The Members Only Podcast: A Mafia History Podcast

In the second episode of this multi-part series, we cover Angelo Bruno, Boss of the Philadelphia Mafia during the "Golden Age" of the Philadelphia Cosa Nostra from the years 1960-1969. We recap Bruno's ascension to Boss of the Philly Mob during 1959 when a dispute between himself and Acting Boss Antonio "Mr. Mig" Pollina, along with support from Bruno's good friend Carlo Gambino, resulting in Bruno taking the top chair in the Philadelphia underworld and joining The Commission as the first boss from Philadelphia to do so. From there, we also recap Bruno's underworld dealings leading up to his time as boss and his involvement as the top numbers man in Philadelphia during the 1950's and 1960's, as well as his illegitimate and legitimate business interests in several vending companies, the Maggio Cheese Company, and even companies down in Florida as well as an amusement park in the Dominican Republic. In the early 1960's, we cover the hierarchy of the family as well as a 1962 dispute between Bruno and his Underboss, Ignazio Denaro, which led to a major Commission beef. We also cover various arrests throughout the 1960's, some of which Bruno handled with great ease, and an extortion case from 1963 that caused Bruno to go on the lam to Italy and landed his trusted advisor Phil Testa in jail for over a year in the early 1960's. Once Bruno deals with the 1963 extortion case, which was taking place at the same time as the infamous Valachi Hearings, we walk you through the key members of the Philadelphia underworld and the various goings-on in the mid-to-late 1960's, including the death of Felix "Skinny Razor" DeTullio and the rise in Atlantic City of Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo. Bruno closes out the 1960's hitting his stride in the Philly underworld, batting away cases with ease as the Bruno Crime Family significantly expands it's influence and wealth. By the end of the decade, Angel Bruno is ranked as one of the Top 6 Costa Nostra bosses nationally by a Justice Department report. We cover all of this, with a lot of details and amazing stories in between. Watch Part One: https://youtu.be/7CpCcc2e_Ls --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

We cover instances of FBI wiretaps picking up mobster conversations related to both the FBI in the early 1960's and the Kennedy brothers pre-and-post JFK's assassination. We share and help you interpret excerpts from the 1978-1979 Senate report entitled, "House Select Committee on Assassinations: Investigation of the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy" which breaks down possible mob-involvement in the 1963 assassination of the 35th President John F. Kennedy, as well as other potential players and scenarios. We briefly cover the mob's involvement in the election of the 35th president, and discuss his brother, Robert F. Kennedy, who was named Attorney General in the early 1960's, and who'd launched an all-out war on the American Mafia, spear-headed by advancements within the FBI focused on the outing Cosa Nostra in this country. Robert F. Kennedy's efforts led to significant increases in legal action against the Mafia across the United States, and put immense pressure on many of the mob's key players. We briefly touch on the findings of the 1964 Warren Commission, and then dive into the wiretaps, first sharing more well-known stories, but then sharing lesser-known conversations. Mobsters mentioned in this episode include: Others mentioned: So it’s clear that they, the Mafia, had the means and the motive to commit the crime. But did they actually play a part in it? My personal opinion is that maybe they were the primary executioners, but we’d be naïve to believe that they played no part at all. That being said, we may never actually know the truth until the government releases every single record, many of which are still classified to this day, about the plot. Until then, I’ll let you decide. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

In today’s episode, we’ve recorded an amazing interview with Jeff Canarsie, the host of Mob Talk Radio. I’m really excited and honestly very appreciative that this guest was able to take time out of their busy life to sit and talk with me for a few hours to talk about his life, his show, and much more. In the interview, we discuss a range of topics including: We also cover: --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

In this episode, we cover the Cerrito Crime Family of the American Cosa Nostra who operated in and around San Jose, California, and who were a significant entity controlling organized crime in the San Jose area for many decades beginning around the 1940’s and were in existence until at least the 1990’s or early 2000’s. My research will show that this particular LCN family was likely the most risk-averse and least-aggressive family of all 20+ families across the country during the Mafia's hey-dey, but I'll let you decide. We discuss: Included prominently in this article are the family's long-time Underboss, Emanuel “Manny” Figlia, Angelo Marino, Alex Camarata, Pete Misuraca, as well as many other colorful characters and cameos from important Cosa Nostra figures throughout the country. Read more: https://membersonlypodcast.com/cerrito-crime-family-part-one/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

In this video, we cover Angelo Bruno, the man known as the "Docile Don" and/or "Gentle Don" who ruled over the Philadelphia underworld as the city's Cosa Nostra don from around 1959 until his murder in 1980. Bruno presided over one of the most, relatively speaking, peaceful eras of the Philly mafia. In this video, we cover: Read more: https://membersonlypodcast.com/angelo-bruno-the-docile-don-part-one/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

In today's episode, I do my first-ever interview with author Sam Carlino, who is is in fact the Grandson of the infamous Colorado gangster Pete Carlino, dubbed in the late 1920's as the "The Al Capone of Southern Colorado" by the local media. The Carlino brothers (Pete and Sam) established a bootlegging empire beginning around 1916 until 1931 when they were murdered by rivals. We discuss the following: Link to buy book: https://carlinobrothers.com/index.php/product/colorados-carlino-brothers-a-bootlegging-empire/ Read more: https://membersonlypodcast.com/interview-sam-carlino-grandson-of-pete-carlino/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

We cover the era of the Smaldone brothers including Clyde Smaldone, Eugene "Checkers" Smaldone, and Clarence "Chauncey" Smaldone. We dive into the history behind this family which ran most of the rackets in and around Denver, Colorado throughout the 1930’s through the 1980’s. We’re also going to touch on their connection to the Mafia in Pueblo, Colorado, and discuss some of the players in that family as well. Topics that we dive into: Mentioned in this episode: Clyde "Flip Flop" Smaldone, Eugene "Checkers" Smaldone, Clarence "Chauncey" Smaldone, Paul "Fat Paulie" Villano, Raffaele "Ralph" Smaldone, Eugene "Young Gene" Smaldone, Giuseppe "Joe" Roma, Paul Enrichi, Frank "Blackie" Mazza, John "Porky" Routta, Joe "The Ram" Salardino, Calogero "Charles" Blanda, Vincenzo "Black Jim" Coletti, Joseph "Scotty" Spinuzzi, Leo Barnes, Mike "Fats" Falbo, Harold "Murph" Cohen, Robin "Walkie Talkie" Roberts, Sam Shanks, Pauline Smaldone, John "Skip" LaGuardia, Ralph Pizzalato If you haven't watcehed to Part one, here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72WhjfPxUq8 Also, here are the links to buy the books I cited within the episode... Blog Post: https://membersonlypodcast.com/colorado-mob-history-part-two/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

The first episode of a two-part series on the organization that would later become known as the Smaldone Crime Family, which ran organized crime in Denver and much of Colorado during the 20th century. We tell the story of the early days of organized crime in Colorado, how the area’s Mafia got its start, the bloody strife during the 1920’s and early 30’s, and how that strife ultimately led to what became known as the Smaldone organization. If the violence in New York and on the East Coast at the time can be considered the epitome of viciousness, I can assure you that Colorado’s infighting was every bit as violent—it just doesn’t get the credit it deserves since it’s not quite as high profile. This episode is focused primarily on how the mob evolved within the state, and specifically in the main hubs of Denver and Pueblo, Colorado which were two separate but very much interrelated groups. To those from the area, I’d love it if you chime in and share your stories in the comments section for this video. The big events we cover in this video include: In the next episode, we will discuss the rise and careers of Clyde "Flip Flop" Smaldone, Eugene "Checkers" Smaldone, Clarence "Chauncey" Smaldone, as well as several Pueblo Cosa Nostra members. Also, here are the links to buy the books I cited within the episode... --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

In this episode, we explore the first and second Gallo Wars (also dubbed the Profaci and Colombo family wars) in an effort to solve the question of whether the alleged incident in which Aniello "Mr. Neil" Dellacroce was severely beaten by Joey Gallo during the original Profaci-Gallo conflict in 1961. Additionally, we provide a blow-by-blow of some of the key events related to both Gallo Wars, as well as analysis related to the alleged incident involved Dellacroce and Gallo. See website for full list of sources: https://membersonlypodcast.com/did-joey-gallo-punch-neil-dellacroce-during-gallo-wars/ Primary sources: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1972/04/12/79466500.html?pageNumber=26 https://www.newspapers.com/image/464343866/ https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=955#relPageId=43 https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=95091#relPageId=7&search=%22luna_restaurant%22 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

In this episode, we tell the story of a man who once had a blossoming career as a professional ballplayer, and how he became a vicious and respected hitman for the Patriarca Crime Family. Maurice "Pro" Lerner grew up in Massachusetts and at just 18 years old, he signed his first professional baseball contract with the Washington Senators. He would go on to spend 10 years in the minor leagues, compiling a career batting average of .308 while playing for 21 different minor league ball clubs. Unfortunately, when his baseball career fizzled out, his penchant for getting into trouble and a violent streak led him to become involved in the criminal underworld in New England. He would ultimately become an enforcer and hitman for the Patriarca Crime Family and would be involved in a number of gangland slayings, including his role as the primary shooter in the infamous double homicide of Rudolph "Rudy" Marfeo and Anthony Melei in 1968. Ultimately, Lerner would stand trial with several confederates including the Don of the underworld in New England, Raymond Patriarca himself. Lerner and the others would be convicted and sentenced to prison, with Lerner receiving two life sentences. Maurice "Pro" Lerner would serve 18 years of his life sentence, but would be released in 1988 after his conviction was overturned due to a revelation of significant perjury on the part of the main witness in his case along with corruption from the primary FBI agent on the case. After release, Lerner would live out the rest of his life in Las Vegas, Nevada, passing away in 2013 at the age of 78. Primary source for this story: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/30/sports/baseball/maurice-lerner-prospect-turned-mob-hitman.html --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

In today’s episode, the second of a two-part series, we’re finally branching outside of New York to cover Raymond L.S. Patriarca, one of the most feared and respected bosses in the history of the American Cosa Nostra. Raimondo "Raymond" Loredo Salvatore Patriarca was boss over the New England area for over 30 years (1952-1984). Basing his family's operations in Providence, Rhode Island, Patriarca was one of the most feared and respected bosses in the history of the American Cosa Nostra. He ruled over the New England area including Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, etc. with an iron fist for more than three decades as the namesake of what is still known even today as the Patriarca crime family. By most accounts, Ray Patriarca was one of the most ruthless and effective bosses, be it inside or outside of New York, in the entire country. In fact, legend has it that he allegedly even once ordered a solider to murder his own son. So when I say ruthless, I mean about as heartless as they come. Even still, his men respected him, he was viewed as a good and fair leader, and due to that he was able to exert control not just Rhode Island but on the entirety of New England. Link to Part One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qyHLNBUc7w --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

In today’s episode, the first of a two-part series, we’re finally branching outside of New York to cover Raymond L.S. Patriarca, one of the most feared and respected bosses in the history of the American Cosa Nostra. Raimondo "Raymond" Loredo Salvatore Patriarca was boss over the New England area for over 30 years (1952-1984). Basing his family's operations in Providence, Rhode Island, Patriarca was one of the most feared and respected bosses in the history of the American Cosa Nostra. He ruled over the New England area including Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, etc. with an iron fist for more than three decades as the namesake of what is still known even today as the Patriarca crime family. By most accounts, Ray Patriarca was one of the most ruthless and effective bosses, be it inside or outside of New York, in the entire country. In fact, legend has it that he allegedly even once ordered a solider to murder his own son. So when I say ruthless, I mean about as heartless as they come. Even still, his men respected him, he was viewed as a good and fair leader, and due to that he was able to exert control not just Rhode Island but on the entirety of New England. Link to Part Two: https://youtu.be/Zae26BJCafo --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

In this episode, mob historian and history buff Jacob Stoops delves into the Wedding Scene from the Godfather. In this scene, which is one of the most important scenes of the movie, you're introduced to the Corleone family at large. He dives into the stories of the iconic characters, the actors, and even real life mafiosi including: Please check out the video review of The Opening Scene: https://youtu.be/oBkPJoiBEJI The focus will be on providing his opinion, tidbits of information from the books the movies are often based on, as well as some behind-the-scenes information that serves to help viewers explore, contextualize, and clarify stories related to the most famous historical movies. The overarching goal is not only to entertain but to educate and inform. As with all episodes of this podcast, his views are his own. The production of this content is a labor of love, and is a means of expressing passion for history as well as cinema and pop culture. Courteous viewer feedback is always welcomed. *Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights belong to their respective owners. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

In this episode, we cover a mobster who is probably most well-known for enjoying a good shoe shine. That’s right, we’re talking about none other than William “Billy Batts” Bentvena. “Billy Batts” was a soldier within the Gambino Crime Family from the 1950’s through the early 1970’s, and was one who rubbed elbows with some very famous Cosa Nostra members including of course his good friend, one John Joseph Gotti. Bentvena’s lasting legacy is in my opinion not as a significant individual contributor to the mob, though he was tied up in a pretty significant event as we’ll discuss. His name is really only remembered as a result of the repercussions of his brutal murder, which was famously portrayed in the classic mob film, Goodfellas. "Now go home and get your fucking shine box!" is one of the most memorable lines in movie history. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

In this episode, mob historian and history buff Jacob Stoops delves into the Opening Scene from the Godfather. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

We tell the story of the murder of a low-level associate of the Luciano Crime Family, Ferdinand “The Shadow” Boccia. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

In this episode we cover one of the most powerful gangsters in New York City during the 1950’s and 1960’s, Michele “Big Mike” Miranda, one who had direct ties to some of the most infamous events in mob history and who was the right-hand man of one “Don Vitone”, aka Vito Genovese. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

We cover Vincent “The Executioner” Mangano, the the first “official” head of what eventually becomes known as the modern-day Gambino crime family. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

In this episode series, history buff and mob aficionado Jacob Stoops provides a high-level 101-style overview of the origins of the American mob dating back to its beginnings. In this episode we talk about mob-slang, biggest mob events since the 1930's, the process of an actual "making" ceremony, whether mob families have ever been infiltrated, and if the mob is still active. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support

In this episode series, history buff and mob aficionado Jacob Stoops provides a high-level 101-style overview of the origins of the American mob dating back to its beginnings. We discuss the Castellammarese War, organizational structures, family positions and ranks, as well as basic rules and regulations. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-members-only-podcast/support