Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews Johnny Chechitelli, one of the producers of a new limited series podcast called Crooked City: Youngstown. This Ohio Rust Belt City was one of the most corrupt mobbed-up towns in the area. Located an hour from Pittsburgh and an hour from Cleveland, members of both organized crime families staked claims. In this episode, we learn about Jim Traficant, one of the most corrupt politicians in the country. Click here to go to the Podcast Support th...
Sep 26, 2022
Retired Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins talks with the man who took the daughter of Tony Accardo or “Big Tuna” to her prom and later helped out at her wedding. The Prom relationship never was; he was more of a bodyguard. Carlo Morelli grew up in Chicago and was a fly on the wall to many Outfit activities. Listen to the story of a high school kid who took Big Tuna’s daughter to prom, ditched the bodyguards to go drink beer in Wisconsin, and brought her home about daylight the following d...
Sep 21, 2022
Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews Johnny Chechitelli, one of the producers of a new limited series podcast called Crooked City: Youngstown. This Ohio Rust Belt City was one of the most corrupt mobbed-up towns in the area. Located an hour from Pittsburgh and an hour from Cleveland, members of both organized crime families staked claims. Click here to go to the podcast Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “b...
Sep 19, 2022
Retired intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins has looked into the story behind why John Gotti believed he must murder Paul Castellano. It started with the crash of a Lear jet off the coast of Florida and ended in a hail of bullets in front of the Manhatten eatery known as Sparks Steakhouse. In this podcast, Gary explains the chain of events that led to the plot to kill the boss, Big Paulie Castellano. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClic...
Sep 13, 2022
Retired Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins tells the Wiretappers about the violent and brutal life of Bonanno Capo Tony Mirra. Tony Mirra comes from a Mafia legacy and rose through the ranks. He was so vicious and a good killer that Carmine “The Cigar” Galante used him to take out enemies. Mirra saw promise in a young newcomer named Donnie Brasco, who claimed to be a good jewel thief. The Feds put Mirra away, and Bonanno soldier Lefty Ruggerio “stole” Brasco (Joe Pistone). When Mirra left ...
Sep 12, 2022
Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins examines the Lincolnwood Police case file and initial investigative steps taken by the detectives the day someone shot Allen Dorfman in the head in front of Irvin Weiner. Support the Podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, clic...
Sep 07, 2022
Retired KC Police Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews Chicago Outfit author and historian Camillus “Cam” Robinson about Teamster Pension Fund advisor and Outfit associate Allen Dorfman and why the Outfit murdered him. Camillus Robinson explains how Allen Dorfman became embroiled in a scheme with Kansas City Teamster Roy Williams and Outfit Capo Joey “The Clown” Lombardo to bribe Nevada Senator Howard Cannon. The Teamsters were engaged in the political fight of their lives. Congress wa...
Sep 05, 2022
Bonus Episode – Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins plays a tape of loan shark Frank Robertson beating a customer. Steve St. John and Gary discuss this business. Support the podcast Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click...
Aug 31, 2022
Retired intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins tells about the mob career of Tommy Karate Pitera. He got his name because, as a young man Tommy Pitera was often bullied because of his squeaky voice. He studied karate and became so proficient that he was given a scholarship and studied for several years in Japan. When he returned to New York City, Bonanno family members noticed his abilities and recruited Pitera to work as an enforcer and loan collector and gave him his moniker. Soon, he was taken i...
Aug 29, 2022
Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews retired ATF agent Ignacio Esteban about his book on the infamous Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. We learned that in March of 2008, Bangkok, Thailand authorities arrested Bout as he left a Bancock hotel after DEA agents and informants engaged in a recorded negotiation for weapons. Colombian FARC informants agreed to make a deal with Bout for millions in military-grade weapons. This arrest was the culmination of a DEA sting operation using high-ranki...
Aug 26, 2022
In this second two-part interview, retired Intelligence Detective Gary jenkins questions Robert Mazur about his experiences that resulted in his second book, THE BETRAYAL. In this interview, we learn that a corrupt federal agent was telling drug dealers who he was and what he was doing. Even though he had worked the Columbian cartels and was known in cocaine circles to be an agent, he returned to Panama, where he moved effortlessly into Colombia’s Cali drug cartel. Robert Mazur noticed an unsett...
Aug 25, 2022
Retired intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews one of the most famous yet unknown undercover agents in the United States. Robert Mazur started his law enforcement career with the US Customs, the IRS, and the Drug Enforcement Administration over a 25-year career. He was one of the first agents to work “deep cover.” This means he lived out his part and did not go home from the office, like FBI Agent Joe Pistone. Robert Mazur will learn how to launder illegally derived cash and has become o...
Aug 22, 2022
Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews true crime author Jeffrey Sussman about the “Mob Cops” Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, one of the many stories in his new book Big Apple Gangsters (Boxing and the Mob, Holocaust Fighters, Sin City Gangsters, Rocky Graziano: Fists Fame and Fortune) about one story from his new book Big Apple Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in New York. This book was just released in paperback. Gary chose to discuss the Mafia cops with Jeffrey...
Aug 15, 2022
Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviewed retired ATF Agent Ignacio Esteban about his book Full Throttle: Riding with the Hells Angels, the Life of Sonny Barger. This book is a free download until Monday, August 15, on Amazon. Ralph Sonny Barger was born October 8, 1938 and died recently on June 29, 2022. He was the original icon of an American outlaw biker. Sonny Barger was also an author of many books and an actor who was a founding member of the Oakland, California, chapter of t...
Aug 12, 2022
Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins interviews retired FBI agent Greg Stejskal about the day he and his surveillance team followed a Detroit Mafia boss and took photos of Jack Tocco, Vito Giacalone, and Anthony Corrado meeting the day Toco was promoted to Boss at a mob meeting on the Timberland Game Farm near Detroit. Greg also tells about his work on the Jimmy Hoffa case and the Unabomber case. Venmo me @ganglandwire Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee” Venmo m...
Aug 08, 2022
Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence detective Gary Jenkins interviews Joe Pistone, Retired FBI agent Doug Fencl and a former cellmate of Lefty Ruggerio and friend of Gary’s Steve St. John. We learn that Lefty Ruggerio was difficult to be around and as Joe once stated, “I would hate to be locked up with Lefty.” Lefty Ruggerio was a lifetime made-guy in the Bonanno Crime Family of New York City. He was a key figure in the undercover assignment of FBI agent Joe Pistone who adopted the name of D...
Aug 03, 2022
Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews US Customs Agent turned ATF Agent Ignacio Esteban about his career. Esteban started with US Customs and was assigned to the Miami International Airpot where he interdicted millions in smuggled cocaine. He explains the uncomfortable options they give drug mules who swallow condoms filled with drugs. He later transferred to the ATF because they did so much undercover work. Agent Esteban was ideally suited to infiltrate south of the border drug...
Aug 01, 2022
Retired KCPD Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins interviewed ATF agent Lou Valoze about his efforts to infiltrate an Outfit crew under Mike Sarno, aka “The Large Guy.” Lou tells how he used his MMA abilities and his motorcycle gang undercover persona to befriend a close associate of Mike Sarno named Mark Polchan. Mike The Large Guy Sarno used the Outlaw motorcycle gang member Polchan to help do burglary and robbery scores and intimidate business rivals with bombings. Mike Sarno had been pro...
Jul 25, 2022
A bonus episode! Retired Detective Gary Jenkins and retired ATF Agent Igancio Esteban discuss the recent spike in school shootings and other mass murders. Agent Esteban recently wrote a book titled “The Worse Mass Shootings in American History and How to Stop Them From Happening Again.” Click this link to get the book. Click this link to see all of Agent Estebans books. Venmo me @ganglandwire Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burgl...
Jul 21, 2022
Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit Detective Gary jenkins interviews retired ATF Agent Lou Valose about his undercover work on the Chicago Outfit and how he infiltrated a crew led by Outfit Associate Mark Polchan. Lou tells how he got his start working undercover stings that focused on buying “crime guns” from criminals who either had stolen them or traded drugs for them on the black market. He did not know, but he was really training for the biggest infiltration of his career. He will...
Jul 18, 2022
Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins interviews retired ATF Agent Jay Dobyns about his undercover investigation of the Mesa Arizona Hells Angels. ATF assigned Jay Dobyns and other agents to a long-term undercover investigation they labeled Black Biscuit. This operation resulted from a deadly shoot-out between Hell’s Angels members and the Mongols Motorcycle club in Laughlin, Nevada. Venmo me @ganglandwireClick here to “buy me a cup of coffee” Agent Dobyns and other...
Jul 11, 2022
Retired KCPD Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins and mob historian Camillius “Cam” Robinson discuss the life and times of New York Mob boss, Bill Bonanno. GET THE MAGIC MIND 40% DISCOUNT CLICK ON THIS LINK – MAGIC MIND – PUT THE CODE GANGLAND20 IN THE BOX AT CHECKOUT Venmo me @ganglandwire Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To r...
Jul 04, 2022
Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins examines the Gotti plot to kill Sammy the Bull Gravano. After Gravano served his time from his plea arrangement, 5 years for a lifetime of murder, assault, extortion, and racketeering. He was relocated to Tempe Arizona in the Witness protection program but left after a few years because he did not like the constraints. In 1995, he relocated to Scottsdale Arizona, started a construction company, and lived an open life. he even gave in...
Jun 27, 2022
Retired KCPD Intelligence Unit Detective Gary Jenkins interviews retired FBI agents Richard Stout and Jack “Jack Falcone” Garica. Richard Stout worked on public corruption in South Florida during the 1980s. Agent Stout uncovered a small cabal of corrupt Broward county Florida cops. Together, these agents conducted an operation that snared the ringleader, former Deputy Richard Tauber, and another deputy Kevin Frankel. They also took down two civilians named Robert Baccari and Christopher Provenza...
Jun 20, 2022
Chicago Outfit historian James Imlach tells listeners about watching Frank Calabrese Sr. testify on his own behalf and how he could not hold his anger back. He also describes how funny and engaging Joey Lombardo was when he took the stand in his defense. Finally, he describes the rambling testimony of former Chicago cop Twan Doyle and how he had other Chicago cops testify what a great cop he had been. Then he watched as the prosecutor asked this question of each character witness, “Did you ever ...
Jun 13, 2022
In Part one of a two-part series, Chicago Outfit historian James Imlach tells how he attended the entire Family Secrets trial in 2007. The Family Secrets investigation started on July 27, 1998. Outfit associate Frank Calabrese Jr. mailed a letter from prison to the FBI and said he was willing to cooperate and help the FBI make murder cases on his father, Frank Calabrese Sr. Hence, the codename of the investigation became Family Secrets. Frank Jr. requested to meet in person with FBI agents and p...
Jun 06, 2022
Venmo me @ganglandwire Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee” To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup click here Gary talks to Milwaukee author and mob historian Gavin Schmitt about the history of the Milwaukee organized crime family. One of the first things we learn is that Milwaukee rarely enforced the Volstead Act and consequently, the mob was important in smuggling from Canada but inside the city of Milwaukee, it was hard to tell that alcohol was...
May 30, 2022
In this bonus episode, Gary tells about when he developed his first long-term organized crime informant. Turning a mob associate into an informant is a nuanced and delicate process. Gary began by merely revisiting the guy many times at his business as they developed a friendship and trust. He knew the guy had something to hide, but the prize goes to the guy who waits and watches. Finally, the new friend confessed his crime. As usual, it was not near as bad as the guy thought, and Gary was able t...
May 26, 2022
Charles Chuckie Russell was a vicious and brutal Chicago Outfit thief. He was a member of the Grand Avenue crew after Joey the Clown Lombardo went away in the Family Secrets trial. He was married to the sister of the new Grand Avenue Crew boss Albert Vena. Chuckie Russell took in an informant who was working for the ATF. He planned the home invasion robbery with this guy and told him how much he wanted to use a blow torch on their victim and take his money and jewelry. In the meantime, the infor...
May 23, 2022
In 1981, Boston hitman Johnny Martorano murdered businessman and owner of World Jai Lai Roger Wheeler in the parking lot of the Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Johnny Martorano was hired by the infamous and now deceased Whitey Bilger to perform this hit because Roger Wheeler presented a threat to an embezzlement that benefited Bulger. This weekend the PGA Championship golf tournament is played at this same exclusive private club. It costs an undisclosed amount to join and then 30...
May 19, 2022
