The F.B.I. spent thousands to install a decent microphone in the visitors area of the Federal Prison at Leavenworth. This is bad, but it is the best they could do under the circumstances. Bugging is not easy. Nick Civella continued to run his organization out of the Pen.  In this audio clip he is talking […]

In the below audio, Tuffy DeLuna discusses with Joe Agosto the problem of employees stealing from the casino. They are talking about the Tropicana. Carl Thomas had been allowed to hire his friend Donald Shepard and place him inside the count room. They discuss how much authority Shepherd should have if he finds others are

As I have done talks about the Italian Mafia, I often get questions about Mafia organizations in the African-American community in Kansas City and how that connects to the Civella family’s La Cosa Nostra Outfit. I have learned that most large cities had a similar “Black Mafia” organization during the 1960s and 1970s. In Kansas

When I was looking for people to interview for Gangland Wire, I was directed by my friend Denny Griffin to Frank Culotta. Frank was a former Mob enforcer and part of Anthony “Tony the Ant” Spilotro’s “Hole In The Wall” gang. I was directed to a retired F.B.I. agent, Dennis Arnoldy, who had turned Frank

Nick Civella was one of the most astute organized crime leaders in the United States. Like the fictional Vito Corleone, he challenged the established old time Black Hand organization and fled for his life to Chicago. He was protected by the Al Capone mob until he could negotiate his way back to Kansas City. I

My friend and author of Mafia Romance Novels, Alexandra Forry asked to write a guest blog post about the Mob and Las Vegas for her blog. Click here to see what I wrote and to look at other guest posts. I know she had Mob true crime writer Denny Griffin post something. I used some

First, in regards to tunnels between houses, I finally heard from a guy on facebook who remembers being in Northeast and seeing a rudimentary tunnel between neighboring homes. He did not remember the address and he said it was a dirt floor. I am betting that may be the origin of the story. Is there

Library week film sale. If you order a copy of the film this week you will also receive a free KCPD coffee cup. I bought a bunch of these to support the KCPD Spouse’s Association.  

Tuffy DeLuna was raised in Kansas City. At some point in time, he became friends with the Civella family. Anthony “Tony Ripe” Civella married his sister, Molly Deluna. By the 1950s Tuffy is known as an enforcer for Nick Civella. In 1960, Felix Ferina and Tiger Cardarella (known for Tiger’s records) were up-and-coming young mob

You may notice that I disconnected my comments function. I started receiving hundreds of spam comments and for some reason my plug-in was not catching them. I will reconnect that function after the first of the year when I have time to mess with it. In the meantime, another story from the old files. I