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As  KCPD Intelligence and the FBI monitor Civella family soldiers and the Spero brothers, the war heats up. I will tell how law enforcement almost stumbled into the middle of a mob hit going down at a public place.
Episode 2 Ambush at the Virginian Read More »
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In this exciting podcast, I will describe how the origins of the Civella/Spero war began. The murder of Nick Spero followed by revenge from his brothers.
Episode 1 Civella versus Spero Read More »
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This post marks the first of my podcast series, Gangland Wire -Crime Stories. After this first short explanation episode, the next 5 episodes will chronicle the 1970s gang war between the Nick Civella crime family and the upstart Spero brother’s faction. I hope this to be the beginning of a long lasting series of Kansas
Gangland Wire – Crime Stories Welcome Read More »
I was asked about former KC Mob boss and Nick Civella mentor, Tony Gizzo. Bill Ouseley reported Nick’s climb to boss included a stint as Gizzo’s driver. Nick’s constant companion and driver was Pete Tamburello. The Kefauver hearings provide much insight into KC mafia persons. Â An opening paragraph to these hearings: “Coates House enterprise which,
Anthony “Tony” Robert Gizzo Read More »
Here is a story I have not told. Not really about the Mafia, but about the River Quay. Back in 1972-73 a few of us started working for the River Quay Merchants Association. Ray Karnes, Doug Perry and I all were young police officers working out of Central Patrol. Somebody, Ray Karnes I think, made
I am going to explore the Kefauver Hearings in Kansas City in this blog. Â In April 1950, the body of Kansas City mobsters Charlie Gargotta and Charlie Binnagio were found in the Democratic Club at Truman and Charlotte. These assassinations intensified national concerns about the post-World War II growth of powerful crime syndicates and the
Kefauver hearings Read More »
As this is my first experience with an app, I am learning all the time. I started looking into push notifications and location services. Push notifications appear on your smartphone’s screen without warning. The user has control of which push notifications they receive. I have inactivated several on my phone. This is done by accessing
Kansas City Mob Tour Read More »
I am preparing to take my film and road show to Las Vegas at the Clark County Library in January. In going back and looking at the events leading up to the Strawman prosecutions, I find the pivotal event was recorded by an F.B.I. wiretap. Â Carl “Tuffy” DeLuna was ordered by Nick Civella to go
On June 9, 1980, the night Frank Bluestein, aka “Frankie Blue”, died, Frank Culotta warned him, “These ‘fuckin’ cops here are real cowboys.” Frankie thought somebody was following him with the intent to rob. Frank tried to tell him it was the cops. Frankie Blue replied, “I got a gun if anybody tries to rob
A popular culture phenomenon has been the success of a reality show titled The Mob Wives. My friend and fellow Mob chronicler, Ed Scarpo publishes a page dedicated to inside information about the show on  his blog, Cosa Nostra News. I think the most interesting person on Mob Wives is Karen Gravano. Karen’s father is Sammy
