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 E...
Oct 30, 2019•34 min•Season 3Ep. 3
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 .; "Wastelan...
Oct 23, 2019•32 min•Season 3Ep. 2
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 Baldo...
Oct 16, 2019•38 min•Season 3Ep. 1
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.
Oct 02, 2019•3 min
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 ...
Oct 10, 2018•21 min•Season 2Ep. 16
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...
Oct 03, 2018•25 min•Season 2Ep. 15
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...
Sep 26, 2018•26 min•Season 2Ep. 14
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 Bal...
Sep 19, 2018•26 min•Season 2Ep. 13
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 "Mis...
Sep 12, 2018•32 min•Season 2Ep. 12
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 episo...
Sep 05, 2018•30 min•Season 2Ep. 11
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 "...
Aug 29, 2018•31 min•Season 2Ep. 10
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 Bald...
Aug 22, 2018•35 min•Season 2Ep. 9
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 L...
Aug 15, 2018•31 min•Season 2Ep. 8
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 ...
Aug 08, 2018•29 min•Season 2Ep. 7
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" a...
Aug 01, 2018•30 min•Season 2Ep. 6
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 ...
Jul 25, 2018•25 min•Season 2Ep. 5
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 Damia...
Jul 18, 2018•26 min•Season 2Ep. 4
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 ( d...
Jul 11, 2018•29 min•Season 2Ep. 3
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...
Jun 27, 2018•31 min•Season 2Ep. 2
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.c...
Jun 20, 2018•32 min•Season 2Ep. 1
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....
Apr 25, 2018•34 min•Season 1Ep. 12
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...
Apr 18, 2018•33 min•Season 1Ep. 11
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...
Apr 11, 2018•42 min•Season 1Ep. 10
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, Ke...
Apr 04, 2018•39 min•Season 1Ep. 9
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 – requir...
Mar 28, 2018•50 min•Season 1Ep. 8
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 ...
Mar 21, 2018•38 min•Season 1Ep. 7
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 tha...
Mar 14, 2018•51 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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.
Mar 07, 2018•58 min•Season 1Ep. 5
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 justi...
Feb 28, 2018•51 min•Season 1Ep. 4
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....
Feb 20, 2018•48 min•Season 1Ep. 3
