Gangland Wire

Another case of wrongful conviction True crime author Nate Hendley tells about a horrid case of wrongful conviction in 1950’s Toronto Canada. In a change of pace from organized crime stories, Gary Jenkins interviews Mr. Hendley about his latest book, The Boy on a Bicycle: A Forgotten Case of Wrongful Conviction in Toronto Canada.  On … The Boy on the Bicycle Read More » The post The Boy on the Bicycle appeared first on Gangland Wire.

FBI Agent Elaine Smith and Ken Eto Ken Eto was a Japanese-American who became the highest known Asian-American in any Organized Crime family in the United States. He was called Joe the Jap or Toyko Joe by his peers in the Chicago Outfit. In this podcast, I interview retired FBI agent Elaine Smith about Eto … Ken Eto and the FBI Read More » The post Ken Eto and the FBI appeared first on Gangland Wire.

How Paul Derry ended working with the Hell’s Angel’s Paul Derry started in Halifax Nova Scotia as a teenage informant earning $20.00 for revealing where a drug stash was kept and then warning the dealer that the cops were on their way to sieze his marijuana. By the end of his colorful career as a … Paul Derry and the Canadian Hell’s Angels Read More » The post Paul Derry and the Canadian Hell’s Angels appeared first on Gangland Wire.

Nate Hendley on Joe Pistone In this episode noted Mob author and historian, Nate Hendley and Gary discuss the boring life of a mobster. Nate points out that Joe Pistone wrote in his book, Donnie Brasco, about how the Bonanno crew sat around a social club or bar all day exchanging small talk, gossip, other … Boring Mobster Life Read More » The post Boring Mobster Life appeared first on Gangland Wire.

The Shark Gary was able to land this interview with Joe the Shark Lopez, well known Chicago criminal attorney. He has represented Outfit guys like Frank Calabrese Sr. in the Family secrets trial and many Columbian and Mexican drug kingpins. We learn that Joe Lopez started out to be a divorce attorney until he was … Joe the Shark Lopez – Chicago mob Lawyer Read More » The post Joe the Shark Lopez – Chicago mob Lawyer appeared first on Gangland Wire.

Al Capone Myths Exposed Cam Robinson and Gary Jenkins interview Mario Gomes, Al Capone historian and blogger on www.myalcaponemuseum.com .  Mario has made it his mission to expose the various myths that have been perpetrated about Al Capone and his life. Was Al Capone a cocaine fiend? For example, after the modern Al Pacino film, … Al Capone Stories – Myth or Reality Read More » The post Al Capone Stories – Myth or Reality appeared first on Gangland Wire.

Anthony “Tony” Stollo: the early days First of all, I must tell you that I am stopping the extra episode every week until we get another “Shutdown.” Things are opening up here in KC and I want to play a little golf. This week Cam and I take a look at an early Lupara Blanca … Anthony “Tony” Strollo Read More » The post Anthony “Tony” Strollo appeared first on Gangland Wire.

How did Richard Cain become a Chicago cop Gary interviews Chicago Outfit historian and Administrator of the Chicago Outfit – Old and Current News and Articles Mike Byrne. Richard Cain was born to an Irish-American father and Italian-American mother.  He would sometimes go by Richard Scalzitti. Richard Cain started as a private Investigator learning about … Richard Cain – Outfit Cop Read More » The post Richard Cain – Outfit Cop appeared first on Gangland Wire.

Lucky Luciano and the Night of the Sicilian Vespers Gary interviews well known true crime author Nate Hendley about Charles “Lucky” Luciano and how he recruited other young gangsters to kill the old Mustache Petes and created the modern National Crime Syndicate. Francis Ford Coppola used this scenario in his fictional recounting of these events … Lucky Luciano and the Night of the Sicilian Vespers Read More » The post Lucky Luciano and the Night of the Sicilian Vespers appeared first on Gangland Wire.

Danny Greene – The Celtic Warrior Gary and Cam interview Rick Porrello, the author of Kill the Irishman: The War that Crippled the Mafia, The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia, Superthief, Bombs, Bullets, and Bribes. Danny Greene and the Cleveland Mafia Danny Greene was an up and coming young hoodlum who started working … Danny Greene – The Celtic Warrior Read More » The post Danny Greene – The Celtic Warrior appeared first on Gangland Wire.

History of the ‘Ndrangheta In this episode, Gary and Cam examine the history of organized crime in Australia as a big shout out to Sydney fan Dan Bashford. They examine how the ‘Ndrangheta became the largest and most powerful criminal organization in Australia. The ‘Ndrangheta organization originated from the state of Calabria in Italy. After … The ‘Ndrangheta in Australia Read More » The post The ‘Ndrangheta in Australia appeared first on Gangland Wire.

What is the biggest Mob Blunder ever? In this episode, Cam Robinson and Gary Jenkins discuss blunders by various organized crime families. We believe the largest and most devastating was the murder of Jimmy Hoffa on 6/30/1975. After his release from prison, Hoffa began campaigning to reclaim the leadership of the teamsters. The mafia enjoyed … Mob Blunders Read More » The post Mob Blunders appeared first on Gangland Wire.

Sidney Heard and the Kuggerrand Fraud In this episode, I interview Synova Cantrell about her book, Unorganized Crime: You Don’t Have to be Italian To Be a Wiseguy. Synova formed a friendship with a professional criminal named Sidney Heard and chronicled his flamboyant life in Unorganized Crime. Synova Cantrel is a prolific author who has written seven … Sidney Heard – The Unorganized Gangster Read More » The post Sidney Heard – The Unorganized Gangster appeared first on Gangland Wire.

Frank Costello goes South In this episode, Casey McBride, Frank Costello historian, discusses how a well known New York mobster formed a relationship with the flamboyant Huey P. Long, Louisiana’s governor, and then-Senator during the 1920-1930s. Frank Costello and Phil “Dandy Phil” Kastel set up the slot machine business in New York City. They disguised … Frank Costello and Huey P. Long Read More » The post Frank Costello and Huey P. Long appeared first on Gangland Wire.

How Ori Spado became a friend to many mobsters We interview Ori Spado, the Accidental Gangster this week.  Mr. Spado started out as an insurance man who pioneered the extended warranty business for new car dealerships. This part of his life has nothing to do with organized crime but we learn that Spado started in … Ori Spado The Accidental Gangster Read More » The post Ori Spado The Accidental Gangster appeared first on Gangland Wire.

Michael McCollum has a rough start McCollum started early in a life of crime after his father, a motorcycle gang member, was the victim of a murder attempt where a dynamite bomb was detonated at their family home. Former law enforcement officer Gary Jenkins interviews former Hells Angel and Chicago Outfit Associate Michael McCollum. After having … Michael McCollum and the Hells Angels Read More » The post Michael McCollum and the Hells Angels appeared first on Gangland Wire.

Interview with Mob Museum The Mob in Popular Culture blogger Larry Henry. Gary and Larry Henry discuss the film Casino and the work of Nichols Pileggi. The post Larry Henry, Mob Museum Blogger on Nicholas Pileggi appeared first on Gangland Wire.

In this podcast, our guest Lieutenant (Ret) Michale Callahan tells how the Illinois State Police assigned him to review a murder investigation after they learned that the television show Dateline was doing a show that will allege the defendants were wrongfully prosecuted. Lt. Calahan’s assignment will lead to the court overturning two murder convictions and … Too Politically Sensitive Read More » The post Too Politically Sensitive appeared first on Gangland Wire.

The Bonanno Family and drug smuggling In 1972, the Bonanno War is over, Joe and Bill Bonanno are out in Arizona. The Commission appoints Phil “Rusty”Rastelli the new boss of the Bonano crime family. Carmine Galante, the old  Bonanno Consigliore completes a long prison sentence and returns to New York. Carmine Galante was at the … Pizza Connection Episode 4 – the Investigation Read More » The post Pizza Connection Episode 4 – the Investigation appeared first on Gangland Wire.

Agent Leon Flosi and Giovanni Falcone In this third episode of the Pizza Connection story, I interviewed retired FBI agent Leon Flosi about Judge Giovanni Falcone and the Sicilian mafia. Agent Flosi was originally assigned to the Kansas City office where I became acquainted with him. He played an important part in the Strawman case … Pizza Connection Episode 3 – FBI Retired Agent Leon Flosi Read More » The post Pizza Connection Episode 3 – FBI Retired Agent Leon Flosi appeared first on Gangland Wire.