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Retired Kansas City Mafia Detective Gary Jenkins brings his unique perspective to his examination of the American Mafia. He offers listeners interviews with law enforcement, mafia members, and academics in...
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Retired Kansas City Mafia Detective Gary Jenkins brings his unique perspective to his examination of the American Mafia. He offers listeners interviews with law enforcement, mafia members, and academics in his shows. He always adds his experience to enhance those stories.
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7 SEP 2026 · Gary Jenkins, a retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective, sits down with author David Kinney to uncover a little-known chapter of Mafia history: a mob war between Stefano Magaddino and local bookies from Batavia, New York. Batavia is a small city located between Buffalo and Rochester that was strategically important to organized crime.
Kinney is the author of Mobbed Up in Batavia, a nonfiction investigation into the bookmakers, bootleggers, murders, and Mafia connections that surrounded this western New York community during the Prohibition era and the years that followed.
At the center of the story is powerful Buffalo Mafia boss Stefano Magaddino. During Prohibition, liquor moving south from Canada passed through western New York, and Batavia sat along an important route toward the rest of the state. Kinney explains how Magaddino's organization profited from bootlegging and later expanded its influence into gambling and bookmaking.
But this story becomes much more personal—and much more violent. Kinney examines the bombing of the home of Arcangelo Longo, Magaddino's sister, who was killed in the explosion. He believes the bombing may explain a subsequent series of killings traditionally described as Batavia's “Bookie War.”
Gary and David discuss the murder of bookmaker Frank LoTempio, the killing of Alfred Panepinto, attempts on other Batavia gambling figures, and the possibility that these crimes represented something more than a fight over gambling profits. They may have been part of an old-fashioned Mafia vendetta.
The conversation also explores illegal horse betting, dice games, prostitution, the racing wire, protection payments, and the remarkable amount of money bookmakers could generate even during the Great Depression.
It is a fascinating look at how organized crime extended far beyond New York City and Chicago—and how one violent act in a small western New York town may have triggered a deadly Mafia campaign of revenge. 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
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To go to the store or make a donation https://ganglandwire.com/store/.
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To rent https://www.amazon.com/Gangland-Wire-David-Jackson/dp/B088FZ2QCJ.
Transcribed
31 AUG 2026 · The Untold Story of Meyer Lansky: The Man Behind Organized Crime. Who was the real Meyer Lansky? Was he America's greatest criminal strategist, a financial genius, or simply one of the most misunderstood figures in organized crime history?
In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins welcomes award-winning investigative journalist and author Sandra Peddie to discuss her new book, The Lansky Legacy.
Drawing on never-before-seen family letters, photographs, and personal memories from Meyer Lansky's grandson, Sandra paints a revealing portrait of the man who helped reshape organized crime in America.
You'll hear how Lansky forged his lifelong partnership with Lucky Luciano, helped organize the modern Mafia during Prohibition, expanded gambling into Florida, Cuba, and beyond, and quietly influenced some of the biggest events in organized crime history.
The listener will also hear about National Crime Syndicate, Havana casinos, Cuba gambling Las Vegas history, Frank Costello, Santo Trafficante, Bugsy Siegel and others in the pantheon of the American Mafia.
https://www.amazon.com/Lansky-Legacy-Life-Letters-Meyer-ebook/dp/B0G87FP9LL/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=mECgi&content-id=amzn1.sym.ab290b2d-1aa9-4d77-8fa9-648e0b580a87&pf_rd_p=ab290b2d-1aa9-4d77-8fa9-648e0b580a87&pf_rd_r=144-4489348-6644440&pd_rd_wg=2JyrX&pd_rd_r=33614d06-7443-4a13-ac75-5857847b87fehttps://www.amazon.com/Lansky-Legacy-Life-Letters-Meyer-ebook/dp/B0G87FP9LL/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=mECgi&content-id=amzn1.sym.ab290b2d-1aa9-4d77-8fa9-648e0b580a87&pf_rd_p=ab290b2d-1aa9-4d77-8fa9-648e0b580a87&pf_rd_r=144-4489348-6644440&pd_rd_wg=2JyrX&pd_rd_r=33614d06-7443-4a13-ac75-5857847b87fey
https://www.amazon.com/Sonny-Last-Mafia-Bosses-Franzese-ebook/dp/B098PM5CVB/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=XMaB9&content-id=amzn1.sym.ab290b2d-1aa9-4d77-8fa9-648e0b580a87&pf_rd_p=ab290b2d-1aa9-4d77-8fa9-648e0b580a87&pf_rd_r=144-4489348-6644440&pd_rd_wg=IQ675&pd_rd_r=ec9b6c78-e09c-4766-80be-7c5aaf0ee561 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
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ganglandwire
To go to the store or make a donation https://ganglandwire.com/store/.
To rent https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DL1TWBRW/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_Tn74RA_2_1_2?sr=1-2&pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&pageTypeId=B0DL1BYS85&qid=1756330131641
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To rent https://www.amazon.com/Gangland-Wire-David-Jackson/dp/B088FZ2QCJ.
Transcribed
24 AUG 2026 · Tommy Dorfman joins Gary Jenkins for a fascinating look inside the nightclub and concert promotion business, where organized crime, celebrity entertainment, and billion-dollar corporations often collide.
Tommy recounts how he went from throwing teenage house parties in northern New Jersey to becoming one of the East Coast's most successful nightclub promoters, eventually producing major events featuring some of the biggest names in entertainment.
During the conversation, Tommy describes his encounters with members and associates of the Lucchese crime family and other organized crime figures who controlled or influenced many New Jersey clubs during the height of his career. He shares personal stories involving John Perna, who he says treated him respectfully after mutual acquaintances introduced them, and discusses a confrontation with Tommy Gambino, along with other incidents involving mob-connected club owners, extortion attempts, and violent disputes over nightclub profits.
The discussion then shifts to Tommy's rise from the nightclub business into large-scale concert promotion. After building a successful career and securing an exclusive agreement to produce concerts and festivals at the Meadowlands, Tommy says his project was derailed by Live Nation. He explains why he believes the company's control over artists, venues, and ticketing exceeds even the influence once exercised by organized crime, leading to a lengthy federal lawsuit and allegations of industry blacklisting.
Gary and Tommy also explore how concert promotion really works—from booking artists and securing venues to marketing, security, and logistics—before examining the modern music industry's antitrust issues, Ticketmaster's role, and the future of competition in live entertainment. This episode offers a rare insider's perspective on both the Mafia's historic influence in New Jersey nightlife and today's battle over control of the concert business. 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
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ganglandwire
To go to the store or make a donation https://ganglandwire.com/store/.
To rent https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DL1TWBRW/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_Tn74RA_2_1_2?sr=1-2&pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&pageTypeId=B0DL1BYS85&qid=1756330131641
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To rent https://www.amazon.com/Gangland-Wire-David-Jackson/dp/B088FZ2QCJ.
Transcribed
17 AUG 2026 · In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins talks with author Tiffany Hanson about her novel My Name Was Jerry Sass, a fictionalized account inspired by the life of her father and the Chicago Outfit.
Tiffany explains how the project began when she searched for information about her father and found almost nothing. A DNA test later connected her with previously unknown half-siblings, opening the door to family stories and long-buried questions about a man who disappeared from her life before she was born.
The conversation explores rumors, memories, and fragments of evidence that suggested her father moved through Iowa, Chicago, Kansas City, and Las Vegas while operating around criminal circles. To protect family members, Hanson chose the fictional name Jerry Sass while weaving historical mob influences into her story.
Gary and Tiffany discuss the often-overlooked world of mob associates—men who worked around organized crime families without being formal members. These individuals frequently handled robberies, gambling operations, transportation, and other criminal activities while maintaining distance from leadership.
The discussion also examines Midwestern organized crime, including Chicago's influence in Iowa, gambling operations in Des Moines and Council Bluffs, and the role these regions played in larger criminal enterprises involving casinos, sports betting, and money movement.
Gary shares insights into Kansas City organized crime figures such as Tuffy DeLuna, discussing surveillance operations, investigations, search warrants, and the realities of law enforcement efforts against organized crime.
This fascinating conversation blends family history, true crime, mob history, and the challenges of uncovering the truth when the evidence has largely disappeared. 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
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ganglandwire
To go to the store or make a donation https://ganglandwire.com/store/.
To rent https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DL1TWBRW/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_Tn74RA_2_1_2?sr=1-2&pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&pageTypeId=B0DL1BYS85&qid=1756330131641
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To rent https://www.amazon.com/Gangland-Wire-David-Jackson/dp/B088FZ2QCJ.
Transcribed
13 AUG 2026 · What would you do if your phone rang and you heard your child crying for help? In this episode of Gangland Wire, we borrow a public service episode from Murder Blueprint. Gary Jenkins examines a disturbing form of fraud that uses AI voice cloning, caller ID spoofing, social media information, and psychological pressure to convince victims that a loved one has been kidnapped, injured, arrested, or is otherwise in immediate danger.
The episode begins with a frightening case from Arizona. A mother receives a call from what appears to be her daughter, who sounds terrified and says she is in trouble. A man then takes over the call, claims he has kidnapped her daughter, demands money, and warns the mother not to contact police. By keeping her on the phone and emotionally overwhelmed, the scammer attempts to prevent her from verifying whether her daughter is actually in danger.
Gary then talks with Mick, who experienced a remarkably similar call after leaving the gym. Mick heard what sounded like his own daughter telling him she had been in a car accident. A man then came on the line, claimed he was with her, made threats, and tried to maintain control of the conversation. Mick kept him talking long enough to contact family and confirm that his daughter was safe. The episode also examines a scam targeting an elderly woman whose grandson was supposedly jailed in Mexico and desperately needed money.
These scams succeed by creating fear, urgency, and confusion. The victim is pressured to act before having time to think, verify the story, or contact someone else. Gary explains several simple precautions families can take: independently call or text the supposedly endangered person, immediately involve another trusted person, resist demands for secrecy and urgency, and establish a family code word known only to trusted relatives. As artificial intelligence makes cloned voices increasingly convincing, hearing a familiar voice may no longer be enough to prove who is really on the other end of the phone. 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
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ganglandwire
To go to the store or make a donation https://ganglandwire.com/store/.
To rent https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DL1TWBRW/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_Tn74RA_2_1_2?sr=1-2&pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&pageTypeId=B0DL1BYS85&qid=1756330131641
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To rent https://www.amazon.com/Gangland-Wire-David-Jackson/dp/B088FZ2QCJ.
Transcribed
10 AUG 2026 · Former Springfield sports bookmaker Chicky Ciccatelli returns to Gangland Wire for a candid conversation about organized crime, illegal sports betting, federal prison, and rebuilding his life.
Host Gary Jenkins sits down with Chicky as he prepares for a live appearance in Las Vegas to better understand how traditional bookmakers operated before the era of legalized sports betting. Chicky explains how he entered the gambling business after a Navy injury and eventually worked for Adolfo "Big Al" Bruno, a powerful Genovese crime family figure in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The discussion takes listeners inside the day-to-day operations of a Mafia-connected sportsbook. Chicky explains how bookmakers set betting lines, balanced action on both sides of games, managed betting limits, collected debts, and dealt with the constant pressure of large wagers. He also discusses the overlap between sports betting and loan-sharking, and how experienced bettors attempted to exploit changing betting lines.
Beyond gambling, Chicky shares an inspiring personal story of survival. After nearly dying from heart failure and other serious health complications, he completely transformed his lifestyle—losing more than 200 pounds through diet and exercise while committing himself to family, faith, and sobriety.
The conversation also explores Chicky's unexpected acting career, including his appearance in The Featherweight, the acclaimed Willie Pep boxing film, and his experiences attending movie premieres and working alongside professional actors.
This episode offers a rare insider's look at Mafia bookmaking, federal investigations, organized crime, and the possibility of redemption after prison. 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
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ganglandwire
To go to the store or make a donation https://ganglandwire.com/store/.
To rent https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DL1TWBRW/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_Tn74RA_2_1_2?sr=1-2&pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&pageTypeId=B0DL1BYS85&qid=1756330131641
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To rent https://www.amazon.com/Gangland-Wire-David-Jackson/dp/B088FZ2QCJ.
Transcribed
3 AUG 2026 · 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 onhttps://www.amazon.com/Treehouse-True-Story-Hollywood-Robber/dp/B0FV3JZZXG
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, https://www.amazon.com/Treehouse-True-Story-Hollywood-Robber/dp/B0FV3JZZXG, which provides a detailed account of the case and its aftermath. 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
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ganglandwire
To go to the store or make a donation https://ganglandwire.com/store/.
To rent https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DL1TWBRW/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_Tn74RA_2_1_2?sr=1-2&pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&pageTypeId=B0DL1BYS85&qid=1756330131641
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To rent https://www.amazon.com/Gangland-Wire-David-Jackson/dp/B088FZ2QCJ.
Transcribed
27 JUL 2026 · 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 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=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 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Man+Who+Stole+the+Gods. 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
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ganglandwire
To go to the store or make a donation https://ganglandwire.com/store/.
To rent https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DL1TWBRW/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_Tn74RA_2_1_2?sr=1-2&pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&pageTypeId=B0DL1BYS85&qid=1756330131641
To rent https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B081ZHB17X/ref=atv_dp_amz_c_TS5124c5_1_1?jic=16%7CCgNhbGwSA2FsbA%3D%3D
To rent https://www.amazon.com/Gangland-Wire-David-Jackson/dp/B088FZ2QCJ.
Transcribed
20 JUL 2026 · 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 https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Six-Chicagos-Greatest-Vigilantes/dp/1684352398
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 https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Six-Chicagos-Greatest-Vigilantes/dp/1684352398 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
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ganglandwire
To go to the store or make a donation https://ganglandwire.com/store/.
To rent https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DL1TWBRW/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_Tn74RA_2_1_2?sr=1-2&pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&pageTypeId=B0DL1BYS85&qid=1756330131641
To rent https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B081ZHB17X/ref=atv_dp_amz_c_TS5124c5_1_1?jic=16%7CCgNhbGwSA2FsbA%3D%3D
To rent https://www.amazon.com/Gangland-Wire-David-Jackson/dp/B088FZ2QCJ.
Transcribed
13 JUL 2026 · In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins welcomes author Ray Franze to discuss his historical fiction novel https://www.amazon.com/Heights-Ray-Franze/dp/1955058083/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1GQXNMAWCFG0J&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QMQAYVgmqOrA30GpO-IvswvMipL7baCSWBCE6hEfBj6dTypmDdbfNPK3JsmPWjaC.6s2FqOVaQq2gDxdLH789H7n0pOPBWkD5rMuOwxOhl2Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+heights+chicago+mob+ray+franze&qid=1781285248&s=books&sprefix=the+heights+chicago+mob+ray+franze%2Cstripbooks%2C319&sr=1-2, 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, https://www.amazon.com/Heights-Ray-Franze/dp/1955058083/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1GQXNMAWCFG0J&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QMQAYVgmqOrA30GpO-IvswvMipL7baCSWBCE6hEfBj6dTypmDdbfNPK3JsmPWjaC.6s2FqOVaQq2gDxdLH789H7n0pOPBWkD5rMuOwxOhl2Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+heights+chicago+mob+ray+franze&qid=1781285248&s=books&sprefix=the+heights+chicago+mob+ray+franze%2Cstripbooks%2C319&sr=1-2
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. 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
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ganglandwire
To go to the store or make a donation https://ganglandwire.com/store/.
To rent https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DL1TWBRW/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_Tn74RA_2_1_2?sr=1-2&pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&pageTypeId=B0DL1BYS85&qid=1756330131641
To rent https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B081ZHB17X/ref=atv_dp_amz_c_TS5124c5_1_1?jic=16%7CCgNhbGwSA2FsbA%3D%3D
To rent https://www.amazon.com/Gangland-Wire-David-Jackson/dp/B088FZ2QCJ.
Supporters Club
5 AUG 2019 · This is a short bonus episode containing the opinion of a Wiretapper who is a member of the Chicago Laborers' District Council LiUNA. This is a real deal strong Chicago union who looks out for 20,000 members. Give this a listen and then go onto my next episode in which myself and Cam Robinson examine the government's case and the Outfit history of the participants. I was once a member of the United Automotive Workers Local 249 and I understand the benefits and need for a strong labor union. Ben Ellickson makes an interesting point, a mobbed up union representative may work harder on an individual worker's grievance than another guy who is not connected. he has one great story about how that worked for one member.
Don't forget to hit me on your Venmo app and buy me eggs for my Hammy from Denny's. You have to listen to get this inside joke. Just a little Podcaster's humor.
To go to the store or make a donation click here
To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click
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
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ganglandwire
To go to the store or make a donation https://ganglandwire.com/store/.
To rent https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DL1TWBRW/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_Tn74RA_2_1_2?sr=1-2&pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&pageTypeId=B0DL1BYS85&qid=1756330131641
To rent https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B081ZHB17X/ref=atv_dp_amz_c_TS5124c5_1_1?jic=16%7CCgNhbGwSA2FsbA%3D%3D
To rent https://www.amazon.com/Gangland-Wire-David-Jackson/dp/B088FZ2QCJ.
Retired Kansas City Mafia Detective Gary Jenkins brings his unique perspective to his examination of the American Mafia. He offers listeners interviews with law enforcement, mafia members, and academics in...
show more
Retired Kansas City Mafia Detective Gary Jenkins brings his unique perspective to his examination of the American Mafia. He offers listeners interviews with law enforcement, mafia members, and academics in his shows. He always adds his experience to enhance those stories.
show less
Information
| Author | Gary Jenkins |
| Organization | Gangland Wire |
| Categories | True Crime , History , Documentary |
| Website | www.spreaker.com |
| jenkslaw@yahoo.com |
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