Double Deal - True Stories of Criminals, Crimes and Lies

Lara and Nina discuss Louis Manocchio's surrender to the authorities in the summer of 1979 after being on the lam for nearly a decade. In what was a complete shock to the prosecution Jack "Red" Kelley comes to the rescue in an unexpected turn of events. Related epsiodes: Gaslit 1 Gaslit 2 Where in the World is Louis Manocchio Jack’s Justice part 1, 2 and 3 The Summer of 69 Is it Safe to go in the...

Lara and Nina discuss the history of Jai Alai in the US, and how it was a perfect opportunity for organized crime groups who wanted to expand their gambling operations. The delve into H. Paul Rico's position in World Jai Alai, and the people who lost their lives either because of their direct involvement in Jai Alai or because of Boston area organized crime figures such as Whitey Bulger, Stevie Fl...

In this episode, Nina and Lara delve into the impeachment case brought against judge Alcee Hastings after FBI Special Agent H. Paul Rico cut his retirement short to go undercover as Frank Romano. The Romano brothers were associates of Tony Pro Provenzano who was rumored to be involved in the disappearance of Teamster boss, Jimmy Hoffa. Here about the sting operation the Feds hoped would bring down...

Lara is still waging her Pizza War against Nina, but they're both serving up another slice of Mafia history in today's episode. There's a recap of the Raymond "Baby" Curcio hit and Nicky Palmigiano's testimony against Raymond Patriarca and Rudy Sciarra. The discussion moves onto the murder victims of 1981 including Ronnie and Debra Davis, Angelo Patrizzi, Georgie Pappas, an innocent cabbie named A...

Nina and Lara discuss art theft as a negotiating tool including the master of such deals, Myles Connor. The Rossettis including Mark, Stephen and Ralph and two of their heists are on the list of topics along with Richard Megna, Louis Royce and Richie "Nine Lives" Devlin. And Nina makes a confession!

Nina and Lara discuss the gangland slayings that took place in the Boston area in 1980. Sal Sperlinga, Stevie Hughes Jr., Louis Litif, Robert Lamonica and others are profiled. They also delve into the wrongful imprisonment of Fred Weichel, Whitey Bulgers involvement and Nina's obsession with beach pizza!

Lara and Nina discuss the Massachusetts State Police surveillance operation of the Lancaster Street Garage in Boston that began in the summer of 1980. Their goal was to collect evidence and make a case against Whitey Bulger and the Winter Hill gang. Little did they know that two of their subjects where FBI informants who were enjoying the full protection of their handlers. The girls tell some stor...

Lara and Nina delve into the homicides in Boston and the surrounding area during 1979, exploring various unsolved murders and the connections between some of the victims and organized crime. They discuss notable cases, including Joseph "Chris" D'Amelio and Anthony "Dapper" Corlito's slaying on the same street in the North End of Boston.

Lara and Nina discuss Operation Lobster, a joint undercover FBI/Mass State Police operation targeting the Winter Hill Gang. They also delve into the background of infamous former FBI agent John Zip Connolly and his connections with notorious and illustrious figures like Whitey Bulger and Billy Bulger. And of course the truck hijacking case that resulted from the undercover work of Special Agent Ni...

The girls delve into loan sharking in Massachusetts in the 1970s, focusing on key figures like Jimmy Martorano and the various legal challenges they faced. They discuss the timeline of the arrests, the run up to Operation Lobster, the ongoing legal battles and the connection of some of the men to Lara's father, Richie. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Listener Engagement 01:02 Loan Sharking in Mass...

The girls delve into the criminal activities surrounding Howie Winter in the 1970s, focusing on the pinball case and the subsequent race fixing scandal. They discuss the key players involved and the legal proceedings that followed exploring the testimonies of witnesses and the eventual verdicts. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Schedule Changes 00:45 The Pinball Case Overview 02:39 The Race Fixing...

Thanks to technical difficulties and Nina being on strike in protest of said tech issues, Lara is flying solo today. She talks about the gangland slayings of 1978 in the Boston area and Rhode Island. Some of the men profiled in this episode are Joseph "Joe Onions" Scanlon, Joseph DiFronzo, Joseph Patrizzi and George Basmajian.

Lara and Nina delve into the infamous Blackfriars Massacre that occurred in Boston in June of 1978, exploring the profiles of the victims, the details of the crime scene, the investigation that followed, and the various theories surrounding the suspects involved. The girls discuss the complexities of the case, including the connections between the victims and organized crime, as well as the afterm...

Nina and Lara wrap up this three part series about the men who were killed in gangland slayings in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in 1977. The last 6 men who lost their lives were linked together not just geography and association but also by an international drug smuggling ring. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the 1977 Drug Smuggling Case 02:04 The Discovery of the Ghost Ship 04:47 The Murders of...

The girls delve into two of the mob related homicide cases of 1977, focusing on the lives and deaths of Mike Ross and Dennis Lytwyn aka Danny Raimondi. They explore the circumstances surrounding Ross' murder, his connections to organized crime, and the man who killed him. They wrap up with Lytwyn's story, the events that leading up to his death and the outcome of his murder trial.

Lara and Nina delve into the gangland slayings in Massachusetts in 1977, focusing on former Alcatraz inmate, Louis Arquilla, and others including Robert McFarland and Jackie DiFronzo.

In this episode, Lara and Nina delve into the 1977 gambling charges against several mob figures, including Larry Zannino, Abe Sarkis and Melvin Berger. They discuss the background of these individuals, the events leading up to the charges, the court proceedings, and the eventual sentencing. The conversation also touches on the life of Dominic Isabella, a figure in Boston organized crime, and how h...

In this episode Lara and Nina discuss the Danvers Armory heist of 1976, where the weapons ended up, the attacks carried out by the IRA with some of the stolen M60s, their theories and more!

Much attention has been given to the Mafia induction ceremony of 1989 in Medford, Massachusetts, but few remember the ceremony that took place on October 5, 1977 in Boston. Lara and Nina discuss the men that were made that day and the testimony about the induction ceremony itself. Links: La "Causa" Nostra - The Hill - Part 1 Family Feud - The Hill - Part 2 Jack's Justice - Part 1 - The First Round...

Lara and Nina delve answer questions about Sonny Mercurio and Little Joe Napolitano. They introduce Joe Puzzangara, discuss informants, connections between various Mafia figures., their counterfeiting operations and the massage parlor case that was the first RICO case in Massachusetts. Joseph Puzzangara family tree Russell Nicholson episodes 13 and 25 Chapters 00:00 Mailbag Questions and Informant...

This episode was inspired by a listener's email. Nina and Lara discuss Big Joe, Mickey and Little Joe Napolitano and their adventures in Maine including morphine, a still and a counterfeiting ring. 00:00 Introduction to Organized Crime in Maine 01:55 Intel Laundering: The Dark Side of Information 04:40 The Napolitano Family 07:30 Mickey Napolitano's Criminal Ventures 10:12 Little Joe Napolitano's...

In this episode, Lara and Nina revisit Nicky Bianco's early years including his time as a member of the Colombo Family and his return to Rhode Island, early legal troubles including income tax evasion, and his post prison career as a paralegal. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Question of the Week 02:02 Nicky D'Anco's Background and Rise 06:49 Nicky's Leadership and Legal Troubles 12:43 Nicky's Pos...

Nina and Lara delve into the mob slayings of 1976 in Massachusetts and RI. The hosts explore key figures, events, and the implications of these crimes, including the tragic story of Richie Castucci. They highlight the intertwining lives of mobsters, law enforcement, and the consequences of greed and betrayal. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:07 Exploring the Winter Hill Murders...

In this episode, Lara and Nina wrap up the Bonded Vault series, discussing the fates of various characters involved in the heist and subsequent events. They delve into the lives of Jacob Tarzian, Robert Dussault, Joe Danese, John Ouimette, Ralph Byrnes, and Charles Flynn, highlighting their criminal activities, legal troubles, and the impact of their choices.

In this episode, the hosts delve into the Bonded Vault heist trial, exploring more details of the robbery, the various players involved, and the courtroom dynamics that unfolded over the course of the trial. They discuss witness testimonies, the role of organized crime, and the eventual verdicts that led to life sentences for the convicted individuals. The conversation highlights the drama and int...