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Great blogsite. Can’t get the video to play.
Terence
I need to take some clips and make them into wmv or QT files and link them so I will have video. I have another website for my civil War stuff at http://www.lifedocumentaries.com
Impressive project. A couple of years ago there was a mob documentary about the KC guys at the theater in North Kansas City. Lasted about two hours. I was familiar with a number of the people described or named in the movie, both through police connections a Northeast High School which I attended.
Thanks Bill, That documentary about the KC Mob was Black Hand Strawman. That film showed the entire history of the Mafia in KC. Gangland Wire focuses on the River Quay, the war with between the Civella faction and the Spero brothers. The film shows how the intense investigation on these events revealed the fact that they were skimming money from Vegas casinos. If you saw the film Casino with Robert DeNiro, this is the real story behind those events
You have a few errors in this post, first Jimmy Duardi was not a big man he was around 5’6″. The picture you have under his name is actually a picture of you William Cammisano.
KC Joe, thank you for your comment. I just double checked the photo and if you look on page 129 of Mobsters in our Midst, you will find Duardi’s photo and it is the same photo. You will find a Willie Cammisano photo from about the same year on page 127. They do look a lot alike.
In regards to his physical size, I remember following a much bigger guy than you describe. You may be thinking of his uncle, Tanno Lacoco, was about 5-6. Jimmy was one of the more colorful guys I investigated. When he moved out of his house into an assisted living place, a KCPD Intelligence guy attended an estate sale at his house. He found James Fratianno’s, Jimmy the Weasel, book. In it Jimmy had made notes about what he thought was not true. Jimmy was a real mob guy that lived and breathed the life as a La Costra Nostra Sicialian mob guy.
You Gary you might be right, I met Jimmy a couple of times back in the late 70’s. I seemed to remember a smaller guy, but I could be wrong. I just remember thinking, this guy is a mobster LOL. When I met him the first time he was with the guy who owned the Italian joint on wornal, Jaspers I think it was called. I met him again at his bar on Metcalf, cant remember the name. It was a long time ago and I was pretty young so who knows, your probably right, hell you did it for a living LOL.
Hey Gary, I was told that Brancato got his button in 1976, do you know if that’s true or not.
Comment
Jimmy was as close to 6′ as they come very deep stern voice stood out over others. Last time I saw him was at my Dads services in 1993
I remember he was big and imposing.
Yeah your absolutely correct, I was thinking of someone else my appoligies.
I worked at Bobby Ds night club owned by Nate Broncato. James Duardi came in every night because he was best friends and businesses partner with Nate. I worked for Nate and talked to Jim Duardi daily. That picture is him. Yes he was a big man. George, former doorman at their club.
That picture is definitely Jimmy. I grew up next door to him during the 60’s and mid 70’s on 70th Terrace between Valley Road and Ward Parkway. He was every bit of 6 feet tall as well. He used to send me to Broadmore Market on Wornall Road just south of Gregory to pick up bread and milk. Always gave me a $20 and made sure I came back with the right change. He’ pay me a $1 for the trip which was good money for a ten year old kid in those days. His daughter (nicknamed “Doogie”) was a good friend of mine and we hung out. He always had garage sales which, although i didn’t know it at the time, were used to sell stolen merchandise. I was unaware of his status in the mob until he went to jail for shooting someone around 1976 to 1977. Then I knew!
I lived next to him in mid 80’s unaware of his background. He and Leslie were incredibly nice, when his daughter JAmie (doogie) moved back to KC she and I became friends. Learned about his profession when he was arrested in 1986
Sorry that should be a young Willie Cammisano Sr.
Nate Brancato did his time after the Grove Ok. Investigation. He kept his mouth shut and would have gained respect. One of the pieces of evidence as to who was a “made” guy or who had gotten his button were the written records obtained from Tuffy DeLuna. Nate Brancato seemed to drift into mob obscurity after he was released. His name was not on the list of who received a piece of the skim found at Tuffy’s. While Jimmy’s name was not found on the list, he was very active until he died. For example, he used his Oklahoma connections to get explosives to use on the Spero boys. Now, after saying that, Brancato could have been made and stayed below the law enforcement radar.
A side story about Grove was an IRS agent and a KCPD guy drove down there to look around. They were watching the Mr. Yuk club and a car full of locals tried to corner them to see who they were. A short car chase later and they got away.. At the time the local authorities were compromised.
Thanks Gary, and you were right it was Tano Lococo I was thinking about not Jimmy. If you remember Paulie Scola, he told me Nate got his button, I grew up with some of his boys in the Northend and spent a lot of time around these guys, but he could have been talking out his ass. I had a verbal altercation with Nate at his restaurant in Grandview, Harry T’s. Paulie found out and told me that he was untouchable, not that I was going to do anything LOL anyway.
This what I am trying to stimulate. Conversations from people who had first hand experience with mob guys. I have a law enforcement perspective, but actually that is limited to their known actions. Mob guys have families, normal non business friends and neighbors. They go to funerals, eat out, get their cars fixed and all the rest of what we all do. I became friends with one of Jimmy’s neighbors and they told me he took fresh fruits or vegetables out to the city trash guys each week.
For many years I’ve heard stories regarding 1970s in Grove, Ok., where my family lived and some apparently wrapped up a little in and around mob crimes. I would love to ask some questions for my own knowledge as those times touched my life.
Just email me at ganglandwire@gmail.com and I will answer any questions I can. Thank you for your comment. Gary
To bad about the old photos and the old file!!!
Yes it is to bad. We used 400 Asa film with a 500 mm lense on very sunny days. We didn’t see any use for them other than some immediate use. The Unit rules were to minimize what is kept for years. Then, Jimmy died and had not been active for a long time. After 5 years of no activity, unless there is some great historical value, intelligence are destroyed.
Hi Gary, was Jimmy the owner of the strip club that used to operate around 80th and troost, I think it was AB’s lounge. Also was this the same Cliff Biship involved in the bombing of the Red Apple at the behest of Corky. Did Jimmy get the explosives for this?
ABs was owned by a guy named Anthony Bonomo. Now Jimmy would have been treated very good at that joint it would be easy to mistake him for the owner. Jimmy liked to act like he was in charge wherever he was. He had a good connection for explosives though Clifford Bishop who had this Tulsa gangster named Jack Michael King. He was a Native American and had connections to get explosives.
The Red Apple car bombing, I think the guy’s name was Jack Anderson who owned the Red Apple. This was ordered by Cork Civella to scare the guy because he wanted to muscle in on the business. I am not sure where the explosives came from as a guy named Gene Shephard and Mike Ruffalo were involved. I don’t think charges were ever filed and Ruffalo ended up in witness protection.
In the 1980s Duardi was convicted of obtaining explosives from Jack Michael King to use in a contract killing in Kansas City. I believe it may have something to do with the car bombing of Carl Spero. I can’t remember for sure. I think Clifford Bishop was involved with this. Did you ever meet Rod Murphy in these south side bars? Did you ever gamble at the private game upstairs in Waldo?
Yeah it was Jack Anderson who owned the Red Apple. That whole deal was strictly Cork being Cork. Anderson had brought 3 girls to Vegas who worked at the club. He ended up leaving them out there and one of the girls was Corks “girl on the side”. Cork with his temper decided he was going to show Anderson by taking over his club. He certainly wasn’t his brother. I used to go to AB and there was always a couple of guys who seemed the type hanging around so I just assumed it was one of Jimmys places since he ran the south and I know he had the old place under the bridge at 85th and troost. I never gambled anywhere other than placing some football bets at Sutera’s place. My Dad was pretty good friends with Eddie Searing and Carlo Cavalerro so they would take my action. If I met Rod I don’t remember. I know charges were never filed in the Spero case but did you guys ever figure out who did it, word on the street was that it was Cammisano Jr. and Vincent Picone, but you know how neighborhood lore is. I run into Wille Jr every once in a while and its funny he is always so nice and polite, but when you know the guy was involved in at least 4 murders it changes how you relate to someone LOL.
You refer to the “the old place under the bridge at 85th and troost” in your post. My cousins, Dennis and Mike Donegan owned Strouds which was located there. Was there another business there ?
He was about a block or 2 off in his reference. The Old Fortress was in the building where B.B.s Lawnside is located.
One of the girls that worked for Jack (and Denny) at the Apple was murdered. I don’t believe anybody was charged. Her name was Lindy and she was a real nice person. I think the main suspect was her husband/boyfriend but nothing apparently came of that, Anybody know anything about this and if charges were ever filed? It was a long time ago…..
I am not sure myself about that. Maybe somebody else remembers. Thanks for commenting.
I left the Unit right after Carl was hit. I seem to remember some speculation about Jr. I think it was a sanctioned hit and whoever actually did it had good working knowledge around remote control bombs. Everybody does not have that. I will tell some great stories about how f$&cked up the Spero brothers with a remote control device. Movie premiere on nov. 15 at Screenland Crown Center.
Oh and by the way, you know a little too much.
I will try and make the movie, I sure its going to be very good. You know I told you I was a neighborhood guy lol.
Hi Gary was B&C located in the building the holds the new Schimeca sausage company. The FBI identified Pisciotta as a made member and Sorrentino as a long time associate. While Spero stated that was his reason I think it had more to do with vengeance for the murder of his brother Nick who was trying to garner power within the teamsters in an effort to force Civella out. This was a move that was back by a few other guys who later ended up dead, one being David Bonadonna. I think he was dead weather it was Cammisano or Civella.
I am not sure, I have a very vague memory of the B&C building for some reason. You know, Carl and his brothers were angry about Nick, but they also felt they were slighted in connection to Mike Spero not getting a better Teamsters job, like the one Sam Ancona got. I interviewed 2 non-italians who were small time criminals during this time. We had connected them to Carl in some manner. They both claimed Carl had recruited them to be part of his “organization” and that Carl said he was going to “move in” on the Civella domination of sports book gambling. One guy (who was later killed in a drug deal gone bad) even claimed Carl was going to open a night club at 103 St. and State Line. Carl old him they would have a back room for meetings of his organization. I am sure if I could find that out from these dumb ass talkative peckerwoods, the Outfit knew of these plans.
You know that does make sense, from what I heard Carl had a very high opinion of himself, you got to admit though he had balls, any sane man would have known what he was contemplating was not feasible.
I believe that King was married to Duardi’s neice.
I was maybe 16 when I met the “Arab”…For some reason I was thinking the meat company was just off Troost on 8th or 9th. I was doing “boiler room” operations group of phone callers selling discount restaurant coupons. The Italian guy I was working for double printed the coupons and was skimming off Cork Civella. We got called to the meat company. I remember because the “Untouchables was on TV at the time and an episode had them murdering people at the Meat packing Plant. Hanging them on hooks.
The Arab scared the shit out of me and especially Joe. Gun got shoved in his mouth as I watched. He admitted to the double printing but said he was ripping the restaurant owner off not Cork. He then produced a wad of bills and gave it to the Arab for Cork. We couldn’t leave until Civella showed up an hour later. Took the money , talked in Sicilian to Joe and everybody laughed. But it was more nervous laughter from Joe and I. I never knew what was going on. Met the Arab couple more times alwayds frightened me
B&C Meat company was on 12th and Forest, and was never robbed. The Company that was robbed was Mohawk Meats on 8th st. It was owned by Al Bramdmeyer, not Civella. This whole conversation is bullshit.
Gary, I had forgotten about this source you had. He was something else. I don’t think he was afraid of anybody, of course look where his body shop was located. I also bought a used car from him during that time. Great job on the website.
Bob
Thanks Bob, he was married to the x wife of a KC Copper who had retired early. He used to carry a 9 mm in his briefcase. I would have had to handle a CCWif he ever got caught. He was depending on me for that, for sure. Oh, the things we do when we are young.
I think you are right about King. I had forgotten that fact. Have you gone to that link I put up that has excerpts from a book about some of these Oklahoma guys? We once followed Michael Kattou and Gene Maggio about 1/2 way to Tulsa and got the Tulsa Intelligence guys to pick them up. They moved there for a while. They were running an operation where they had a lock picking and making tool lit in the back of a van. They were traveling the OK and Texas area to steal from vending machines. I know Kattou was killed, what ever happened to Maggio after he was caught inside that bank in Platte County?
My Dad Gene Maggio went to Leavenworth for quite a while for that! He has since passed away from cancer.
I am sorry for your loss, I had noticed his obituary. Would you want a copy of a little bit of his FBI file?
There is one thing that confuses me, this was all a little before my time, but were the Spero’s ever part of the Civella group and broke off or were they always a separate entity and if the Arab was Spero’s guy why would he be collecting for Civella. Can you shine some light on this for me Gary.
The whole backdoor meat deliveries to the Italian Gardens makes perfect sense. Jack Bondon ran the place and he and Jimmy were very tight.
No I missed the link but I am looking for it.
Joe,
As you know Kansas City is not that big, so if you grew up in northeast and were a professional criminal or a wannabe, people knew each other. The Spero brothers were what we might term as associates and not “made” guys. There was a bunch of these young guys like the Spero brothers, for example Sonny Bowen, Mike Ruffalo, Frankie Robertson, Calia, and others. They knew each other and sometimes did scores together. If you have ever seen GoodFellas or read the book,Nick Pileggi gives an accurate depiction of the relationship between a group of professional criminals(both peckerwoods and Sicilians) and made guys.
If regards to the Arab, we are not sure this is the same person, but I believe it is. These associates, and particularly psychopaths like Crego, are not loyal to anyone, but to whoever can help them out. Loyalties shift, egos rule and drug and alcohol addled brains make decisions that do not make sense to the observer.
Lefty had influence at the Dunes too. He was the character that Robert DeNiro was based on in the movie Casino. Lot of true information in that movie. “Lefty” was the best sports oddsmaker.Hell think he lived to just recently and died in Florida a few years back
Gotcha, thanks Gary, never was clear on the conection between Spero and Civella.
@KC joe Jaspars was owned by Jaspar Mirabeli
Steve, I enjoyed the movie yesterday and visiting with you afterwords. if you have the Blackhand-Strawman guys contact info i would like to contact him to bet a copy of that movie.
Thanks again — it was nice to meet you
Scott
I would love to get this movie. My dad and uncles grew up in the north end and River Quay in the 50’s and
60’s . My grandma Sarah came from Moberly after my grandfather Ernesto passed to live and raise her 5 boys there Everyone was a family and took care of each other I live in Texas and my mom and me would love to see it My godfather was Nick Spero a
I have them for sale in the store area of my website. If you have trouble with that or do not use credits cards, email me at jenkslaw@yahoo.com or call 816-931-3535. A lot of North End folks in this film.
Impressive operation.
I have eaten in that back room of the Villa Capri years ago, probably before you had it bugged. My conversations would not have been of much interest to you.
Probably a lot of conversations that would not be of any interest. Mainly about football and girls. Because that is what men talk about and those subjects are of interest to us.
Jack King was not married to Jimmys niece. Candy is totally unrelated except thru a friendship with her mother and father. Jack did not run the Gardens his brother John did & Carl of course. Jack was way more involved with the liquor stores. The amount of speculation on what you suspect Jimmy was involved in is sort of over the top. If he did all the things he was suspected of he should have been a millionaire.
Gary:
Some time ago I read in the Star that they acquired through a FOIA request everything the FBI had on Nick Civella. Are you familiar through your contacts with that body of information? Will it ever get published for all to see, like all the other FOIA info on the FBI’s online Vault.
I did a FOIA request recently on the Spero brothers. They have a huge body of information where those names are mentioned (over 4000 pages). I spoke with them and boiled it down to several hundred pages. It is not too expensive and the charge would have been $140.00 for the entire 4000 pages. As it is, I have to pay nothing but a $25.00 search fee. They send it on a CD.
I know one person who did the FOIA on Nick and got some really interesting stuff. For example wiretap transcripts from the old illegal taps done before the Crime Control Act in 1968. Before 1968, the Feds did not use the wiretap information as evidence in court, but it was not illegal directly to do this. They used it like it was an informant, I think. I once found a bunch of FBI docs online on Lefty Rosenthal, but never on the mob guys here. I doubt that any private person or company will ever publish these online, because there is no money in it.
Very interesting post. So Lefty was a Top Echelon Informant after all! But the “G” isn,’t confirming or denying anything,typical b.s.! Keep up the good work!!
You really have to thank Jane Ann Morrison for this. With lefty dead, I don’t understand why they will not confirm. During this time, Jackie Presser, a high level Teamster from Cleveland was also a Top Echelon Informant. I think something happened where Presser was exposed. This wikipedia article tells about an FBI scandal in connection with his work as an informant. Probably, that is the main reason he was exposed.
Gary:
I submitted this question shortly after your last post….A couple of years ago I read in the Star that via a FOIA request they (the Star) obtained Nick Civella’s FBI file. Have you seen the contents of their file?
I just got done reading William Roehmer’s book on Spilotro and I think, like all his books, that it is horribly uninteresting. It’s like he wrote the book for the sole benefit of himself and his fellow FBI angents. Details upon details about things that only him and his fellow agents would care about and then endless bragging about his own importance and the importance of other agents. Really, really boring and of no real value whatsoever.
I read John Smith’s book Of Rats and Men and it was very well written. He had decent information about Spilotro.
I agree about Roemer’s book. I honestly think he pushed it out to capitalize on the Casino film. He even included pictures of himself in it as a boxer! In high school or college, I think. His War of the Godfathers book is complete fiction, too, but he positioned it as based on truth. He was a courageous lawman and I don’t know why he sullied his reputation to cash in on a few horrible books, though I don’t know much about his Accardo book.
An artist worth mentioning: Larry Mansker owned a building at 507 Walnut and had a studio on the top floor. He painted the painting that hung behind the stage at Madame Lovejoy’s on the first floor that depicted Rose Lovejoy and her girls on the stairs leading to the balking. Larry also painted a Harry Truman portrait that was unveiled at the Whitehouse and is now on display at the Truman Library. He has since established himself as a well known artist in Eureka Springs, Ark.
Tom, where did you find the first name of Madame Lovejoy?
I just wanted to inform you that the show Mob wives isn’t like that at all. My ex-husband Mike Ruffalo,turned and was working for the government as a paid informant. He took my son with him with out my knowledge or consent. The ACLU took my case when I sued the government. The wifes don’t cause any trouble,like fighing,talking like a gangster,etc.I know its just a TV program but they should not put things on the show that is not true. I was the wife of one and I know the difference.
Ditto to Donna Ruffalo.
Allen Glick was wise to maintain security following his sale of the Stardust and other Argent holdings. He was dealing with individuals who had bumped off Tamara Rand when she gave them trouble and threatened his life as well as those in his family. He lives in La Jolla.
Here is an article from 2001 which describes some of Glick’s post Las Vegas activities.
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2001/mar/22/friends-these/
Here is a photo of him with his wife Kathy at a 2012 party in San Diego.
http://thesocialdiary.com/ScrippsPatron2012.html
Orson,Thank you for the links and the information. Mr. Glick has a talent to deal with characters and do well.
If you want to read a retired F.B.I. agent’s book that goes out of its way to not play loose with facts, read Bill Ouseley’s Mobsters in Our Midst. Bill was approached by a publisher to do this book, but when he was told he needed to make himself some kind of hero, he declined and ended up self-publishing his first book, Open City. He got the Kansas City Star Publications to support Mobsters.
I was one of “the girls” at the time and sat /modeled for the painting. I was sixteen. I have the original pictures that the painting was done from and i know all about the painting, who did what, etc. I often wonder what happened to the painting after it was stolen!
I was one of the first musicians playing in the Quay. Yesterday’s Girl was my main source of income whenever I wasn’t on the road! I did lunches at the Old Brewery (until it was burned down, heh). It was such an amazing project at the time! I also remember when the “association” collected the utilities for the merchants until the water company shut down all the water to those merchants (because the utilities were never paid, and the “associates” of the “association” disappeared).
Freddie bonadona was my godfather. And as a child I remember go I g to poorfreddies with my dad whom was very good friends with bonadona.I recall the t,shirts red with two over easy eggs was the print.
Interesting, thanks for participating in my blog. Your personal history makes this much more interestng. Fred Bonadonna was a good guy who got caught up in events out of his control.
I’m sorry for the loss of your friend, it sounds like you would have gone on to have some great adventures with him.
liked your new article today,sorry for the loss of a good friend.
hope to read more soon.
infi on tony gizzzo,mother birthplace,etc
Sorry, I have a guy working on more information on the hearings. I have not had time to check into Tony Gizzo. I will try to get onto that by the end of March. I did find his testimony, but not in KC. I found his testimony in Washington DC. He seemed to know every major mobster in the US. I know he appeared to the the boss, but in my experience when a guy is very vocal about who he knows and how connected he is, he is not really the boss. We had a guy named “TurK” Harris in KC. He would go around and tell people he was the boss. This was an intentional effort to deflect attention from Nick Civella.
Joe, did you see my most recent blog piece on Tony Gizzo?
I would love to discuss a speaking engagement with you for my PEO group of retired teachers here in the Raytown/Lees Summit area. We are a national women’s educational philanthropic organization that began in the 1860s. This is fascinating history that helped mold the personality of Kansas City, and I think it would be a fantastic speaking event for our organization. I’m the program director for my chapter of approximately 40 people, and would be looking to do this sometime in late 2015 or early 2016. Thank you for considering this opportunity!
Nothing since April,any new info coming??
Is there still a mafia in KC? what do they do? loanshark? afew clubs?
long way since they ran the teamsters union. By the way taht laon for Vegas,everyone one.
Vegas grew,teamstersm made alot of $ on the loan. win win.
Joe DEE
I would like to contact gary about some information. 913-681-1400
Hey ! Gary I have been driving for uber these past few months as you know with a name like Vito many of my riders might ask if I am connected of course if any thing I am disconnected but I am a good storyteller so many of my riders are from out of town I have been playing a portable cd player the cds I got from you for riders to and from the airport the have given me an idea you may be interested in regarding the map of locations they want to be driven to that’s all for now get in touch with me and I will tell you a story or two
As always
Best Personal Regards
Vito Catalano aka Vic Catalina
I cannot get that app to come up at Google play store! I put in search for both mob sites, k.c. mob tour Kansas City mob tour! Nothing a mob game is as close as I get! Really want this app, I had personal dealings and run in s with this faction, when I was in High school ,and my early 20 s too!
Thank you please explain how to get and download this OK! Anee Johnston!
Were you able to download the app?
thanks,great article. way to go,getting back in the stream of things. joe dee
Joe, You are an inspiration, I just posted another one. I have put a lot of energy into the podcasts. I can write a synopsis of those as well. I have the script almost done of the story about how Nick Civella and Roy Lee Williams got connected and how that relationship developed.
I was wonderibg if u guys had any storys bout eddie david cox .im his daughter n just. Was curios
I was in pekin il with your father he was a good man
I knew him at KSP. He was a good friend of Lynda Pearson.
I am listening to your podcast find it very interesting you are very well rehearsed know a lot EDDIE Cox was a great lawyer without a license but better then most lawyers
Thank you and it was great to talk with you today. I heard Eddie Cox was a good lawyer. He worked for
Bryon Fox when he was out last time.
just an old flip flop phone,nothing fancy. Is there any way i can get this downloaded on my computer??
Great article about Mirror lake. How about an in depth article”S” about THE CUBAN GARDENS. that was a world class restaurant before mirror lake. Heard they had chef’s brought in from France,Italy etc. They would chauffeur you both ways so people could eat, drink ,party, all night long.
Thank you for your consideration.
Also need an address to send a donation to help cover expenses
pls resend info on mob tour apt. thanks. joe dee
great article,thanks for your research. really enjoy our KC past.
Was there a motel off which is now I-29 and tiffiny rd. where Bonnie and Clyde were trapped by law enforcement but got away??
Also how about some info on the building at 18th maim where Pendergast held court everyday. People lined up for jobs and favors. Will this become a KC landmark,historical site?/
I have an old family photo of my great grandfather with a group of people on a porch. I believe Gaetano Lococo is in the photo. I have looked for many years for someone that looked similar to the man in the photo, as the family mystery has always been “who is this?”. We were always told my great grandfather worked for a gangster at one time and that the pic was taken somewhere in Kansas.
Any other clues? You know that Gaetano LaCocco was Duardi’s uncle. I will send you a picture of him via email.
Do you know what year the photo is from?
Ok, apparently I was on the wrong track I think. How would I go about finding out who someone was in a pic?
I hove no idea how you would figure that one out.
my grandfather was friends with cork and his cousin was the mistress and they became close frienss. my grandfather was a full blooded be German. Hesse. I’ve only ever heard stories and want some facts. I always see these decadent pictures at the starburst and all are dressed to the t
Johnathan,
Very interesting, just read my blog and get the film to see “the facts.”
Heard, Carl T. Passed ,may he rest in peace.
Yes, I did notice that in the paper. He was a great friend to my Aunt Betty.
I enjoy this podcast on my daily walks! Please keep it up!
Thanks, I just put up 2 new episodes. I have planned a live 2 hour podcast at the Uptown Arts Bar, 3611 Broadway. The day after election day, I will have special guest Terence O’Malley and we will talk about the Mob and politicians. This is November 4th, 2015, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. We will there early to meet folks and there will be a time for Q & A after.
Has anybody heard of the name Lyle Neal.He was an alleged associate of the Spreo’s.
Yes, I discuss him in my Spero v. Civella podcast. He was in Witness Protection the last I heard. I wonder where he is now? All the Speros and Conrad Metz are dead, so he does not have enemies left. This is an obscure name, do you know him?
I used to kinda know him,everybody told me he was connected,but wasn’t sure.Do you know what he used to do for the Spero’s?Don’t know where he is or even if he’s still alive.
I’m actually a long distant cousin of Lyle Neil Bryant. I’d rather not be associated though. Lol
I can understand that. I wonder if he is even still alive.
Is Carl Spero okay?
FYI:name pronounced Johnny Lazia,real spelling Lazio. Burried in ST,marys cementery . Stone reads “LAZIO”. I think you called him LAZY_A.
Benningio and Gargotta and Lococo all buried very,very close.MR.Nick Civella buried down the hill , north from them. Thanks . really enjoy your programs. JOe Dee Naples,FL.
P>S> Robert Altmans film “KANSAS CITY” talks about a lot of these people Made in 1995. Several area residents played parts in the movie. I had a spesking role and played mob leader John Lassia,. Great time ,earned a lot. e-mail me if youwant more info.
Gary,keep up the great work. Love all your info and pods. Have a good week. “GO Royals” Joe Dee Naples,FL
Thanks Joe, I got to attend the game last Friday, it was intense. Trying to edit one about school shootings. We are having Terence O’Malley back for a show open to the public. We will talk about the Mob and Politicians.
thanks,really enjoy your video pods. a little slow and long at times but most was very interesting.Your friend in FL. joe Dee
Enjoyed listening to the history of KC and the mob influence.
Thank you Joe and Bob. I am putting up the audio podcast versions right now. I did not video episode 2 because I forgot to turn the camera back on. You will find episode 2 is a bit shorter and about the political influence in the 60s to the 80s. A most interesting 1980 World Series story. You guys may remember that already.
GOOD one,Al Capone is one of my favorites.
Happy New Year. JoE DEE Naples,FL
My grandmother is from Pittsburg/Frontenac and I went to college at Pittsburg State University. Frontenac is a very interesting little town with an interesting history. I grew up hearing a lot of family stories.
Pallucca’s and Barto’s are landmarks. There is another name that is not discussed in your podcast, but who was the likely source of the connection between Frontenac and KC/Chicago.
Always enjoy your podcasts!
Thank You, I am working on a new website and new podcasts all the time.
Great story and Glazer has got the pipes to tell it.
Great podcast!
Gary …this would work ……its great to listen to the wire taps in real time with the event….might be a first….Greg Scavuzzo
I think it works great Gary. If you had a hard copy version, you could probably do something similar with QRcodes or something similar.
Good idea, thanks Casey.
I want more—–
I enjoyed the 1st episode, Keep going—-
Thank you, I first met Paul at the Mob-Con in Las Vegas. I was amazed at his story. As they say, “you can’t make this stuff up!”
During this whole “Mr. Yuk” club saga, I was in junior high and high school in Grove. I remember all this. My father had just gotten out of the DA’s office as assistant DA before Frank Grayson took over. We lived next door to Jess Roberts on the lake. I remember Jess and another man I didn’t know coming over late one night and accusing my dad of knowing Jess would be shot. Dad denied it saying, “That’s a f___ing lie.” I was scared, to say the least. I remember Les Ferris at our house, as well as George Husong. I played drums in a band on occasion at Jack King’s Showboat club. I remember dad saying he had to testify before a grand jury. I remember my dad in the evenings saying he was going to go get cigarettes, and he would then go to the Yuk Club, coming in sometime before daylight. One morning one of my dad’s sport jackets had been hung over the ceramic owls at our neighborhood’s entry gate, and the jacket was shot full of holes. Another time, my dad’s car was dragged out of the lake at a road close to our house. My dad told me people were waiting on him with guns at our road, so he had to go straight ahead at a high rate of speed and drive his car into the lake, swimming out of the sinking car, and walking the lake shore home to our house. I remember all that. Wild times in Grove, Oklahome in the ’70’s. Damn!!!
Thank you for you input. That was a wild time down there. I know an IRS agent and KCPD detective were down there poking around and they had a car load of guys from the Mr. Yuk club chase them. they got out onto a highway and lost them. Jimmy Duradi died a couple of years ago. Did Cliff Bishop come in the Mr. Yuk a lot? Did they have a high stakes card game going? I know Duradi wanted to “open up” the county to liquor and gambling, how did you see that work?
I don’t know if Cliff Bishop went in the Yuk a lot. I don’t remember my father mentioning his name. I was in junior high and high school during that time (I graduated high school in 1976), so I didn’t go in the Yuk. My friends and I would find places on the lake to party, because we couldn’t get in the Yuk. I don’t know about the high stakes gambling, but I do recall my father talking about the gambling and the prostitution. The Yuk had a single trailer (not a double-wide) set up right behind the club for the prostitution activity.
One other thing, what part did George Husong and Les Ferris play? Another side story is Frank Grayson realized a=some heat was coming down from the feds, so he made an appointment with the agents working the case and came to Kansas City to offer his help in “cleaning out” the county. A friend of mine was in that interview and he said it was very obvious he was trying to cover himself.
I didn’t realize George Husong was Frank Grayson’s “investigator” until I listened to your podcast. As far as I knew, my dad and George were just friends; drinking buddies. For some reason, I’m remembering that George Husong had a used car lot. My experience with Les Ferris was limited. I remember Les was at our house a couple of times, and I remember my dad introducing me to Les Ferris. My impression of Les was that he was a tall, young, good looking man…an impressive and imposing specimen. Someone to take seriously…plus, he was the only FBI agent I had ever been introduced to, and I was impressed. I’m thinking Les was at our house around the time my dad had to give testimony to the grand jury during the whole Yuk Club / Jess Roberts investigation. My father served as assistant district attorney in Delaware County (home of Grove and the Yuk) on and off for years. He’d be DA, then he’d practice privately in Grove, then back to DA, etc. I don’t really remember if dad got out of the DA’s office so Frank Grayson could take it over or what. I just know we moved to Grove in 1969 so dad could take the assistant DA position.
I know who you are J.S. I used to work for your Dad at this time in Grove from 1973 to 1974. I remember when all of this happened and i was being taped at the office by the FBI. It was a surreal experience as it was also during the time of the Watergate hearings when it was revealed that Nixon was taping everyone in the White House. All of those incidents that you detail I remember hearing about but had actually never seen in print. I left working for him in May 1974 when I returned to England. I am now back living in Sacramento, CA. It sure was a very interesting time.
Great info,terrific research. First hand knowledge,tells the best stories.
Looking forward to the next series.
Thank you.
Joe Dee Naples,FL
MAC MCNALLY HERE. MONDAY 11:17 P.M. THAT’S A NICE SEGMENT !!! FED P.O. WAS HERE TODAY !!! SOON I WILL HAVE A PAROLE HEARING BEFORE THE ENTIRE PAROLE COMMISSION.. THEY MAY RELEASE ME FROM LIFE PAROLE.. WHEN THE DATE IS SET I WILL GO TO THE FEDERAL BUILDING FOR A VIDEO WITH THE COMMISSION IN CHEVE CHASE, MD..
Mac, good luck at the hearing! I will keep putting these out about every other week for the next few weeks.
I liked em all but this multiple episode series of Mac and the 727 was my fav down loaded to disk as these were in fact “Keepers” worth listening to again!
I still correspond with Mac and it looks like this will become a movie. I will let everyone know when it becomes more sure.
Hi,
I’m a history professor at the University of Missouri trying to reach Martin McNally. I have an interest in both his 1972 hijacking case and the DB Cooper case. You can look me up at history.missouri.edu. My email is wiggerj@missouri.edu. Hope to hear from you soon.
Best, John Wigger
OKAY. NICE WORK. I DID NOT SEE THE $ 50 CHECK ON MY BANK STATEMENT.. YOU SHOULD DEPOSIT THAT !!! THAT WAS FOR GAS TO GET HERE..
GARY, THIS IS INDEED EXPLOSIVE DATA !!! THE SEARCH FACTS ARE OUT THERE NOW. ON THAT ISSUE, THE TRIAL JURY –NEVER–CONSIDERED THOSE SEARCH ISSUES. ONE OF THE MAIN FBI AGENTS ON IT WAS LAWRENCE A. BONNEY, THE SAME FBI AGENT WHO CONSULTED IN –“SILENCE OF THE LAMBS.” A FEW YEARS AGO I TRACKED HIM DOWN TO HIS HOME AND SENT HIM A REQUEST TO COME CLEAN ABOUT THE ILLEGAL ENTRY INTO MY HOME. NEVER GOT A RESPONSE AND HE’S PROBABLY DEAD . YOU DO GOOD WORK !!! THANKS !!! DANNY WILL BE HERE AT 5 P.M. TODAY AND WANTS TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING.. SO I’LL TELL HIM THAT YOU HAVE ALL OF THE FACTS –EXCEPT–WHAT ACTUALLY WENT DOWN DURING 37 YEARS IN PRISON—–KILLINGS, ESCAPES, ASSAULTS ETC.
WENT TO PAROLE HEARING AUGUST 29, 2016. LASTED 45 MINUTES — EXAMINER HAD MY ENTIRE PRISON RECORD AND ASKED ME ABOUT THINGS THAT HAPPENED DURING FIRST 10 YEARS. TOLD HIM I HAVE A CLEAR RECORD SINCE 1982, 6 OF WHICH WHILE ON PAROLE IN CIVIL ORDERED SOCIETY. EXAMINER ASKED FED. P.O. WHAT HE THOUGHT ABOUT ME BEING RELEASED FROM LIFE PAROLE. P.O. SAID: “KEEP HIM ON BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE CRIME.” DON’T HAVE THE –DECISION –BUT I EXPECT TO REMAIN ON PAROLE AND HAVE ANOTHER HEARING IN 24 MONTHS !! I WILL APPEAL.. PAROLE DECISION APPEALS ALWAYS FAIL WHEN IT GOES TO A FEDERAL JUDGE, BUT I’LL TAKE IT ANYWAY.. I COULDA PLEAD GUILTY AND RECEIVED A SENTENCE OF NOT MORE THAN 28 YEARS BUT REFUSED BECAUSE OF THE ILLEGAL SEARCH OF MY HONE BY F.B.I. AGENTS.. ALL OF THIS STUFF WILL BE COVERED BY DANNY OF “RIVER FRONT TIMES” AND OTHER PAPERS OF HIS COMPANY..
excellent,appreciate your hard work.
joe dee naples,FL.
Thanks Joe, the book is at my editor’s for some fine tuning now.
He was our maintenance man while I was in high school. The girls lived in the next building. It was truly frightening.
Thanks the interest Heather, I put this on facebook and got a lot of comments from folks who knew him or were affected by his crimes.That must have been where he grew up. Our detectives said he killed a woman while he was a juvenile. If you ever listen to the podcast on iTunes, it would help a lot if you gave us a review. I have a facebook page, Gangland Wire. I do a lot of mob stories, but I am going to do some more lie the Grissom case.
Good to hear the case from the guys who worked it.
Thanks Troy, Joe and Tommy told a compelling story.
Robert Cooley didn’t set off Operation Greylord. Terry Hake was the undercover guy in Greylord. Robert Cooley started up Operation Gambat.
Mike, I need to do a show or 2 on Operation Greylord. You know of anybody connected to the investigation that I could get on the phone for an interview.
Great job Gary. All your podcasts are great. Keep up the great work.
Good job. .guys, wish I would have known you back in the 70 ‘s when I was a criminal investigator for the state of New Mexico !!
Keep after them. ….Jim Jenkins
yes Jim, He was a good prosecutor, a cop’s prosecutor. I hope you enjoy our podcasts in general. If you do, get me a review on iTunes and I will send you a link to two premium podcasts telling about surveillance. I sure you have done a few of these.
You guys continue to do a wonderful job,I still think the Galloping Goose MC would make a great story.
Great read, I come from a place called “Federal Hill” in Providence RI. It’s our little Italy. I was raised around it all my life and it’s great how knowledgeable you are with American Cosa Nostra. Always enjoyable.
Mike, Thank you so much. Any suggestions on a good comprehensive book on mob activity from the Federal hill area? I read Vincent Teresa’s My Life in the Mafia several years ago. I remember he worked for Patriarca. Is that the best resource?
Gary, many months ago I signed up for something and I think it may have been this. Could you please check your records and verify it or not please?
Hopefully all is well.
This is exciting! I’ve always loved mob crime stories.
Thank you Sandra, we will continue to post stories about the Milwaukee mob as well as other true crime stories.
Gary, was there a Jewish/Mob intersection in Milwaukee during the 1970s?
Allen, I am not sure. I would guess that like KC, Chicago, and other big cities there were at least some Jewish gamblers connected.
I used to tie Max Adonis shoes. My husband is nephew to max.
Interesting, thank you for the input.
Days y I get my haircuts at home
I sure never let them lay me back in the chair and put a towel over my eyes.
That’s a good book from the days of Raymond Sr. And my uncle Nicky. If you want a more up to date read about New England I suggest the book by Gerard Ouimette. It came out last year I believe. Good book, I think you’ll enjoy it. If you read it let me know what you think. If you have any suggestions for a good book for me I’d appreciate it. Talk to you soon.
Mikey Lab
Thanks for the comment Mikey Lab. I will check out the book, I want to take a look at the New
England mob, I don’t know much about them. The La Cosa Nostra mob in New England seemed to be overshadowed by the publicity of Whitey Bulger in Boston. If Patriciara was like our boss, Nick Civella, and other long term bosses, he was happy to give all the press to Whitey and the Irish. Keeps the “G” off your back. For KC mob history, my friend Bill Ouseley has 2 books “Open City” and Mobsters in Our Midst.” For Las Vegas mob history, I like author Denny Griffin and his books about Vegas and Fran k Culotta plus the bio of Oscar Goodman by John Smith. For Chicago, there are two Family Secrets books, one Family Secrets: The Case That Crippled the Chicago Mob by Jeff Cohn and the other, Operation Family Secrets: How a Mobster’s Son and the FBI Brought Down Chicago’s Murderous Crime Family was co-written by one of the participants, Frank Calabrese Jr. I prefer the books that are written or co-authored by either the mobsters or the cops who were directly involved with the events. They may not be as skillfully written but they have a feel of realism.
SO interesting. Admire your research. Amazing how far KC influnced most of Vegas.
More on KC history would be great.
What happened to John Lazia monies homes etc. Only a wife no children. i just read his nephew john Antello died. John Lazia put inhim in charge of running muncipal Audttorium.,built with Pentergast concrete. Small world. joe dee
Fascinating story.
I have been listening to your podcast non stop for the past few days and I really enjoy them! Keep up the good work Gary!
Thank you so much, I will pass that along to Aaron. We try to do a good job and educate folks in an entertaining manner. This is history you won’t get in school.
Does anyone know if Nate Broncato former business partner of Jim Duardi, former owner of Bobby Ds Night club in KCMO. Is alive? George, former Doorman for Nate at Bobby Ds
George, I cannot figure out is Nate Brancato is alive. I can’t find any obits and I think he would have an obit in the KC Star. Thank you for your input and interest. yes, Duardi was a particularly tall and big guy for an Italian especially. I will ask around over the next few weeks to see what can learn.
Thank you for responding regarding Nate Broncato. His other partner Bobby Hill at the bars Bobby Ds would also be interesting to know how he is doing. Bobby had the liquor license that Nate needed to open the club. It was all Nate’s money but Bobby had the bar experience. Both were great guys! And so was Jimmy. I have a lot of stories regarding these guys but belongs in a book. LOL George Temple Doorman for Nate.
I emailed you. That whole southside group around Duardi was most interesting. Cliff Bishop?
Jimmy was tall..6’1″ or so. I think everyone has pointed that out. The loudest most imposing figure that I have ever known to this day. He was also very much before his time with health and nutrition. Worked out every day…extremely strong and intimidating hand shake. Gary I am interested in speaking to you further about your point of view. I grew up seeing him every day from about 1980 till his death.
MARTIN MCNALLY HERE AGAIN. IT’S JAN. 13, 2017. YESTERDAY I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THE RIVERFRONT TIMES ARTICLE “THE FINAL FLIGHT OF MARTIN MCNALLY” POSTED ON WEB SITES. EVERY SEARCH ENGINE HAS IT. THEN I NOTICED A LINK TO YOUR WEB SITE. DOING THAT WILL CERTAINLY GET YOU MAJOR ATTENTION and PEOPLE CAN NOW ACTUALLY LISTEN AS I EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED. I THINK I SHOULD CHARGE YOU $ 10,000 BECAUSE YOU WILL GET A LOT OF DONATION FOR THE SERIES OF 7 EPISODES, OKAY ??? (of course I’m just being funny !! I hope I helped you AND expect nothing.) I HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH MONEY and, IF I NEED MORE, I KNOW HOW TO GET IT.. BANK VAULTS ALWAYS HOLD A LOT OF IT, OKAY ??? HAVE A NICE DAY IN KANSAS CITY.
Awesome story – fascinating! I read the Riverfront Times cover story – I am a St. Louisan – retired teacher. Please give me a holler Mr. McNally at my email: bfrischmann@sbcglobal.net
Mac, it was very interesting listening your unique story.
Let me tell you something you may not expect:
There is a podcast channel in Persian language for Iranians named “ChannelB”.
I’ve just listened your story there and probably it has thousands of downloads from persian/farsi language listeners.
You are going to be a celebrity, not only in the US 😉
Keep up posted about yourself and your experiences in your life.
Thank you
Thank you for the info, very interesting. Is this a true crime podcast in Farsi? Is it based in the U.S. and directed to immigrants or can people in Iran listen?
Hi Gary,
Thank you for your reply.
My friend Ali who lives in Europe, has created CahnnelB podcast and now after few years he make it with a team. It has many true crime stories but not limited to that.
It is suitable for anyone who understands Farsi (Persian) and 80% of the downloads are from Iran. This channel has 200,000 downloads per month.
Your podcast was introduced by him in Martin Msnaly’s story and there is a link to your podcast.
These tapes of crimes, criminals, gangs, mobs and mob members are so (much fun) intriguing. Your discussions are so real that it put a person right alongside what has been investigated. I love the mob stories, and really got into the Berdilla story. I live here in K.C. and have memory of many of your stories. I am so glad Troy Cole join with Arron and Gary to do this Berdilla case. Thanks Gangland Wire, look forward to your work, great job.
Phil, Thank you so so much. When I started this podcast, my intention was to tell folks what is was like to investigate these crimes. Even when I talk about a historic criminal or crime, I try to interject what the investigators might do or think.
GARY, THE FIRST PART OF THIS WAS REALLY FUNNY !!! YOU NEED 300 PEOPLE SENDING YOU $ 1 (ONE DOLLAR) EVERY MONTH SO YOU CAN PAY SOME BILLS. OKAY, COUNT ME IN !!! FOR 1 BUCK EACH MONTH AUTO-PAY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.. AT 72 NOW, I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY MORE YEARS I HAVE, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT I HAVE A YOUNG FOXY LADY — AGE 44 — LIVING WITH ME. PERHAPS I’LL LIVE 40 MORE YEARS AND WILL BE ABLE TO SEND YOU MORE MONEY. HEY, IF I DECIDE TO GET A BANK VAULT I’LL BE ABLE TO SEND YOU ALL THE CASH YOU NEED TO OPERATE.. LOVE THIS LIFE OUT HERE IN CIVIL ORDERED SOCIETY !!!! BEST REGARDS and KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.. MAC MCNALLY
One of my favorites so far… But what’s the difference between the regular and the premium podcast ?
Thank you for the compliment, tell your friends. We only have 2 premium episodes posted so far. We record episodes and do not release them on the normal feed to raise some money. Right now, we have 2 episodes on police surveillance techniques and charge $1.99. We have monthly expenses for hosting and studio rental. We think this is a good way to keep the majority of our material free.
I was having trouble playing this episode.
Nick, sorry about this, I forgot to attach the new audio file. It is good to go now. Thanks for letting me know quickly.
Great interview – fascinating story!
Sorry, my partner met him recently and I think he already sent out a message asking him to do the show. We will not expect to hear back. And by the way, I do give a free ad spot and donate my own money to First Call, they do fantastic work with drug addicts and the families of addicts.
My late mother-in-law was dear friends with Tony Gizzo’s wife, Dorothy, until Dorothy’s death. I guess they had no children. My mother-in-law was bequeathed a lot of Dorothy Gizzo’s furniture, which we have here in my home. We have a beautiful buffet piece, the top of which we had re-finished. When I was cleaning it a couple years ago, I removed the drawers. Secured to the bottom of one of the drawers with a yellowed piece of cellophane tape was a small folded up piece of paper on which was typed a long list of bank account names, numbers, dates and balances. I secured the paper in a safe place AND NOW CAN’T FIND IT!!! Ugh! I will, eventually, I’m certain. Tony and Dorothy’s burial monument is HUGE and is prominent at Calvary Cemetery in Kansas City, MO.
this man Mad Sam lived across the street of my grandfather on Gladys ave Chicago il.
I bet they had some stories!
Great job as usual This is one part the movie got right.
Thanks for all your work and hard efforts.
Joe Dee Naples,Fl.
This was a great story, the second episode is even better I think.
I really enjoy the show guys.
I live in Chicago and have a photo of Al Capone walking in the court house. I got it from a friend who worked at the Chicago Tribune many years ago. If you want to see a copy of it, send an email address.
Thank You
Noah Seidenberg
My uncle goes deer hunting every year. When he brings home the deer, he buries the skull??? When I asked him why does he do that, he said because that’s the way to remove all the flesh skin and fur. The next year when he dug it up it was clean. I would have never known that. I believe that is why he had the skull buried in his backyard and that’s how the other one was clean is my opinion people told me he had special buyers for some of his stuff that he kept up I believe he sold the skulls
That is very possible. He did not mention this in his confession and it might have helped if he implicated others.
I just seen on the internet there was a business card from Bob berdella he had his own business before Bizarre Bazaar called seat of your pants Productions????
I don’t know about this Seat of Your Pants Productions bit it did not figure into the investigation. He was not involved in Wicca. I don’t know of any Berdella paintings, But if there were, like John Wayne Gacy’s clowns, they would be valuable.
So was he involved in anything other than Wicca witchcraft devil worshipping Exedra exedra a friend of mine scene his paintings he said they lwere weird like of aliens and stuff like that.
I have another question there was an extra torture log and it was of a dog That was when he tried it out the first time right before he did it on a human… I watched an interview with one of the victims father’s where he said he found dog remains in the trash was there a torture log on another dog because if the dog was the first one and he was looking through the trash all the time where these bodies are being thrown away how is that possible obviously it had to been after his son died and I’ve also listened two you guys say that there wasn’t enough evidence for the police to go in and investigate Bob and you’re podcast on him wasn’t the dog remains enough evidence especially in the 1980s
When Berdella’s trash was obtained by the victim’s father, law enforcement knew nothing about the torture logs or anything else except that Jerry Howell was missing and his father suspected Berdella had something to do with this. Just having the remains of a dog in a trash bag would not rise to the level required to get a search warrant. Hindsight is always 20/20, had the investigators even thought about the idea that Berdella was this serial killer, they might have stretched the probable cause to get inside the house.
So it’s not illegal to have mutilated dog remains in your trash at least that would get him in trouble and after the victim’s father was harassing kcpd bout this guys why would you think that this was just a Lover’s Coral gone wrong at first. Also was it true that all the victims were either gay or prostitutes I heard that most were drug dealers or drug addicts or thought they could hustle him out of something and is it true that Bob berdella was a drug counselor a drug addict and a drug dealer sounded like this guy. It has cheese sounded like this guy crossed all his T’s and dotted his I…. do you believe there was more victims and do you believe other people were involved but didn’t have evidence sorry lots of questions thank you for answering
Cheese 🙂 trying to do too many things at once and using voice command as my child wants a grilled cheese I apologize
I believe that there was devil worshipping but not enough evidence I believe other people were involved but not enough evidence
Also I’m not sure what became of the dog remains and how they decided not to go but I will tell you it was the eighties the Bible Belt homosexual men just came out crazy killer picking off people with criminal records drug problems prostitutes exedra it wasn’t that important to them and I’m sure it scared them between what Bob is doing and gay people considering it was the eighties
Is there paintings around from Robert berdella that he painted and is it true were there jars of weird stuff buried in the backyard bird with feathers was he in a cult or practice weird things Wicca Maybe
Why is this not talk bout sounds like worse killer ever….do I think there was more victims?? Or any of the other bconspires? some of the pictures I heard berdella was in who was taking the photos then??
Nobody close to investigation really believed anybody else was involved. Berdella was in some of the photos because he was very social and he and the young men he befriended would socialize with other folks, both in the neighborhood and with other mutual friends. He socialized with his victims for months sometimes before he decided to kill them. As far as the worst killer ever, for some reason Berdella has never hit the national consciousnesses like Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy John Wayne Gacy, the Hillside Stranglers, the Vampire LA killer and some others.
is it true that Jerry’s howell family had a booth at the Westport flea market where Jerry work and did he know his father an him from westport booth or is it true he was a prostitute or gay I heard neither from somebody that grew up in the neighborhood
Paul Howell had a booth two down from Bob Berdella his son Jerry helped him at the Westport flea market yes Bob Berdella knew Paul Howell and Jerry Howell. Jerry also worked on cars Berdella and Jerry were acquaintances Jerry’s started to get into the drug scene Bob Berdella was supposedly a drug counselor and most definitely a drug addict and drug dealer while pretending to be in a functional member of society. Head of the neighborhood watch program and many other things. Jerry’s big brother told him to stay away from Berdella, he was a weirdo but Jerry thought Berdella was a sucker and could get something from him. Jerry made Berdella mad because Berdella wanted Jerry to help him with a vehicle. Jerry left on 4th of July they knew something was wrong the next day because July 5th him and his brothers and sisters had tickets to a Michael Jackson concert. Jerry never made it to the concert nor did he ever make it away from Bob Berdella. Jerry was not a prostitute. Every one of his brothers and sisters are successful 2 own their own business one is in the Union in the other one is a nurse practitioner they all own their own home they all have kids the Howell family is very family oriented huge get together every holiday and special occasion and they would love to have Jerry in their life despite what you read or heard Jerry wasn’t a prostitute or from a white trash family it was the eighties, Jerry father had a criminal record Bob was gay and gay just came out and was not accepted and he usually picked off prostitute Junkies add to that creepy conspiracies people freak out I ran with it.
it was easier just to let this case die and made into a joke at the time.
There’s the sad truth
is it true Lieutenant Oliver North was talked bout in his torture logs and why???
I had not heard of the Ollie North reference. I will check into that. The log page I have seen does not go into anything but a code on application of a method and the victim’s response.
Thank you I look forward to your response I did a paper on him in school and I seen it somewhere remember it saying
true Lieutenant Oliver North was in his Diaries
but it didn’t say why and so I Googled him and all I could find is some conspiracies about selling guns in the Middle East and jail time but looking forward to the answer thanks again
I read this somewhere to is it true
Did you know Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North yourselves and did you ever find out if this is true where is the evidence from this case was it destroyed or is it still detained
Do you think berdella might of been in a cult or into wicka???? And why do you think there was a big gap between last victims usually numbers higher at end??? Could there have been more murders or maybe it was Jerry dad was on him I read he was on it… Sounds like a cool man his victims dad very sad
Jordon, the cult and Wicca interest was investigated. The detectives suspected but found no actual evidence of the affiliations. Plus, when Berdella confessed, he did not confess to any affiliations. The folks who took his confession were pretty convinced he accounted for all murders. He was so arrogant and proud of what he did that they think he wold have bragged about others not revealed in the evidence gathered at his house. Not sure about the gap, who knows what evil lurks in the mid of someone like a Bob Berdella? Looks to me like the only thing that stopped him was the escape of Chris Bryson which led to his arrest.
Thanks he was pretty good at hiding his evidence sounds like
Why did they suspect it???? I heard people talk about how he used to be into that stuff he would have friends over and they would wear robes and chant is that true I also heard that he had jars of feathers and burnt wood buried in the backyard also is that true. Was there any evidence are pictures showing Berdella might have done sacrificein practices done to his victims… Did Bob berdella ever write a book or help someone write a book was the first book back in the nineties helped by Bob Berdella himself
Very interesting,I have never heard of this part of the trial.
Too bad ordinary citizens were treated worse than criminals.
Great research. Joe Dee Naples,FL.
Great Interview Gary. Thanks for having me on your show.
Is it true that Berdella was friends with the chief of police
Or somebody higher up there in the police station.
Is it also true that berdella wrote reviews for the Kansas City Times
As far as anybody familiar with the investigation knows, Berdella probably did not know the Chief of Police. My good friend was in charge of the investigation and never mentioned that allegation. I never heard of Bedella writng reviews of any kind for the KC Star. I suppose that is possible.
Checked your blog out and did not see any threats from Spero family members. Carl Spero was my step father and all I can say is through the years I have heard several different versions. I most certainly remember going to the car lot and him pointing you fucks out. You might remember me waiving to you as a child. Answer this question. It is a proven fact his car lot was under 24 hour surveillance by the FBI and KCPD. How is it possible no one saw 30-50 sticks of dynamite being placed underneath the shack? It has always been my assumption feds and officers alike might have either conspired to have my step father killed or they were paid to look away. I can not remember one single time not seeing the cops or feds there. And to set the record straight we lived right past Kearney Missouri in Holt Missouri. There are several more facts I would love to discuss with someone whom is not afraid to get the real answers. I have been asking them for years to people that would know and the best response I recieved was from a locally famous news reporter that actually sat in our living room and interviewed Carl said to me “It is better to let sleeping dogs lie”. The fact he took the jewelry off that he had worn forever the morning he left. The fact he said very sternly to very close associates not to come to the lot that day.
Is it true that Bob berdella was a drug counselor of some sort or worked with Probation and Parole and or a judge to help young men counsel them and get back on their feet I’ve read that he done that but it never said that it was court-appointed or through a judge or probation and parole but there’s a conspiracy about that is that true???
I don’t think he was a formal or appointed drug counselor. He may have gotten himself connected to some volunteer organization that offered drug counselling services and posed as a drug counselor. If you know anything about Narcotics Anonymous and the recovery community, all he had to do was act like he was in recovery himself and would be easy to act as a volunteer who wants to help drug addicts.
We are owners of the old Carl Spero house in Holt Mo. we purchased the home around 6 years ago and didn’t know anything about Carl until one of the neighbors started telling us stories about him., and even an heating and cooling guy that installed a new A/c unit asked isn’t this the old Spero house?He told of when he was much younger coming to the house to repair an appliance and being met by 2 men who instantly checked all of his belongings and even under his work truck for bombs. He also mentioned they had big guns attached to their hips. When we had purchased the home the prior owner had filed bankruptcy and left the house. After they left the house in the following winter the pipes burst flooding the basement. So when had purchased it the basement was gutted by the bank. When we went to clean out the sump pump pits we found cassette type film and not knowing any better we through it away. Now after finding out more about the stories I can only dream about what they might of contained. I figured they must of been hidden under the stairwell or even in an old fireplace that was sheet rocked over. Gary, Thank you so much for sharing the stories, it truly fascinate our family.
I knew somebody who bought a seized house from a large scale cocaine dealer. They searched and searched and never found anything. but. It is always a goods idea to look. Too bad you threw a way that tape. Look due west down the road and you will see where we used to sit and watch Carl leaving. We did not really try to hide from him, we were waiting to catch some folks prowling around his house trying to kill him. Don’t worry, they all know they got him at his car lot.
MARTIN MCNALLY HERE.. MAY 1, 2017.. FOLLOW-UP.. IT’S OKAY TO MENTION THAT I’M LIVING IN ST. LOUIS. AFTER 44 YEARS UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTROL I WAS RELEASED FROM LIFE PAROLE IN OCTOBER 2016. I CAN NOW TRAVEL ANYWHERE.. RIVERFRONT TIMES DID A LONG ARTICLE ABOUT ME IN JANUARY. GOOGLE: “THE FINAL FLIGHT OF MARTIN MCNALLY” TO READ THE LONGEST ARTICLE THAT PAPER HAS EVER PUBLISHED. A MAJOR MEDIA COMPANY IN LONDON, ENGLAND, IS WORKING ON A 90 MINUTE DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE SKYJACKING IN 1972 and THE ESCAPE ATTEMPT IN 1978. FILMING IN ST. LOUIS THIS JUNE OR JULY FOR 3-4 DAYS. THE DOCUMENTARY WILL BE SHOPPED WORLDWIDE.. I MAY TRAVEL TO PROMOTE IT. LAST I HEARD ROBYN OSWALD IS LIVING IN LAS VEGAS.. I MADE THE DECISION THAT SHE COULD — NOT — HAVE A REAL BOMB.. I FELT THE — THREAT — WAS SUFFICIENT TO HAVE US BROUGHT TO THE PLANE.. AT 12 NOON, U.S. MARSHALS SAID: “IF TRAPNELL GOES, I GO TOO.” WE WERE TOGETHER ON TRIAL IN BENTON, ILLINOIS. WHILE IN CUSTODY ROBYN WAS SCREWED BY A GUARD and HAD A BABY !!! WHEN FEDERAL JUDGE HAROLD BAKER LEARNED ABOUT THAT HE REFUSED TO TRY HER AS AN ADULT IN FEDERAL COURT. I DIDN’T KNOW SHE WAS HELD FOR 22 MONTHS IN A TREATMENT PROGRAM. MANY PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO CONTACT HER.. YOU DO GOOD WORK. HAVE A NICE DAY !!!
Thanks Martin, my friend at the National Archives found a letter you sent to the prison making a FOIA request about a Charles Stewart. Is there a story there?
MARTIN MCNALLY.. JUNE 1, 2017. AMAZING THAT THE LETTER STILL EXISTS.. STORY ABOUT THAT ?? YES. AS I RECALL, THAT WAS WRITTEN ABOUT NOVEMBER 5, 1979.. A FEW DAYS AFTER 2 GOOD FRIENDS STABBED HIM 80+/- TIMES ON A-RANGE IN THE USP MARION CONTROL UNIT.. HE WAS A VERY STRONG BLACK DUDE AGE 33, AND WAS HARD TO KILL.. 15-20 GUARDS WERE AT THE FRONT OF THE RANGE AND CLAY FOUNTAIN TOLD ALL OF THEM THAT IF THEY OPENED THE DOOR HE WOULD KILL SOME OF THEM TOO. THEN HE AND LARRY COLOMB WENT BACK TO STABBING HIM AGAIN UNTIL HE DROPPED TO HIS HANDS ANS KNEES 10 FEET IN FRONT OF MY CELL. THE REPLY I GOT FROM THE U.S. ATTORNEYS OFFICE SAID HE WAS CONVICTED IN KANSAS FOR RAPING 2 INMATES WHILE AT USP LEAVENWORTH IN A SEGREGATION CELL. THE WEAPONS THAT THEY USED CAME OFF A COMMODE THAT WAS FOR HANGING TOWELS. AFTER THAT, BOP STAFF TOOK ALL OF THOSE OFF THE COMMODES.. SETTING UP THAT HIT TOOK OVER 1 MONTH.. THE DUDE WAS KILLED AT 8:10 A.M. … I THINK IT WAS MONDAY OCTOBER 1, 1979. CLAY FOUNTAIN KILLED SEVERAL DUDES AND A GUARD IN THE CONTROL UNIT.. HE WAS HELD ON — NO HUMAN CONTACT — UNTIL HE DIED AT MEDICAL CENTER, SPRINGFIELD, MO. AT AGE 50. HE WAS HELD THERE IN A SPECIAL BUILT — MILLION DOLLAR CELL. I TESTIFIED AS A DEFENSE WITNESS, OF COURSE, AND HE WAS CONVICTED OF VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER AND GOT 10 YEARS PLUS 5 YEARS FOR THE WEAPON. DID I KNOW ABOUT ANY OF IT BEFORE THE HIT ?? OF COURSE NOT !! DID I ASSIST THEM TO KILL THE DUDE ?? OF COURSE NOT !! HOWEVER, IF I DID, I WILL NEVER ADMIT THAT.. THERE’S NO STATUTE OF LIMITATION ON MURDER, OKAY ?? MY FRIENDS DID WELL TAKING OFF THE COUNT OF A MAGGOT PRISON RAPIST THAT COULD NEVER AGAIN RAPE ANYBODY.. YEARS LATER AT USP TERRE HAUTE A MAGGOT BLACK DUDE TRIED TO HAVE ME ATTACKED… SHOT-CALLERS APPROACHED ME AND I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. IT WAS CHECKED OUT AND SOMEBODY KNEW ABOUT THE CASE.. MY REPUTATION WAS SOLID AS A CONVICT AND I NEVER HAD PROBLEMS AFTER THAT.. THAT’S JUST ONE OF MANY KILLINGS THAT HAPPENED DURING MY FIRST 10 YEARS IN PRISON.. I HOPE THIS ANSWERS ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DUDE WHO WAS JUSTIFIABLY KILLED.
Very interesting
Very interesting, no I didn’t say that twice
Great, glad you found this double interesting. You got to love the bit about tricking him to the airport. As they used to say in the old movies, “its always a dame.”
I use to write him. Very charming man, can see how he charmed those girls. My man found out about want I was doing and hit the roof.
I can’t imagine why. How would u feel if he was writing a “very charming ” woman?
The podcast will not play, even when I open it in a different window?
I hope you got my email yesterday, it is working on my device and I just went into the back of the website and everything appears in order. You can find this on itunes or Stitcher or other podcast apps.
How fascinating! You are so brave. My dad is Italian and my mom’s dad is Irish. I rescently had the pleasure of working there and the KS/MO countrysides. I am originally from So. California. Thank you for your dedication.
Drew
913-689-5593
Thank you Andrew.
MARTIN MCNALLY HERE. AUGUST 6, 2017. I WAS RELEASED FROM LIFE PAROLE LAST SEPTEMBER.. I’M NOW FREE TO GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.. DON’T KNOW IF I’M ON THE HOMELAND SECURITY NO FLY LIST. PROBABLY. WHILE IN CUSTODY ROBYN OSWALD WAS FUCKED BY A BLACK EMPLOYEE and HAS A MIXED RACE BABY.. WHEN FEDERAL JUDGE HAROLD BAKER HEARD ABOUT THAT, HE REFUSED TO TRY HER IN FEDERAL COURT.. I THINK SHE LIVES IN LAS VEGAS. MANY PEOPLE WANT TO TALK TO HER. Z-MAN MAGAZINE, JULY 2017 ISSUE DID AN ARTICLE ABOUT ME, WITH ARTWORK TOO. SHORT STORY. I THINK THEY GOT SOME FACTS FROM YOUR INTERVIEWS WITH ME.. HOPE THIS UPDATE CLARIFIES A FEW FACTS..
Thanks for your input. I will take a look at that magazine. I hope that Robyn had been able to live a good life. She had a bad role model. Glad to hear you are off parole.
My dad new Jimmy and played on a soft ball team sponsored by the Old Fortress Tavern wish is now BB’s BBQ. I went to St. Augustine Catholic school with Mario Brancato. Thank’s for your research.
The Fortress, more than one police party was held in the basement. Jimmy was friends with everybody on the south side of town. He was an old school La Cosa Nostra guy. I saw that Nate Brancato just died. Here is a link to a new book written as fiction but it is a first hand account of life around these south side criminals. The author worked for Nate Bancato at Bobby Dee’s on Wornall. https://www.amazon.com/Burning-Bar-Confessions-Professional-Safecracker-ebook/dp/B072PT8Y1D/ref=mt_kindle?_encoding=UTF8&me=
Thank you for having me on the show to review this fascinating corruption case and tell your listeners about my book Pay To Play and my podcast FBI Retired Case File Review. I had a blast hanging out with you both.
I married Garrett Brock Trapnell on July 1, 1960.
Thanks for the response. Would you want to do a telephone interview?
I was Crego’s parole officer. Just came across this story. Most of the details are wrong. Crego did do it but he never empty his guns. Just 2 or 3 shots. Brandmeyer was able to pry open the trunk and rolled out while the Caddy, that Crego’s girlfriend was driving, was doing about 50 mph on east bound I-70. The full story of the robbery is something out of crime gone bad movie. Because of the parole warrant Crego could not be bonded out. He never ran things at MSP. He was a Lieutenant under Roger McQueen, former head of the Dixie Mob doing several life sentences for murder. McQueen was the Kingpin at MSP for years until Kentucky reinstated the death penalty. He had pending murder charges in Kentucky, so Missouri transferred him there to be the first case on the new death penalty. He was tried and the jury gave him life in prison. Crego did die I prison but he was about the meanest guy in the valley to the end.
Thanks for your comment, I will do a program with more accurate details on Crego and I will go down this Dixie Mafia path as part of that story. Bill, I look forward to talking to you.
One of the smallest guys in Jeff City was Bobby Rutan and he killed a few while doing time in Missouri. Crego , like McQueen was not violent while in prison. Crego lifted weights everyday and no one messed with him. Roger was quite and stayed low. I was in C-hall the day Rutan and Billy Houskins killed Dave Moyer and Dee Dee, the clerks. Donald Kennedy wrapped a fan motor in a towel and hit Co Kitterman in the head. Crego’s criminal career was pretty sad he seemed to get caught a lot, plus he was a doper.
Who was Co Kitterman?
At the time this happened to Al my mom was dating him and had been dating him for quite some time. I don’t know where you got your information about him crawling out of the trunk at 50 miles an hour but that’s not true he crawled his big ass somehow behind the spare tire in the trunk is how he avoided the bullets hitting him. Just because you were a damn parole officer doesn’t mean you know the truth about what happened bud
Just saw your comment. I wrote the report for the parole board. I had all the police reports in addition to talking to the police officers. Go back and read the KC Star and Times articles following the robbery. It’s all there.
I’m from Chicago always was interested in the outfit, which is almost extinct today, informant Frank calabrese Jr was openly drinking in a Edison park bar,don’t think that would happen 40 years ago,I like your YouTube videos,you worked as a kc organized crime detective ,did cpd have such a division because I think They we’re corrupted by them and only the FBI investigated them.there were over 1100 murders allegedly committed by the outfit and just a handful of convictions,did kc have a better rate of solving murders
Jeff,
Thank you for your comment. Chicago PD is huge and they have many good cops. I think they had a unit like our Intelligence Unit but I never had any contact with them. Chicago also had many corrupted cops particularly in the area of gambling sand liquor ordinance enforcement. And we know, that is in the Outfit’s main money making operations. Things have changed, a great example, Frank Calabrese Jr. living openly. I just recorded the story of the corrupt Chicago cop, William Hanhardt. Look for it to be released soon.
I can not find your app on google play. The link above is a dead end.
Sorry, Google did not like the app but will not tell me why.
Hey Gary, love the show. The double jeopardy case you mention is the murder case against Harry Alleman. Check out this link:
http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-harry-aleman-20100518-49-story.html
Thank you Noah, I have been collecting clips and other info on Aleman and plan on a show about him in 2018. I just recorded one about Paul the Waiter that I need to edit and get out.
I have been working on the Aleman story. I have tried to get Robert Cooley to do a phone in but not reply.
Great show, guys! Small world department, James Ellroy has written blurbs for my crime novels, so when I was at Strand books on a trip to NYC last week, I saw a copy of LAPD53 for the first time, missed it when it was first published, and wondered who this Joan Renner is. Then when we get back to Austin, TX, listen to your latest blog, “Roofie Romeos,” those awful, evil bastard brothers, with guest Joan Renner. Excellent work. Riveting.
Thank you. I wish we cold get James Ellroy on the show. Maybe you might be interested in talking about your book on Austin criminals.
According to a couple of books I read William Butch petrocelli was killed for holding out on 100 grand he collected in mob tax for Harry Aleman defense fund from bookies,Thier is grotesque photo of him when they tried to burn him and car but left windows up,so fire went out
you are right Jeffrey, I have been researching Harry Aleman for a story I found the same info. Thanks for the comment.
MARTIN MCNALLY.. DECEMBER 4, 2017. JUST LISTENED TO THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW.. LONG.. FUNNY TOO. DONALD IS SMART BUT STUPID TOO. HE SHOULD BE OUTTA PRISON. A FEDERAL JUDGE COULD ORDER HIM RELEASED ASAP !!!!! I’LL LOOK INTO THIS CASE. I’LL SEND A PRIVATE MESSAGE AS TO WHAT I NEED.. DID 37 YEARS IN JOINTS and DOING WELL. IT DIDN’T DESTROY ME AS IT DOES TO MANY INMATES.. DON DID 12 BANKS.. NOT SMART ENOUGH TO GET THE VAULT and RETIRE.. FEW PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO GET THE VAULT.. HAVE A NICE DAY.
Would you have any info on Carl Spero or Lynda Pearson?
I don’t remember Lynda Pearson and Carl Spero was killed in a bombing in January 1984. Here is a link to the KC Star article. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/01/10/Spero-death-follows-10-years-of-violence/5902442558800/
I watched a 45 minute documentary on this guy a few years back which I thought was covered by the fbi files but I cannot find it and it’s not the one covered by masterminds, anyone have any ideas?
No I took another look and the Masterminds is all I can find. He did make some kind of video for the Bureau.
He was on FBI Criminal Pursuit. The episode is called the hunted. Just type in FBI Criminal pursuit the hunted and it will come up.
Thanks for the tip. I will take a look. He was a most interesting bank robber.
From late 1969 to July 1975, I was a member of the Department of Justice Strike Force Against Organized Crime and Chief of that office from 1978 to 1984. Throughout that time John Drummond had a reputation as a trusted reporter who would hold a story or interview on background and kept his word. I met and subsequently married his field producer as a result of his covering the 1982 “Teamsters Trial” of Roy Williams and Alan Dorfman. God Bless you John Drummond.
Thanks for your reply Doug. after spending that time with him on the phone, I see his humanity and personality made him a great reporter.
This is what i like
Thank you Eric, we try.
The other day I listened to your podcast about Nick Civella and the Teamsters in Kansas City. You mentioned Stanton Gladden. This brought me back to a somewhat funny story from my childhood. My dad was on the Raytown Fire Protection District Board in the mid 1960s. I was about 9 or 10 years when Stanton worked to organize the Raytown fire department to join Local 42. One of the labor negotiations was held at my home and Stanton was there. My mom, a sister and myself had to stay back in another room so we did not hear the negotiations. But after the meeting and the other board members and Stanton left, my parents saw that Stanton left his brief case. We all knew about that a bomb had gone off in Stanton’s car. My sister who was about 16 or 17 at the time and I just knew there was a bomb in the brief case! We were scared to death, but my parents weren’t. The next day he came and retrieved his briefcase–and 50 years later I’m still here to relate the story! Keep up the work, Gary!
Bill,
Thank you so much. I love to connect this history with folks who lived it.
Bill, Thank you for your interest. The Stanton Gladden story is great. Today, young folks would find it hard to believe how much the mob touched lives in KC.
Thank you, Gary. You are right. But I am glad that young persons and future generations will not have to experience the effects of organized crime on Kansas City, at least to the extent it existed from the 1920s to 1990s.
I agree, most folks don’t understand how they corrupted the business and government institutions for their own ends.
I have a story about this guy.. My 2nd wife was from KC, and although we lived in the Dallas area, she claimed that Nick Civella routinely called her for numbers to bet at the roulette wheel in Vegas. She said he actually won $50,000 one night from a number she gave him. To say the least, I thought that a little farfetched, until one Saturday evening when the phone rang, with some guy wanting to talk with my wife. I asked who it was, and he said “Nick.” “Civella?” I asked. “Yeah,” he said. Well, I just had to take my chance, so I told him of my wife’s tale of she giving him numbers for the roulette wheel. “True,” he said. “And,” I went on, “Did you really win $50,000 using one of the numbers she gave you?” He paused a second, then said, “Yeah. True.” With that, I said, “Well, thanks for talking me. Here she is.” True story.
Should be, “Thanks for talking to me.”
Great story.
Jack Anderson owned the Red Apple and Bachelor’s III. The reason Carl Spero spent so much time there was because his girlfriend, Toni LanFranca worked there. He finally married her and it was her mother that was Gene Shepherd’s girlfriend. She had been Cork Civella’s girlfriend prior to going with Carl Spero. I was married to Toni LanFranca’s step-father, Louie Cornejo who raised her. Freddy Bonadonna was a close friend with Louie Cornejo and was the godfather of one of his children. As a matter of fact, when Freddy’s father was killed we heard it on the news. I was cooking dinner and Freddy showed up unexpectedly and we asked him what he was doing there? He was laughing and joking until we told him what we had just heard on the news. He hadn’t heard about it yet. I was very close to everything that was going on in those days.
Sharon, Thank you so much for your memories.
Hey Sharon, love to chat with you. Toni, Corey, Richard, and Raymond were my cousins. Gene and Irene were my Aunt and Uncle.
I grew up with Corey and Raymond. That’s crazy. ?
It’s very cool to help make these connections.
i remember going to poor freddie with you and dad and remember when he came to our house on 7th st also the day i seen my sister not knowing it would be the last and how you and dad wouldn’t let us watch tv cause that shit was on the news nonstop it still hurts knowing that i lost alot of family back then but thankful that your still hear to give me the closer i need with things from those times ……thank you love your son
Great podcast!
Thank you Jonathan, we try. Bill Norton had a very exciting life covering the mob. I have tried to get him to write his personal story.
Great job of editing. I hope you guys enjoyed doing the interview as much as I did. I had no idea you existed until you contacted me for this interview. I learned a lot from the experience. I have mentioned your pod cast a few times now and hope you get some more listeners because of it. Anybody who is interested in organized crime should listen to your very informative and interesting pod casts. Keep up the great work and I look forward to being a long time listener now that I have found you.
Thank you, I hope you can come back maybe next fall. I am booked up until then. Have a good summer in retirement. I will be checking out your You
Tube.
MARTIN MCNALLY HERE. LISTENED TO THIS. FUNNY STUFF, ALL TRUE. THERE WERE SEVERAL MORE ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE WHILE AT MARION; ONE, RETURNED FROM USP LEAVENWORTH WITH 17 OTHER CONVICTS WHO TESTIFIED FOR RALPH GAMBINA DURING HIS ESCAPE TRIAL—1975. WHILE RETURNING TO MARION, IN THE BUS, 4 DUDES CAME OUTTA OUR CUFFS and READY TO TAKE THE BUS. I ASKED AL GARZA IF HE KNEW HOW TO UNLOCK THE AIR BRAKE. HE SAID: “WHAT”? I THEN TOLD THE DUDES WE GOTTA CUFF UP BECAUSE WE’LL BE DEAD WITHOUT RELEASING THE BRAKE. WE HAD NO IDEA HOW TO GET IT DONE !!! WHILE AT MARION I EXPENDED THOUSANDS OF HOURS TO LEARN LAW. I BOUGHT LAW BOOKS VALUED AT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. BILL ME LATER COUPONS.. NEVER PAID THE BILLS, BUT THOSE SURE HELPED ME LEARN LAW TO REVERSE 4 LIFE SENTENCES. IT TOOK 1.5 YEARS WORKING ON THE DIRECT APPEAL—LOTS OF DELAYS. I MADE A LOT OF MONEY DOING STOCK TRADES WHILE IN PRISON. ONE WEEK I LOST 12 GRAND.. GOT OUTTA PRISON WITH OVER 10.5 GRAND. JUST TODAY I DID A SELL ORDER ON 46,000 SHARES OF A COMPANY STOCK. DAY TRADING, MAKING NICE MONEY. SO IT GOES; I’M FREE and DOING WELL STAYING OUTTA TROUBLE. AT 74 I MAY HAVE MANY MORE YEARS ENJOYING LIFE OUT HERE, MAYBE.
MARTIN MCNALLY HERE AGAIN.. YOU KNOW HARRY JONES, RETIRED KANSAS CITY STAR REPORTER !!! I’M SURE HE REMEMBERS ME. DURING 1975-76, THE STAR PUBLISHED SEVERAL ARTICLES ABOUT HOW LEAVENWORTH GUARDS WERE ABUSING ME. I WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER IN SPRINGFIELD.. WAS THERE 21 DAYS. GUARDS ATTACKED ME TWICE.. SERIOUS INJURIES TOO. RETURNED TO LEAVENWORTH and, IN THREE (3) DAYS I WAS AT USP MARION. FILED A LAWSUIT THAT TOOK YEARS TO GET TO COURT. FIVE (5) GUARDS ENTERED FALSE TESTIMONY and I LOST THE CASE. WHILE AT LEAVENWORTH TWO (2) GUARDS WERE MURDERED BY FRIENDS OF MINE; (GUARDS SELLE and JOHNSON). THE COMPOUND HAD A LOT OF SHIVS PRODUCED BY CONVICTS….BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHO MADE THOSE, EVEN THOUGH I WORKED IN CMS WELDING SHOP, OKAY ??? RECENTLY GOT WORD THAT MUSLIMS IN USP MARION CMU UNIT, ABOUT 30-40 INMATES TOTAL IN CMU, ARE ATTACKING, ASSAULTING, THREATENING and FORCING NON-MUSLIMS to MOVE OUT OF THAT HIGH SECURITY UNIT. THE TOUGH ASS MUSLIMS WANT THAT UNIT TO BE FOR — ONLY MUSLIMS –. I HAVE WAYS TO GET DATA ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS.. SHOCKING REPORT THAT COULD MEAN CHANGES ARE NEEDED IN CMU.
Important to understand here was that Joseph “Mad Dog” Sullivan was murdering Spillane’s enforcers for the Italians and that’s how Spillane became weakened enough for Coonan to move on him and replace him the way he eventually did.
Great show. I had a great time doing the interview. It was a lot of fun. I enjoy the people you interview. As you say “strait from the mouth of the men who were there.” I had no idea you had a book. I am going to get it. If it’s half as interesting as your pod cast it will be well worth buying. Thanks for doing what your doing. I wish you a long run and great success. Anybody who is interested in the Mob should listen to your other episodes. Great stuff!
Just a point, Ned was Managing Editor of KLAS TV
My father witnessed the murder of Gioe in front of his house when he was 10
Thanks for the comment, a lot of history in Chicago. Do you remember the address?
Frank was my grandfather. I would like to know more about this if possible.
HE WAS MY STEP FATHER, STEVE JONES
That would be great. I am sure we have a lot of stories to tell.
growing up in those times and loosing my sister a few days after my birthday that was the last time i seen her i will never forget what she said to me that day, she was a stand up lady and very strong i miss her and everyone that i have lost in that era and im thankful for my stepmother that was there for my brother and i during that time cause being so young hard to understand why this is happening thank you mom
Bonnie and Francine Giancana claim they only knew one side
of their dad life.Dad Sam Giancana never brought his work
home with him .But admit to holiday gatherings in the basement
of their home.That Jun19,1975 English & Blasi at their home.
(so Giancana daughters knew outfit members visit their home)
Chuck & Sam Giancana Jr claim that Sam Sr visit with Friends
(outfit associates members) and Familly on jun19,1975.
Chuck Giancana claim he kept in touch with brother Sam Giancana(while he was in mexico) goings on through several outfit guys,among them ,Chuckie Nicoletti(henchman) Milwaukee Phil ,
DeStefano,,all sat at the table near the bar. Chuck Giancana
scanned the faces of the men at the table seated along side him,
There wasn’t a man sitting at table who hadn’t done a job for Giancanataken a guy out ,except him (Chuck Giancana).
Chuck Giancana claim that Chuckie Nicoletti told him ,(Nicoletti said)Well,one more Kennedy out of the way,So Mooney did it again,…I tell you ..your brother a F~kin genius .It work like a charm. Of coursethe man has no choice.Hey when you work for the outfit, and owe em small fortune,..and you can’t cough it up ,..that’s what happens.Now that i think about it ,it was a lot like Ruby /Oswald deal.You know Oswald didn’t fire a shot.He couldn’t even hit a barn.but it didn’t matter cause Mooney had another guy to do the job on __ ,can you believe it Mooney,must like to nail those Kennedys, in front,of everybody. Hell ,hit a broad is the same as hitting a man,…only she’s got t*ts,and _,who the F~k cares,the guy’s not there to screw her,he’s there to do a job.
So did Chuckie Nicoletti make a confession to Chuck Giancana?
Salvatore “Sam” Giancana (né Giangana; June 15, 1908 – June 19, 1975).Sausages,Peppers,Onions ,enter basement of home,which
outfit members did,Sam cook while recovering stomach surgery?
Charles “Chuckie” Anthony Nicoletti (December 3, 1916 – March 29, 1977.Johnny Roselli Born: July 4, 1905, Esperia, Italy
Died: August 9, 1976, Florida..Felix Anthony “Milwaukee Phil” Alderisio (April 26, 1912 – September 25, 1971).
Richard Cain (October 4, 1931 – December 20, 1973),
George DeMohrenschild died March 29,1977 florida.
Charles Carmen Inglesia (died February 13, 1985) more commonly known as “Chuckie English”and Dominic “Butch” Blasi April 1993,( It is widely believed that Dominick “Butch” Blasi was Giancana’s assassin.Tony Accardo – 1906-1992 Accardo, who died in 1992, owned and occupied several mansions in River Forest chicago il. .Santos Trafficante Born: Nov 15, 1914Died: Mar 19, 1987Florida..
I would be i terested on knowing more about the bank set up
I have several reports on this case. I plan telling the story in the future. It is a good one. Thanks for your interest.
I’m shocked only Ron Scharff was mentioned. My mother Patricia Freeman was murdered with Ron that night.
Sorry for the oversight, I think we get caught up in the mob story so much that sometimes we forget about their victims.
I new Pat Freeman. I used to live in the same area when she was married to Herman Freeman. We use to work together and she introduced me to my husband. The last time we saw her was at the bowling alley and she invited us to the new job at
the bar she was murdered at. She said she was working on Monday night and for us to stop in. We didn’t due to working the next day.
Tony John Spilotro -may 19,1938 – June 14,1986 body found jun23,1986.
Spilotro brothers Tony and Michael drove to Ohara nearby hotel ,then
were driven to property with basement which then Spilotro brothers were
beaten ,Supposedly by 10 others (1.James LaPietra 2.John Fecarotta
3.John DiFronzo (noNose) 4.Sam Carlisi 5.Louie Mooch Eboli 6.James
Marcello 7.Louis Marino 8.Joseph Ferriola 9.Ernest Infelice 10.Nick
Calabrese (brother to Frank Calabrese Sr. (March 17, 1937 – December 25,
2012 Butner, in North Carolina)who ran major loansharking and illegal gambling
operations for the Chicago Outfi, central figure in Operation Family Secrets Trial )
Frank Jr Calabrese detailed how he helped the _ _ convict his father of several murders by
wearing a hidden wire and taping his father’s conversations.Nicholas testimony helped to
convictions of mobsters Joseph Lombardo, James Marcello and his brother, Frank Calabrese Sr.etc..
John, thanks for posting this information. When I get time to do a whole Tony Spiloto story, you will save me some work looking for the story of their murder. I did interview Frank Calabrese Jr.
Hi, Gary —
Enjoyed the podcasts and writing you have done on Jimmy Duardi. I’m writing something about him and his time in Vallejo CA, where I was raised. As a teenager hanging out with the son of one of Duardi’s friends, I met Duardi and heard some of his stories — but those stories were nothing compared to what you have written about and what I have found in Internet searching. I know Duardi came to Vallejo about the time of the George Weaver murder, and know that he was a pretty popular guy around town. Some people had an idea about his background, but definitely not all. Look forward to hearing from you. Email is great, but phone if you can. 775-240-6314. By way of introduction, I was a reporter in Nevada for the Associated Press for 37 years, covering the gambling industry among other things. Did some writing about the Civellas.
best,
Brendan Riley
Peter Schivarelli was involved up to his ears with the Outfit. There is a news clip showing Frank Schweihs calling Pete from my living room. Frank said, “Yea, is Pete there? What do you mean, who is this? Get Petie on the phone. Yea, Pete meet me at the same place we met before, bring those envalobes with. Didn’t we put a guy on the job? I need to talk to him so set it up”
I knew Bill Hanhardt, he lied before the Grand Jury along with Dennis Farina. They set up Paul “Penuts” Panczko when he was on parole. Yes he was getting a work car for a job, however they said he had a case of guns that he moved from one car to the other. As a result, Paul went to Sandstone Prison. I talked to Paul and flipped him, to ware a wire on several people about the Balmoral Race Track robbery. When they let him out, Paul worked for me so I could keep an eye on him for the FBI. If I hadn’t talked him into flipping he would have spent the rest of his life in prison. After he kept his word, he went into WITSEC. BTW he married Doris Fisher and she went to prison on Opperation Safebet. That’s a story in itself.
Thanks Red, you are a walking talking living fountain of knowledge on the outfit. We will talk more about this.
Story is not accurate. Bill never robbed anyone.
Best Regards
Very intrigued to learn more about the KC mob history.
Typed a comment and did not enter my e-mail. Got notification to do so. Entered comment again and e-mail. Kicked back to me saying I had already made that comment. Deleted comment and entered e-mail. Kicked back to me saying comment is necessary?? Really??
Kenji has a great story, I hope a movie gets done one of these days.
Great article Gary! I’m a big fan of your podcast and a while back I heard the one about jimmy duardi. It really rang a bell with me because I lived in both grand lake area where he operated and I also lived in vallejo California where he used to hide out. An article in the vallejo Herald was just published about him . I requested a copy and I’ll send you a copy when I get it. I also remember I talked to you in the past about the San Francisco mob and you mentioned maybe doin a podcast on them. Is that still in the works? Thank you Gary. Keep up the good work
Thank you so much. Actually that writer contacted me for some help on the KC end of that story. He sent me a copy. Thanks for thinking of me. I did a little research on San Francisco and then got distracted by so many other stories. This may get me back to that. I am working on several different series of stories that revolve around a specific crime recently. I have a 3 part series on the Las Vegas Hole in the Wall Gand and the Bertha’s caper. I have a KC horror crime I am conducting interviews for and I have been researching a mob connected 3 million dollar armoured car company heist in Chicago.
My grandma is the niece of jimmy, she was married to Jack King who passed away about two or three years ago.
Very interesting thank you. I emailed you a message.
Just curious, what years were you on the Kcpd?
Sorry I did not see this or something. I was on from 1971 to 1996,
Who knows about kc mafia/mob activité in thee 20’s and 30’s ..
My grandfather was director of police
Kevin, The book Open City is the best resource about the early mob days. That and the documentary, Black Hand Strawman.
Craig was a little weasel punk at ASU…Woodbeck was a career criminal..Both were the scum of the earth..Both Dead…Good…F’n Miserble people…
Dano why don’t you tell us how you really feel. Got any good stories on their crimes we can record for the podcast?
do you have tours for small party of four today? Kansas City Gansters
Sorry for the slow response. No I am not really equipped to do a tour on less than a few days notice. Next time email me at jenkslaw@yahoo.com
I’m surprised that you didn’t discuss patent medicines, which often contained opiates, alcohol, cocaine, or marijuana with a variety of herbs for flavor. There were medicines that we would now call over the counter, including things like teething pain ointments with opium and morphine for babies.
You are correct, I never thought about going back to those early narcotics. Thanks for the comment.
MARTIN MCNALLY. NOVEMBER 5, 2018 10:57 p.m. JUST LISTENED TO THIS SEGMENT. VERY NICE WORK. WHITEY IS NOW IN PROTECTIVE CUSTODY IN HEAVEN, I THINK. RIVERFRONT TIMES (RFT) HAS A MAJOR STORY PUBLISHED THIS WEDNESDAY RELATING TO ALLEN BARKLAGE.. DANNY IS WORKING ON THINGS IN L.A., CA. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK..
Great show, Gry
I love Harry and always will. I know another side of him. The kind and gentle side, the man who was there for me.
I will always love and miss him.
Please contact me regarding your documentary on the immortal 10.
Lance Hill
Lancehillnola@gmail.com
Leonard “the Arab” did not run anything in Missouri prison, he had a sandwich route and rented books and lifted weights everyday. He had very few fights at the walls and was easy to get along with. He looked tough and had movie star looks, but never bothered any of the other inmates. Never stabbed anyone, pretty well go along with everyone.
Gary Huffman was nothing but a front man for the liquor license at the Bowery in those days. I know this for an absolute fact… The true owner was a man named Joe DeCarlo. Many years later Huffman would also front a strip club for the same Joe DeCarlo in Blue Springs… the name of that club was cottontails. Huffman was nothing but a stooge others used to hide their true ownership of businesses. I know this for a fact because myself and a man named Johnny Miles also used Huffman to front for us with a used car dealer license in knobtown at a location we rented from Johnny Ribaste good 1975 1976.
Do you mean the law office of James Patrick Quinn, not John Patrick Quinn?
Yes you are correct. I slipped up.
This is still very topical in 2019! Thanks
The 2018 presidential election fraud superseded what happened in KC back then.
This one is particularly entertaining, it would make a great film, as you point out.
this episode was getting close to touching on “Operation silver shovel” something I heard about and suspected when all of sudden loads gravel straight from the quarry were dumped by our companies yard and then suddenly disappeared the next day.
Were these hundreds of tons of gravel dumped by shifty hauling contractors paid by the city to haul the gravel purchased by the city to city projects, only to have some loads “Fall out of the truck” and be resold the next day cash on delivery? Oh yeah I seen a lot of this trust me the OUTFIT was not teaching the city these scams it was the cities inspectors, dispatcher, aldermen and political precinct captains that taught the outfit about this cash only silent economy.
Loved it!
Thanks, Casey!
We Jeff Lohan went in on u. Are u accepting his challEnge?
Jeff canarsie i meant. My bad he challenged u
I really enjoy reading scott’s reports im a direct descendent of William ( Billy Loiacano Tony Pro Provanzano the Tocco family’ and the Gacalone Family .
T Antony, thank you for your interest. Scott is a great guy and a real expert on the mob.
Thanks, Gary. I discovered you through Mike Byrne’s site. I found the info about Nick Civella most interesting. I never really understood the relationship with Chicago, but it must have been strong for Nick to send money to Chicago unasked. Also, I’ve got one pet peeve: this Joey “Doves” BS. Doves was a stupid newspaper nickname. I grew up in Cicero and lived there for many years as an adult. I did not know Joey Auippa well, but I knew him enough to say hello to him. Everybody, and I mean everybody, referred to him by his boxing name, “Joey O’Brien.” Finally, I found it interesting that Joey was not mentioned in that trib article. Believe me, he was big time even in the late 50s and early 1960s.
if you look back you can find an episode on the history of Civella’s connections to Chicago. Here is a link https://ganglandwire.com/nick-civella-and-the-chicago-outfit/ The Joey Doves thing, you are right, that is a newspaper inspired moniker. I sometimes use that as a shortcut because the general public is more likely to know who I am talking about. Only the real expert fan will understand Joey O’Brien. I am like you, I was surprised that the reporter did not mention Aiuppa. I can only speculate but I believe Aiuppa had maintained a low enough profile up to that time that the reporter never thought he was important enough to take on the job. That is what the real outfit powers like to see.
Corky’s girlfriend Donna commuted suicide at our house. I was 7….
Gentlemen: thanks for a fascinating podcast (report). My grandma, Mary Allensworth Weinburg, mother of my dad J. Peter Creighton, Sr. not long after graduation from Knox College, in Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, got hired by what later became The Chicago Sun-Times. Grandmother Mary (a.k.a. MAC) & Walter Creighton started a newspaper in Galesburg, which is situated about 4 1/2 hours if one takes the toll road, from the Windy City. So, news & advertising is in our families, both Creighton & Padilla. We appreciate what you all are doing by this podcast. Great work. Keep it up. Aloha, & peace out! John Creighton y Padilla
John, Thank You. Gary
Gentlemen: thanks for a fascinating podcast (report). My grandma, Mary Allensworth Weinburg, mother of my dad J. Peter Creighton, Sr. not long after graduation from Knox College, in Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, got hired by what later became The Chicago Sun-Times. Grandmother Mary (a.k.a. MAC) & Walter Creighton started a newspaper in Galesburg, which is situated about 4 1/2 hours if one takes the toll road, from the Windy City. So, news & advertising is in our families, both Creighton & Padilla. We appreciate what you all are doing by this podcast. Great work. Keep it up. Aloha, & peace out!
There is a saying…. “Podcasts are like a***holes – everybody has one”
The podcast that I just finished was below average. don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story. One important aspect of telling a story is to pronounce people’s names correctly. It isn’t “ScalisE” – the ending”e” is silent. Many more to list but getting the main characters’ name right is important.
Great story!!!
Thank you, Nick, I thought it was a great story. I even have thought about doing a fictional podcast based on a fictional search for the Marlborough diamond. I hear that Jerry Scalise is about to get out of prison again. JNow is that Nick D793 or Nick A793?
Buggy Anch was my Baptismal godfather. What was his first name?
Joe Anch, guess he and Nick Civella robbed the wrong people. got any stories you want to tell on the podcast?
I am trying to find mugshots of Clifford Bishop and Thomas ‘Hiway’ Simone involved in the Kansas City mafia. Does anyone have a link?
I might have some. Email me at ganglandwire@gmail.com
I am listening to your podcast find it very interesting you are very well rehearsed know alot
Scott you misrepresented my father Rudolph Coles in your gangster report. Stated untrue things etc put the truth out about my pops just reach out
Toni LanFranca was Cork Civella’s girlfriend before she married Carl Spero. Cork helped her buy a house in Northeast. When she got pregnant by Frank ? who owned the Virginia Tavern who was a best friend of Frank. He eventually adopted that child who ended up with Irene Gilliland/Cornejo/Shepherd (Gene Shepherd’s girlfriend). I don’t know if this relationship had anything to do with the mob war between Cork and Carl. Toni was Irene’s daughter.
Thank you for that inside knowledge of these relationships. This is a complicated story. What you said then add in the bombing of Jack Anderson’s car by Gene Shepherd and Mike Ruffalo. Then Ruffalo starts working with the FBI. Then Cork plots the murder of Carl. Then the hit on the Spero brothers at Todaro’s Virginia Tavern. Then I hear that another Spero got arrested in a bombing attempt on Todaro. Then someone kills Mike and cripples Carl. Then Joe gets convicted for attempting to bomb DeLuna. Then Joe gets killed by a bomb. Then Carl finds a bomb at his house. Finally Carl gets killed by a bomb at his car lot. I would really like to get an on camera interview with someone who knew the Spero brothers on a personal level to show the family side. Right now all I have are cops and agents. Like for example, I hear Joe had a toupee and he liked to lift it up when he met a friend and said hello.
Sharon, You seem to know some behind the scenes stuff that went on back then. My dad (passed away now) grew up in and around that life. I have some questions for you if you’re willing. Here is my email address if you are open to that.
Thank you
martysweetenjr@gmail.com
Hey Gary,
I love your podcasts and was listening to the episode involving the Bonny and Clyde motorcycle tour. I am a student of the 1930s motor bandits.
I believe that B & C were probably in a lower league than the true professional outlaws of that era, including John Dillinger, Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd and my favorite, the Barker-Karpis Gang. I highly recommend the “The Alvin Karpis Story.” Karpis was highly intelligent, a great story teller with a wry sense of humor. He debunked the notion that Ma Barker was the leader of the gang, (“Ma couldn’t plan breakfast,”) and recounts a meeting with Bonny and Clyde, when the pair tried to sell him several Browning Automatic Rifles. Karpis referred to the pair contemptuously as “Texas screwballs.”
Thank you Jim and I agree that Bonnie and Clyde were the minor league robbing gas stations and vending machines. They did know their weapons using the BAR and they did kill some police officers but that also demonstrates their lack of sophistication.
Wonder if you can touch on James Files and his connection to JFK and more closely, Charles Nicoletti?
I will take a look, thanks for the suggestion.
Most thorough Joe doves discussion on the internet
Thank you we try to do good research. Gary
A superb account of Carmine The Cigar Galante.It’s amazing that a man with an IQ of a gorilla could rise to be the boss of one of the Five Famlies of New York.He was a gangster almost from the minute he cou!d walk.He seized control of the growing heroin market.Single handed,he was one of those responsible for Americas massive drug problems.
John, Thank you so much. He was a real bad dude. I need to develop the Montreal connection a little more in a podcast. I did the real story behind the French Connection. Gary
Hey Gary, I hope you’re doing well. Unfortunately, I can’t get the recording to play or download. I did notice in your intro that you state Johnny was born in Brooklyn. He was actually born in Italy, though his falsified records stated Chicago. Also Tony Cornero wasn’t connected. His bootlegging operation was completely separate from Jack Dragna’s. They were in competition. But at the time Jack was only the Under Boss of that family. Hoping I can get this thing to download.
I am not sure why you can’t get it to play. You can go right to the website by clicking on the fb post and there is a player on that page that plays when I play it. The podcast is on on the podcast apps also.
Brilliant show really enjoy listening from mafia to klan top class.
One negative and it’s the volume have it at full volume and can’t hear it that well ( and my hearing perfect). The reason can’t here it is because work on a golf course cutting grass soo I lot of noisey machines with ear protection but still struggle to hear..
listen to all different podcast and no problem with them.
Thanks
Paul
Paul, thank you so much. I just went back and sampled several podcasts I released around this time. You are right, the KKK episodes are not as loud as they might be. I believe that as you go most of the shows have a little more volume. That was early in the show’s history and I struggled with sound levels. I got better and now I have a service that I run all the episodes though to get even sound at the right listening range.
Frank cullotta worked out of a place called Coney Island arcade I was there the night they were busted Fourth of July they use the arcade as a front Boston City Pizza in Maryland Square just so happens some years later Ernie the Peter Puffer also known as smudgywas my celly Indian Springs prison I knew Frank as a kid and Ernie as a cellmate I think I was 18 if the mafia new do you like PP they would have whacked him I don’t think in a good way I watch the movie Casino I’ve got that so f***** up imma Vegas boy I was there
Gary… This Gina Taylor (Spero)
Just got off the phone with Angel Gonzales… really good friend of mine since 2008. Told him that I went the see your documentaries yesterday.
He just told me you guys went through the academy and were really good friends. Small world…
Enjoy the two documentaries…
Thank you! Angel and I were good friends in the academy and ever since. Our careers on the PD took different paths, but that academy bond never breaks.
Vinny Papa….. Anthony Loria…….
True Gangsters – They don’t make them like this anymore…..Moved alot of dope for sure!!!
Thanks for the comment and you are correct. I am just researching the Montreal connection to this for a podcast.
They should really do a follow up on this with ” The Men Who Stole The French Connection” – Vinny Paoa’s crew with Anthony Loria, Virgil Alesi, Dinapolli, Cirillo, et. all the Luchesses wise guys who stole all that sized dope and replaced it with flour….Now that’s the real story!!!
The host of Unfound, at the end of this episode, spoke of “everyone’s” desire to live a life with a different set of rules than the rest of us. Well I, for one, have zero such desire. I have no desire to—kill, maim, torture, rob, bully, and upend peoples lives, and cause endless misery—in return for a life of endless money, sex, luxury, and other empty meaningless fluff. I would like to think that I’m not the only one to have this lack of desire. I’m interested in mob/mafia stories out of morbid fascination, not “romance”—the question of “why, how anyone would find this sort of tradeoff to be remotely desireable?” That question is, indeed, most fascinating. If I’m the only one, than humanity is ultimately a lost.
I think he is trying to explain the popularity of true crime. At least that is one way I would explain why the mob in particular and in another way, serial killers are so popular. I don’t believe that most true crime fans think it through to how they would actually live this life but rather it is like a train wreck and they can’t look away. I mean think about it, Robin Hood, Jesse James, John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd, Bonnie, and Clyde.
Some of your facts are not correct. I served time with casso so I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Figure your shit out
That is possible, I sometimes don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story. But specifically which ones are wrong and I will correct that in a future podcast. Thanks for letting me know.
Hello, I am doing some research on both parties and would like to know what was it that was not factual in this stotlry. Thank you kindly.
Very interesting and informative.
Thank you, I read that Scalise and Rachel are getting released from the joint in the next year or so. I would love to get them on a podcast. Most folks think that the Marlborough diamond was cut up. Red Wemette from Chicago thinks a collector has it.
Interesting information. I was a witness in Frank Cullotta’s trial in March or April 1982. for stolen property that was found in his possession in November 1980. Soon after his conviction one of my patients, an attorney in the DA’s office told me that Frank was talking. The last I heard of Frank was about his work on the movie ‘Casino.”.
Mad this whole document showed NYC
And this is something that happened to in and for BUFFALO.
SHOW RESPECT when telling our story.
Btw stephono was long retierd by Rons time
Also the fact that Ron ain’t that it shows that they was letting him talk for a reason
Great article
Roy demeo hooked up with some c.i.a. type operatives and was used for a covert clandestine Government contracted hits unit…Before Black water there was “Roy”…Roy was diging holes all rhe way to Southern Virginia on and off Military Bases…This is very secret information was considered à Black operation…Michael Franzese and Sammy came close to spéculation about Roy…
Thanks Gary. The same to you folks. May it be a wonderful Christmas and New Year filled with many blessings.
Henrietta
Thank you!
Greetings, Forbes published an article about part of my story. Can we talk?
Hey Gary,
I wish I would have known about this. Do you have it in it’s entirety on video?
We did not video any of the panel discussions. All the movies are available (except for the Bonadonnq videotape, on amazon or our websites.
Interesting show. Joseph Corrao was a 2nd generation Gambino capo. His father James “Jimmy the Blond” Corrao was also a Gambino capo and when he died in 1976, his son inherited the crew. When Joe Corrao died in 2001, his 6 foot 4 son Vincent (“Vinny Butch”) inherited the crew, but after serving 5 years on a RICO conviction (2005-2010), it appears that he is now a soldier. Corrao’s Mulberry Street restaurants and his social club are long closed. His restaurant “Cafe Biondo” was also used as a loan shark bank. Joeseph Corrao was a major topic in the book “Boss of Bosses” written by two FBI agents assigned to the Gambino Family.
Bob, thank you for your input on this interesting story. I think I need to check out that book.
Thanks for the reply. One minor correction from my post, Joe Butch’s father’s name was Vincent, not James. I enjoy your podcast since I grew up in NY and was not familiar with the midwest activities of LCN. I’ll make a donation to keep the podcast going.
I attended High School in with the children of LCN members but had no idea until later in life when I read about them or their fathers and grandfathers.
Hello GREAT work here,
I would love to support your podcast,
How can I listen to the actual recor dings from the bugs and get copies of the transcipts?
I have a lot of them with rolling captions in the Kindle version of my book, Leaving Vegas. Otherwise, I might sell them of some of them but the price may be a bit high.
Gary this is Karen Conaway. I played the stripper part in Brothers against Brothers. I have several people wanting copies of the dvd. Let me know how to get my hands on a couples.
Karen, just tell me where I can drop some off for you. No charge for you.
I’d always heard Grasso wanted to be boss of all New England, and it was widely known Caddillac Frank was 2nd in line to the throne when he left Walpole for the botched hit on the lawyer.. if Grasso had treated his guys a little better he never would have been surprised and killed .
Thanks for your comment.
It’s always nice to see articles on Mr. Aiuppa even though it is in a bad light. At least he hasn’t been forgotten. I grew up in Frontenac and remember him well. He made many trips to our town to visit with Raymond Pallucca and stay at this home. When limo’s were spotted we knew who was here. Those of us who are Italian miss the old ones and how the town was then. They kept order and made sure it was a safe place for us kids to grow up. Now they are all gone and the town has gone to hell.
Thanks for your input about that time in Frontenac. Very interesting little town. I understand that most of the early residents were from Italy through Ellis Island and worked in the mines.
gunner go to henry the hatter in eastern market and set up your own hat line through selentino hats fedoras and caps they would jump all over it i have all kinds of hats borselino to dockers detroit men have to have hats good ones that show what your made of from jimmy detroit eastsider all my life till i came to grandrapids 15 years ago
I passed this along the Gunner. If you do fab=cebook, he is really active on the National Crime Syndicate facebook page.
“Don’t ever shoot something without a good reason”- Roy Demeo to his son Albert when he shot a squirrel, Roy was pissed Albert killed the animal. Talk about irony.
Thanks for commenting! I guess Roy DeMeo thought he had a “good reason” for killing everyone he killed.
Gary,
There is something I wanted to share to get your input on it. When Roy killed Dominick Raggicci it is assumed he was “very upset and sad” he had murdered a innocent boy. I don’t believe that was the case. When Roy found out it was a vacuumed salesman he did cry and was upset, but not because he killed a kid, it was because he knew he would for sure have to kill Chris. Until then I think roy was doing everything he could to prevent the murder of Chris, stalling, making excuses and such, but when he found out that kid was not part of the Cuban crew he knew the games were up. Roy knew the only way to save his own life would be to kill Chris for sure. This bothered him because he personally ordered Chris to set up the Cuban drug deal in the first place. This is why Chris looked at him and ask “why” after Roy put a .38 in the side of his head causing him to fall out of his chair and hit the floor. Roy knew it was actually his fault Chris had to die, and that’s why he was emotional during this time, not because of some kid who sold vaccumes. Roy could care less about that kid and anyone who thinks he lost a second of sleep for that murder is misinformed or just not willing to recognize the fact that Roy DeMeo was cold as ice. I would like to talk to your further if you are interested I do have personal information regarding Roy. Love the site awesome work!
Isn’t Anthony Senter who killed Chris after DeMeo couldn’t do it?
Yes, Anthony Senter murdered Chris. He also didn’t seem to like Chris much, according to Albert DeMeo. Henry outright hated Chris. Joey seemed to be the only one, aside from Roy, who liked Chris.
Very interesting, would love to know more
Thank you for your comment. I will ask Cam about what more we can learn. He is the expert on that area.
We rented a farm off of stagecoach road in the 1970 apparently owned by a African american man who was in the Gary mob. So the story goes he was found dead in Gary and we stopped renting the farm. Can’t remember what his name was but would love to know the history of him and that farm.
Thank you for your interest. We will look into that.
I was wondering if Elkhart Indiana had organized crime i keep hearing about Tony i think or Nick one of the two “the greek ” supposely he ran Elkhart back in the days the fly trap, iara ,micheals , crimaldis n few other places or restaurants but can You tell me history on the mob in Elkhart Indiana please and thank you
Darius, We have never found any primary source documents or other information about Mafia activity in Elkhart. I believe they did have a small immigrant neighborhood with many inhabitants from Italy back in the 20s-30s. But to our knowledge, there were no reported connections to other mobsters.
Ok so the Italian guy who died recently in Elkhart frank lucheese is he related at all to the lucheese crime family out of new York?
Not to my knowledge.
Is frank lucheese of elkhart indiana is he apart of the mafia and what’s info on organized crime in elkhart indiana?
Hey ED:
If you have contact with Mike, tell him to call Phil B.
It would be nice to catch up,
Phil
ps: Tell him we’re still eating off of the beautiful dining table he gave us when he–hurriedly–left.
Hope he M and A are well.
I passed this along to Ed Scarpo.
Hi Gary
Could you call me sometime. I do a tour here in Denver on the mafia ,and the mafia in Pueblo Colorado. I know both families did communicate with each other. Would like to discuss.
Tom Hackett
Gary,
Love the podcast. I believe that you were discussing Sicilians and heroin in this recent episode. I am a big fan of Selwyn Raab, of the New York Times and his book “Five Families.” In it, Raab writes that Joe Bonnano , who was born in the US, but grew up in Sicily before returning, was the original NY mob connection to the Sicilian heroin trade. NY mob guys referred to Sicilians as “Zips,” and in addition to using them to bring in heroin, often employed them as hit men. There’s a funny story in Raab’s book. Bonnano was in Sicily for a sit-down, and some waiter there was making fun of the American, who he thought could not speak Sicilian. Bonnano of course was fluent in that version of Italian, and set him straight by throwing a pitcher of water at the dude.
Jim, have you ever heard about the Chicago Outfit and any connection with the heroin trade?
Jim, Thank you for your support. Yes, I am working on a multi-part series on the Zips, the Pizza Connection, the Bonanno family, Carmine Galente and Gaetano Badalamenti. It is one heck of a story.
My dad was known as the Irishman in Kansas City. He was involved with Carl Civella and Nick Civella from the age of 8 years old.. His dad owned 2 bars (brothels). His mom was a whore. She was 26 when dad was born. His dad was 62. He lived in the brothel and slept under the whores cots, including his mom. He went on to become a mobster with an IQ of 170. He was very involved with the development in Las Vegas.. One of his closest friends was a Bailiff. Steve Kluska was his name. He and Steve destroyed, by fire, all evidence of my father’s records. My father, Gene Toyne, killed approximately 17 people during the late 50s and early 70s. He also tried running for Tramster president but was beaten to a pulp and backed out. He had to explode his home on Summit by turning on the gas and turning off the electricity. About 6 hours later, he called the house phone, which exploded the house. My dad is responsible for the deaths of so many good and bad people. I actually attended Nick Civellas funeral. I witnessed at least 3 murders committed by my dad. De Luna, Cuda, Civella. The list is endless. If you want to talk, great.
Fascinating report of the Havana Convention.I would love to have been a fly on the wall at some of those conversations
John, Thank you for your feedback.
my family is related to him lmao, well his sister is my great great aunt and she talks ab him sometimes but i had to find this info online cause we cant rly talk to her ab it cause she’ll get all sad ab it:( craziness tho
Thanks for commenting. I have talked with several descendants of mob guys from all over and one thing they have in common is the confusion between what they saw at home and what law enforcement and newspapers reported.
This is a very good story about our history. Not many people know about the connection between President Truman and the Pendergast organization in Kansas City. Much less Cuba, one thing I didn’t hear you mention was that Irwin Weiner, from Chicago was an important part of this story.
How old is Frank Calabrese jr. now? I’ve been ready so much about him, but I’ve yet to see a birth date.
PLEASE READ THIS!!!!!!!! I am making a film, or atleast a book, upon the Conneticut New Haven Mafia and it’s Don and Capos. Its based off the FBI files, hidden books/articles, and Randall Beach who is the grandson of whom I am wrighting about. It also revoles around the connections to Frank Costello, the Arnold Shulster and William Moretti murders, the IBOE Local 478, and the illegal lottery scandal in New Haven. Its the story of Salvatore Annuziato and his rise and fall into his drinking situation and murders with La Cosa Nostra. The people its based on are as follows; Salvatore Annuziato, Ralph “Whitey” Tropiano, Charlie “The Blade” Tourine, and William “The Wild Guy” Grasso. I am indeed a highschooler, grade 11, but man I will tell you I spent hours and hours wrighting the script/book in the purest form it can be. Would you be of any interest in collaborating? If so, reach me at 203-278-2929 or by text, email is grantedfella@gmail.com. My school hours are from 6 am – 2 pm. You can call me or text me any other time, but I might be able to respond to emails if you do want to send one.
Best regards,
Joseph Cosenza
Be sure to have a good editor.
Paluca’s is now closed, but the building is still there it is on Mcay street. When it comes to Barto’s they are still open. My family feels they have the best fried chicken in the area. (Better than Mary’s or Annie’s).
I was down there last year while it was still open.
Great story, Jr, was a stand up guy . the last of his kind , you should do more on his dealing with the twins,
Mac Mcnally, March 10, 2020. Just noticed this. Sonny always had respect—good dude !!!! Met him at USP Leavenworth in 1974. Sorry to see him gone.
We should do a podcast about you and some of these dudes you met in prison. I hope all is well up north.
Sam did worship the Devil. He had a Satanic Alter in his basement with black cloth over it and candles on top. It was a sight to see.
Thanks …I watched so many reruns of Gunsmoke I am going nuts . Its been great to go back and listen to some old podcast,,,,take care and I will try and get you some cash …..these last few podcasts have been great ,
GREAT story of history Gary. I’m sure people that listen will love it.
Great episode, my Dad and his best friend we’re corrupt GIs
Thanks for listening and your input.
Gary, just listened to this podcast. What a great story, with lots of familiar names. Really enjoyed it. Tell Tom I said “Hi”
Thanks Joe, I will tell him. He was one cool dude during that investigation.
There was so much corruption at that time, you couldn’t tell who was who. I know one thing for sure, the Outfit never knew about this. If they had there would have been one big war between New York and Chicago. Also the “Truth in Justice” from Northwestern put innocent men in prison, and let convicted people out.
I wish I had a nickel for every time I herd, “I was just doing my job and fowling orders”. Governor Ryan out of spite released men from prison that guilty on to the streets of Illinois before his trial. I spoke to George Ryan by phone when he got out of prison living in Mexico. It was corruption of the highest.
This show doesn’t seem to be about the HA’s at all?
Sorry about that I fixed it.
Martin McNally in Melvindale Michigan. April 16, 2020. Listened to this again. For Law books: I ordered hundreds from publishers with coupons or simply a letter presenting myself as a Lawyer !!! Never paid any bills & West Publishing & Little Brown sued me in state Court !!! The 1978 chopper case took me over 2,000 hours of work to Reverse 4 Consecutive Life sentences—–yeah, that many !!! Well, I did buy/sell stocks while in prison on the down low & made thousands $$$$$. I don’t know of ANY other inmate doing that. None. I’m NOT Dan Cooper, okay ?? Doing well in Michigan and staying in due to the China virus. You do good work & my 2 cats ? miss both of you !!!!!!!
I love your podcasts as soon as I get my password for my phone fixed (Apple Stores closed) ill get set up with Venmo in APP store.
I have a question? Why are in a lot of mob murders are victims put in the trunks of there cars?
I believe that mobsters end up in trunks because they will be killed in one place and then moved to another. Just check out GoodFellas for example. They have often been left in the trunk because it is the victim’s car or a stolen car and no use in taking a chance of moving the body again. This is in cases where they want the body found as a sign to others.
Your a good man Gary. Your one of the people that care about others.
I grew up two houses down from the Duardi’s on 70th terrace. He was a great neighbor. He was especially good to our family. Obviously, this does not off-set his other activities.
I spent many hours over there straight west across Ward Parkway watching for him to leave so we could follow him.
Is this John Walters? Jeff Simkins here – I lived on the other side of the Duardi’s at 1008 west 70th Terrace.
Great episode, as usual. Love the show, Gary. Minor correction though: Colombia has a lot of Pacific coastline, so they would have probably just shipped the coke out of Buenaventura.
Evan, Thank you for your comment and you are right I am geographically challenged in regards to Columbia stretching all the way to the Pacific.
There were three shooters, and two others listening to police scanners a few blocks away. The paper dubbed them as the “not so straight shooters” because at least 20 rounds hit the garage and neighboring houses. Joseph Falcone signed off on the hit.
Thank you for your comments, great information for the podcast followers.
Ever, been in a shootout? I have,, most guys aren’t professional marksmen. And in a spur of the moment ambush, you aren’t taking a wide 2 foot stance youre running shooting ducking shooting… Bullets fly esp. with 3 guns.
Thanks for the comment. No I have not but I had several friends who were and you are exactly right. Bullets everywhere as they tried to find cover.
My uncle is Dick Bretti what do you know about him. Not what’s in the news paper but the truth?
He is my uncle too
I knew a fellow who owned a sundry shop in Kansas City. I believe he was an associate, not a made guy, but I could be wrong. It’s been 45 years since I saw him.
His name was Joe Guestello aka Nehi. Would love to hear back about this. I know him pretty well. Thanks
Gary,
My name is Peter Raimo, my great grandfather was officer Joseph Raimo. I’ve been doing research for my family, and my father Bernard Raimo jr., and was hoping you might be able to point me to some sources to gather as much information as possible about both my great grandfather Joe and also the DeFeo family in Kansas City.
Listening 2 the 97th minute of the 2hrs n I think u might have spent 6 minutes talking about the uva couple
Well, I did not realize we spent so little time on them as persons. I guess we focused on the mafia guys too much. I think most fans want to know about the mob guys and how they reacted. Plus we wanted to compare the movie with the real events. The movie dealt with their relationship quite a bit.
Yous wanna kno the real story call me get in touch with me ok I’ll set that straight real quick Gary
Thank you for your comments, although you did call me a lot of names. Seems like the guys who killed him might be better targeted for your anger. I am just trying to tell the story working with the news reports I can find and compare and contrast to the movie. Just respond with a more accurate story if you want and I will see if I can get a podcast episode out of that to correct anything I got wrong.
Joe great to hear you and your expertise..
The probation officer
Thanks for listening, he is a great guest.
Gary, my name is Micah and I’m very interested in starting my own podcast and would like to speak to you about doing something like this. My email is micahcannon95@yahoo.com. Please email me
Gary, thanks for the extra Podcasts during these days of pandemic and pandemonium. As usual they are very informative and interesting with a bit of humour too. Thanks again buddy. Love from Newcastle, England.
Thanks, John, I try to be of service.
How many times was “Roy DeMeo” shot in the face and head? The trauma would have (conveniently) made the corpse unrecognizable. He didn’t die at that time or at the hands of the Gemini Twins.
Thanks for your comment and insight. I am not sure how many times he was shot.
7 times he was shot according to the book by Albert DeMeo and it was on Albert s birthday the police came to their house to tell them
Albert knew that the Gemini Twins murdered his father and he tried to take revenge but the Gemini Twins and the Gambino family take his car off the road and warn him to stop threating or they have to do what they have to do
This was a good story. I remember in the late sixties when I ran with The Chicago Outlaws. I went up to London Ontario Canada. That was the first time I met a RCMP agent. I was so dumb I thought they rode horses and wore a uniform like I saw in the movies. These guys were in plain cloths and unmarked cars.
Thanks, Red, a really interesting story as usual from you.
It as a brilliant robbery and 16.Million today would be nice so think about 1976 ,When the Kane’s came calling and the fight broke out and threats to kill Ray Bennett ,Ray should have either done two things ,giving the Kane’s a Million. or Killing Brian Kane. He was a psycho but calm unlike Les who would have been lost without his big brother , In this case it was a problem of getting the millions it was the aftermath and God knows how many stand over men coming looking for you , It had a sad ending most were killed or jailed, Ray Chuck was like the Irish gangster Martin Cahill also known as the general and the Irish Garda (Irish Police) and the IRA, there was another theory another Dublin gangster who was released from jail in 1992 he owed the general but knew he was a dead man walking so why pay the 200 grand when you can take him out. Cahill was a master armed robber, he’d deposit money into a bank then 5 mins later his men would rob the bank so he got double his money, He stole art paintings worth 20 odd million but was difficult to buy ,the final straw was when he allegedly sold some of the paintings to the Ulster Loyalists ,the IRA considered him a collaborator and the IRA wanted a cut before they heard he sold the Loyalists then in late 93 an IRA run pub was attacked by a loyalist gang killing the doorman who was a IRA member, The police were watching Cahill for over 5 yrs 24/7 but could never catch him doing anything ,Then on an August morning the large police presence outside his house had gone, a half hour later while the general was leaving back a video a bike pulled up and the back seat passenger shot the general five times with a Magnum Everyone knew the Irish police were helping the IRA ,
Iain,
Thank you for the great story.
Gary
This is some of the best mob and general criminal personalities content on the internet, Ive listened since literally the first few episodes Thanks alot Gary for all your hard work, dedication and invaluable insights, Gary youshould consider a greatest hits sort of episode to turn on and attract new listeners! You so many incredible epiiaodes hard to even choose any best one. This new Pistone and Ruggerio one is instantly one of my favorites.
Brad,
Thank you for your kind words. I have worked very hard to create an accurate picture of the mob and what it is like to investigate these organizations. You have a good idea. I will take a look. I am in the process of hiring a social media person to get more awareness of the uniqueness of my show. I will see about incorporating a “best hits” version. BTW, I loved this show myself. I told Joe Pistone that I only wanted to hear his view of Lefty because his story has been told many many times. So while I am noodling around the internet I see that an old friend, Doug Fencl, was the guy who actually carried the message to Sonny Black and Lefty that their good friend Donnie Brosko was really an FBI agent. Then you add in my friend Steve St. John was locked up with Lefty and knew him very well. Kind of a perfect storm of guests.
I recently found your podcasts and have been burning through them. I’ve heard mention of gangland wire mob tour app? I can not seem to find an app that shows these mob places in the KC area.
Thank you for all you do!
Thank you. The app is only in the Apple App Store. I had some trouble with Google and cannot work it out.
Hey Gary, gangland is my favourite podcast. I love the conversational tone you bring to the subject matter. It’s just a super entertaining show. Thanks a million from Ireland. Yvonne
Yvonne, Thank you for your kind words.
You stupid mother fucker my uncle tommy didn’t give a fuck about dying get your facts straight you stupid cunt wanna be u give Italians a bad name u scumbag low life cocksucker get ur facts straight douche bag
Yeah, reading your comment, I can see that it is definitely others that give Italians a bad name, and certainly not you, lol.
Ernie Davino just passed away from cancer.
From one of his high school classmates
Thank you for letting me know. I wish I had recorded a podcast with him. We used to talk once in a while and I just never got around to it. Funny thing is right after you sent me this Frank Cullotta died. I guess they can argue it out in the afterlife. Who started the Hole in the Wall gang?
I AM PROUD YO SAY I AM THE GRAND DAUGHTER OF FRANK FITZSIMMONS AND THE DAUGHTER OF RICHARD FITZSIMMONS THE SON OF FRANK FITZSIMMONS . I WAS BORN IN 1953 MY FATHER WHO LOVED TO SING SNF HAD THE VOICE OF AN ANGEL ? I RECALL SEEING MY FATHER ON TV STAIRWAY TO THE STARS WITH PERRY COMO AND DINAH SHORE. OLDER VERSION OF AMERICAN IDOL. In 1956 he went to work for the Teamsters Union as an Orgainizer. And sang his way to becoming the Top Orgainizer for the Teamsters Union by increasing membership by leaps and bounds. He Represented the Business Employees he rapidly Orgsinized, Negotiated contracts between Employers and Member’s with protection and Benefits like NEVER before ratified by the Rank and File. He became the Chief Negotiator for THE MASTER FREIGHT AGREEMENT FOR MANY YEARS TO COME .colleenfitzsimmons53@yahoo.com
Gary, I love your podcast even though you have an accent:-). I’m from the Berwyn/Cicero area. I have all kinds of things. Is there an email or something just between us I can send some pics etc? I’ve never reached out to anyone, you’re the first. I left a few comments on your you tube channel. You’ve commented back.
I love the writings of Scott Burnstein.
I agree a He had a clear concise way of telling stories.
Hey I love the podcast!! Sorry I dont do social media stuff so I cant figure out how to rate the show…. but its 5 star! Love it! Cant stop listening!
Eric, no problem, just keep listening.
Can you tell me where the Spero brothers grew up?
They grew up in the North End.
wait, oh yea its called a vendetta and then you mix a little IRA into it and some US Army & USMC sniper schooling….! RIP Elliott
I worked at Sally’s Steakhouse for three years, Sally treated me with the upmost respect always, she showed me nothing but love. She was a stand-up lady, told you to your face. I once saw her kick the city’s DA out of the restaurant. Her right hand man was Jimmy Genero and a guy she raised name Jeff ran the day to day in the restaurant. I worked side by side with her nephew Dino, good guy. Nothing but good memories of that place, she used to make me walk her dog lol
Thank you for your story. I like getting this kid of real story feedback. I wish I had known about your before to include your memories in the show.
Great shows always
This was a great podcast. Decent quality zoom audio and this Fino talks up a storm. Great discussion. I particularly enjoyed the Chicago based segments since I’m from Chicago’s SouthSide. Hoping for more Outfit based discussions. Maybe some Como’s Pizza based stuff.
It was probably Butchy, but I wouldn’t rule out a mac 10 as we know the wild bunch has used them in the past one such being the Dobber hit when they teamed up with the 26th St. crew otherwise known as the china town crew.
Thanks for the terrific podcast. I just began listening from episode 1 and pretty much it’s my go-to Podcast on my runs around town. I really appreciate the insight and attention to detail. Keep up the great work
Wisconsin Hell Angels?
Shouldn’t it say illinois, more specifically his Chicago area charter?
Hellow.
I am Jimmy towels daughter.
Can you contact me please?
Hold up… he tortured a guy for 3 days, set him on fire 🔥 then dragged his body into a dining room area to have his family piss on him in unison? ………. bruh… Why would ANYBODY even consider borrowing money from this guy? …. Lol im good im just gone have to eat top ramen this week fuck that
Hi Gary I was wondering if you could tell me anything about joe maggio or joe Farris. I’ve heard that they were body guards for jimmy. But how true is that I am just wondering because I like the history of stuff like this. And if you know who joe maggio are and joe Farris is how connected were they:
I remember Joe Maggio. He was a fireman for a while. Seems like he took a pinch and got some prison time. I do not remember Joe Ferris. Email me at ganglandwire@gmail.com and let’s talk. Do you have a relative named Ron who lived at Lake Waukomis?
The very same family were later implicated in the importation of 500kg of MDMA. At the time this was the largest importation in the world, ever. They are alive and well in Australia. Listen to Andrew Rules podcast ‘Blood on the Vines; for more information,
More on organised crime on Australia
https://youtu.be/mX4OZBAAULc
Drugs are flooding in.
I missed this one Gary, because of Hurricane Michael. I loved it, you have the best show around.
I’ve Been in Kansas city all my life. River quay fan. The civella family were cordial and professional. The Spero brothers should have left well enough alone. Cork was a solid cat. Red apple was my first shot at boobs in my face. I was 9 years old. On my uncle’s belt loop. Yessir
I know a lot more about this story
Contact me and lets talk.
Im married to Billy Kirkpatricks daughter
Sorry grand daughter
Enjoy your podcasts Gary.. thank you for your work
Thank You! Gary
This is an other GREAT potcast I love your shows.
Gary:
There is an issue with Bill Roemer and Informants. I get a 404 error message. Thanks
Yes I had trouble fixing it and I just went ahead with the next two. I will get it fixed next week when I get back into the studio. Thanks Pat.
Joe was my great uncle , mom’s uncle. I’ve hear a lot about all this over the years. Met Nick many times. Good guy
Thanks for your comment. I am putting togetya podcast show on the effect on relatives of mob guys. Mainly children and grandchildren. Would you have anybody who might let me record a short piece with their memory of Nick Civella?
Good info but a few errors. Midge Annunziato (My Uncle) was always with the Genovese. He did “disappear ” in 1979, but the feds refused to allow My Aunt to declare him dead, in 1986 they foreclosed on her home and other properties because Midge had been out on 2 bonds for State and federal cases. Slew got whacked in 1974 if I remember correctly, because I was locked up with My Uncle in Connecticut at the time and the feds tried to talk with him but he told them to fuck off. Grasso was nasty, but he never messed with civilians. His volatility was always directed at his crew. His Mother lived off of Wooster st. in New Haven and the visiting nurse that took care of her said Billy was a Gentleman with her. Whitey did get whacked in Brooklyn but the word was that he was talking to the feds and the Colombos found out.
Nah Ori exaggerates most of his stories
Gary,
Great stuff on Roemer who had a family member as a congressman. I read all his books years ago and it’s where I learned about Spilotro and Mad Sam as an example and the skim and Vegas and Kansas City with the outfit and the teamsters. Richard Cain was murdered by Joey the Clown in Rose’s in late 1973 and Roemer spoke with respect for Accardo. It was my opinion that many were jealous of Roemer and it’s why they blast him similar to NYPD Detective Joe Coffey who was always on the crime shows relating facts and stories and Coffey was part of the Son of Sam task force. Many also would blast Coffey as an egomanic but I think it was jealousy. I see that now with Frank Cullotta. As an example, they blast Frank for using the term made man in Vegas and Captain in reference to Frank and Spilotro but Frank always explained he was not inducted with the blood and card ceremony and that Chicago doesn’t make men like NY does and by using the term Captain he was saying that he was Tony’s backup watching his back.
I learned about Lefty from Roemer and years later alot of the stories from Roemer were confirmed by Frank. Alot of times Frank would also say that is what I remember so I never looked at Frank as a BS artist and all these years later find alot of what Bill Roemer said as credible as well as Joe Coffey in NYC.
Thanks Gary!
You are welcome. You are exactly right about all the strong feelings about Roemer. He was a ball-buster and did not slow down to worry about what others thought about him. A people-pleaser does not get much done in that job.
I went to Oak Park H.S. back in the day…I went to school with Nick, my sister even dated him. I have lots of stories and memories of those days…if they liked you, no problem but, if they didn’t, you had big problems lol. Just be a good person and your good to go. Remember, the Italians helped keep communism out of the country.
A well-covered story of a powerful Outfit boss. I didn’t know he was really a waiter.
Thank You! Scott, I need to do more Chicago.
What became of Carmine’s brother Peter?
good question and I don’t know. Maybe a listener might know. He seems to be lost to history.
Another good insight into one of the mobs more colorful members, Jimmy “The Weasel” Fratiano. I love hearing that guy talk, My dad, now deceased, grew up in that era, in eastern PA and had a lot of the same speech mannerisms and old school colloquial dialect. It sounds familiar when I hear the gangsters of that era speak.
Hey Gary,
I really liked this episode. I bought the book Smalltime and it was very well written, great story. I’m from western Pa, is there any chance you can do some stories on small town western pa mob or the LaRocca family out of Pittsburgh? I am working my way through your back catalogue of podcasts and have about 45 more to get current.
Thanks for all the work you do. Great podcast.
Thank you for your kind words David.
Look forward to his return visit for the Family Secrets trial.
GREAT show Gary, John is the who’s who of the old Chicago Outfit. He even wrote about me and told me to write a book.
I love it Gary, I was shocked you had David on your show. Like always It’s a GREAT show!
I come from Utica, NY.
I remember Dominick Bretti, he came for secret meetings at Padula’s Market off of Bleeker Street back in late 70’s.
Utica is a very economic depressed area, weather bad seven months of the year.
Nothing to do, why not join a crime circle?
Family oriented town with family businesses, very cliquy, i was in the circle With Falcone.
I never got caught, the organized crime chapter continues. Very low key, if you only knew whats happening still!
Anyhow, good gossip session on your part for your ratings.
Good luck.
Anthony Gambino
Sorry, i didn’t mean to be rude. I was just fascinated at eho would be that stupid. They lived in the same neighborhood and used their own car. Holy Jesus
Uncle Steve, it’s Eddie is Vegas. Let me know if you get this. Would love to hear from you. I miss the bakery days
I grew up there as a kid. I’d say this article is right on! Wish I could go back and know what I know now! WOW! Thanks for the memories!
Gary, thank you for passing on the message to Steve. I really appreciate the help.
I grew up in Utica was born at st Elizabeth’s in 64
My Father was Joe ( sonny ) Aquilo
He worked possibly ran to bars there
Peperadas and the canteen in the late 60’s
Not sure if I spelled peperades correctly.
He was there since the 40’s
He was married to a lady who’s family owned the gellotti cheese factory ( I don’t know if I spelled that right either. Just wondering
I moved from there in 75
most people know police can be liars and glory seekers ask pete rose the gym owner who became a government witness after getting caught with a kilo of cocaine and only got 6 months in a halfway house and got 2 years in a federal prison for tax evasion tell me what is worse?
What was the Gus Alex/Lenny Patrick trial called? And what was the name of that Cuban documentary!
Thank you
How can I contact Paul Whitcombe and or Camillus Robinson?
Thank you
I forwarded this message and our email to them.
Great interview on Fratianno.
Some errors here. For starters Fratianno was made into the LA Brugad long before the two Tony’s hit. Another is Tom Dragna is the father of Louie Tom Dragna. You meant to say Louie not his father. Jimmy was the acting underboss who was beneath Louie, the acting boss. Also, Johnny Roselli was not with the Chicago Outfit until a full decade after Fratianno landed. Roselli transferred right after Jack Dragna’s death. Jimmy followed shortly after.
Gary:
….the attorney on the previous podcast (42:34) says it was Frank Bompensiero who was in the backseat with Fratiano when the Two Tony’s were murdered.
Yet most people say it was Charles Battaglia. Will we ever know the truth?
Love your podcast,& have rented movies on Amazon.. loving hearing about fratiano..the l.a. mafia is fascinating…
Jeremy, thank you so much! It’s comments like this that keep me going.
Prostitution is NOT a victimless crime.
Neither is gambling.
Two things that the Chicago outfit and mob apologists always try to claim.
Honestly I think you guys did a good job with this. I’m interested in Joey aiuppa because my grandfather was his lifelong partner in crime.
Thank you. I try not to glamourize these guys too much. It is still amazing to me how they maintain this double life of family man and gangster.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I began my twenty-five-year career with the Little Rock Police Department in July of 1965, nineteen years old and just out of high school. I was the third person hired as a Little Rock Police Cadet. April 4, 1967, the day I turned twenty-one, I was sworn in as a police officer. I was first assigned to the patrol division working in high crime areas of Little Rock. After two and a half years I was transferred from the Patrol Division to the Detective Division.
At twenty-three years old, I was one of the youngest officers to become a detective. I was first assigned to the Burglary Squad where I investigated residential and commercial burglaries.
After a couple of years, I was reassigned to the Homicide Squad where I participated in the investigations of numerous crimes against people which included homicides, armed robbery, assault, rape, and kidnapping.
This was before the era of DNA, cell phone forensics, and cameras being everywhere. Many crimes are currently solved using these technologies which were unavailable to detectives until the late 1980s. Before the late 1980’s investigators interviewed witnesses, victims, and suspects in addition to conducting their own crime scene investigations. Investigators fingerprinted, photographed and took measurements at crime scenes. Now there are specialists, Crime Scene Investigators, assigned to conduct these tasks.
I was later transferred to the Organized Crime and Intelligence Unit where I worked for several years investigating the Dixie Mafia, traveling criminals, and especially prolific gangs in Little Rock.
I was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and assigned to the Patrol Division and placed in charge of eight to ten patrolmen. Later, I was assigned Sergeant in charge of the Street Crimes Unit, a plainclothes unit consisting of eight officers assigned to work undercover in high crime areas of Little Rock.
I was later promoted to the rank of Lieutenant where I served in the Patrol Division, Detective Division, and was the Lieutenant in charge of the Vice, Narcotics, and Intelligence units.
Oftentimes I would be the highest-ranking Police Officer on duty. This would usually occur after 5 pm and on weekends.
I retired from the Little Rock Police Department in 1991 to pursue a thirty-year career as the owner, operator of a private investigation company that I founded.
Your career is almost the same as mine with the KCPD. Do you have any work stories you would like to share on my show? email me at ganglandwire@gmail.com
Hi Gary, Just a little something you might be interested in. I was born and raised in the Providence RI area and I am of Italian American decent. This is a true story. Raymond L S Patriarca was involved in a clothing buisness along with his sister and brother in law in Providence RI called Sherwood Mfg. back around the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s. This can all be confirmed from Raymond’s FBI files. The interesting part of this is that it was all a legitimate and legal business. But it was presented to the public in a way that it was a shady, hot merchandise type of operation and the public fell for it hook, line, and sinker. By doing business this way they were very sucessful. Sherwood would have mob looking guys going around selling these clothes out of the trunk of their car and the customers loved it. All the time they were buying cheap (not stolen) merchandise, and thought it was cool because they were dealing with supposed mob characters.
Thank you, Richard, we had a guy here in KC that did exactly the same thing. he sold “seconds he got from a small clothing distributor out of his trunk as if they were stolen.
Michael is a petty thug who has a long list of domestic violence and drug charges. All easily found.
michael spero is my best friend. the son the dad. he the only guy i ever met in y life that pr3etty much just like me.loyal as fuk and gots ur bak straight up. must got that from his dad n shit, good dude wit all respect. i aint nonbody though, and dont want to be anyone besides my self. even though kind of lonely sometimes but, dam kc be tight to live n though, i use to live in tulsa, omogee in 0k but never kc…
My Dad and I went to Utica in the late 60’s to have lunch with this guy and his wife. The wife couldn’t speak english very well. She made spaghettis and meatballs for us. I had never seen it served the way she did. After the meal, we went out on this mans front porch and just my Dad and him talked. I remember a few guys standing across the street watching all around plus a car that had a few guys just sitting in there. When we left, I remember my Dad telling me that this guy was a really big deal and that if I ever needed anything, to just go to this guy and he would help. I never went back but always wondered who this guy was. I think I was scared. My Dad told me to never talk about our day in Utica to anyone. This is the first time ever to do so. I have no idea who the guy was…..I’m sure you won’t be able to help with this but I found it interesting.
Thanks
Curley
Thank you for your story. You are right we have no idea, but it is a good story for sure.
Was Jimmy Hoffa a Mob Member ? Or just worked with the Mob to build his Teamsters Empire?
He would not have been a member. He was a valuable associate who worked closely with various mob organizations. Thank you for your question.
I knew Mr..Catena from the Knoll Golf Club in the 1950s. He always dressed impeccably, spoke eloquently and was a charming gentleman.
I had no clue about his business ventures at that time. He treated people in my circle royally.
Thank you for your comments, I always like to hear about the social side of a mob guy.
Gary,
You should look into the case involving a Grand Avenue crew in the Chicago Outfit where a couple burglars/robbers that were somewhat recently convicted for posing as cops and raiding cartel dealers. These guys are under Albie “The Falcon” Vena and Christy “The Nose” Spina. This was some brazen stuff and it leads to other murders and city and county “clout jobs”. The two main guys are Bobby “Pinocchio” Panozzo (story is Joey “Lumpy “ or “The Clown” Lombardo nicknamed him that. His kid also got arrested with him (family vacation”) and another soldier, Paulie Koroluk, was involved and his wife was arrested and fired from her six-figure Cook County job. Pretty fascinating story.
I know em all.
T-Bone
Thank you! That is a great story idea. I wonder if any of the cops involved would give me an interview. Who are they?
Mara Salvatrucha was started in the 80’s in Pico Union neighborhood, about 1 mile from downtown LA. A bunch of metal rock fans founded it as a way to stop getting picked on by Mexicans from 18th street gang. Much to their surprise it grew quickly and the Maras and 18th street engaged in gruesome combat. Eventually the Mexican Mafia told told Latino gangs to stop shooting each other’. And they had to pay 30% tax to the mafia. The Maras knew they has to fall into line or get stabbed to death in prison. Or hunted ruthlessly on the street. So they fell into line under Mexican Mafia (eme).
Maras spread like virus as mobile immigrants moved to other states – NY, Houston, Virginia in particular. Also deportees brought it back to El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala. From there to Spain, England, Portugal, But giving NY & Virginia a double dose. When families moved directly from CA (Central America) to those states.
They are really fucking nuts. First guys I ever say tattoo their faces. And deliberately do cultivating a satanic image. As well as invoking the demon themselves.
They were just to far out there to engage in profitable drug trafficking at anything above standing on a corner and selling dope to addicts.
In Pico Union – the local Mexican gang – Columbia Park Cycos – was ruthless and sophisticated. As was 18th street. There was no room for these idiots. This repeated itself around LA.
They just kind of drifted off to prison or other places geographically.
But something about them appeals to adolescent kids. But never made jump to making money.
Thank you for this comment. Very interesting how MS-13 starts in Los Angeles and spreads across the US. At the same time, young guys in El Salvador and other parts of Central America join with gang ammbers deported back from the US and they start groups down there and then some of these members come to the US.
Roy demeo hooked up with some c.i.a. type operatives and was used for a covert clandestine Government contracted hits unit…Before Black water there was “Roy”…Roy was diging holes all rhe way to Southern Virginia on and off Military Bases…This is very secret information was considered à Black operation…Michael Franzese and Sammy came close to spéculation about Roy…
Thank you for your comments, interesting stuff.
Hi Gary,
good story. sometimes we forget that there’s a fine line sometimes between both sides. thanks for the story.
Thank you Gary. I didn’t know about this one.
I would like to ask what sources you have tying any of this to the Columbo’s. I would like to further my own research. Add to the myth vs mystery vs history.
Joe Falcone (& his brother Sal before him) were captains in Utica for Magaddino (with rackets in Rome and Syracuse – which was basically an “open city” for lack of a better term.
Angelo Conte was one of his top earners. “Made” to Buffalo. His Soldiers included Dominic Bruno, Phil Tardugno, Rocco Luri, and the Terzini brothers. Jimmy T was a bigwig in LIUNA (local 442 and 11). They ran things around Sylvan Beach from the Three Rivers. Rocco Luri was the mentor to Jack Minicone, a muscle/enforcer, absolutely tied to the Buffalo crew in Utica. Other mobsters reporting to Falcone were the Inserra brothers, Anthony Falange, Ben Touri, Angelo Gerace. There’s dozens more. I’ll leave it to the “joirnalists” to define who is “made” vs associate.
Do you have any evidence of the Columbo family moving in on Utica.
Wire taps record Falange and Falcone together for years before these events. Decades. Falange was born in Utica, not an NYC Columbo guy. No prior recorded with Columbo’s.
My research ties the Columbo’s to Buffalo heavily.
-Ancient history of Profaci and DiCarlo/Magaddino, but those things certainly changed when these events happened.
-Columbo himself was in Buffalo in 70.
-The Pieri group had ties to them.
-The Hamilton group had narcotics runs with them.
-At the exact time you are writing the Columbo’s were muscling in, FBI recorded them dining at Joe Fino’s house in Buffalo. Joey Aiuppa from Chicago was there too. It had to do with Family leadership changes, but more so about LIUNA.
-On a different trip, the Columbo’s were in town at a meeting at the Ramada Inn in Cheektowaga with Roy Carlisi, Joe Fino, and Dan Sansanese. Joe Pieri was close with the Columbo’s. Carmine Persico even recommended him to be boss in the early 80s.
-Buffalo mobster Paul Volpe from Toronto had several deals with them, in both Toronto, Atlantic City, and Haiti.
-The Todado’s were working with them in the 80s.
So I’m just curious as to what sources or wires/informants indicate the Columbo’s were moving against Buffalo, and Central New York was the battlefield.
My research puts them together, for several years through several “bosses” due to money earned together from several people.
Local wires in Utica certainly picked up Falcone complaining about Falange. Falcone was getting long in the tooth. Falange had folks from (who the media dubbed) the Barge Canal Crew rob Falcone’s house – then he tried to kill one of the burglars to silence them so Falcone wouldn’t find out (until safe Cracker Mike Andrello became an informant).
Al Marrone was made the skipper around 71. Appointed by the new leaders in Buffalo. Fino/Frangiamore/Carlisi/Pieri. Didn’t last long though. Al went down for extortion/loansharking around 74 with Jack Zogby, Carl Mazza, James Talerico, and Louis King (who got caught trying to throw a grenade in an FBI officer’s house).
Dom Bretti was named the new skipper. Johnny Catz from Buffalo helped him lock up the rackets through transition. Bretti was a Utica guy. Tied to the rackets for decades.
Not some NYC Columbo transplant.
Informant Sonny Franzese confirmed he was a “Utica guy,” not a Columbo like him.
There was certainly conflict in the 70s and 80s with the crews from Binghamton that kicked up to Scranton. They were Teamsters (through Rocco DePerno, Guv Guarneri, and Dave Osticco). The Utica crew was LIUNA through the Terzini and Inserra brothers. This was the initial point of conflict. There were also conflicts about gambling in Elmira, Courtland, Syracuse.
There was a case from NYC with wires overhearing the commission wouldn’t get involved in “cow towns” over the squabbles between Sciandra’s PA Binghamton crew and Todaro’s Utica crew along the NY-PA border.
There was some bad blood… but there was little blood. Todaro and Sciandra met several times in Florida, a few times with Nicky Scarfo. But Sciandra and Todaro were still tied. Their families had been tied since the beginning.
Sciandra the first boss of NE PA came up in Buffalo. He was related to Magaddino’s alleged underbody John Montana and several mobsters in Buffalo. He left when he was 22, allegedly as a way to organize the southern-tier bootlegging lines- followed by a slew of murders across the NY-PA lines attributed to Sciandra involving back from Buffalo.
Sciandra was replaced by Joe Barbara (of Apalachin fame). He came to the US from Castellammarese and became a hitter in Buffalo for the senior Castellammarsse Magaddino. Near the end of Prohibition he moved to Endicott. He was eventually replaced as boss by Russ Buffalino, who also came up in Buffalo and was made there. He didnt move to PA until the 40s when he was 37, already made. Long police record in Buffalo including several murders. When he got old and semi-retired, he was replaced on the streets by Ed Sciandra- Buffalino’s cousin, both related to several Buffalo mobsters by blood. (FBI called him.condiglieri, underboss, and street boss at different times).
When Todaro was in Florida in the 80s, the FBI focused on him immediately after the Commission Trial. He was one of the senior most mobsters in the country. They had recorded him with Persico, Langella, Scopo/Columbo people… along with leaders from nearly every family.
Scranton had loosely pushed for what the press dubbed the “C Team” to get involved in Rochester’s splits. The A team (Buffalo family loyalists) and the B team (Valenti and gingelo) were fighting. As the A team was weakened and the B team was shooting in the dark after the Commission told them to stop their little rebellion, then the C team came in quietly to add another layer (loosely backed by Sciandra’s people- by that I mean they were mostly outsiders, but hired and armed through Scranton). Ultimately the A team wiped most of them out, and organized the CNY/Utica crew along the same lines as Rochester.
Al Marrone was making a lot of noise in jail that he was going to assume control when he got out. Bretti killed him a month after release – had Minicone and Zogby and Teeter Noel as shooters, Brindisi setting it up, and Inserra was in the getaway vehicle on the walkie talkies listening to police scanner. These were all Buffalo guys.
It was over these disputes between the Binghamton/Endicott against the Utica/Rome/Syracuse crews (mostly gambling, drugs, and LIUNA vs Teamsters), that led to the conversation being recorded where people are saying the Commission won’t get involved in “cow towns.”
Eventually, Buffalo’s capo Bretti was having his conversations recorded by Anthony Mastracco. He was arrested with Danny Nappi and Johnny D’Amico in one of the Grillo murders (husband Angelo was killed a few years later for threatening to attack anyone connected). Bretti went to jail.
Carcone became the skipper. And when Benny and Russ got hit with RICO in 89 with Jack Minicone, Inserra and Zogby, then Johnny Catz came back to Central NY and kept things organized. The crew got busted on a major burglary ring thing a few years back. Looked more like organzied shoplifting really.
……….
So I’m just trying to add to my research here. I have decades of ties between the Colombo’s and Buffalo (through several “bosses” and administrarions).
From Joe Profaci to the DiCarlo’s in the 20s. Magaddino and Profaci. Colombo with Magaddino, Carlisi, Fino, Pieri. Persico with Todaro and Pieri.
Likewise, a century of ties between Utica to Buffalo. And between Buffalo and Scranton (nearly every Family for that matter).
So I’d be interested to tap into your sources to add some context to a Columbo move into Central NY.
Frank, Thank you for your input. Very interesting and well-researched facts. I noticed the Bureau recorded an important meeting in Joe Fino’s house. Was he the father of Ron Fino? I send you an email about the rest. I really appreciate your comment on this story.
Hey frank im very intrigued on your knowledge and was wondering if u may be able to find our what my family was in Utica. I carry names like Talerico, Carlesimo, alberico, fiore . I hear about the TALERICOs the most and I would greatly appreciate a response.
Very Good Episode
There is a trove of FBI Mafia documents in the JFK Assassination Collection. Due to the rumor of Mafia involvement, there are a lot of documents to see.
There is a FBI Memo from 1977 that details the numerous mob murders that were completed using a .22 handgun and silencers that were leaving a similar mark on the bullets.
The silencers were traced to two Chicao policemen. One did the manufacturing and the other the sales. The manufacturer was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison.
FBI Memo regarding 11 Cosa Nostra murders using a .22 and silencer
https://www.reddit.com/r/Mafia/comments/qu870w/fbi_memorandum_regarding_numerous_lcn_gangland/
Silencers manufactured by Chicago police officers – UPI Article 1980
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1980/09/29/Two-police-officers-are-suspected-of-manufacturing-silencers-putting/8260339048000/
great info thnak you
Thank you for your comment.
It’s 2022 and I cant find Michael McCollum published book. Can you post a link or title so I can buy it? Thank you.
I don’t think is was ever finished.
I helped recover the loan made to the Dunes by the culinary pension fund. I am trying to remember the name of the attorney for the fund back then. Do you have it? Is he still alive?
I don’t know who that was.
McCarthy & Miraglia were murdered because they killed the Scalvo brothers and a waitress who worked in the bar one of the Scalvos ran. McCarthy and Miraglia were beat up by the Scalvo brothers and Mc Carthy & Miraglia then wanted to kill them as revenge. The Scalvos were connected in some way to the Outfit and Miraglia and McCarthy didn’t have the ok from the outfit to kill them.
I don’t think Mad Sam Destefano being owed money had anything to do with it.
You are right. I did not write that very well. I know that Spilotro was working for Mad Sam. He used Frank Cullotta to set up McCarthy.
I would like to talk to bulldog about where the chicago bears when they had their
office on madison street. where didthey do thkeir daily practice.
Taddeo also had 3 storage units in Michigan with money and guns.
Definitely a very scary guy. My Auntie Patty introduced me, Mack the Knife, to Nick at The Living Room in Pittsburgh South Hills. The Eyes are the Mirror of the Soul, Nick’s eyes were Black like a Shark. I was shaking when I shook his hand, but he was actually pleasant to talk to. He told me that if I had any problems just tell Auntie Patty and she would tell him. He said he would make my problems ” go away” !!
Thank you for that personal detail. I love getting feedback like that.
Love your podcast and appreciate your attention too detail . Very interesting and informative show .
Thanks, Larry!
I’ve been there in the pizzeria first hand since I was 8 years old and personally know lots of the players
I’ve been there in the pizzeria first hand since I was 8 years old and personally know lots of the players
Thanks for commenting. Very interesting.
Chad plz get at me bro Berronv37@gmail.com
Look into Anthony Spradley out of Naptown
pete venute a mob up drug dealer from melrose park ill murdered tony spilotro
pete venute exwife is a hoee
Nice lil story about another Grand Ave thief…. The Prosecution talked about the different crews. The Grand Ave crew was the smalles and quietest crew. They were the ‘ Michael Jordan ‘ of burglars. Love the Pocasts, Sorry I missed you when you were in Chicago. Ther was a few spots you missed on your tour that were close to you. I look forward to our podcast coming up!
Thank you Jim, we will connect the next time.
I was there that night they got busted I used to run small errand for Frank cullotta over the Golden Steer and the Leaning Tower Frank used to own a place called Coney Island arcade and Boston City Pizza was right next to it he had hands in that also later in life I went to prison I unfortunately had the opportunity to be cell mates Ernie d’avino dick sucking Punk I know a whole lot more it’s a lot of the story that’s missing
That’s pretty stupid reason to kill Nick aspero
Probably more to it than just how he dressed. It also had to do with his increasing power with Teamsters and his ambition.
I was the Sergeant in Intelligence. This was my case. Then Captain Mike Hand, as he was being promoted and transferred, told me to drop the case—he was very interested and a great guy, but felt it took “too much time and manpower and not enough evidence of a crime”. I became A/Captain–and we stayed with it.
the local FBI would not cooperate with us–the FBI in Tacoma Washington flew to town, and their federal prosecutor made the decision to move forward.
Great case–and of course the FBI took the credit—when Detective Gary Wantland(now deceased) did 95% of the work to bring it to prosecution
So that is why the ATF was so mad at the Bureau over this case?
Interesting thank you!