Original Gangsters Podcast

Ric Morales joins us for this episode as we examine the extraordinary life of Ricardo "Monkey" Morales. Morales Sr. started off as an anti-Castro guerilla fighter and CIA intelligence asset based in Miami. During that time he also moonlighted as Lefty Rosenthal's enforcer. After fighting abroad in some of CIA's dirty wars of the 1960s and 1970s, Morales returned to Miami as a cocaine cowboy. We al...

FBI agent Mike Carone joins us to discuss the infamous Giacalone brothers crew in Detroit. We start off by examining the Capital Street Social Club, a multicultural subunit of the Giacalone gambling operations. From there we cover a lot of ground, including the Vegas skim and the unsolved disappearance of labor leader Jimmy Hoffa. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.c...

Today's episode examines the recent assassination of street legend Alpo Martinez. To contextualize the Martinez case study, we look at other Harlem drug lords, such as Rich Porter, Azie Faison, Clarence "the Preacher" Heatley, Frank Lucas, and Nicky Barnes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advert...

The week's episode examines the legacy of former Chicago Mafia boss John "No Nose" DiFronzo. For example, was he involved in the brutal murders of the Spilotro brothers (as depicted in the film Casino)? The episode also address rumors DiFronzo was a confidential informant. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal...

James Buccellato sits down with author Daniel Waugh to discuss Detroit's legendary Purple Gang. Did the Jewish Purple Gang get along with the Italian Mafia? Did the Purple Gang work with Al Capone? Were the Purples involved in the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago? Daniel Waugh sets the record straight. Waugh is the author of several books about Prohibition era gangland. Hosted by S...

Was OJ Simpson connected to the Mob? Did federal law enforcement investigate Simpson and Kardashian for involvement in organized crime? Did Nicole Simpson owe money to a mobbed up drug dealer? Was OJ driving around with a made member of the Mafia the night Nicole and Ron Goldman were murdered? The Original Gangsters Podcast explore these questions and other gangland rumors surrounding the Juice. H...

We watched the Many Saints of Newark and have a lot to say!!! We break down the film and speculate on what this means for the Sopranos Universe moving forward. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Original Gangsters Podcast brings you a special interview with former undercover FBI agent Giovanni Rocco. Giovanni first went undercover as an outlaw biker, who happened to be Italian. The Mafia in North Jersey was so impressed with him, they asked him to trade in his biker cut for a pinkie ring. As a result, Giovanni was dealing with higher ups in the DeCavalcante crime family, until the cas...

Scott Burnstein and James Buccellato focus on the NY underworld in this episode. They begin by discussing the recent wave of federal indictments aimed at the Colombo Crime Family. They also examine allegations Carmine "the Snake" Persico was a federal informant. The hosts also review the latest news regarding outlaw biker clubs in New York. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm...

The Original Gangsters Podcast sits down with crime reporter Noah Hurowitz to discuss his new book "El Chapo: The Untold Story of the World's Most Infamous Drug Lord." They examine America's War on Drugs, cartel violence in Mexico, political corruption, and the human tragedies connected to the rise and fall of El Chapo. Among the highlights, the author describes the covert relationship between El...

Original Gangsters podcast hosts James Buccellato and Scott Burnstein break down all things Sopranos! The episode starts off with an in-depth discussion regarding the forthcoming film "The Many Saints of Newark." It's only matter of time, however, before they start discussing the original Sopranos series as well. The hosts also speculate on the current state of the DiMeo/Soprano crime family. Scot...

Former Mafioso John Pennisi makes his second appearance on the Original Gangsters podcast. John shares his insight as we break down the feud between Lucchese crime boss Vic Amuso and alleged Philadelphia mob boss Joey Merlino. We also address the allegations Colombo family boss Carmine Persico was an informant. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information a...

In the episode we interview retired Kansas City Police Department Detective Gary Jenkins. Gary was a key investigator in the legendary "Strawman" case. He helped take down several mobsters from the Chicago and Kansas City crime families. The Strawman case ultimately helped put an end to the Vegas skim. The investigation also inspired Martin Scorsese's film "Casino." Gary is an author, documentary...

Cohosts Scott Burnstein and James Buccellato examine the current state of the American Mafia. Specifically, they debate and discuss what's going on with smaller and medium size crime families outside of New York. For example, they look at Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, among other territories. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com fo...

NY reporter Tony Destefano sits down with the Original Gangsters podcast to discuss his book "The Deadly Don: Vito Genovese, Mafia Boss." We also examine his books about the Bonanno crime family. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Former DEA agent Leo Silva discusses the Mexican drug cartels. Leo was a DEA supervisor in Monterrey, Mexico. While there he built cases against the Gulf Cartel and the infamous Los Zetas. In this episode, Leo also examines the current state of organized crime in Mexico. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal d...

Big crossover episode! Jeff Nadu from The Sitdown Podcast joins the Original Gangsters for this discussion. We examine some huge criminal justice news, including cases involving the Philly Mafia, former Detroit kingpin White Boy Rick, and Chicago underworld legend Larry Hoover, respectively. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection...

We're talking about the history of West Coast gangsta rap with reporter Ben Westhoff. Ben is the best selling author of "Original Gangstas: Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, and the Birth of West Coast Rap," and "Fentanyl, Inc.: How Rogue Chemists Are Creating the Deadliest Wave of the Opioid Epidemic." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information ab...

Big time Hollywood producers Johnny Fratto Jr. (Drone Wars) and David Uslan (the Batman franchise) join the Original Gangsters podcast in studio! We cover a lot of ground including the history of the Fratto crime family and its connection to the Chicago Outfit. We also discuss Skinny Joey Merlino, the Batman franchise, and future of true crime content in television and film. Hosted by Simplecast,...

Original Gangsters co-host Scott Burnstein sits down with former Bonanno captain Richard Cantarella. The former NY mobster talks about his experiences in the Mafia and his interactions with legendary underworld figures such as Joey Massino, Donnie Brasco aka Joe Pistone, Sonny Black, and Sal Vitale. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our col...

Former NY Mafioso John Pennisi sits down with the Original Gangsters Podcast and discusses his life in the Lucchese Crime Family. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Co-hosts James Buccellato and Scott Burnstein explore the latest theories surrounding the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. They also debate who was more involved in the disappearance: the Chicago Outfit or the Detroit Mafia. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Part II of our epic conversation with former kingpin Seth Ferranti. We're discussing life behind bars, prison gangs, criminal justice reform, the war on drugs, and Seth's prolific career as a writer and documentary filmmaker. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Original Gangsters co-hosts discuss the latest news on Starz's upcoming Black Mafia Family television show. They also discuss the new Sopranos movie: The Many Saints of Newark, and review The Godfather: Coda. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Former Outlaws MC shot caller Big Pete sits down with the Original Gangsters Podcast. He talks about his life as an outlaw and boss of Chicago. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.