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Original Gangsters Podcast

Original Gangsters, a True Crime Talk Podcastoriginal-gangsters-a-true-crime-talk-podcast.simplecast.com
Hosted by veteran crime reporter, documentarian, and award-winning author Scott Burnstein, Original Gangsters Podcast tells the current and past stories of La Cosa Nostra, one percent biker clubs, drug cartels, Canadian crime, urban crime, and more, with insightful analysis and educated commentary. Each week, Scott sits down with former gangsters, journalists, authors, law enforcement members, and lawyers to deep dive a specific topic, figure, or group in organized crime. Simply put, Original Gangsters Podcast is the ultimate place for organized crime news and history.
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Episodes

Mob Ties: How Current NBA Point Shaving Scandal is Connected to the Pittsburgh Mafia

In this episode, Scott explains how the current NBA and College Basketball point-shaving scandal involving dozens of players and teams is connected back to "Sugar" Shane Hennen, an eccentric lawbreaking gambler who grew up in Pittsburgh and has strong ties to members and associates of the Pittsburgh Mafia. Pittsburgh Mob Expert Paul Hodos (Author of "Steel City Mafia") joins to provide background on Hennen's Pittsburgh wiseguy associates and explain the city's history and influence with the gamb...

Jul 11, 20251 hr 1 minEp. 195

White Devil John: A White Man's Rise to Power in Boston's Chinatown Mob

In this episode, Scott is joined by long-time partner and former co-host, Dr. James Buccellato, to tell the fascinating story of John Willis aka "White Devil John", who went from being a homeless orphan to one of the most powerful players in Boston's Chinese Mafia.

Jul 10, 20251 hr 5 minEp. 194

Operation Gametax: The Case That Crippled The Detroit Crime Family

In this episode, former Detroit Mobster Nove Tocco sits down with the man who prosecuted against him, retired Federal Prosecutor Rick Convertino, in the Operation Gametax trial. Operation Gametax was a large-scale federal operation targeting the Detroit mafia, specifically the local chapter of La Cosa Nostra, and included indictments against 17 made members and associates of the Tocco-Zerilli crime family, including then-Boss Jack Tocco, powerful capo Anthony "Tony Jack" Giacalone, and then-Unde...

Jul 09, 20251 hr 32 minEp. 193

Latest News on the Canadian Underworld - Is a Prison War on the Horizon? Ken Pereira Joins

In this episode, Scott and Canadian union whistleblower Ken Pereira discuss the latest developments in Canadian organized crime, including the actions of Hells Angels boss Marty Robert and David "Ice Pick" Turmel, leader of the rapidly growing Blood Family Mafia. Scott also examines how the ongoing conflict between these groups could shift from the streets to the Canadian prison system.

May 08, 20251 hr 3 minEp. 192

Genovese Mob Deep Dive - Interview with Retired NYC FBI Agent Mike Campi

Former NYC FBI Agent Mike Campi and author of "Mafia Takedown: The Incredible True Story of the FBI Agent Who Devastated the New York Mob", joins Scott to tell his detailed, first-hand account of going after the Genovese crime family in the late '90s. Mr. Campi gives a comprehensive deep dive involving some of the most powerful men in Italian organized crime at the time, including Barney Bellomo, Vincente "The Chin" Gigante, and more.

Feb 12, 20251 hr 6 minEp. 190

Going After LCN in New Haven and Detroit with Former FBI Agent Donald Brutnell

Former FBI Agent Donald Brutnell joins Scott to lay out his career as a field agent in Detroit and New Haven, Connecticut in the 1970s and 80s. In the episode, Brutnell gives details on some of the biggest LCN figures in New Haven and Bridgeport at the time, including Billy Grasso, Midge Renault, the Cursio brothers, and more.

Nov 27, 202443 minEp. 185

Kansas City Underworld Deep Dive with Expert Gary Jenkins

Gary Jenkins is a former police officer and Kansas City mafia historian. He joins Scott to discuss notorious figures in the Kansas City Underworld and Civella Crime Family, including former K.C. Black Mafia Leader Eddie Cox, Mark Sorrentino, and more.

Nov 14, 20241 hr 10 minEp. 184

Kansas City Street Legend Eddie Cox on His Former Life and Story of Redemption

Eddie Cox is the former leader of the Kansas City Black Mafia and a notorious jailhouse attorney who served 32 years in prison. He, his paralegal partner Rusty Marks, and Attorney Tom Norrid join Scott to discuss Cox's past on the street and their mission at the Law Offices of Tom Norrid in Springfield, Missouri, to help prisoners who were wrongly convicted and reduce sentences for those with non-violent offenses.

Nov 08, 202458 minEp. 183

Deep Undercover in the New Jersey Mob with Giovanni Rocco

Former FBI Agent Giovanni Rocco sits down with Scott to tell his story of being undercover in the DeCavalcante Crime Family for several years, his close relationships with capo's and made men within the family, and how he was almost made.

Oct 25, 20241 hr 21 minEp. 181

Hells Angels and Rizzuto Crime Family with Montreal Insider Ken Pereira

We sat down with Montreal underworld insider Ken Pereira. Ken was a whistleblower regarding Canadian labor racketeering and corruption in the construction industry. During his time as a labor organizer he interacted with Montreal underworld heavyweights like Raymond Desjardins and members of the Hells Angels and Rizzuto crime family.

Aug 21, 20241 hr 35 minEp. 176

The Life and Crimes of Mickey Cohen

We're discussing the life and crimes of iconic Los Angles crime boss Mickey Cohen. We discuss his connections to Bugsy Siegal, his war with the Italian Mafia, and his prison sentence at Alcatraz, among other details of his fascinating life.

Aug 13, 20241 hrEp. 175

The Hoffa Mystery with FBI Agent Greg Stejskal

Scott sits down with retired FBI agent Greg Stejskal to discuss the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. Greg also shares his experiences investigated the Tocco-Zerilli crime family in Detroit.

Aug 05, 20241 hr 35 minEp. 174

The El Chapo of Asia: Chinese Drug Lord Tse Chi Lop

We discussed Chinese drug lord Tse Chi Lop with author and journalist Stephen Marche. Tse Chi Lop is known as the "El Chapo of Asia." He was networked in with the Rizzuto crime family in Montreal, the 'Ndrangheta in Italy, the Yakuza in Japan, the Triads in Hong Kong, and Hells Angels in Australia. *We apologize for audio difficulties on this episode.

Jul 23, 20241 hr 1 minEp. 173

The Life and Crimes of Eddie Nash

We examine the life and crimes of Hollywood crime boss Eddie Nash. Nash was connected to the infamous Wonderland Murders.

Jul 15, 202456 minEp. 171

The Philly Black Mafia and Pro Boxing with author Sean Nam

Scott sat down with author Sean Nam to discuss the Philadelphia Black Mafia and its connection to pro boxing. Sean is the author of "Murder on Federal Street: Tyrone Everett, the Black Mafia, Fixed Fights, and the Last Golden Age of Philadelphia Boxing."

Jun 11, 202457 minEp. 169
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