Mafia

From Audioboom Studios, Nikki Druce and Cheryl Hole (RuPaul's Drag Race UK) will be traveling to the strangest corners of the world, stopping to learn about the craziest true crime cases in history, spooky paranormal activities, truly bonkers internet mythology, very convincing cults, and much, much more... It’s going to be a wild ride! Killers, Cults and Queens is out NOW with new episodes every Thursday. Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Deep Cover tells true stories of crime and corruption. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jake Halpern reveals dark underworlds most of us know nothing about. The new season, Mob Land, tells the true story of a high-rolling Chicago lawyer who fixed court cases for the mob. He did this for years... until he decided to betray them and work with the FBI! He wears a wire to expose a black market of corruption - where politicians were bought and justice was sold. Where, for the right price, even murderers could walk free. With first-hand interviews from FBI agents, mobsters, family members, and criminals, the story is truly a wild journey into a world of corruption, murder and deceit. Today, we're sharing a preview of Episode 1. You can listen to the new season of Deep Cover now at https://link.chtbl.com/infamousamericadeepcover

To the casual observer, organized crime is viewed as a singular entity, spearheaded by a powerful mafioso or crime family. In reality, it’s a multi-faceted network built on generations of blind loyalty, spawning corruption and ruthless violence. In this episode, we’ll follow the path from Charles “Lucky” Luciano and his merciless plot to end a brutal power struggle in New York to Joseph Valachi, whose testimony opened the vault to a world previously hidden in the shadows. This episode is sponsored by: Burrow Babbel - Promo code: MAFIA BetterHelp Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music featured in this episode: “Smoke” by Rafael Archangel; “Fog” and “Gates” by Sergey Cheremisinov; “Difference,” “Imminence,” “Snowfall,” and “Universe in Hands” by Kai Engel; “Walking Along” and “Waltz (Tchaikovsky Op. 40)” by Kevin MacLeod. Sound Effects from freesound.org | Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Following the retirement of Filippo Buccola in 1952, Raymond Patriarca was promoted to boss of the New England crime family. He became a dominant force in all illicit, political, and labor union activities. After years of trying to infiltrate the New England crime family, the FBI finally succeeded when Joe Barboza, a hitman for Patriarca, became an informant. Raymond Patriarca would be imprisoned in 1969, but his greatest heist was yet to come. Special thanks to Gary Jenkins of the true crime podcast Gangland Wire; Joe Broadmeadow, Author and Founder of JEBWizard Publishing; Tim White, Investigative Reporter and Co-Author of “The Last Good Heist,” and former Rhode Island State Police Superintendent, Brendan P. Doherty. Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music featured in this episode: “Deep Space” by Almusic34; “Misery” by Damiano Baldoni; “Computations” by Scott Buckley; “Gates” and “Old All” by Sergey Cheremisinov; “January” and “Snowfall” by Kai Engel; “Bankrupt” by Jahzzar; “How the Night Came" by Showdown; “Angst” by Xenojam. Sound Effects from freesound.org | Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Prior to Prohibition, two separate Mafia families emerged in New England, one based in Boston, Massachusetts and the other based in Providence, Rhode Island. By 1932, both families combined and became a force to be reckoned with. Over time, the New England crime family would soon become synonymous with one cunning and ruthless leader, Raymond Patriarca. But one concealed microphone by the FBI would reveal all of Patriarca’s secrets. Special thanks to Gary Jenkins of the true crime podcast Gangland Wire; Joe Broadmeadow, Author and Founder of JEBWizard Publishing; and Tim White, Investigative Reporter and Co-Author of “The Last Good Heist.” Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music featured in this episode: “Gray” and “Smoke” by Rafael Archangel; “Misery” by Damiano Baldoni; “Lucerna,” and “She Wolf In My Heart” by Sergey Cheremisinov; “Dark Alleys” and “Snowfall” by Kai Engel; “Bankrupt” by Jahzzar; “On the Ground,” “Rollin’ at 5,” and “Waltz (Tchaikovsky Op. 40)” by Kevin MacLeod. Sound Effects from freesound.org | Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

1920's Chicago – the beginnings of the infamous Chicago Outfit. Frank Nitti, friend of notorious gangster Al Capone, went from struggling breadwinner to leading one of the country's most powerful organized crime groups. Diversifying the Outfit's portfolio by branching out into new and lucrative forms of crime, and even inventing a new way to kill someone that would be widely adopted by the mob. This episode is sponsored by: Best Fiends BetterHelp Babbel - Promo code: MAFIA Special thanks to Geoff Schumacher and the Mob Museum. Music by Damiano Baldoni, Sergey Cheremisinov, and Kai Engel. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

It’s the early 1970's in Biloxi, Mississippi. Kirksey Nix, one of the leading members of the Dixie Mafia, had been convicted of murder and began a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Despite this, Nix would continue heading up his gang from prison, orchestrate a hit on a local judge and his wife, and even target and scam gay men out of their money over the phone. This episode is sponsored by: Babbel - Promo code: MAFIA ManScaped IPVanish Special thanks to Synova Cantrell. Music by Damiano Baldoni, Sergey Cheremisinov, and Kai Engel. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Jimmy Fratianno had gained notoriety within the LA crime family as someone who was trustworthy, and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. But as the landscape of the LA crime family changed, so did Fratianno's status. When LA crime boss Dominic Brooklier was sent to prison, Fratianno was approached about returning to LA and serving as co-acting boss. Acceptancing this offer would lead to a fallout resulting in Fratianno cutting ties with the LA crime family and putting his life at risk. This episode is sponsored by: BetterHelp Burrow Chameleon: High Rollers Special thanks to Gary Jenkins, Dennis McDonald, and Ray Tracy. Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music featured in this episode: "Misery" and "Life" by Damiano Baldoni; "Scenery," "Visum," "Difference," "Snowfall," "January," and "Dark Alley" by Kai Engel; "Go Down Moses Reprise" by Dee Yan-Key; "Smoke" by Rafael Archangel; "Fog" and “Lucerna” by Sergey Cheremisinov; "Covert Affair" and "Unanswered Questions" by Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

In 1946, a young man by the name of Jimmy Fratianno moved from Cleveland, Ohio to Los Angeles, California. Fratianno had spent most of his life immersed in crime, crossing paths with several well known mobsters. Fratianno would soon become a made man in the Los Angeles crime family, gaining a reputation as someone who was willing to do "whatever it takes" to get the job done. But as the landscape of the LA crime family changed, so did Fratianno’s status. Disagreements with high ranking members would put his life in danger, leading Fratianno to make a life-changing decision. This episode is sponsored by: CD Universe BlueChew [code: MAFIA] Best Fiends Special thanks to Gary Jenkins, Dennis McDonald, and Ray Tracy. Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music featured in this episode: "Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; "Scenery," "Imminence," and "Dark Alley" by Kai Engel; "Battalion" by krackatoa; "Smoke" by Rafael Archangel; "Fog" and “She Wolf In My Heart” by Sergey Cheremisinov; "Covert Affair," "Deadly Roulette," "Unanswered Questions," and "Night of Chaos" by Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

From casino floors to count rooms to courtrooms, and from Washington, D.C., to Detroit to the neon glow of the Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German guides listeners through stories he covered as a young journalist in the 1970s and 1980s. Season 2 of “Mobbed Up” is an 8-part narrative detailing Mafia-family control of about one-third of the Strip’s casinos; the rise and disappearance of Teamsters legend Jimmy Hoffa, who used pension funds to bankroll the construction of many mob-run resorts; fighting among federal investigators and judges; the clash between entertainment legends Wayne Newton and Johnny Carson to replace the mob and own the Aladdin hotel, and a congressional impeachment and conviction of a key figure in the fight for Las Vegas. The first two episodes will be released on June 21st, with new episodes added each Monday. The Mobbed Up series is a collaborative production from the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Mob Museum. For more information, visit www.reviewjournal.com/mobbedup. And now here's an exclusive look into Mobbed Up, Season 2.

During the 1920s, The Big Easy was home to some of the most notorious members of the New Orleans Underworld, including Silvestro “Silver Dollar Sam” Carollo. A mafioso whose life is shrouded in legend and mystery. As a member of Charles Matranga’s Black Hand gang, Carollo was quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with. Eventually surpassing Matranga as New Orleans “top dog.” But Carollo’s luck would soon run out. This episode is sponsored by: CD Universe IPVanish BetterHelp Special thanks to Ronald Rawson and Dexter Babin. Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music featured in this episode: “So Cold” by Rafael Archangel; “Life” and “Misery” by Damiano Baldoni; “Fog,” "Old All," and “Wastelands” by Sergey Cheremisinov; “Snowfall” by Kai Engel; “Bankrupt” by Jahzzar; “Backed Vibes Clean,” “Hard Boiled,” “On the Cool Side,” “On the Ground,” and “Unanswered Questions” by Kevin MacLeod. Sound Effects from freesound.org | Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

In the mid-1990s, renowned Irish mobster Whitey Bulger was in hiding from local Massachusetts police, the FBI, and US Marshals. In this episode, we'll hear what was going on behind the scenes with those he trusted most, how Bulger got around undetected, the unexpected way he was finally caught, and the aftermath. This episode is sponsored by: IPVanish Babbel (promo code: MAFIA) Special thanks to Phyllis Karas, Geoff Schumacher and the Mob Museum. Music by Damiano Baldoni, Sergey Cheremisinov, and Kai Engel. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

In the mid-90s, South Boston based Irish mobster, James "Whitey" Bulger would go on the run after being tipped off about an indictment coming his way. After transforming the local criminal scene in the place he grew up through gambling, drugs, and murder, his run from law enforcement would last for the next 16 years, with Bulger eventually earning himself a spot at #1 of the FBI's Most Wanted Fugitives list. This episode is sponsored by: Best Fiends Green Chef (promo code: 90mafia) BetterHelp Special thanks to Phyllis Karas, Geoff Schumacher and the Mob Museum. Music by Damiano Baldoni, Sergey Cheremisinov, and Kai Engel. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Stephanie St. Clair had become one of the most successful policy bankers in 1920’s New York City. She made a fortune running a Harlem based numbers racket, gaining notoriety along the way. Using her power, wealth, and influence, Stephanie St. Clair built an empire. But change was creeping in from outside Harlem. As outside crime families turned their attention to Harlem, The Queen of the Policy Racket would have to defend her organization against all those looking to take over. Our Sponsors for this episode are: Blue Chew [code: MAFIA] Burrow IPVanish Special thanks to Lashawn Harris, Geoff Schumacher, and Elwood Watson Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is ”Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; "Dark Alleys" and "January" by Kai Engel; "Go Down Moses," "Go Down Moses Reprise," and "Longed For Destination" by Dee Yan-Key; "Covert Affair," "Echoes Of Time V2," "Backed Vibes Clean," "In Your Arms," and "Unanswered Questions" by Kevin MacLeod; "Smoke" by Rafael Archangel; “Battalion” by krackatoa. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

In the 1920's, Stephanie St. Clair was known as "The Queen of the Policy Racket." She made a fortune running her Harlem numbers racket, gaining notoriety along the way. Known for her sharp wit and quick temper, St. Clair was a force to be reckoned with. However, as she used her power to aid the people of Harlem, a target on her back began to grow. Our Sponsors for this episode are: BetterHelp Manscaped [code: MAFIA] IPVanish Special thanks to Lashawn Harris, Geoff Schumacher, and Elwood Watson Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is ”Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; "Old All" by Sergey Cheremisinov; "Dark Alleys," "River," and "Scenery" by Kai Engel; "Go Down Moses Reprise" by Dee Yan-Key; "Backed Vibes Clean," "In Your Arms," “Rollin at 5," "On The Ground," and "Unanswered Questions" by Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Mafia returns Wednesday, May 12th! This Audioboom Original delves into the criminal underworld, exploring the lives and careers of America’s most infamous gangsters. This season, we’ll cover mafiosos from around the US; including New York City’s “Queen of the Policy Rackets," the leader of the Winter Hill Gang in Boston, and the inner-workings of the Dixie Mafia. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow Mafia on Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows!

Introducing the newest Audioboom original podcast, Truth vs Hollywood. Join Film lovers David Chen and Joanna Robinson as they do a deep dive into well known films and discuss how similar they are to the actual story. The discussion also features interviews with experts, historians, and people who were involved in the real stories. Truth vs Hollywood premieres 6/12. Subscribe to Truth vs Hollywood on Apple Podcasts: 

Mobbed Up chronicles the rise and fall of organized crime in Las Vegas through the eyes of those who lived it: ex-mobsters, law enforcement officials, politicians and journalists. From back alleys to bank vaults, dimly lit basements to the neon glow of the Las Vegas Strip, this 11-part narrative true crime series transports listeners to the 20th-century criminal underworlds of Chicago, Kansas City and Las Vegas. The first two episodes are available now, and future episodes will be released weekly. Mobbed Up is a production of the Las Vegas Review-Journal and The Mob Museum. For more information, visit www.reviewjournal.com/mobbedup.

In Upstate New York, 200 miles from the bustling gang-run city, something new was born. As the rich headed upstate for summer vacations, a gangster had a vision of a gambling paradise, and turned Saratoga Springs into the casino hotspot of the late 1800s. Our Sponsors for this episode are: Purple (text MAFIA to 84-888) Best Fiends Sony Pictures' The Traitor Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is ”Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; “River Meditation” by Jason Shaw; “Backed Vibes Clean,” “Night on the Docks,” “On the Cool Side,” “I Knew a Guy,” “Rollin at 5,” and “Hard Boiled,”  by Kevin MacLeod;  “Bankrupt” by Jahzzar;  "Gates" and “Old All” by Sergey Cheremisinov; “Thoughts About Future” by Parvus Decree.; and “Gray” by  Rafael Archangel. Sound Effects from freesound.org by RTB45,  eliasheuninck, klankbeeld , craftcrest , unfa, Ramston, arnaud coutancier,and bmccoy2. Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Gangsters Walter Scheib and Frank Hoffman owned one of the most successful speakeasies during the prohibition. But Hoffman disappeared in the 1940s, leaving behind 2 iron safes . . . and what was inside would pull a local family into a murder mystery. Our Sponsor for this episode is: Purple (text MAFIA to 84-888) Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is ”Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; “Rollin at 5,” “Heart of the Beast,” “On the Ground,” and “I Knew a Guy,” by Kevin MacLeod; “Oxygen Garden” by Chris Zabriskie; “Imminence” and “Dark Alleys” by Kai Engel; and “Angst” by Xenojam. Sound Effects from freesound.org by carloscarty,  kfosse13 , InspectorJ, tim.kahn, stereostereo, onteca,  jorickhoofd,  PeteBarry, constructabeat, Sandermotions, Suncord_Audiolab, and sound_ims. Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Colombo was flooded with cash from his numerous rackets and enjoying the good life. Distress grew in the highest circles of the Mafia that law enforcement scrutiny would intensify because of Colombo’s actions. And he gained even more attention when he used the growing civil rights movement as retaliation against the FBI. Our Sponsors for this episode are: Light Stream Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is ”Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; "Fog," "Lucerna," and "She-Wolf In My Heart" by Sergey Cheremisinov; "Dark Alleys," "Difference," "Imminence," "January," "Snowfall (Intro)," and "Universe In Hands" by Kai Engel; "How the Night Came" by Showdown; "Unanswered Questions" by Kevin MacLeod. Sound Effects from freesound.org | Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Joseph Colombo was a mid-ranking Mafioso in one of New York’s Five Families. But when Colombo decided to break one of the mob’s most important rules, his career began to skyrocket. The FBI took notice and Colombo, once again, made a daring move. Our Sponsors for this episode are: Best Fiends Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is ”Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; "Fog" and "Lucerna" by Sergey Cheremisinov; "Dark Alleys" and "Scenery" by Kai Engel; "Bankrupt" by Jahzzar; "Battalion" by krackatoa; “Waltz (Tchaikovsky Op. 40),” "On The Ground," "Deadly Roulette," and "Impact Moderato" by Kevin MacLeod. Sound Effects from freesound.org | Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Valachi took the stand and revealed some of the strangest Cosa Nostra secrets - but the Mafia wouldn't stand idly by while their rules were broken. And when he had served his purpose, even the FBI couldn't keep him safe forever.  Our Sponsors this episode are:  Upstart Manscaped (code: MAFIA) Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is ”Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; “Gagool,” “Acid Jazz,” “Heart of the Beast,” “Dances and Dames,” and “Mourning Song,”  by Kevin MacLeod; “The One Great Step” by the Victor Dance Orchestra; “Angst” by Xenojam; “Golden Eye” by Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley; and “Thoughts About Future” by Parvus Decree. Sound Effects from freesound.org by Kyster, Incarnadine, and lawnjelly. Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Joe Valachi had been in the Mafia for years, but hadn't risen much in the ranks. But when he was facing a life sentence, there was one group of people who thought he was high enough  - for information. The FBI saw in Valachi a chance to learn the mob's structure; and Valachi saw a chance to get out of jail. Our Sponsors for this episode are: LightStream Best Fiends Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is “Life” and ”Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; “Thoughts About Future” by Parvus Decree; “Gagool,” “Night on the Docks,” “Mourning Song,” “Walking Along,” “I Knew a Guy,” and “Heart of the Beast” by Kevin MacLeod. Sound Effects from freesound.org by tim.kahn, Pedaling-Prince, edwar64896, cemagar, pauliep83, and Omar-Alvarado. Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

While Costello made his mafia money through gambling, Vito Genovese found something more lucrative: drugs. The brash and homicidal Don Vito was put in and out of exile from the United States - but when he returned at last, he went after Costello's mafia seat. And Costello, though unwilling to fight back, soon found himself on Don Vito's short hit list. Our Sponsors for this episode are: Parcast's Natural Disasters Audible (Text MAFIA to 500-500) Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is “Soldraconis” and ”Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; “Dark Alleys,” and “Imminence” by  Kai Engel; “Angst” by Xenojam; “Fading” and “Computations Altmix” by Scott Buckley; “Night on the Dock,” and “Covert Affairs”  by Kevin MacLeod; “Wastelands” by Sergey Cheremisinov; and “Like an Empty Sky” by Daniel Birch & Ben Pegley. Sound Effects from freesound.org by Soundholder, miastodzwiekow, iainmccurdy, manychefsbroth, ramston, CarlosCarty, shall555, Leoctiurs, JakLocke, Robinhood76, CastleofSamples, davidmenke, and timb12957. Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Vito Genovese had been biding his time for 4 years to take over the Luciano crime family. But when an old crime came back for him, the position was taken over by Frank Costello. Costello, the Prime Minister, had high-reaching connections and an approachable bearing. Costello was an agreeable leader who got along with everyone; until Genovese came back into the picture. Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is “Soldraconis” and ”Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; “Dark Alleys” by  Kai Engel; “Hard Boiled,” and “Waltz Tschikovsky Op 40,” by Kevin MacLeod; “Like an Empty Sky” by  Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley; “Fading” by Scott Buckley; and “Fog”  by Sergey Cheremisinov. Sound Effects from freesound.org by arnaud-coutancier, kolezan, miastodzwiekow, and odditonic. Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

After gaining fortune and notoriety, Rothstein moved from bootlegging to drug smuggling to labor racketeering. With his connections and friendly demeanor, Rothstein was able to get out of any situation, and taught the likes of Charles Luciano, Meyer Lanksy, and Dutch Schultz to do the same. But a gambler is a gambler, and at some point there are some debts you can't get out of.  Our Sponsors for this episode are: Best Fiends The Bouqs Company Upstart Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is ”Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; “Rolling at 5,” “Backed Vibes Clean,” “On the Cool Side,” “Night on the Docks,” “On the Ground,” “Deadly Roulette,” “I Knew a Guy,” by Kevin MacLeod; “daedalus” and “Snowfall” by  Kai Engel; and “Wastelands” and “Breath of Death Part 1,” by Sergey Cheremisinov. Sound Effects from freesound.org by Audionautics, konakaboom, pastabra, ceberation,  bennychico11, and bmoreno. Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Before the Mafia existed, at the turn of the century, there was Arnold Rothstein, known as The Brain. Rothstein would teach an entire generation of gangsters how to organize, act like gentlemen, and interact with the upper crust. And Rothstein himself, well-connected,  could get away with almost anything - including fixing the World Series. Our Sponsors for this episode are: LightStream Audible (text MAFIA to 500-500) Pessimists Archive Podcast Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is ”Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; “Rolling at 5,” “Night on the Docks,” “On the Cool Side,” “Dances and Dames,” “On the Ground,” “Acid Jazz,” “Walking Alone,” “Faster Does It,” “Deadly Roulette,” by Kevin MacLeod; “Breath of Death Part 1,” and “Wastelands” by Sergey Cheremisinov; and “daedalus” and “Junction” by  Kai Engel. Sound Effects from freesound.org by Ellary, stereodivo, shelf-employed, AshFox,  and InspectorJ. Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Three investigators try to put together the murder of Andrei Katz with the car thievery that the DeMeo crew has been doing for years without notice. And once the cops are on the case, it spells trouble for DeMeo. With rats running rampant and family members turning informant, even DeMeo's earning power can't save him. Our Sponsors for this episode are: Best Fiends Feals CBD Parcast's Villains Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is “Life” and ”Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; “Unification on Multiplicity” by Ad Serpentae; “Backed Vibes Clean,” “Unanswered Questions,” “Night on the Docks” and “I Knew a Guy” by Kevin MacLeod; “Imminence,” “Dark Alleys,” and “River” by  Kai Engel; and “Lucerna” and “Book of Mirrors,” by Sergey Cheremisinov. Sound Effects from freesound.org by kfosse13, willybilly1984, theshaggyfreak, Leoctiurs, Ellary,  Pastabra, Dynamicell, kernschall, wertstahl, and InspectorJ. Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Listen to new episodes of What Makes a Killer for a look into the life and crimes of the world’s most infamous serial killers. Featuring interviews with family members, forensic experts, law enforcement, and witnesses. What Makes a Killer premieres 10/31. Subscribe to What Makes a Killer on Apple Podcasts.

From car thief to the operator of the Murder Machine, Roy DeMeo and his crew were possibly responsible for more than 200 murders in the 1970s. DeMeo made so much money for the Mafia that they would look the other way when it came to drugs, prostitution, and cruelty - but others on his crew were more disposable. Our Sponsors for this episode are: Zip Recruiter Upstart Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is "Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; “Imminence” by  Kai Engel;  "Dances and Dames," and “I Knew a Guy," by Kevin MacLeod.; “Smoke” by Rafael Archangel;  “Saturn (Lessons Learnt)” by Ars Sonor; “Unification on Multiplicity” by Ad Serpentae; “Book of Mirrors,” and “Lucerna” by Sergey Cheremisinov;  and “Burnt to a Crisp” by Daniel Birch;  Sound Effects from freesound.org by Ellary, Eelke, Pastabra, pauliep83, ximian, manychefsbroth, Huggy13ear, Nkzdra, Robinhood76, iainmccurdy, and CGEffex. Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

With his rivals wiped out, Capone had taken over the prohibition scene in Chicago. His love of the spotlight would soon get him in trouble with the law - and a new legal loophole. Our sponsors for this episode are: Best Fiends Audible (text MAFIA to 500-500) Zip Recruiter Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is "Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; "Rollin at 5," "Acid Jazz," "Unanswered Questions," "Dances and Dames," "I Knew a Guy," by Kevin MacLeod.; "Wastelands", "Fog," "Gates" by Sergey Cheremisinov; "Angst" by Xenojam; "Like an Empty Sky" by Ben Pegley and Daniel Birch; and "Snowfall" by  Kai Engel. Sound Effects from freesound.org by CarlosCarty, thanvannispen, lawnjelly, odditonic, Dynamicell, and InspectorJ. Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

At the height of Prohibition, Al Capone made a killing selling illegal alcohol and by making a spectacle of the gangster lifestyle. But with the booze running free and the money pouring in, his wasn't the only gang trying to get a piece of the pie. And Capone was never the sharing type. Our sponsors for this episode are: Manscaped (code: MAFIA) Lightstream Hello Fresh MDRN CBD (code: MAFIA) Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is "Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; "Angst" by Xenojam; "Backed Vibes Clean," "Dances and Dames," "Rollin at 5," "Vibe Ace," "Acid Jazz," and "Night on the Docks" by Kevin MacLeod.; "Snowfall (Intro)" by  Kai Engel; "Gates" and "Wastelands" by Sergey Cheremisinov; and "Burnt to a Crisp" by Daniel Birch.  Sound Effects from freesound.org by Kyster, cmusounddesign, unfa, FunWithSound, CosmicEmbers, Tdude9000, unchaz, Australopithecusman, Medartimus, manychefsbroth, MWLANDI, MAJ061785, pfranzen, and lonemonk. Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Mafia is coming back October 16th, taking you inside the American mob from interviews with experts, law enforcement, and educators. Season 3 brings stories about the lives of Al Capone, Joe Colombo, Vito Genovese, and more. What happened at the Valentine's Day Massacre? Was the fixing of a White Sox World Series an inside job? And who was behind the Gemini Lounge's murder machine?  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow Mafia on Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

One of the unwritten rules of the Mafia was Omerta, the code of silence. No one was allowed to talk about the existence of the Mafia, reveal how it worked or who the main players were. The Mafia demanded loyalty from its members to the very end. But when the law enforcement started to use modern surveillance techniques and tools to incriminate mobsters, those willing to cooperate with authorities began to grow longer and longer. It turned out mobsters do talk about the Mafia and about others to save their own skin, even bosses. Our sponsors are Hims and Casper (CODE: MAFIA). Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is "Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; "Sonata 8, 'Pathetique' - I. Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio" by Daniel Veesey; "Thoughts About Future" by Parvus Decree. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

There is a long list of people and organizations who were in one way or another in the Mafia’s pockets. In this bonus episode, we’ll look at the connection between the Mafia and the American establishment. From politicians, law enforcement, the CIA and the unions the mob collaborated with the state and officials on many occasions. And being the Mafia, they always expected something in return.  Our sponsor is Talkspace. Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is "Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; “Throatless” by Argiflex; “Spring Rain” by Daniel Saylor and “Last Transmission oot” by Dave Keifer. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

For years, the mob was able to rule New York, Chicago, and many other cities, free to run gambling rackets, flood the street with drugs, and corrupt officials to their liking. Until the law enforcement got wise and turned up the heat. How Thomas Dewey, RICO, and undercover operations finally took a stand against the mob and ultimately worked to bring it down. Our sponsors for this episode are Button Man by Andrew Gross from St. Martin's Press and RobinHood. Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is "Misery" and "Life" by Damiano Baldoni; "Universe in Hands", "visium", and "Scenery" by Kai Engel; "She Wolf in My Heart" by Sergey Cheremisinov; "Dances and Dames", "Unanswered Questions," and "Cool Vibes" by Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Organized crime and street gangs were originally strongly divided along ethnic lines, but into the 1930s, those lines began to blur, especially between the Italian and Jewish gangsters. In this bonus episode, Mafia explores how this change came about, and highlights the prolific Jews who ran the underground world: Arnold Rothstein, Meyer Lanksy, and Bugsy Siegel. Our sponsor for this episode is Button Man by Andrew Gross from St. Martin's Press. Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is "Misery" and "Life" by Damiano Baldoni; "Low Horizon" by Kai Engel; "Ma Gee Katadai" and "Diya Kinduriya" by HR Jothipala; "She Wolf in My Heart" by Sergey Cheremisinov; "Unanswered Questions", "Backed Vibes Clean," and "Night at the Docks," by Kevin MacLeod; and "сеанс" by Kosta T. Sound Effects by RTB45 from freesound.org. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

In the 1980s and 1990s, four of the bosses of the five families had been taken down by the FBI. But one family, the Bonnanos, remained untouched. But after years of the FBI being unable to catch Joe Massino in anything, they had finally bagged his right-hand man, Sal Vitale. And finally were given the edge they had been looking for.  Our sponsors for this episode are LightStream, Hims and Indochino CODE: MAFIA. Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is "Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; “There Are Many Different Kinds of Love” and “The Theatrical Poster for Poltergeist III” by Chris Zabriskie; “I'm Not Dreaming (Instrumental Version)” by Josh Woodward; “Gagool” by Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Joseph Massino was the legendary godfather of the Bonnano crime family, known as ‘The Last Don’ of a generation. And he absolutely crushed anyone who went against the mafia code of silence or 'Omerta.' But when the family was infiltrated by the legendary undercover agent Donnie Brasco, it spelled the end for the Bonannos and for the Mafia. Our sponsors for this episode are Uncover: Escaping NXIVM podcast and SimpliSafe. Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is "Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; “Hiding Your Reality”, “Nerves”, “Comfortable Mystery 2 & 3” by Kevin MacLeod. Sound Effects from freesound.org by hopflog, 14g-panska, and vibe-crc. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Tony Spilotro had gotten away with murder for a long time - too long. The Las Vegas PD was finally ready to turn around their corrupt ways and work hand in hand with the FBI to bring the man down. And suddenly, as one by one his allies turned on him, Spilotro became expendable. Our sponsors for this episode are Neflix's Original Show Ozark and Framebridge(PROMO: MAFIA). Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is "Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; "Junction" and "Universe in Hands" by Kai Engel; "Like an Empty Sky" by Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley; "Gates", "Wastelands", and "Fog" by Sergey Cheremisinov; "I Knew a Guy" and "Night on the Docks" by Kevin MacLeod. Sound Effects from freesound.org by Nkzdra. Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Tony Spilotro, known as the Las Vegas enforcer, was a feared man whose job it was to make sure the mob's law was kept – or else. But when he proved too rough for the job, and went back to his street hustling ways, there came a point when the mafia couldn't get behind him. And the corrupt police force was about to change. Their first target? Tony Spilotro.  Our sponsors for this episode are RX Bar (Promo: MAFIA)  Indochino(Promo: MAFIA) LightStream Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is "Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; "Universe in Hands" by Kai Engel; "Dark Waves" and "Angst" by Xenojam; "Run in the Night" by The Good Lawdz; "Fog" by Sergey Cheremisinov; "Western Firefight" by MC Cullah. Sound Effects from freesound.org by kramsttop, thomasevd, and djlprojects. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

The mob’s merchant of death and family man, Albert Anastasia, continues as head of Murder Inc. But when the Commission decides to shutdown this violent organization how does Albert adjust to his new role in the mob? What are the three cardinal rules of the modern mafia that Anastasia would break? Our sponsors for this episode is Hims and Framebridge CODE: MAFIA. Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is “If The Veins Are Closed, The Hands Will Rot Away” by LG17; “Loco (No Suffering)” by Parvus Decree; “Mare” & “Evermore” by Kai Engel; “Wastelands” by Sergey Cheremisinov; "Misery" by Damiano Baldoni. Sound effects from freesound.org by jop9798, UnderlinedDesigns and Australopithecusman. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Albert Anastasia was chosen by Lucky Luciano to be the head of Murder, Inc. where he violently enforced the modern Mafia as the head of their killing squad. And the employees of Murder Inc. were not only good at their jobs: but took pride in their work. Our sponsor for this episode is SimpliSafe. Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is “Oxygen Garden” by Chris Zabriskie; “Weissenborn, Six Trios for Three Bassoons” by Grossman, Ewell, Grainger; “Golden Eye” Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley; "Fog" by Sergey Cheremisinov; "Bushwick Tarantella" by Kevin MacLeod; "Misery" by Damiano Baldoni. Sound effects from freesound.org by odditonic, lazy monk, anthousai, saturdaysoundguy, nebulasnails, 1histori, inspectorj and michorvath. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

At the Warren Committee hearings, looking into the deaths of Fidel Castro and JFK, Santo Trafficante kept his lips sealed. And yet the connections kept coming up. Trafficante had every reason to want to kill the man who had shut down his Cuban casinos - but had the CIA really ordered him to assassinate Castro? And what exactly was his connection to Jack Ruby?   Our sponsor for this episode is the Black Tux.   Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is "Gates" and "Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; "Universe in Hands", "Low Horizon", and "January" by Kai Engel; "Wastelands" and "Gates" by Sergey Cheremisinov; "Faster Does It" by Kevin MacLeod. Covert's theme is "Anxiety" by Kai Engel. Sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Far from the big-name mob territories of New York and Chicago, the mafia scene in Tampa, Florida was of a smaller scale. That is, until Santo Trafficante used his influence and geographic advantage to turn Cuba in a gambling paradise. His smooth-talking demeanor made him fast friends with powerful officials, making life easy street - until he was betrayed.  Our sponsors for this episode are Indochino (indochino.com PROMO: MAFIA) and eLiquid (eliquid.com/mafia or PROMO: MAFIA).  Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music in this episode is "Misery", "Life", and "A Ghra" by Damiano Baldoni; "January", "Universe in Hands", and "Junction" by Kai Engel; "Flamenco Rhymth" by Sunsearcher; "Fog" by Sergey Cheremisinov; "Night on the Docks" and "I Knew a Guy" by Kevin MacLeod. Sound effects from freesound.org by unchaz and theshaggyfreak. Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Allen Dorfman assumes control over the Teamsters’ Union vast pension fund with Jimmy Hoffa out of the picture. But it would be FBI surveillance and Dorfman’s carelessness in attempting to bribe a U.S. Senator that would lead to the end of his reign. Our sponsors for this episode are SimpliSafe (simplisafe.com/mafia) and Framebridge (framebridge.com PROMO: MAFIA). Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni (damianobaldoni.altervista.org). Music in this episode is "Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; “Tumult”, “Floret” and “Junction” by Kai Engel (http://www.kai-engel.com/); “Dance of the Sugar Plums Fairies” by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com); “Roaming the Streets at Night” by Daniel Birch (www.danielbirchmusic.com). Sound effects from freesound.org by carminooch, gregsmedia, ebcrosby, eflexthesounddesigner. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Allen Dorfman was a insurance agency owner and consultant to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. He was also known in the criminal underworld of Chicago as the ‘Mafia’s Banker,’ one of the most powerful middlemen between prominent union figure Jimmy Hoffa and the Mafia. Our sponsors for this episode are The Black Tux (theblacktux.com/MAFIA), eLiquid.com (eliquid.com/mafia promo: MAFIA) and LightStream (lightstream.com/mafia). Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni (damianobaldoni.altervista.org). Music in this episode is "Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; “Junction” by Kai Engel (http://www.kai-engel.com/); “Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1 - IV. Prestissimo” by Daniel Veesey; “I Knew a Guy", and “Mourning Song” by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com); "Fog" by Sergey Cheremisinov (https://www.s-cheremisinov.com/); “Dark Waves“ by Xenojam (https://xenojam.bandcamp.com). Sound effects from freesound.org by turtlelg, juskiddink, lensflare8642, carmelokike.Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Carmine Galante was released from prison on parole and immediately took over his mafia family and re-established his heroin empire. But greed and cruelty made him enemies and made him paranoid, and started a war between families that led to a photographic end. Our sponsors for this episode are Indochino (indochino.com promo: MAFIA); and the new podcast Behind the Bastards (www.behindthebastards.com) Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni (damianobaldoni.altervista.org). Music in this episode is "Misery" and "Life" by Damiano Baldoni; "Universe in Hands" by Kai Engel (http://www.kai-engel.com/); "Fog" by Sergey Cheremisinov (https://www.s-cheremisinov.com/); "Parisian", "I Knew a Guy", and "Faster Does It" by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com); "Angst" by Xenojam (https://xenojam.bandcamp.com); "Like an Empty Sky" by Daniel Birch & Ben Pegley (www.danielbirchmusic.com); "Gray" by Rafael Archangel (https://rafaelarchangel.bandcamp.com). Sound effects from freesfx.uk.co. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Carmine Galante wanted to be  the "Boss of All Bosses," the head of the mafia, and would stop at nothing to reach his goal. He was single-handedly responsible for trafficking enormous amounts of heroin into the United States, raking in millions for himself and leaving streets of addicts in his wake. Until he was nabbed by the new narcotics laws. But even from jail . . . he ruled the streets.  Our sponsors for this episode are Framebridge (framebridge.com promo: MAFIA); Lightstream (lightstream.com/mafia); and Harry's (harrys.com/mob)  Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni (damianobaldoni.altervista.org). Music in this episode is "Misery" by Damiano Baldoni; "Universe in Hands", "Junction", and "January" by Kai Engel (http://www.kai-engel.com/); "1-R" by Kosta T (https://soundcloud.com/konstantin-trokay); "Gates" and "Fog" by Sergey Cheremisinov (https://www.s-cheremisinov.com/); "I Knew a Guy", "Night on the Docks", and "Dances and Dames," by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com). Sound effects from freesound.org. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Dutch Schultz continues his feud with Vincent "Mad Dog" Coll. The reign of violence puts the mafia in a delicate position when it gains the attention of an ambitious new prosecutor named Thomas Dewey.  His friends dwindling as he betrays and kills them, and the mob unable to cope with his recklessness, Schultz finds himself into dangerous territory that ultimately leads to his downfall.  This episode is sponsored by Hims, Zip Recruiter, and Dollar Shave Club.  Music is by Kevin MacLeod and FreeSFX.co.uk.

Prohibition was a time that allowed those outside of the law to thrive, as rival bootlegging businesses were set up by mafia members all over the world. In the heart of New York's gangland was Dutch Schultz, a student of the old world thuggery, and a man with an exceptional taste for violence. Not even his closest friends were safe from his bloodlust.  As Dutch tried to make his way up the mafia ladder by muscling into territory, he came up against the likes of Arnold Rothstein, Vincent Coll, and his arch-rival – Charles "Lucky" Luciano – as well as the rest of the mob. And Dutch's preference for outspoken violence would lead to his downfall.  This episode is sponsored by The Black Tux, Shipstation, and Dollar Shave Club. Music is by Kevin MacLeod and Kai Engel

From the poor streets of downtown New York, Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel worked his way up through the mafia and through Hollywood. And then he set his sights on Las Vegas.  Siegel bought what is now the Strip, determined to make a luxurious casino resort where people would have fun as they were parted from their money. The mafia funded the wayward project, and Siegel was ready to bask at the top of the mob with a glamorous lifestyle – until he crossed a line, and the mob had no choice but to take him out.  This episode is sponsored by Dollar Shave Club and ZipRecruiter.  Music is by Kevin MacLeod, Rafael Archangel, Damiano Baldoni, and Kai Engel

When Charles Luciano organized the mob and decided that money didn't care what your ethnicity was, it was the chance for Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel to prove his worth.  With ambition as big as Las Vegas and a temper to boot, Siegel made his way to the top through charm, hustle, and murder. And Sigel's tendency to violence would take him from the poor streets of Downtown New York City to the glitz and glamour of 1930s Hollywood, and beyond.  This episode is sponsored by Hims. Music is by Kai Engel, Kevin Macleod, Chris Zabriskie, Rafael Archangel, and Kosta T.

Joe Pistone continues his story of spending six years undercover as the gangster Donnie Brasco. With the help from the FBI and other undercover agents, Pistone spread his own influence and string operation beyond New York, to Wisconsin and Florida.  As Brasco continued to make his way up the mafia hierarchy, he grew increasingly close to Sonny Black Napolitano, gaining his trust and friendship. But things came to a head when Napolitano proposed for Brasco to become a full-fledged mafioso – requiring that he do something that the FBI couldn't condone: murder.

In the 1970s, penetrating the mob hierarchy was considered too difficult and too dangerous. But when the infamous five families became involved in a series of car hijackings, veteran agent Joe Pistone of the FBI volunteered to go undercover. What he didn't know was that he would be undercover for six years.  In this episode, hear the story from Joe Pistone himself and all the tools and tricks to survival as he navigated the mob as the most successful mafia undercover agent of all time, under the guise of a diamond thief named Donnie Brasco. This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter.

When last we met John Gotti, he had taken the media by storm, posing for the camera as a glamorous mafioso. Meanwhile, he had taken over the Gambino family by treacherous means: lying and murdering his way to the top.  In part 2, Gotti earns his nickname, "TheTeflon Don," beating every case brought up against him . . . until the FBI teamed up with a surveillance squad. Hear from squad leaders and historians tell the harrowing tale of danger, betrayal, and sharp detective work, and the mission that finally brought Gotti down.

In the 1980s, one man became the face of the Mafia. The most famous gangster since Al Capone. Through murder, deception, and pure luck, John Gotti worked his way up the mob ladder.  But Gotti was best known for flaunting his status, enticing the media, and attracting the attention of the press – the press that gave him the name "The Teflon Don." This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron and Casper.

The story continues about Charles “Lucky” Luciano, who made the Mob a highly sophisticated criminal empire. From night clubs to brothels, Luciano’s Mob spread its tentacles into every part of American society, earning billions . . . and a reputation. Meanwhile, the FBI had declared war on organized crime, and the prosecution took the form of Thomas E. Dewey.   In Part 2, we’ll discover how Luciano was finally put behind bars, until the outbreak of World War 2 played a part in his escape from justice.  This episode is sponsored by Hims and Casper. 

In the 1920s, at the height of prohibition, the intelligent, ruthless, and visionary, Charles “Lucky” Luciano forever transformed the Mob from warring street gangs into a highly sophisticated criminal empire. By the time Luciano was finished, the Mob was bigger than General Motors, and he had fully organized crime into a booming business.  In Part 1, we explore the early childhood of Luciano, his making in the mob, and his making of the mob. This episode is sponsored by Audible and Blue Apron.

In the previous episode, we explored the early days of one of the most flamboyant and dangerous mafia bosses of all time, Sam Giancana, and heard from those who strived to bring him to justice. We discovered how he helped get JFK elected to president. hat he made clandestine deals with the CIA to assassinate Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, all in the expectation that his criminal activities would be overlooked by the authorities. But that didn’t happen – far from leaving Giancana alone, Bobby Kennedy was now on a mission to bring down organized crime. So, with Giancana feeling double-crossed by the Kennedy’s, could he have been behind the most infamous assassination in modern history? This episode is sponsored by Hims and Blue Apron.

Welcome to Mafia, a look into America’s criminal underworld. In the debut episode, Fleet Cooper tells the story of one of the most powerful, flamboyant and dangerous mafia bosses of all time, Sam Giancana. Sam Giancana was utterly ruthless and willing to do anything in his pursuit of power. But unlike most mobsters, he didn’t live his life in the shadows. He had a beautiful showbiz girlfriend. He was even pals with singer Frank Sinatra. Sam Giancana’s influence reached the highest echelons of American politics from helping John F. Kennedy to defeat Richard Nixon in the 1960 Presidential election to assisting in the CIA’s darkest operations in Cuba. Under his reign, the mob and politics were combined with deadly results. This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron and Empty Frames.

Launching February 7th is a new podcast that explores the underworld of American organized crime and the stories behind the rise and fall of the most notorious mobsters in history.