000

Intelligence detective Gary Jenkins looks closely at the week after Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky murdered the last of the old-school Mob guys, Salvatore Marazano. For many years, several books by respected authors repeated a story that as many as 60 old-school Black Handers were murdered across the United States. The accepted theory was that Luciano cleared the decks all over the United States to make space for the new young mafioso and the National Crime Syndicate. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

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Night of the Sicilian Vespers Fact or Myth?

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Intelligence detective Gary Jenkins looks closely at the week after Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky murdered the last of the old-school Mob guys, Salvatore Marazano. Did they have 40 or more old mafioso murdered that same week.

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The Art of Mafia Geneology

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 10:00:53 +0000

Intelligence detective Gary Jenkins interviews Mafia genealogist about the art and science of searching out and documenting the family roots of various mob bosses. Justin Cascio has a great website called Mafia Geneology. Click the link to read some of the many stories Justin has learned and shared on his site. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

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The Art of Mafia Genealogy

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Intelligence detective Gary Jenkins questions noted mafia genealogist Justin Cascio about the art of searching out the blood family roots of the Mafia and building a family tree. Click here for Mafia Genealogy.

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Joe Valachi Love Him of Hate Him?

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 10:00:16 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins and Camullis Robinson deconstruct Joe Valachi. What was his criminal background? What kind of crimes did Joe Valachi commit? Who was he connected to? Why did he think he was targeted for murder? Joe Valachi was born in 1904. He was not the sharpest tool in the toolbox. Joe Valachi was uneducated but possessed great native intelligence and good memory for mafia stories. In 1963, he will put that memory to work for the government and gave the American public the first glimpse into the secretive world of the Cosa Nostra mafia. Unlike many of these guys, Joe Valachi’s family came from southern Italy, not Sicily. They came from Campania. The father was a brutal alcoholic. Joe left school and took to the streets and gang life. Joe Valachi earned his lifelong nickname of “Joe Cargo” as a young kid because he could build scoters from wooden crates better than anybody. He started his criminal career with a Smash and Grab gang known as the Minutemen. He graduated to burglary and armed robbery. He served about a year in Sing Sing, where the guards assigned him to break rocks with a sledgehammer. After release, he was shot in the back of his head by a passing police officer who interrupted his gang in the middle of a burglary. They got away in a stolen car. The gang thought he was dead, so they dumped his body and fired several shots in the air to attract the cops. The gang thought the cops would find his body and believe he was shot in a gang fight. No cops showed up, and the gang returned. They noticed he was still breathing and took him to a neighborhood doc who used Scotch as an anesthetic while he removed the bullet. He later claimed all that work breaking rocks in Sing Sing made him so tough that this bullet could not kill him. He married a member of the Reina family and joined the Gaetano Reina mob family. Please listen to this story because we will change your mind about the most famous Mafia turncoat until Sammy the Bull testifies. For example, Joe was the first man ever to reveal the Mafia induction ceremony. We know what he said was true because his description matches every mob guy’s description since that time. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Transcription 00:00 Hello, welcome Wiretappers out there. Back here in studio gangland Noir. We have our good friend that many of you guys keep asking about when are you going to get cam back on Camilliuss “cam” Robinson welcome cam Hey Gary, how you doing glad to be here as always, hey, I get jealous of you people never asked me course I’m always here. Are you gonna have com back? 00:24 I tell you this in my industry I’m in the railroad man business has been you know, things have been crazy. So work has been Yeah, our work schedule has been something so yeah, it’s, it’s I’ve not been doing as much as I like 00:37 to you know, my son’s in the railroad business too. And they you guys are busy trying to keep those that supply chain going from the West Coast to the East Coast and it’s hard to do. It’s difficult. There’s so many parts that have to go together. It’s amazing. 00:54 Yeah, it’s it’s it’s quite a spiderweb All right, 00:57 well, it’s World Series time. I wonder if we’re gonna have a Yankees Phillies World Series again, you know, they had one back in I think 2009 I believe and and the Yankees won. So we’re looking at maybe Yankees Phillies? I don’t know what do you think you’d love it that 01:15

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Joe Valachi Love or Hate Him?

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins and Camullis Robinson deconstruct Joe Valachi. What was his criminal background? What kind of crimes did Joe Valachi commit? Who was he connected to? Why did he think he was targeted for murder? The guys answer all those questions and more.

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The Gangs of New Zealand

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 10:00:34 +0000

Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins looks closely at the gangs of New Zealand. He finds that most of these organized gangs are formed around motorcyles and other established motorcycle gangs like the Mongols, the Hells Angels, or the Bandidos. As with most organized gangs like this in other parts of the world, they make money from the sale and distribution of narcotics. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

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The Gangs of New Zealand

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 10:00:02 +0000

Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins looks closely at the gangs of New Zealand. He finds that most of these organized gangs are formed around motorcycles and established motorcycle gangs like the Mongols, the Hells Angels, or the Bandidos. As with most organized gangs like this in other parts of the world, they make money from the sale and distribution of narcotics.

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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Sammy the Bull Gravano Part 2

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 10:00:04 +0000

In Part 2 of this story, retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins continues looking into the drug investigation and conviction of Sammy Gravano. The listener learns how local drug dealer Michael Papa befriends Gravano’s son, Gerard Gravano. The Phoenix narcotics squad is picking up rumors about a new gang selling ecstasy, muscling other street-level dealers, and claiming to be under the protection of the famous Gambino hitman, Sammy Gravano. The local cops still do not believe this to be true, but they continue investigating. The U.S. Customs arrested an Ecstasy courier at the border and turn him into an informant. They learn he has been supplying a friend of the Gravano family named Michael Papa. This is the final piece that allows the police to bring in the DEA and go up on a wiretap of Papa. They quickly learn that Papa and Gerard Gravano used poorly coded conversations about selling drugs. From this, they spin off into more wiretaps, some of which are on Sammy Gravano and his family’s phones. These taps lead them to the final conversation they use to file charges against the Gravano family. Gerard Gravano calls his mother and tells her his Dad said it was ok to send 70 to give to Mike. Sammy Gravano’s daughter transported the money to Sammy Gravano. he calls his wife and complains the delivery was short $5,000. Sammy Gravano and his wife argue, and later Gravano admitted he miscounted. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

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Sammy the Bull Ecstasy Case Part 2

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins continues looking into the drug investigation and conviction of Sammy Gravano. The listener learns how local drug dealer Michael Papa befriends Gravano's son, Gerard Gravano. The Phoenix narcotics squad is picking up rumors about a new gang selling ecstasy, muscling other street-level dealers, and claiming to be under the protection of the famous Gambino hitman, Sammy Gravano. The local cops still do not believe this to be true, but they continue investigating. The U.S. Customs arrested an Ecstasy courier at the border and turn him into an informant. They learn he has been supplying a friend of the Gravano family named Michael Papa. This is the final piece that allows the police to bring in the DEA and go up on a wiretap of Papa. They quickly learn that Papa and Gerard Gravano used poorly coded conversations about selling drugs.

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Lucky Luciano and the Havana Meeting

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 22:27:02 +0000

In this episode, Gary takes a close look at the 1946 mob meeting in Havana, Cuba. In 1946 Charles “Lucky” Luciano was residing in Italy after his deportation by the United States. He obtained an Italian passport issued in his real name, Salvatore Lucania, and obtained visas for travel in Mexico, Cuba, and several South American nations. Once he obtained these travel documents, Luciano journeyed to Caracas, Venezuela, then to Mexico City, and finally to Havana, Cuba. Luciano’s old friend Meyer Lansky met him in Cuba. Acting on Luciano’s orders, Lansky reserved several rooms and a meeting room at the Hotel/Casino Nacional from December 22 to January 1. Lansky recommended that his friend Luciano purchase a $150,000 interest in the Hotel Nacional because he had an important government official, President Fulgencio Batista as a silent partner. Luciano agreed because this operation would get him back in business only 90 miles from the United States and give him official government protection in Cuba. Leading up to Christmas Day of 1946, well-known American mob bosses started arriving at the Hotel Nacional. They were all there to welcome Luciano back from exile and to acknowledge his position within the North American crime families. As would be the custom, they all arrived with cash envelopes for the boss of bosses. Lansky scheduled a dinner where Luciano was publically acknowledged as the boss, and Lansky, Frank Costello, Joe Adonis, and the other bosses presented him with envelopes totaling around $200,000. They even flew Frank Sinrata in, and several cousins of Al Capone accompanied him. During the next few days, the bosses discussed some mob leadership problems in New York City, who may invest in Cuban casinos, the mob-controlled narcotics operations, and the work being done by Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel to develop Las Vegas into a gambling mecca and problems with the Flamingo casino/hotel. Since Luciano was not allowed inside the United States, Frank Costello had been running his mafia family. Vito Genovese was straining at the harness to be the new boss. Luciano obtained a consensus from the other mob bosses that he was the boss of all bosses or the capo de tutti capi. But by the time this entire meeting was over, Luciano was deported back to Italy, and he would never be the Boss of Bosses. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

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Lucky Luciano in Cuba

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 22:26:45 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins researched the 1946 mob meeting called by Lucky Luciano. The federal government deported Lucky to Italy after WW 2, and he wanted desperately to return. Since the immigration department refused to allow him inside the US, he traveled to Cuba and ordered all the Mob bosses to meet with him in Cuba. This is the story of that meeting.

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Sammy the Bull Ecstacy Case Part 1

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 10:00:15 +0000

Retired Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins takes a deep dive into the Sammy the Bull Gravano story that sent him back to prison after he avoided a life sentence due to his work as a member of the Gambino Crime Family. This story starts when the government released Sammy the Bull from his five-year sentence after they allowed him to avoid racketeering, extortion, and murder convictions from his lifetime serving the Gambino crime family. He appears around 1995 in Phoenix, Arizona. Gravano opens Marathon Construction Company and Creative Pools. His wife, daughter, and son all appear in Phoenix simultaneously. The listener will learn how Gravano is living under the name Jimmy Moran and getting recognized by many people. He released his book, Underboss, and appeared on 60 Minutes. His wife and son opened Uncle Sal’s Italian Restaurant, and he is often seen there. A local newspaper, Arizona Republic, learned Gravano was living and working in the area, and they published a story. A Gambino-sponsored hit team arrived. Gravano’s son, Gerard Gravano, starts hanging out and partying with a local weight lifter and ecstasy dealer named Michael Papa, who was part of a White Nationalist gang known as the Devil Dogs. Despite all this, Gravano became involved in a drug-selling operation. Gary looks at the origins of the local investigation into the new party drug Ecstacy and who sells it to ASU students and others at local clubs and Raves. Local police are astounded to learn the ring leader may be the most famous turncoat mafia member of all time, Sammy the Bull Gravano. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

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Sammy the Bull Ecstacy Case Part 1

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins examines the circumstances around the conviction of Sammy the Bull Gravano for running an Ecstasy selling ring. We learn Gravano moved to Phoenix, and his wife and son opened Uncle Sal's Italian Restaurant, and he is often seen there. A local newspaper, Arizona Republic, learned Gravano was living and working in the area, and they published a story. A Gambino-sponsored hit team arrived. Gravano's son, Gerard Gravano starts hanging out and partying with a local weight lifter and ecstasy dealer named Michael Papa, who was part of a White Nationalist gang known as the Devil Dogs. In the midst of all this, Gravano became involved in a drug-selling operation. Gary looks at the origins of the local investigation into the new party drug Ecstacy and who sells it to ASU students and others at local clubs and Raves. Local police are astounded to learn the ring leader may be the most famous turncoat mafia member of all time, Sammy the Bull Gravano.

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Michael Marcello Social Security Scam

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 18:00:21 +0000

Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins looks into the recent conviction of Michael Marcello for scamming Social Security. Michael Marcello is the brother of former Chicago outfit Boss James Marcello. He used to run all the Video Poker business for the Outfit. Michaele Marcello got into his first big trouble during the Family Secrets trial in 2007. He was meeting in a bugged visiting room with his brother Jimmy. The FBI overheard him taking orders and carrying out Outfit business. For example, he was directed to give Nick Calabrese’s family $4,000 monthly to keep him quiet. he helped gather tips from a corrupt US marshall about the location of a government witness, Nick Calabrese. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

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Christmas in Las Vegas with Adam Flowers

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 17:51:31 +0000

Intelligence detective Gary Jenkins interviews Adam Flowers, the host of Mob Vlog TV and the operator of Vegas Speciality Tours, about what to do and see in Las Vegas over the Christmas holiday. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

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Christmas in Las Vegas with Adam Flowers

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 17:45:23 +0000

Retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins interviews Las Vegas Mob tour operator Adam Flowers about what to see and do if you go to Las Vegas over Christmas.

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Mike Marcello Cheats Social Security

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 10:00:03 +0000

Intelligence Detective Gary Jjenkins looks into the recent conviction of Michael Marcello for scamming Social Security. Michael Marcello is the brother of former Chicago outfit Boss James Marcello.

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The Rise of Tony Accardo and Ross Prio

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 10:00:56 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins tells how Tony Accardo started in the Circus street gang stealing from stores, pedestrians, and loading docks in Chicago’s Loop. Accardo caught the eye of Al Capone during prohibition and was brought in as a bodyguard. He was able to recruit and manage his own crew with Ross Prio and the three Doms, Dominick DiBella, Dominic Nuccio, and Dominick Brancato. From this power base, Accardo started his rise. His first real show of ambition was when he decided he should become the president of the Unione Siciliana. He used this deadly crew to murder the sitting president, Vincent Benevento. From this point, Anthony Accardo was taken very seriously by both the Sicilian faction and the non-Sicilian faction in the Outfit. He was smart enough to keep Ross Prio and Paul Ricca close to him when he took over as the boss. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

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The Rise of Tony Accardo

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins tells the story how Anthony "Joe Batters" Accardo rose from a young street gangster in Chicago to the boss of the most dangerous organized crime group in the United States.

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Curtis Warren Liverpool Drug Smuggler

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:00:23 +0000

Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins tells the story of Great Britain’s most successful drug dealer Curtis Warren. He started as a bouncer in various clubs around the British seaport of Liverpool. Using this job, Warren connected with all the drug dealers and started learning the game from the inside. At the height of cocaine’s popularity as a party drug, Curtis Warren and an established smuggler named Brain Charrington used Charrington’s yacht to slip into France. From France, they secretly traveled to Venezuela and arranged a deal with the Cali cartel to smuggle 900 kilograms of cocaine in steel boxes concealed in lead ingots. When their shipment arrived in the UK, customs officials were not very suspicious, but they cut open one lead ingot. They found nothing and let the entire shipment pass. The Dutch police obtained knowledge of these shipments and alerted the UK customs. Curtis Warren and Charrington already had a second 900-kilogram shipment en route from South America. Customs impounded the ship and found the second shipment. They arrested Warren, Charrington, and twenty-six other members of the crew. Curtis Warren was born under a lucky star because, at court, the British police announced that Charrington was a police informant for the North-East Regional Crime Squad. British Customs officials continued their prosecution, despite protests from the police. In Newcastle Crown Court, it soon became apparent that Charrington was so well informed by his police handlers that the Crown decided to drop all charges against Charrington. Curtis Warran was eventually acquitted of all charges. Warren was not stopped. He became one of the most successful and inventive drug dealers in Europe. For example, he purchased a vineyard in Bulgaria. He set up cocaine shipments from South America to his winery in Bulgaria. He infused his bottles of wine with cocaine for shipment to England. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. and To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

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Curtis Warren Liverpool Drug Smuggler

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:00:02 +0000

Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins tells the story of Great Britain's most successful drug dealer Curtis Warren. He started as a bouncer in various clubs around the British seaport of Liverpool. Using this job, Warren connected with all the drug dealers and started learning the game from the inside. At the height of cocaine's popularity as a party drug, Curtis Warren and an established smuggler named Brain Charrington used Charrington's yacht to slip into France. From France, they secretly traveled to Venezuela and arranged a deal with the Cali cartel to smuggle 900 kilograms of cocaine in steel boxes concealed in lead ingots. When their shipment arrived in the UK, customs officials were not very suspicious, but they cut open one lead ingot. They found nothing and let the entire shipment pass. The Dutch police obtained knowledge of these shipments and alerted the UK customs. Curtis Warren and Charrington already had a second 900-kilogram shipment en route from South America. Customs impounded the ship and found the second shipment. They arrested Warren, Charrington, and twenty-six other members of the crew. Curtis Warren was born under a lucky star because, at court, the British police announced that Charrington was a police informant for the North-East Regional Crime Squad. British Customs officials continued their prosecution, despite protests from the police. In Newcastle Crown Court, it soon became apparent that Charrington was so well informed by his police handlers that the Crown decided to drop all charges against Charrington. Curtis Warran was eventually acquitted of all charges.

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A Different Look at the NBA Betting Scandal

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 10:00:29 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews Sean Griffin, author of Gaming the Game: The Story behind the NBA Betting Scandal and other nonfiction crime-related books. Sean has a different take on the NBA referee in the eye of the storm, Tim Donaghy. After the recent Netflix documentary, Sean started speaking out about how the media takes everything Tim Donaghy claims as the truth. Sean published his book based on an examination of the date, and he came to different conclusions. For example, Sean believes the mafia never knew who Donaghy was, destroying the claim that he was afraid to stop giving his picks to his favorite bookie. Sean believes that Tim Donaghy did make some dubious referee calls on games he bet on the outcome. This is a must-listen interview if you are interested in the NBA and the huge gaming interests surrounding these contests. For example, did you know some gamblers can bet large enough amounts in China or Japan to influence the line? Then after they know they have changed the line arbitrarily, they make their real bets in the United States. One of these gamblers told Sean about the Mafia, “We are the whales; they are the fish.” Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

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A Different Look at the NBA Betting Scandal

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews Sean Griffin, author of Gaming the Game: The Story Behind the NBA Betting Scandal. Sean Griffin tells about his research into the actual statistics of the wins and losses of the games referred by the disgraced Tim Donaghy. He provides a different look at the NBA betting scandal.

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Robert Borelli: From the Mafia to the Ministry

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 10:00:48 +0000

Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews former Gambino associate Robert Borelli about his life as an understudy to Anthony “Fat Andy” Ruggiano in the Gambino family. Gary learned that a young Robert Borelli witnessed a mob murder and refused to talk or testify. After he went to trial as part of this murder charge, he was found not guilty. When he returned to the streets, he was lauded as a real stand-up guy and taken into the crew of Nicky Corrazo. It was after Robert Borelli became addicted to narcotics and was on his way out of the Mob’s good graces and into a life of prison and worse that he is converted to Christianity. Robert Borelli has a book titled The Witness: A Tale of the Life and Death of a Mafia Madman. Robert can be contacted by clicking this link. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
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Robert Borelli: From the Mafia to the Ministry

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 10:00:02 +0000

Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews former Gambino associate Robert Borelli about his life as an understudy to Anthony "Fat Andy" Ruggiano in the Gambino family. Gary learned that a young Robert Borelli witnessed a mob murder and refused to talk or testify. After he went to trial as part of this murder charge, he was found not guilty. When he returned to the streets, he was lauded as a real stand-up guy and taken into the crew of Nicky Corrazo. It was after Robert Borelli became addicted to narcotics and was on his way out of the Mob's good graces and into a life of prison and worse that he is converted to Christianity.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
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Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Schultz

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 10:03:24 +0000

Retired KCPD Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews Allen Geik about his book Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Schultz. Geik’s uncle was Charlie Workman, who was a significant tool in the arsenal of the Murder Incorporated murderous toolchest. Charlie Workman was one of the men who killed Dutch Schultz. Mr. Geik was unaware of Charlie Workman and only knew him as Uncle Charlie, a man who seemed to have shadowy connections and no regular job. He was talking with Workman’s son recently when he was informed of the connection. After learning about his infamous ancestor, Allen Geik began researching by talking with other family members, looking at newspaper archives, then FBI files. He found a fascinating story of the 1930s Jewish gangsters, and he incorporated this into his book Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Schultz. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
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Kenji Gallo: The Man who put Theodore “Teddy” Persico away

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 10:00:14 +0000

Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins talks with former Colombo associate and California strip club owner Kenji Gallo. In the second of a three-part series of interviews about the Christain conversion experiences of mobsters, we learn that Kenji Gallo had been a successful mob associate in southern California and made connections back east with Teddie Persico. He was recruited by the FBI to work as an informant, but he refused to incriminate his old California friends. He went to the New York City area and was accepted into the Colombo family as an associate. After a series of events that caused him to go into witness protection, he dropped out of sight. In his early days in Wit Sec, Kenji Gallo meets some good Christian people, and he is attracted to this life. Kenji has since changed his life and runs a successful gym and personal training business. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
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To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Kenji Gallo: The Man who put Theodore "Teddie" Persico Away

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 10:00:02 +0000

Sal “Sally Ubatz” Polisi Talks Gotti and Other Subjects

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 15:00:43 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews former Gotti associate Sal Polisi about his life from the mean streets of new york, to prison, to witness protection, and his post-mafia life. Gary has a candid conversation with Sal Polisi about his life in the mafia, how he turned and testified against John Gotti, and his post-mafia life. Sal Polisi started life as a New York street kid, was a drug dealer and mob associate, a protected witness, and ended as an author, a screenwriter, and a filmmaker, who now lives peacefully in the desert. Look for him next year in Fear City 2, a Netflix series that looks at the 5 Families through the eyes of mafia members. He has written his life story called The Sinatra Club. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Sal "Sally Ubatz" Polisi Talks Gotti

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 15:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews former Gotti associate Sal "Sally Ubatz" Polisi about his life from the mean streets of new york, to prison, to witness protection, and his post-mafia life.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
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To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Schultz

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 10:00:01 +0000

Retired KCPD Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews Murder Inc. Charlie Workman's nephew. Workman was one of the men who killed Dutch Schultz.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

The Trial of Mike “The Large Guy” Sarno

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 10:00:52 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews Jim Cosenza about his recollections of the characters and the evidence in the trial of Chicago Outfit Capo Mike Sarno. Sarno was also known as the “Large Guy” or “Big Mike” for obvious reasons. I recommend you go back and listen to my two-part interview of retired ATF Agent Lou Valoze because he tells what it was like to work his way into a crew bossed by Sarno associate Mark Polchan. Mike Sarno inherited Jimmy Marcello’s video poker operation after he went to prison in the Family Secrets trial. This video poker organization will be Sarno’s downfall. Sarno exhibited typical Chicago Outfit behavior when he demanded all small video poker machine operators pay him a piece of the action. He found one man who refused, and the business got violent. After a bombing of a rival operator, the government infiltrated and turned a key associate who wore a wire. This is a very exciting story of the Chicago Outfit and how they had not progressed much since prohibition in their brutal tactics. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
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To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

The Trial of Mike "The Large Guy" Sarno

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 10:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary jenkins interviews Jim Cosenza about his recollections of the characters and the evidence in the trial of Chicago outfit Capo Mike Sarno. Sarno was also known as the "Large Guy" or "Big Mike" for obvious reasons. I recommend you go back and listen to my two-part interview of retired ATF Agent Lou Valoze because he tells what it was like to work his way into a crew bossed by Sarno associate Mark Polchan

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
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To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

The Story of Michael Franzese Christian Conversion

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 09:00:42 +0000

Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins looks into the conversion experience of several mobsters in this and two future shows. In this video, he tells listeners about Michael Franzese. Additionally, Gary tells about Ernie Davino, a now-deceased member of Tony Spilotro’s Las Vegas Hole in the Wall gang, and his Christian conversion experience. Michael Franzese is the son of Colombo Family Capo, John “Sonny” Franzese. Check out my interview with S.J. Peddie back on April 11, 2022. Gary learns that Michael Franzese was a very successful member of the Colombo Family, like his father. Michael’s particular road to success led him to the famous gas tax scam. He created numerous small corporations. he would use one corporation to start selling wholesale gasoline to retail outlets in the NYC area. In New York, the retailer collects all the gas tax and pays it to the wholesaler along with the price of the gasoline. The wholesale distributor is supposed to pass the gas tax to the State and city governments. Franzese’s corporation failed to pass along the tax. When the governmental agencies started pressing for their money, he abandoned that corporation and started the same business under the name of another corporation and did the same procedure. He earned millions with this scheme. He earned so much that he went to Hollywood and got into the film business and high-end nightclubs. It was from this high point that he ended up in solitary confinement, where a Christian Correctional Officer passed a bible through the food slot in his small cell. A lonely and dejected Micahel Franzese started reading and had a conversion experience. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
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To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Michael Franzese Conversion Experience

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 09:00:02 +0000

Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins takes a look at the conversation experience of Michael Franzese, a former Colombo Mafia Family member, and son of the famous mobster, Sonny Franzese

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
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Paul Shiro Released

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 19:09:32 +0000

Back in the 1960s and 1970s, the Chicago Outfit had a loyal soldier named Paul Shiro. The guys called him “The Indian” because he had facial features like a Native American. This man was a killer. I once did a story on four businessmen who were all killed with a gun firing .22 caliber bullets, and they were all killed inside one elevator. Paulie Shiro was the chief suspect when he moved to Phoenix to be the Outfit’s representative and work with Tony Spilotro in Las Vegas. When a casino employee named Jay Vandermark threatened the Las Vegas skim operation, the Outfit dispatched a hit team to murder Vandermark. A Chicago mob associate named Emil Vaca “set up” Vandermark. Later, the Outfit became worried that Vaca might turn into a witness. Paul Shiro helped Nick Calabrese murder Emil Vaca. When Nick Calabrese and his nephew Frank Calabrse Jr. became witnesses in the 2007 Family Secrets trial, they put Shiro in prison. He has been trying to get out on compassionate leave for a couple of years because of Covid-19. Finally, after a judge turned him down, Shiro has reached the time he can be released to a halfway house and will be completely free next year. Will Shiro return to his old criminal activities? Will Shiro return to Chicago or Phoenix? Will Paul Shiro try to find Nick Calabrese or Frank Calabrese Jr. and take revenge? Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
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Paul Shiro to be released from Prison

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 19:07:34 +0000

When Nick Calabrese and his nephew Frank Calabrse Jr. became witnesses in the Family Secrets trial in 2007, they put Paul Shiro in prison. He has been trying to get out on compassionate leave for a couple of years because of Covid-19. Finally, after a judge turned him down, Shiro has reached the time he can be released to a halfway house and will be completely free next year.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
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Bonus MRBALLEN PODCAST: STRANGE, DARK & MYSTERIOUS STORIES

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 14:10:01 +0000

Hey guys, I am releasing a special short segment from a very interesting true crime podcast. Not my usual mafia fare, but I hope you find this to be a fun look at another style of true crime storytelling. You can find this podcast on the Amazon Music Podcast App. This is the spine-chilling case of Haley Zega, who disappeared from a hiking trail for 51 hours after getting separated from her grandparents. When search and rescuers finally found her and asked how she survived, she said a friend helped her. She described this friend… 4 years old, black hair… brown eyes. This “friend” was initially dismissed until they realized a girl had gone missing in that exact spot 23 years earlier and was never found. That missing girl 23 years ago was also 4 years old and had black hair and brown eyes!

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Bonus MRBALLEN PODCAST: STRANGE, DARK & MYSTERIOUS STORIES

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 14:10:01 +0000

MRBALLEN PODCAST: STRANGE, DARK & MYSTERIOUS STORIES is a new podcast that tells the greatest scary stories. Check it out!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

The Four Mistakes that created the Teflon Don

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 09:00:08 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins examines John Gotti’s first RICO trial to determine why the jury failed to convict him. We learn about the four mistakes made by the prosecution team of Diane Giacalone and John Gleeson. The first was the attempt to force Wilfred “Willie Boy” Johnson to testify by exposing him as a long-time FBI Top Echelon Informant. Willie Boy replied, “I can’t testify against John. He is my friend.” Diane Giacalone was long on trial experience but short on facing the likes of Bruce Cutler. The defense took one of the government’s former informants and turned him on to the prosecutors. Matt Traynor was a bank robber, and when the government refused to pay him for his testimony against Gotti, he testified that Ms. Giacalone had tried to bribe him and offered him her panties as an enticement to help. The defense also got Traynor to claim that John Gleeson’s wife had obtained a narcotic drug from her work at a hospital, and Mr. Gleeson had given it to him in jail. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

The 4 mistakes that created the Teflon Don

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins examines John Gotti's first RICO trial to determine why the jury failed to convict him. We learn about the four mistakes made by the prosecution team of Diane Giacalone and John Gleeson.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

How did Mikey Scars get his nickname?

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 15:17:42 +0000

Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews Michael DiLeonardo and learns about his early history and how he got his famous nickname, Mikey Scars. Michael DiLeonardo, aka Mikey Scars, was a made man in the Gambino crime family. He was made by the Underboss, Sam the Bull Gravano. On the night that Mikey Scars was inducted into the Family, John Gotti Jr. was also inducted. John Gotti Sr. was now the boss after he had Paul Castellano murdered, so he thought it looked bad if he inducted his own son. I’m not sure who he thought he was fooling by having Gravano conduct this ceremony, but who knows the mind of a mobster? Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
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To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Michael DiLeonardo tells how he got his moniker, Mikey Scars

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 15:09:33 +0000

Intelligence Detective Gary jenkins interviews Gambino member Michael DiLeonardo or "Mikey Scars" about being a Mafia legacy and how he got his nickname.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Stockton Police Surveillance

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 20:29:58 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins congratulates the Stockton Police Department on their successful surveillance to catch a serial killer. He explains, using his own experience, just how difficult this operation is for the officers involved. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
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To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Serial Killer Surveillance

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 20:25:12 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective congratulates the Stockton PD surveillance team on a well-done job and explains how hard it is to run this type of surveillance.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Al Capone and the 1933 World’s Fair

Sat, 15 Oct 2022 22:00:25 +0000

Retired KCPD Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews William Hazelgrove, the author of Al Capone and the 1933 World’s Fair. He learns that this World’s Fair was one of the critical reasons the government created the special squad of Treasury agents to take Capone down by any means necessary. Mr. Hazelgrove describes how a group of anonymous businessmen called the Secret 6 pressured the Federal government to take down Capone. The negative publicity generated by the 1929 St. Valentine’s Day massacre was still in the public’s imagination. They wanted the fairgoers to feel safe. We learn how the long career of the famous Fan Dancer, Sally Rand, was launched by this event. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

The 1933 Worlds Fair and Al Capone

Sat, 15 Oct 2022 21:00:01 +0000

Retired KCPD Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews William Hazelgrove, the author of Al Capone and the 1933 World's Fair. He learns that this World's Fair was one of the critical reasons the government created the special squad of Treasury agents to take Capone down by any means necessary.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

A Police Surveillance

Sat, 15 Oct 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins recounts police surveillance he did.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Top Hoodlum Program

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 09:00:11 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews retired FBI Agent Bill Ouseley about the FBI and their Top hoodlum Program. Bill was one of the early agents the Bureau assigned to investigate solely La Cosa Nostra-style organized crime. We learn this happened after the 1957 raid of the New York farm of Mob boss Joseph Barbara, now known as the Apalachin meeting. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Top Hoodlum Program

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 09:00:02 +0000

Retired Intelligence Detective interviews retired FBI Agent Bill Ouseley about the FBI and their Top hoodlum Program. Bill was one of the early agents that the Bureau assigned to investigate solely La Cosa Nostra-style organized crime. We learn this happened after the 1957 raid of the New York farm of Mob boss Joseph Barbera, now known as the Apalachin meeting.
Support the channel at https://ganglandwire.com/store/ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ganglandwire
Venmo @ganglandwire

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Chicago Outfit and the Hotel Employees and Restuarant Employees (HERE) Union

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 09:00:08 +0000

Retired Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins and Mob historian and writer Camillius “Cam” Robinson discuss the Chicago Outfit and their infiltration of the Bartenders and Beverage Dispensers Union, which became an international union called Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union until the present day, where it is known as Unite HERE. Edward Hanley rose to lead this powerful union with the help of Joey Aiuppa and the Chicago Outfit. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here, please give me a review and help others find the podcast.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.