Original Gangsters Podcast

In this episode, Senior Reporter Daniel Edward Rosen and Retired FBI Agent Dennis Buckley join to tell the fascinating story of how the FBI was tipped off about a commission meeting comprising several powerful Mafia bosses that was supposed to take place at Gurney's Inn in Montauk, New York, in September 1979.

In this episode, Scott explains how the current NBA and College Basketball point-shaving scandal involving dozens of players and teams is connected back to "Sugar" Shane Hennen, an eccentric lawbreaking gambler who grew up in Pittsburgh and has strong ties to members and associates of the Pittsburgh Mafia. Pittsburgh Mob Expert Paul Hodos (Author of "Steel City Mafia") joins to provide background on Hennen's Pittsburgh wiseguy associates and explain the city's history and influence with the gambling industry.

In this episode, Scott is joined by long-time partner and former co-host, Dr. James Buccellato, to tell the fascinating story of John Willis aka "White Devil John", who went from being a homeless orphan to one of the most powerful players in Boston's Chinese Mafia.

In this episode, former Detroit Mobster Nove Tocco sits down with the man who prosecuted against him, retired Federal Prosecutor Rick Convertino, in the Operation Gametax trial. Operation Gametax was a large-scale federal operation targeting the Detroit mafia, specifically the local chapter of La Cosa Nostra, and included indictments against 17 made members and associates of the Tocco-Zerilli crime family, including then-Boss Jack Tocco, powerful capo Anthony "Tony Jack" Giacalone, and then-Underboss Tony Zerilli.

In this episode, Scott and Canadian union whistleblower Ken Pereira discuss the latest developments in Canadian organized crime, including the actions of Hells Angels boss Marty Robert and David "Ice Pick" Turmel, leader of the rapidly growing Blood Family Mafia. Scott also examines how the ongoing conflict between these groups could shift from the streets to the Canadian prison system.

After 28 years behind bars, former Boston Mob Soldier Vincent "Gigi" Marino joins Scott to discuss the details of the 1989 Patriarca Crime Family war and explain how corrupt FBI agents and federal prosecutors tilt the scales of justice against him.

Former NYC FBI Agent Mike Campi and author of "Mafia Takedown: The Incredible True Story of the FBI Agent Who Devastated the New York Mob", joins Scott to tell his detailed, first-hand account of going after the Genovese crime family in the late '90s. Mr. Campi gives a comprehensive deep dive involving some of the most powerful men in Italian organized crime at the time, including Barney Bellomo, Vincente "The Chin" Gigante, and more.

Eric Dezenhall, author of "Wise Guys in the White House - Gangsters, Presidents, and the Deals They Made", joins Scott to tell the tales of organized crime members making deals with, and sometimes even robbing, powerful presidents.

Scott and Canadian union whistleblower Ken Pereira analyze and discuss the brutal war between the Montreal Mob and Hells Angels that finally came to an end in December of 2024 after a peace summit between Mob Boss Leo Rizzuto and Hells Angels Leader Marty Robert.

Scott sits down with Former Rhode Island Police Col. Steve O'Donnell to talk about the life and crimes of Former Patriarcha Crime Family Boss Luigi "Baby Shacks" Manocchio, who passed away on Dec. 8, 2024.

New York Times Bestselling Author T.J. English joins Scott to do a deep dive on Jimmy Coonan and the infamous Irish American gang in New York City known as the "Westies."

Former FBI Agent Donald Brutnell joins Scott to lay out his career as a field agent in Detroit and New Haven, Connecticut in the 1970s and 80s. In the episode, Brutnell gives details on some of the biggest LCN figures in New Haven and Bridgeport at the time, including Billy Grasso, Midge Renault, the Cursio brothers, and more.

Gary Jenkins is a former police officer and Kansas City mafia historian. He joins Scott to discuss notorious figures in the Kansas City Underworld and Civella Crime Family, including former K.C. Black Mafia Leader Eddie Cox, Mark Sorrentino, and more.

Eddie Cox is the former leader of the Kansas City Black Mafia and a notorious jailhouse attorney who served 32 years in prison. He, his paralegal partner Rusty Marks, and Attorney Tom Norrid join Scott to discuss Cox's past on the street and their mission at the Law Offices of Tom Norrid in Springfield, Missouri, to help prisoners who were wrongly convicted and reduce sentences for those with non-violent offenses.

Former union leader and whistleblower Ken Pereira joins Scott Burnstein to discuss the current landscape of Canadian organized crime and battle for control between the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club and the Rizzuto Crime Family.

Former FBI Agent Giovanni Rocco sits down with Scott to tell his story of being undercover in the DeCavalcante Crime Family for several years, his close relationships with capo's and made men within the family, and how he was almost made.

Sean Patrick Griffin, author of "Black Brothers, Inc. : The Violent Rise and Fall of Philadelphia's Black Mafia", joins Scott to discuss Philly street legend Eugene "Bo" Baynes, the Black Mafia's influence in music, its close ties to celebrities, and how the government busted the powerful organization in September 1974.

Janet Uhlar was a juror in the 2013 Whitey Bulger racketeering trial and communicated with the famous Boston mobster through letters while he was in prison. She joins Scott to explain in detail why she believes Bulger was set up by members of the U.S. government to be murdered in prison.

Paul Manning, a former Hamilton (Ontario, Canada) Police Service officer, sits down with Scott to detail his life as an undercover cop and explain how he successfully infiltrated the Musitano Crime Family and Hamilton chapter of the Hells Angels.

We sat down with Deborah Bonello to discuss the capture of Sinaloa cartel leaders Joaquin Guzman Lopez and El Mayo Zambada. Deborah is the author of "Narcas: The Secret Rise of Women in Latin American's Cartels."

We sat down with Montreal underworld insider Ken Pereira. Ken was a whistleblower regarding Canadian labor racketeering and corruption in the construction industry. During his time as a labor organizer he interacted with Montreal underworld heavyweights like Raymond Desjardins and members of the Hells Angels and Rizzuto crime family.

We're discussing the life and crimes of iconic Los Angles crime boss Mickey Cohen. We discuss his connections to Bugsy Siegal, his war with the Italian Mafia, and his prison sentence at Alcatraz, among other details of his fascinating life.

Scott sits down with retired FBI agent Greg Stejskal to discuss the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. Greg also shares his experiences investigated the Tocco-Zerilli crime family in Detroit.

We evaluate and discuss the claims of former Sicilian hitman Maurizo Avola. He claims John Gotti sent a bomb maker to Sicily to help with the assassination of Judge Giovanni Falcone.

We discussed Chinese drug lord Tse Chi Lop with author and journalist Stephen Marche. Tse Chi Lop is known as the "El Chapo of Asia." He was networked in with the Rizzuto crime family in Montreal, the 'Ndrangheta in Italy, the Yakuza in Japan, the Triads in Hong Kong, and Hells Angels in Australia. *We apologize for audio difficulties on this episode.

We examine the life and crimes of Hollywood crime boss Eddie Nash. Nash was connected to the infamous Wonderland Murders.

We examine the current state of today's American Mafia families.

Scott sat down with author Sean Nam to discuss the Philadelphia Black Mafia and its connection to pro boxing. Sean is the author of "Murder on Federal Street: Tyrone Everett, the Black Mafia, Fixed Fights, and the Last Golden Age of Philadelphia Boxing."

Scott sits down with former prosecutor Robert Silbering. Robert is the author of "Law and Disorder: How a Kid from the Bronx Became America's Top Drug Prosecutor."

Scott sits down with retired FBI special agent James Lawton to discuss organized crime in Connecticut.

Scott sits down with author, professor, and former undercover detective Stephen Metelsky. Stephen investigated the Canadian underworld in Ontario, Canada.

Scott sits down with author and Greek mob expert Nick Christopher.

Scott sits down with author and scholar Sean Patrick Griffin to discuss his outstanding book "Black Brothers Inc." His book documents the violent history of Philadelphia's violent black mafia.

Scott and Benny discuss point shaving scandals and the mob.

Mooch is Back!! Justin "Mooch" Deloretto joins us again to discuss his life as an outlaw biker. Specifically, we talked with Mooch about his new memoir "The Ride of My Life." The Doctor Jimmy B even joined the conversation.

Scott sits down with investigative reporter Dan Herbeck to discuss organized crime in Buffalo. For example, they explain and analyze the state's case against members of the Outlaws MC and alleged members of the Italian Mafia.

Scott sits down with former heist man and Gambino Family associate Lou Ferrante. After serving time in prison, Lou is now an author and television producer.

Scott sits down with our friend and former DEA agent Frank Panessa to discuss his undercover work. Frank worked multiple undercover cases against Italian and Sicilian Cosa Nostra families.

Scott sits down with former Mob associate and bookie Chicky Cecchetelli. Chicky was associated with the Genovese Family's Springfield crew in Massachusetts.

Scott sits down with Jeff Nadu to discuss the current state of the Philadelphia Mafia.