Gavin Schmitt

Milwaukee Mafia

History EN ↓ 200 episodes

Did you know Milwaukee had a Mafia? Many people don't realize how powerful the Milwaukee Mafia was - especially during Frank Balistrieri's impressive 30-year reign! Gavin Schmitt has been researching and writing published works on the Milwaukee Mafia for over a decade, and is considered the top expert on the subject. Join Gavin Schmitt and Eric Wulterkens as Gavin takes you through stories of the Milwaukee Mafia, and related Wisconsin true crime. For more information, visit MilwaukeeMafia.com

Author

Gavin Schmitt

Category

History

Podcast website

milwaukeemafia.com

Latest episode

Jul 7, 2026

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Episodes

Rocco Youse and Del Chemical Part 1 20.01.2026

Hear the story of massive chemical company that has some shady business practices and some strong ties to the Mafia -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/ Become...

D&D 13.01.2026

A listeners questions takes Gavin down a rabbit hole to find any occult occurrences in Milwaukee. He is not able to find much but does find story of a prisoner at the Waupun State Prison as he fights to keep his ability to play Dungeons and Dragons while serving his sentence -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing...

A Murder and John Buys a company 06.01.2026

In this episode we hear how the murder of a vending company owner leads to John Balistreri buying his company and getting into the vending business -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: htt...

Epitome of Courage 30.12.2025

As discussed in the previous Patreon episode Gavin reads the book Epitome of Courage and discusses the meeting that happened between the Milwaukee Mafia and a gang from Chicago that was big into the vending business, drugs, as well as purchasing missiles from the Libyans. -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-li...

Rerun: My Cousin Augie 23.12.2025

In this episode Gavin discusses an article that was recently published by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal about a high profile car bombing that the Mafia was most likely responsible for. -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com...

Gangland Wire Interview 16.12.2025

Recently Gavin was featured on another Podcast called Gangland Wire. Like the previous documentary episode, I interview Gavin on this interview and add context to some of the things they discussed -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafi...

Rerun: Black Nite with Michail Takach 09.12.2025

We have discussed how the Mafia found itself in the space of owning and operating gay bars in Milwaukee and today we are joined by Michail Takach who is very focused on the history of the LGTBQ community in Milwaukee to hear the story of the Black Night Bar and a well know riot that broke out in the bar. -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwa...

James Caan and the Mafia 02.12.2025

Since the unfortunate passing of actor James Caan some stories of his involvement with the mafia have surfaced, We discuss these stories, as well as his gambling problems and James Caan naked in a hotel room? All this in this weeks patreon. -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this ep...

Outlaws and Heavens Devils 25.11.2025

A story about a "battle" between to Motorcycle gangs, that the police receive a tip that the Mafia could be behind it -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/ Becom...

Jeff Fort and Frank Balistrieri 18.11.2025

We discuss a listeners questions about a famous Gang Member from Chicago and the Milwaukee Mob boss himself. -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/ Become part of...

Trash Collection Corruption 11.11.2025

In this story we hear about corruption within the trash company that is being orchestrated by "organized crime' -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/ Become part...

Lopez Gang Member 04.11.2025

We dive into a Latin King side story and discuss the Lopez Gang. -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/ Become part of the Family: https://www.patreon.com/Milwauk...

Fur Coats and Hershey Kisses Part 2 28.10.2025

In this episode hear the conclusion of the story of the theft of Fur Coats and Hershey's Kisses -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/ Become part of the Family:...

Kenosha Mafia Ties 21.10.2025

In this episode we discuss the Kenosha Mafia and some of the ties they had to the Milwaukee Mafia -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/ Become part of the Family...

Fur Coats and Hershey Kisses 14.10.2025

In this 2 part episode we hear the story of thefts of Hershey Kisses and Fur Coats -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/ Become part of the Family: https://www.p...

Links to the Tampa and New Orleans Mafia 07.10.2025

Gavin talks about the some of the links between the Milwaukee Mafia and  Tampa and New Orleans Mafia -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/ Become part of th...

Black Family ties to the Mafia 30.09.2025

-- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/ Become part of the Family: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia -- Gavin Schmitt is the leading historical expert on the...

Frank Angelo Picciolo 23.09.2025

In this episode we learn about a fence, and his involvement in drug deals and bank robberies -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/ Become part of the Family: htt...

Documentary Questions for Gavin 12.09.2025

Eric drills gavin about the Milwaukee Mafia documentary he was featured in. -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/ Become part of the Family: https://www.patreon....

John Balistrieri The School Years 09.09.2025

In this episode we here about John education. In addition to the story we here first hand from John about stories of college life -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafi...

The Louis Fazio Murder 26.08.2025

In this episode we look at very puzzling and unsolved murder of Louis Fazio who we discussed a little in a previous episode -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/...

Narcotics and Grande Cheese 19.08.2025

In this episode Gavin discusses any connection with Narcotics and Grande Cheese -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/ Become part of the Family: https://www.patr...

Informant X 12.08.2025

In this episode we learn about an unknown informant known as X and things he said he witnessed about the Milwaukee Mafia -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/ Be...

Current Rumours of Mob Activity 05.08.2025

Gavin discusses current rumors on Mob activity -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/ Become part of the Family: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia -- Gavin S...

Things Gavin Learned from A police file 29.07.2025

In this episode Gavin discusses the things he has learned going through a 1300 Page police file -- Join the Milwaukee Mafia Newsletter and get updates about the Mafia and Gavin https://milwaukeemafia.com/join-the-mailing-list/ Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwaukeemafia@gmail.com Explore the Milwaukee Mafia Wiki: https://milwaukeemafia.com/ Become part of the Family:...

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