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

Murder of Jack Dentice 14.09.2021

In this episode, Gavin covers the murder of Jack Dentice, and part one of Tony Gennaro snitching from prison. There are two different versions of the motive for Jack's murder, and Frank LaGalbo is included in both of them. "During dinner, LaGalbo and Jack got into an argument about girls and LaGalbo told Jack that his girl was a prostitute and that she worked for his uncle, Vince Crupi.” Visit Mil...

The Carusos & Waukesha's Little Italy 07.09.2021

Gavin walks listeners through stories of bombings and murder in this episode. Wisconsin’s Sicilian Mafia a was primarily based in Milwaukee, but the suburb of Waukesha had its own Italian community. One cannot fully appreciate the history of the Milwaukee Mafia without including Waukesha. Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more information Gavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQH Patreon: https://www.patr...

What made the Milwaukee Mafia Different from other Mobs? 31.08.2021

In this episode, a listener asks what makes the Milwaukee Mafia different from other mobs, such as New York and Chicago. The answers: Working as city employees while controlling the garbage industry Prohibition wasn't as big of a boom for the Milwaukee Mafia as other mobs Eric gets Gavin off on a tangent about the Milwaukee Mafia and Las Vegas Vending machines (remember when cigarettes were sold i...

Non Sicilian Gangsters 24.08.2021

The Milwaukee Mafia was primarily Sicilian (by definition). What other ethnic groups participated in Milwaukee crime? Gavin's Note: I am not always comfortable referring to someone as "Sicilian" or "Irish" when they were born in the United States, but this is the shorthand law enforcement uses when gangs recruit based on a person's heritage, so I'm following their lead. Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com fo...

J. Edgar Hoover's Top 10 "Hoodlum" List 17.08.2021

In this episode Gavin discusses the Apalachin, New York meeting (November 14th, 1957), and J. Edgar Hoover's Top 10 Hoodlum List. Notable Milwaukee "Hoodlums" on the list include: Frank Balistrieri John Alioto Walter Brocca Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more information Gavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQH Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

Mafia Myths 10.08.2021

In this "mini" episode, a listener asks Gavin: "What are some of the common Mafia myths?" He covers some, but far from all of them. Check out our website for more information: https://milwaukeemafia.com/the-milwaukee-balistrieri-family-dont-sell-them-short/ Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more information Gavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQH Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia Check out...

Death in the Family II: Angelo LaMantia 03.08.2021

The prime suspect in the Frank Aiello murder has left town. This time we catch up with him. Will Aiello's killer be brought to justice? Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more information Gavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQH Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

New Podcast Fox Cities Murder and Mayhem 28.07.2021

Introducing our Newest podcast Fox Cities Murder and Mayhem launching on August 3, 2021. Check it out and subscribe at FoxCitiesMM.com Gavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQH

Death in the Family I: Frank Aiello 27.07.2021

So many murders in the Third Ward seem to be random. But this time, the victim is the grandson of mob boss Vito Guardalabene and nephew of Angelo and Pete Guardalabene. Who would dare strike the family? Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more information Gavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQH Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

Capone Nemesis: Joseph Aiello 20.07.2021

With the Genna brothers out of the way, Joseph Aiello stands in Capone's way of being the undisputed boss of Chicago. This episode contains information about: Joseph Aiello Al Capone The Sicilian Union Michele Merlo Tony Lombardo Bugs Moran Although this episode is not directly related to the Milwaukee Mafia, it is important information for next week's episode. Information for this episode came pr...

Alberto Speciale Murdered 13.07.2021

After being in America only four months, Alberto Speciale was shot by two gunmen on February 17, 1926 at the corner of Lyon and Jackson Streets in Milwaukee. When investigating Speciale's murder, the police find mysterious letters and many dead ends. For more information: https://milwaukeemafia.com/Wiki/alberto-speciale/ This episode is based on Chapter 8 of Gavin's book: The Milwaukee Mafia Visit...

The Terrible Genna Brothers 06.07.2021

Chicago's mob boss was Al Capone, right? Well... it didn't have to be that way. A band of brothers stood in his path. Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more information Gavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQH Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

Murder of Tony Kuzmanovich 29.06.2021

On August 28, 1928, Tony Kuzmanovich closed up his restaurant at 3 am with $800, and headed home with his wife. Ad the couple were headed home, a car came alongside of their car at the corner of 65th and Wisconsin, only a block from their destination. A man yelled for Tony to pull over, which Tony did, and then a sawed-off shot gun was pointed at Tony and his wife. Assuming he was the target of a...

Guardalabene: The Prohibition Years 22.06.2021

An overview of the Guardalabene Milwaukee Mafia family in the 1920s. Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more information Gavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQH Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

Felice Lazaro and John Sorce 15.06.2021

The Sorce name will come up again, but this first time doesn't end well. Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more information Gavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQH Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

Ronzio Double Slaying 08.06.2021

Bodies are piling up, but now we have the most dastardly murder yet: an unarmed grandmother. Also, we briefly touch on Kenosha. Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more information Gavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQH Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

Counterfeiting 01.06.2021

We take a deep dive into the world of counterfeiting circa 1910. Also, how the National Archives is making research easier every day! Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more information Gavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQH Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

Milwaukee Milwaukee - More Murders 25.05.2021

We finish up the deadly years of 1911-1912 with a few more stories of wanton bloodshed. Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more information Gavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQH Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

Does the Mafia Still Exist? 18.05.2021

Yes, it does. But does it still exist in MILWAUKEE ? Join hosts Gavin Schmitt and Eric Wulterkens as they examine the evidence. MilwaukeeMafia.com

Dominic Leone and the Little Pink Church 11.05.2021

Two men named Dominic Leone... one a respected priest, the other the victim of a vicious murder. In this episode their two stories overlap. Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more information Gavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQH Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

Lavere Redfield - Reno Heist 04.05.2021

1950s: a handful of Milwaukee crooks are behind what may have been the biggest burglary in American history. Where did the money go? Lavere Redfield entered the sphere of the Milwaukee Mafia on February 29, 1952. A 400-pound safe containing $1.5-2.5 million in currency, securities and gems was stolen from Redfield's 15-room Reno, Nevada mansion. This story is one of Gavin's top 3 most favorit...

Great Lakes Pirate - Dan Seavey 27.04.2021

Gavin discusses his book "Great Lakes Pirate: The Adventures of Roaring Dan Seavey" - the tale of the only man ever arrested for piracy on the Great Lakes. GavinSchmitt.com Gavin's Books Patreon Note: Audio quality updated 03/05/2022. The content is the same, but the audio has been updated for a better listening experience.

Many Murders in the Bloody Third 20.04.2021

In the 1910s, murder in the Third Ward was common enough that the newspapers barely followed up on them, and rarely got the names right. Even worse, almost nobody was ever caught! Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more information Gavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQH Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

The Murder of James Soukop 13.04.2021

The first man to die at the hands of a Milwaukee Sicilian: James Soukop. How did the community react? Who could they trust? Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more information Gavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQH Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

Vincent Crupi and Prostitution 23.03.2021

In this episode we discuss Vincent Crupi and his network of brothels he ran in Milwaukee, which ends up landing him in prison. Once in prison he starts a whole new set of crimes which are investigated later on in his life -- 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: ht...

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