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In 1969, police cadet Stephen Caracappa meets fellow recruit Louis Eppolito. The two officers soon rack up allegations of misconduct—but nothing is proven, and before long, their dealings with the Mafia lead to murder.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with former NYPD officer Jimmy Dennedy and NYC Brooklyn prosecutor Michael Vecchione for a gripping discussion on violent crime, justice, and redemption. Jimmy recounts the shocking murder of NYPD officers Rocco Laurie and Gregory Foster by the Black Liberation Army, while Michael reveals the challenges of prosecuting those responsible. The conversation then shifts to something unexpected—redemption. After retiring, Jimmy began working in prison ministry, where he witnessed firsthand how even hardened criminals, including mobsters, can change their lives. This episode dives deep into: The reality of cop killings in New York City The struggle to prosecute violent offenders Inside stories from mob cases Redemption and transformation inside prisons Get the book Hard Guys Cry. If you're interested in true crime, mafia history, and real law enforcement stories, this is an episode you don't want to miss. Subscribe for more mafia history and true crime stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee” Subscribe to the website for weekly notifications about updates and other Mob information. To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent ‘Brothers against Brothers’ or ‘Gangland Wire,’ the documentaries click here. To purchase one of my books, click here. [0:00] Hey, all you wiretappers, good to be back here in studio, Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective and now turned podcaster. And I have another retired cop here on the show, Jimmy Dennedy. Jimmy, I tell you what, I had it down, Dennedy, like Kennedy. And our friend who’s been on here several times, Michael Vecchione. Welcome, Michael. Welcome, Jimmy. Thank you very much for having us, Gary. Thank you. All right. Michael has several books out there. He’s, he’s prosecuted the mob. That’s how I got onto him. He prosecuted the, he had something to do with the mob cops, Louis Eppolito. And I can’t remember exactly now. I should have made a note on that, Michael. What was the name of that book? [0:48] The name of the book? Friends of the Family. Friends of the Family. Is that those two New York PD coppers that were in the pay of? Louis Eppolito and Louis Eppolito was one of the cops. And you know what, Gary? during the, when Jimmy, when you talk to Jimmy, Jimmy has a kind of a, an odd situation regarding Louie Eppolito. And, and it’s a good story. I think he should tell you, tell your listeners. All right. Great. We look forward to that, Jimmy and Jimmy Denity, who was a New York city policeman. And he has a book, tough dies to cry. Hard guys cry. Let me do that over again. Yeah. I said, I left, I had it written down here and he had Jimmy Denity is here with us. He is a retired New York City copper, and he has a book, Hard Guy’s Cry. So welcome, Jimmy. [1:34] Good morning. Thank you very much for having me. All right, Michael, you and Jimmy, did you guys work together a little bit on the job? Did you know each other back then? Yeah, we certainly did. We’ve probably known each other now for maybe 45 or more years. I got to know Jimmy because I got assigned a case involving, unfortunately, the death, the murder of two New York City police officers who were assigned to Jimmy’s precinct at the time in Bed-Stuy. And it was a case that had been tried twice before I got it. And there were hung juries in both of the cases. And the DA at that point was going to just simply decide to not prosecute it anymore. And the head of the policeman’s union went to the DA, the district attorney, and said, listen, just give it one more shot. So I was at the time the head of a group called the Major Offense Bureau in the Brooklyn DA’s office. And I got, I’ll never forget this. I was sitting at my desk and the boss of the unit, the bureau that I was part of, came into my office and said, come with me. We’ll go to see the DA. [2:41] I didn’t know. I thought maybe I was in trouble for some reason, but I sat down and he said, listen, I want to give you one more shot. I want to take this case to trial one more time and you are the guy that we want to do it. So I was happy to do it. I tried a lot of cases by that point. And, and the best part of the whole situation, Gary is I met Jimmy Danity. That was, he, we became fast friends and I got to tell you a little funny story. He had been involved in the two other trials. [3:11] But when he sat down with me, the first thing he said to me was, or one of the first things was, do you eat lunch? I said, yeah, of course I eat lunch. Why? He said, the guy that tried the case before you and the one before him, they didn’t eat lunch. And by the time the afternoon came, their energy was all waned, had waned. And he said, so here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to have lunch on your desk every time you come back for the lunch break from the trial. And he did. There was a sandwich waiting for me every day when I came back, and he is the guy that brought it to me. But before the trial, we went out. Me, Jimmy, and detective from the Homicide Bureau, who was assigned to the case. [3:57] Tony Martin, went out to the scene. And again, another one of these scenes, which I’ll never forget. The scene was in the middle of Bed-Stuy on Troop Avenue. Jimmy, that was the, yeah. [4:10] Willoughby and Troop. Willoughby and Troop. So we’re on the street and the three of us are standing there right on the sidewalk. And we look around and I said to Tony, did you hit every one of these buildings looking for witnesses? Because there was a problem with the case with the witnesses. One had died in a very strange way. And so he looked around I don’t know if you remember this, Jimmy And he pointed to a building Diagonally across from the spot Where the two cops were shot And he said, Mike We never went into that building, And Jimmy and Tony went into the building, canvassed it and came up with two new witnesses. And so it was a wonderful experience working with Jimmy. He was a hard worker. He really was tied to this case in the sense that these guys were his friends. They were two guys who were gunned down for really no reason by a member of the Black Liberation Army at the time who was part of the Attica riots here in New York. He was actually one of the guys who started the Attica riots in New York. And he was out and he was with another guy. And we believe that they were going to meet another one of their fellow. [5:27] I don’t want to call them gang members, to set up a robbery. And that’s why they were in Brooklyn. And the case had so many ups and downs and twists and turns. And it was something which I obviously will never forget. But the best part about it, I’ll repeat myself, is that I met Jimmy Denity. And he and I have been friends from that point on until today. And so let me just get to the book because Hard Guy’s Cry to me was a labor of love. It really was. I got a call one afternoon and I’m sitting out on my deck and Jimmy calls me and we just got to talking and he asked me about doing a book about his life and his story. And I said, it’s great. There are lots of books out there about cops and street cops and what they’ve done on the street. He said, so he said, oh, but he started to now expand on it. And then he told me the second part of his career, which was the prison ministry in the federal prison and a state prison here in New York. And I said, Jimmy, you buried the lead. That’s the part of this book that I can sell to a publisher. Because Gary, you probably know this. You probably interviewed these guys who do books when they retire. This was just going to be one of those. Jimmy’s career on the street was terrific. [6:47] The only problem was there are lots of guys who have books out there like that. So when he told me the story about his prison ministry, I was working at the time with a partner of mine, Jerry Schmetterer, who has now passed away. And we both talked about it and we said, this is definitely a story. This is definitely a book. And it’s been a long journey, Jim, until we got to this point. We’ve had COVID. We’ve had the Minneapolis, the guy in Minneapolis who was killed and agents saying to us, nobody wants to publish a book about a good cop. Nobody wants to do that. You can’t sell this until I didn’t give up. I really didn’t give up. And I took the proposal and I rewrote it after Jerry died. And then I sent it out to a couple of publishers and one of them grabbed it and said, yes, I want to do this. And then believe it or not, Gary, his publishing company hit the skids in terms of being able to spend money. He went out of business. So I had one more shot and I gave it to the publisher of my novels. [7:55] And she finally is the one who said, yes, let’s do this. And then here we are today. [8:01] It’s really, again, I said this before, but it was a journey of love. It really was to tell this guy’s story. and we, I know I’m repeating myself, but we became such good friends that our families got to know each other. I went to Jimmy’s house for holidays. We really just became very good friends. And here we are. And I’m so happy that I was able to write this book because I really believe that the people who read it will say, wow, this is a great guy. This is a great guy. And he is. Interesting. Hey, Jimmy, I got a couple of questions for you. Now, you worked, that was the Rocco and Lori case, if I remember right. And everybody who worked big city policing at the time, that scared the dog shit out of us. It was like these guys just laid in wait for a couple patrolmen to walk by, stepped out and shot them. That was my impression. And I worked that kind of a neighborhood. And we were jumping. We were pretty jumpy for quite a while. And it wasn’t solved for a while. We knew it was some kind of a political act, or at least that’s what we’re led to believe. Did you guys feel the same way in New York? Let me just stop you for a second. The case that I did with Jimmy was Norman Cerullo and Christina Soames years later. The one that you’re talking about, Rocco Laurie and Gregory Foster, was much earlier. [9:21] Jimmy was involved in it because he was a good friend of Rocco Laurie. They went to the academy together. But I’m sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to make sure that we were talking about the right thing. [9:33] So that kind of a case, you actually went through two of them. So tell us about your feelings about that. Did that, how did that affect your dealings on the street? I was in the academy with Rocco Laurie, right? And we had both come out of the Marine Corps at the same time. And we worked out together. We boxed together. And some of the guys were slacking off. The guy’s name was Mr. Clean. He was the instructor. He would say, okay, now you’re going to box with Denny or you’re going to box with Laurie. Of course, they were slacking. We weren’t slacking. Oh, God. That was me. They said, Jenkins, go over there and box with one of those guys. No brother in Lime. [10:12] So we became close we we knew his wife he knew that time it was my girlfriend but that was my wife we had gone out to dinner and he was a really good man in the academy i won the gun for physical fitness he won the gun for overall excellence and we got pictures with our guns together and stuff. So I was working at midnight with this guy, Victor Grillo, nice guy. And a job came over. Cops shot in Manhattan. We were in Brooklyn. It’s on the other side of the bridge. So we’re saying, wait. And that became the ninth precinct. That’s where Rocco worked. So we used to call him the Rock. I hope it’s not the Rock. And it turns out it was him. These guys executed him. They were basically a domestic terrorist group. They were robbing banks. They were killing cops for no reason. They just walked past them, turned around, opened up on them. And they shot them all over the face to the groin. And then they took their guns and shot them. And some of the guns actually wound up out in St. Louis or in West Area. [11:16] So did it affect me? Absolutely. I became, I don’t want to say callous, but I was very leery of everybody. [11:26] And I started, my niche was guns. I locked up a lot of guys for a lot of guns. But anything to do with it, Black Liberation Army or anything, I used to accumulate information, intelligence information, and my locker was full of it. I’d lock up a guy, and they used to have years ago the little address books. I used to take their address books, and they would ask me information, the FBI, the Major K-Squad, Jimmy, have any information on this guy? And which I did many times, right? Fast forward several years later, I’m out, and I’m having a few cocktails, and then i drove back to the precinct the 79th precinct to meet a friend of mine bobby perry, and while i was at the front of the desk there’s a place they could check your messages if anybody calls you messages so i’m checking my messages and it came over shots fired then it came over cop shot then it came over two cop shot then i drove down to my civilian car right it was dark, and it was like help you know radio card door is open you know I mean blood all over the place he also shot his friend right and he’s laying it dead with a gun in his hand his blood all over the place it was a nightmare so let me figure this out but now everybody name others coming down because he’s cop-killing students a doubleheader so to speak and then I see the blood going across the street and the blood stops. [12:53] So obviously somebody was shot. It’s not our guys. And then I assume he got into a car. [13:00] So I’m trying to figure, is he going to go to the Spanish neighborhood or deeper into the black neighborhood? And I said, let me go to the hospital. So I drive to the hospital to see if they need blood or anything. And out of the corner of my eye, when I passed Lexington Avenue, I see there had been a car accident. A guy hit parked cars. I kept going. And then I told Mike, you know, my father gave us a game when we were kids. It was called Game in the States. at a map of the united states and you had two little electric wires and you plug one into the state and there’s a list of capitals on the other side and when you hit that the light would go on you got the right answer and as god is the lord a light went off in my head just like it was the right state capital yeah went to the hospital and they did you know and then this guy paulie has ever seen him he’s crying he was in plain clothes anti-crime i said paulie listen to me Two things. Once, I want to come in the car. I’m going to go back to the scene. Because when I got there, there was a Spanish guy on the pool across the street. And he was a little biggazy type guy himself. But he used to give me information. He used to give me information on his competitors. Yeah. [14:10] Yes. So when he saw me, you know, he ran. Right? I wanted to come back and talk to him. But on the way back, I said, Paul, I’m going to stop at this accident scene. This is, it’s just there. Yeah. Go back there. Ambulance is starting to pull away fire truck was there pulling away so i went over there they said it’s an accident scene the guy’s injured i said what kind of injury is it the guy said well he dressed his wound because he won he refused medical aid this guy so i said i just dressed his wound i saw undress the wound let me look at it i’m not undressing the wound i went over and i just ripped it off and it’s a gunshot wound yeah right yeah so all he had a radio calls the sergeant down and they bring a witness from willoughby avenue she comes down she says that’s the guy who killed the two cops so we get him put him in the ambulance right in the ambulance he’s a big boy this guy right and he goes reach and grabs my gun from my holster so now it’s like an arm wrestle for the gun between me him and paulie saracena and during this arm wrestle necessary force was used and the necessary force was used until he dropped the gun or he got the gun from him. Goes to the hospital. He has a Derringer behind his belt buckle and he has police handcuff key. [15:38] These guys are the real deal. Yeah, that’s a real deal. They train for this stuff. They associate but others that train they shoot you know what i mean so it’s just uncanny that rocko was my friend and he was murdered in a double police homicide and then a few years later i lock up a guy from the same team that killed two of my friends you know it was a nightmare and then we went to trial and that’s how i met mike and it’s a very. [16:09] It’s pressing on your brain. Yeah. Something like this happens. And then, and I don’t have to tell you, Gary, but then you get other cases. So you’re making more gun arrests, but you still have this. You know what I mean? It’s, it’s tough. It’s tough. But it was. I just want to interrupt for one second. One of the, Jimmy mentioned her. They brought a witness back to the scene to identify the, the bad guy. And, uh, and she was a great witness. She was there when the shooting occurred. She was actually moving into the building that the shooting happened in front of. And so the case was, we had a couple of, she was the best eyewitness to the case. And as Jimmy and Tony Martin, the detective who were assigned together after the actual arrest, because we had, they had to get the case together and look for more witnesses, et cetera. [16:58] They went one day to see this particular young woman to talk to her and see what was, if everything was still good, if she was okay. Turns out she was in the hospital nobody knew this she had gone into the hospital we were told because she had a cold she died in the hospital gary from a cold which is what we thought turns out she had encephalitis but the thing was at the time we said who goes into a hospital number one with a cold and who dies from a cold so we at that point not me but i wasn’t on the case yet, but others. And then when Jimmy told me this later on, I said to myself. [17:42] It’s got to be some connection to the bad guys. Maybe they poisoned her. Maybe they did something and we looked into it. It turned out, Jimmy, what was the disease that she had? I think she had herpes viral encephalitis in the brain. It’s a possibility that it can be induced. Yeah. So that’s what we looked at. And the medical examiner at the time of the death never really looked. The DA who had the case at the time thought, ah, this is a slam dunk. We had this witness, that witness. Jimmy arrests the guy and he’s got the bullet, which another thing happened. He wouldn’t allow the medical people to take the bullet out of his leg. It was the cop’s bullet. Yeah. So we wouldn’t, he wouldn’t let him do it. So we had to go with a, an x-ray of the bullet at the trial instead of the bullet itself. But it was, it’s a case with, as I said before, excuse me, many twists and turns. And it’s the whole story is in the book. And I don’t want to take away from Jimmy’s story here, but I have a legal question. You couldn’t get a search warrant to take the bullet out of a person. Is that? [18:51] We tried, and you know what the judge said? No. Uh-huh, okay. I just, I never ran into that. I’ve heard that before where the bullet stays inside and you can’t get it. I just. [19:03] I tried. The judge wouldn’t give us the search, the ability to search, quote unquote, which meant taking the bullet out of his leg. Anyway, so that’s where we, that’s where we met. And it was, it was quite a case. And Jimmy, I understand you, you go through your career and you see all these horrible things and you’re harding yourself. And you know, the title of your book, hard girls, hard boys, hard men cry. I don’t know why I got hard guys cry. I don’t know why I can’t remember. I should remember from Norman Mailer’s tough guys don’t dance, but hard guys cry. And so you harden yourself all those years, but then something happened in your life. Apparently that changed, changed that. I know after I retired, partly what happened to me is I became a lawyer and I started dealing with people from not particularly criminals, but many times relatives of people who had gone to jail. And I worked for public defenders and really got to know people on the other side and realize that we’re just two sides of the same coin many times trying to get along and trying to get by. So what happened in your life that changed that, your attitude? [20:11] When I retired, there was an old man who was a farmer, and it was like a late-year-type situation. This farmhouse was falling apart. The second floor was owned by raccoons. He had electricity in one room and no running water, but he was the calmest, nicest, most spiritual guy you ever wanted to meet. Almost no teeth. He had one tooth. And there was Louis Adamski. We used to call him Louis the farmer. So I used to take care of Louis. was taking over my house for Thanksgiving, Christmas, driving down this long driveway, see how he’s doing. And I didn’t see him for a while. So I drove down the driveway one particular day and I said, Louie, I haven’t seen you. You haven’t called. He said, he had bladder cancer. I said, really? I said, wow. He said, you had two surgeries. I said, you’re going for follow-up treatment? And he said, I’m supposed to go every 90 days, but he had no insurance, zero, no Social services, nothing. And the doctors were suing him. And they wanted his farm. He owned one-tenth of his farm. It had about 80 acres. But it was heirs. Everybody in his family had passed away. I said, Louie, you got to get follow-up treatment. So there was a city that’s not about a half hour away called Newburgh, New York. And there was a urologist I was familiar with. So I told him the story. This guy has nothing. He said to me, if you will drive him, I will treat him like the president of the United States. [21:40] So for two and a half years, just about every month, sometimes twice a week, it all depends when his visits were, I would drive Louie. So it was like an all day affair almost because I have my own business, so I don’t show up for work. What do I care? So I take care of Louie all this time and my friends are patting me on the back saying, oh, you’re Louie’s angel. So one particular day we go in and… [22:03] He, if Louis checker, he calls me into the, uh, his consultation room and he says, so your friend’s cancer is back. She got to be kidding me. He said, yeah, I feel it on his prostate. He said, he has someone for biopsy Friday. This was on a Wednesday. I said, I don’t know how he’s going to get there. It’s an old day. I said, doc, listen, I’m married to this guy for two and a half years. I said, I’ll take him. He said, you sure? It was an old day. I said, doc, I don’t care. He said, all right. He said, I’ll tell you what, as long as you’re going to take them, your PSA is just borderline high. He said, I feel there’s nothing on your prostate, but if you’re going to take it, let me give you a biopsy too. I said, fine, I don’t care. So I take, we both get the biopsy. The next Wednesday, he calls them both of us in. I have cancer as well, worse than his, right? So he got radiation. I went out to New York City. There was a top flight surgeon in Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. And I told him the story like I’m telling you now. So he said, you got to cut that out of there. You don’t want it in there. So they cut me a half. They took it out. And in the recovery room, he comes in and he says to me, you weren’t Louis’ angel. Louis was your angel. He said, you had a C-grade cancer. It was starting to spread, but I got everything. [23:15] So he said, you would have been dead about a year and a half. He said, because you had no signs, no symptoms. By the time you had the symptoms, it would be all over. Yeah. So it changes the way you think that I was invited to go on to this, a religious retreat weekend, a Cresillo weekend. I didn’t want to go. I’m not a holy roller. It’s not my cup of tea, but I socially boxed in like friends. So then your wife has to go too. So my wife, Noraline said, oh, I’ll go. And I said, oh, yeah, now I got to go. So I go on this week. it’s it’s thursday friday saturday sunday you can’t bring a watch you didn’t have cell phones then right so you’re stuck there so i went and i hooked up for a couple of other ex-marines and this actor mike was poorly he was on the sopranos so i sit in the back like we’re just going to ride this one out oh we can write it out it turns out that it was very moving, it’s very moving and people spoke that thought they were like punks i knew them indirectly they had quite a story to tell and then, weekend was over and on the way back it was November and I was telling Mike I rolled the windows down it was like spring, spring in my mind you see things differently like these computer generated pictures you see what it is but if you stare at it long enough another picture comes out within the picture and kind of life came out of life for me I saw things differently, Then these guys asked me to go into the prison. [24:42] Listen, I say, listen, you’re a carpenter. You’re a plumber. You don’t know what these guys are. I’ve thrown these guys down stamps and shot a guy at my house. Crazy. Again, I’m socially boxed in. So we go up to the prison. It was 41 of us, 41 of us. It’s called the Kairos. It’s an interdenominational… [25:01] Prison ministry. So I sit in a big circle, piece of paper, it passes around. When you get it, you have to say who you are, where you’re from. So I get it. I said, my name’s Jimmy Danity. I live in Orange County, New York. I’m married. I have two children, and I retired from the Oak City Police Department. They booed me. I told Mike, it was like an old dog growling. Yeah. Yeah. I said, what am I doing here? So the next day, because you had to sleep up in the prison too, The next day, you’re at a table. So you have an inmate on either side. So there’s like maybe nine people at the table. And there’s three of us, six of them. And don’t ask them what they did. Never referred them as a prisoner, as a resident. They were like, guys, I grew up with their neighbor. I said, what did you do? You stupid. So it becomes, it was a religious weekend. But also, it’s practical life. And you guys were good. You know what I mean? I got along well with them. So we did every day and it was friday saturday sunday they finished and that’s it i’m done i’m done with this i said i’d do it and i’m saying i wonder if any of my guys would show up to a wednesday night they have a wednesday night follow-up at this organization i wonder if any of my guys would be there so you know what let me show let me go to one wednesday right all my guys. [26:22] Oh, my gosh. And that was the only, Gary, that was the only table where all of them showed up again. So that’s why he knew that this was the right thing for him. I’m sorry, Jim. I just want to know. And so this was still in the prison. Yeah. Back up the prison. Yeah. And they invited these guys. If you want, you can come to this follow up. At that time, every Wednesday at six o’clock, they could go into the chapel to this particular group meeting. So I just want to see if any of my guys are going to show up. They all showed up and then the volunteers drop off and then i said let me do another wednesday, and another wednesday and it comes like everybody wants to talk to you it’s like when you go into the pet store where puppies say they want you to pick them like pick me and it you get you wind up with a group i tell mike they’re my guys and then you wind up it’s a spiritual thing no question about it right it’s brand involved and everything but you go through life with these guys and a lot them have a lot of crazy situations yeah and one guy is a mafia guy and i think frankie and he wants to say jimmy this new guy he wants to talk to your jug it’s all right so he takes me behind this little interdenomination altar they got there right so i said hey don’t you he says remember me i said no he said you should you broke my nose so i said when did i break your nose He said. [27:46] Yeah, in the park on 53rd Street where we used to play hockey. He said, your brother, I remember you. I mentioned his name, his last name. I said, you were messing with the park attendant. I slammed a basketball in his face. You know what I mean? He never forgot it. They told Frankie, yeah, he was crazy before he went to the Marine Corps. I’d make guys in there. [28:04] I worked. Yeah. The drug cases that they had. [28:09] You know, I knew who their bosses were. I testified in Philadelphia against one of these guys’ big bosses. And it’s just, it was like almost an inside straight. It was like meant to be. It was meant to be. And then my parish priest, so then I started, I was in the denominational night. The Catholic guys had nothing. I started a Catholic night with a few other good guys, my friend Brian and a few other guys, right, on Thursday. So now I’m going there Wednesday and Thursday. So my parish priest said, the state maximum security doesn’t have anything like this. Let’s start one there. So I’m going Wednesday, the federal prison, Thursday to the state max. You know, and it, I did it for 25 years, two days a week. Wow. And if the guys in Brooklyn, where I was a cop, knew I was doing this, they say, wrong guy, definitely. Somebody else, you got the wrong guy. Yeah. It’s the way the good Lord leads you. Now, something changed in your life and it’s not like you had any control of it. It just, it changed. You opened yourself up. It seems to me like it. And you just didn’t have any choice but to go down this path. And you know what it is also, Gary, it’s also like you’re preventing crime. You’re doing the same thing only from the inside. From the inside, you want to change the way they think, the way they act. And there’s a million things I could tell you how I was able to change things in a prison. They’re going to stab somebody. The guy who was a rat. [29:32] And they didn’t like him. I didn’t like him. And I told him, listen, I like the guy. He said, you like the guy? Don’t get involved in this. I said, do what you want to do. I like the guy. They never touch the guy. Because if they do something like that, then they’re going to hurt you. [29:46] Gary, I think Jimmy should tell you, he’s talking about the effect he had on these guys. What really was the point of the prison ministry was to essentially make these guys, I think, better people and to change their lives. I think you should tell him, ask Jimmy, tell him the story of the Boston mobster because this one, this story has, it really hits home as to exactly what effect he had on someone who was one of guys that you might have on your show. someday. This guy was a really bad guy. And he was up there with Whitey Bulger, et cetera, in Boston. So I think it’s worthwhile to tell the story. And it really hits home in terms of how effective Jimmy was after being effective on the street, locking up these guys, what he did with the prison. So if you have a bit of time, I think it’s worthwhile to hear the story. Yeah, let’s hear it. I always want to hear stories about mobsters, anyhow. Yep. Go ahead, Jim. We were up at the federal prison, and it was during the holiday season, right? And the volunteer chaplain was Father Paul Papara, and he was giving a talk on forgiveness. So we had all these wise guys. It was a mess. They had all different guys. This particular time, a couple of wise guys, they had their arms folded, and they said, Father, you want me to forgive the guy that ratted me out? [31:05] He’s home with his family, and I’m here doing X amount of years left on my bid. So I raised my hand. so I said listen if this guy is lying and put you in prison for no reason shame on him he should rot in hell but if he just exposed what you did anyway you know you did it if you did it the good lord see you live in a fishbowl the guy just exposed you for what you did that’s, You have no bitch here, pal. Jimmy, this guy Jimmy, he’s a different name than him. Jimmy stands up and he says, listen, I’ve been in jail. I’ve killed people. I don’t want to, I forgive anybody. I want forgiveness. I’ll forgive anybody. So that was it. Eventually, Jimmy, a couple years later, goes home. So he called me at my office a couple years later and he wanted me to write a letter of reference to work at the docks with Homeland Security. I said, I don’t know how to write it. Put down that I was a prisoner and just what you thought of me. No problem. So I met him in the prison, stuff like that, right? [32:03] About a year after that or so, I get a call from him again. He says, hey, Jimmy, you got time? Hey, Jimmy. I said, good. I got all the time in the world for you. He said, what’s up, pal? He said, I was on a train platform. He says, and I see this guy. Him and his associate tried to kill me. They had stabbed me 13 times. He said, I already took care of his friend. And I walked up to him like a face-to-face with him. Then he recognized me the guy turned white and urinated all over himself because he knows he’s there jimmy says to me i put my finger on his face and i told him you know that thing you’re worried about right get out of here i forgive you i get the fuck out of here now and he says to me jimmy it would have been easier for me to clip this guy and to forgive the guy but i forgave him, And I’m saying, Jimmy, I’m so proud of you, I can’t, just, and he, for him to call me to tell me how he responded to that situation, you know, which was completely out of character to the old guy, the old Jim. He was very proud of himself, and I was very proud of him. [33:09] So that’s the story Mike has told. It was the story, quite frankly, Gary. Didn’t he have one of the Westies in there with him? They were some particularly brutal crew in New York City. Yeah, yeah, he did. [33:25] We had a few of them up there. We had Jimmy Coonan, who started the Westies. Oh, okay. Jimmy was there, and I was friendly with Jimmy because I knew guys that he knew. The guys at Otisville Prison is a high medium. [33:38] Lewisburg is a max so when guys behave even a max they could come down to the media so when he came down he never came to the services and stuff we were talking all the way on the side but another fellow was a Westie a tough guy you know what I mean they would, drive through jewelry stores, 50 miles an hour go inside and rob everything but they would go in there before with their girlfriends looking good dressed nice they knew where this stuff was and they would take everything and he wound up getting locked up for almost like a Lufthansa type thing at the airport only they got caught so he was at my first weekend in the prison and we became very close friends and I tried to help him and he responded very positively, and he’s sitting in a circle there’s a cross, whoever has the cross has the microphone, nobody interrupts when you’re done, the next guy talks, he was talking and we finished, the Spanish kid so the Spanish kid is talking and he’s talking, so I told him what are you talking for Rich he can’t be talking like that the kid’s talking so he didn’t come for a few months then he comes back right and we’re sitting there talking and then he has a cross and he puts his head down. [34:54] And he starts talking and he says, you know, something happened to me. You can’t explain it. You had a Spanish kid in the next cell, right? It was a new guy. They robbed the sneakers and the kid had no sneakers. I know he’s got his head down. Now I’m thinking maybe he robbed the kid’s sneakers, right? He says, I gave him my sneakers because I had an extra pair. And as he’s telling the story, his head is down. The floor is gray, but getting darker, the teardrops. He’s telling the story he’s crying and then he says maybe I’m not all bad after all yeah I said how can you think of yourself like that he eventually goes home so, we my wife Norley and I get invited to his wedding which is a no-no but the guy was home so and the wedding is on Mulberry Street in Little Italy. [35:46] Yeah so we go down at the wedding and we’re like the oddball there but He could introduce us to enough people, you know, and if you see change in people, it’s wonderful. If on the street, if you go to these religious retreats, people go jumping out like a gazelle. But in prison, if an elephant jumps in it, it’s a miracle. Yeah. I mean, if you see somebody that thinks that they’re ugly, they’re not ugly inside. So I found it very rewarding. And. They, I didn’t think they’d respond to retired law enforcement, but they responded well. Yeah. Because I spoke their language. Yeah. So it lasted 25 years, Gary. Yeah. I’ve got a couple of guys here in Kansas city that it’s not a spiritual kind of a thing, but I’ve become friends with them. And one guy told me, he’s fine. He said, he said, I can talk to you and you understand what I’m talking about. He said, all the rest of the people in my life anymore, cause he’s out of the life. He said, they don’t understand what I’m talking about. He said, I don’t have to get back into life, but I can talk to you and you know, you know, the people I’m talking about, you know what I’m talking about. I said, yeah, I do. [36:56] So obviously in case it was pretty obvious that we were, when we started to hear all these stories, when he told, told Jerry and I the story of the, the mobster who was crying because given the sneaker, that’s where the books, the title of the book comes from, art guys cry. But there’s one other guy in there that you should ask him about. And that is we had this, I don’t even know what to call him. He was really an oddball guy, a criminal in New York. He was a rich guy who owned a lot of, he ran art galleries and collected art galleries and collected paintings and got into the art world and was advising rich people as to what art they were buying. And it turns out he was basically a sadist. And he had another guy with him who he and the other guy wound up, he didn’t get charged with this, his partner did, wound up killing somebody. And when they found the body buried laying in the woods in upstate New York, he had one of those. [38:02] Sadomasochistic masks on him, his black mask. And this individual was one of Jimmy’s guys and he was a hardcore, am I right, Jimmy, in terms of not wanting help at all. He was just the kind of guy who, you know, if you help them, it was going to be a miracle. And he did. He helped them and it’s a miracle. And it’s worthwhile to tell the story about this guy. His name was Andrew Crispo. He’s no longer alive. And he was all over the newspapers here in New York City because of the whole masochistic, the sadomasochist activity that he was involved in. And that the picture of the dead body with that black mask on was all over the newspapers. And this guy, we have his picture in the book. If you see him, it’s butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He looked like the nicest guy in the world. Businessman. Turns out he was really one of the worst guys in terms of how he treated people. And Jimmy finally got to him. It was, to me, one of the more miraculous transformations when I heard all of the stories was this one because of what he was on the outside and what he became after Jimmy had him and he got out. He did not repeat his life the way that he was before here. Chris Bowe was a tough guy, right, Jimmy, in terms of getting to him? [39:28] Andrew, Sky Andre brought him down to one of our groups. And he asked me if he could bring his friend down the shirt. Everybody’s welcome, of course. And you’ve been around tough guys your whole life. Everybody’s a tough guy. You’re a tough guy. Everybody’s a tough guy. This guy had no muscle tone. He was like ashing in color. He looked like a raccoon. He had like rings around his eyes. And he was like creepy, creepy. So he came. And then he came for about seven years all the time. You get to know him, right? And he got grabbed for that sero-masochistic murder, but they couldn’t prove it. He got locked up, attempted kidnapping, the three-year-old daughter of the federal trustee. That’s why he was in jail now federal jail but he if you make a long story short he, doesn’t know who his parents are right and i’m not bleeding on i’m just telling you the way it is, he was dropped off at an orphanage as an infant and i was there for sentencing and this is what the judge said mr crispo he said before i sentence you i’d like you to know that i researched your history as a newborn you were dropped off in an orphanage right you remain there for 18 years where you were repeatedly beaten up and raped and. [40:47] But after leaving there, you managed to raise yourself up to get on the top of the art world, even owning a world-renowned art gallery in New York City. He said, for that, he said, I give you credit. However, then he banged him for seven years on the other thing. But he came down, and he had nothing spiritually. And if you sit with him and you talk with him, he kind of listened. He came around. [41:13] Like I told Mike, there was another guy. colombian guy his wife used to bring his daughter to work all the time so he came into the group a little late and he’s crying and then i said what’s the matter he said he said i’m not gonna see my daughter for two weeks i said well the comment told me once there’s a price for loving the price for loving is the absence of love you have to experience the love to miss it mr andrew who was sitting on our group andrew could you tell him a little bit about yourself oh yeah he said see the visiting room that you were in with your wife and the child, I’ve never been in there, and I’ll never be in there. And they said, there’s nothing worse than being alone, than being alone and no one cares. [41:56] And he came, and the rings went from his eyes, and then he became involved in all this other stuff. And he actually became a kind guy. He got involved with the church and things like that. And then he eventually went home. I’ll tell you the money he had. You need the money for an appeal? He sold one painting for $2.46 million. Oh wow the attorney’s fee that’s just one thing he had money but he had nothing yeah he had nothing and then when he went home he used to correspond you know and he’d write beautiful things thanks for the prayers thanks for your wife how’s your dog it’s not the same guy but he wasn’t like like what he’s tattooed tough guys he was like creepy tough and at the end when he left my opinion He was not. So if you can help somebody, it’s nice to help somebody if you can. Yeah. That’s interesting. That’s a true shift in the personality and to give somebody some spiritual hope in their life that they can, from what you’re describing to what he was to what he left when he left. That’s amazing. Exactly. That’s an amazing story. [43:01] There it is. Cry, The Journey of a Tough Cop from the Mean Streets to a Prison Ministry, Jimmy Dennedy and Michael Vecchione. Jimmy and Michael, I appreciate you guys so much for coming on and telling these stories. And guys, there’s a lot more stories just like this and better in the book. I’ll have links to get it down in the show notes. [43:22] And guys, you got anything last words you want to say? Anything you left out? [43:28] Gary, listen, keep getting those pension checks. [43:33] Yes, I will. I told my wife, Nora, put my feet in potting soil. If my toenail grows, that’s a sign of life. Keep getting that check. Really? [43:44] Thanks so much, Jimmy. All right. I just want to thank you. You’ve been terrific. And I hope that, I really mean this when I say this, people who get this book and read it or listen to it or however they want to get it into their, their mind, they’re going to love it because this guy’s story is just fantastic. And we touched on a few things, but we didn’t really touch, we didn’t get into the real meat that that’s there. And it’s, it was a, again, a pleasure to do this. So I’ve got one guy, I got one guy I talked to that has prison stories. I tell you what guys, there are so many great stories that come out of the penitentiary. It’s just, it’s amazing. I think part of these people don’t have much else current to talk about, so they tell stories from their past, and you get some great stories coming out of the prisons. Thanks a lot, guys. Gary. Thank you. God bless my friend.
They were decorated NYPD detectives, patrolling the streets of Brooklyn at the height of New York's organised crime era. But behind the badge, Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa were secretly working for the mob – passing on intel, setting up hits and helping the Lucchese crime family stay one step ahead.In this episode of Crime at Bedtime, we walk through how two New York City cops allegedly became paid Mafia insiders, how bodies began to pile up across Brooklyn and Staten Island, and how it took years for investigators to finally connect the murders back to the detectives who were supposed to be solving them. From mob meetings and whispered tips to ambushes on quiet streets, we follow the trail that led to the infamous “Mafia Cops” case.If you're drawn to stories of police corruption, the American Mafia and classic New York true crime from the 1980s and 1990s, this one is for you. Settle in, close your eyes, and let the story of the Mafia Cops unfold.Become a Patreon or Apple + subscriber now for ealry and ad free access from as little as $1.69 a week. All the details hereSubscribe to Crime at Bedtimes Youtube channel HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Through the 1970s and 1980s Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa served in the NYPD, rising through the ranks, each becoming decorated detectives. They are also responsible for what may qualify as the department's darkest chapter. For years the two cops operated not only as paid informantsfor the Lucchese organized crime family, but served as mob henchmen, committed a multitude of crimes and were involved in at least twelve murders. And they came remarkably close to getting away with all of it. MichaelCannell, a former editor at the New York Times andauthor of the critically acclaimed A Brotherhood Betrayed, now has written the definitive account of the crooked cops' escapades and the trail of terror they left—which included the deaths and wrongful imprisonment ofwholly innocent people.
In the 1980s, NYPD detectives Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa secretly worked for the mafia while on the force, betraying their badge in exchange for cash. Known as the "Mafia Cops," they fed mobsters confidential police information, carried out hits, and even kidnapped targets for crime bosses. Their actions helped fuel organized crime during New York's most chaotic era. For years, their crimes went unnoticed until a string of investigations and key testimonies exposed them. Their story remains a chilling reminder of corruption at its worst. Want access to our first 45 episodes? Grab em here! We've made them available for free to anyone who signs up! Remember, these episodes were recorded when we had no idea what we were doing, so just keep that in mind. The audio isn't the quality we would want to put out now, but the cases are on point! Visit killerqueens.link/og to download and binge all the archived episodes today! Hang with us: Follow Us on Instagram Like Us on Facebook Join our Case Discussion Group on Facebook Get Killer Queens Merch Bonus Episodes Support Our AMAZING Sponsors: Adore Me: For bra and panty sets for as low as $19.95, head to AdoreMe.com. IQBAR: Text QUEENS to 64000 to get twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. Lume: Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get 15% off with promo code QUEENS at Lumepodcast.com/QUEENS! #lumepod Chewy: Got to chewy.com/queens to save $20 on your first order with free shipping. Minimum purchase required. New customers only. Terms and conditions apply. See site for complete details. © 2025 Killer Queens Podcast. All Rights Reserved Audio Production by Wayfare Recording Music provided by Steven Tobi Logo designed by Sloane Williams of The Sophisticated Crayon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In the 1980s, NYPD detectives Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa secretly worked for the mafia while on the force, betraying their badge in exchange for cash. Known as the "Mafia Cops," they fed mobsters confidential police information, carried out hits, and even kidnapped targets for crime bosses. Their actions helped fuel organized crime during New York's most chaotic era. For years, their crimes went unnoticed until a string of investigations and key testimonies exposed them. Their story remains a chilling reminder of corruption at its worst. Want access to our first 45 episodes? Grab em here! We've made them available for free to anyone who signs up! Remember, these episodes were recorded when we had no idea what we were doing, so just keep that in mind. The audio isn't the quality we would want to put out now, but the cases are on point! Visit killerqueens.link/og to download and binge all the archived episodes today! Hang with us: Follow Us on Instagram Like Us on Facebook Join our Case Discussion Group on Facebook Get Killer Queens Merch Bonus Episodes Support Our AMAZING Sponsors: Adore Me: For bra and panty sets for as low as $19.95, head to AdoreMe.com. IQBAR: Text QUEENS to 64000 to get twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. Lume: Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get 15% off with promo code QUEENS at Lumepodcast.com/QUEENS! #lumepod Chewy: Got to chewy.com/queens to save $20 on your first order with free shipping. Minimum purchase required. New customers only. Terms and conditions apply. See site for complete details. © 2025 Killer Queens Podcast. All Rights Reserved Audio Production by Wayfare Recording Music provided by Steven Tobi Logo designed by Sloane Williams of The Sophisticated Crayon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It is November 6th, 1990. The air was crisp, the Belt Parkway humming with the usual New York traffic. Among the cars was Eddie Lino—an old-school Gambino enforcer, a man whose name carried weight in the city's underworld. He'd spent years dodging the law. But this time, the flashing red and blue lights in his rearview weren't just another routine hassle. As the unmarked car closed in, Lino must've felt it—something was off. Before he could react, gunfire rang out. The ambush was clean and professional in a city where power shifts with a trigger pull; Eddie Lino's time was up. For a man who had made a living by the gun, there were only two ways out: a prison cell or a body bag. Lino avoided the first. And he paid his dues in full on that Brooklyn highway in 1992. Dirty cops and the mob—nothing new in New York. But this case? This was different. Two high-ranking NYPD detectives weren't just looking the other way; they worked for the Lucchese crime family, pulling jobs and covering tracks for over a decade. They didn't just take bribes—they were on the payroll.Join Cam and Jen on this episode of Our True Crime Podcast entitled ‘Mafia's Finest: Stephen Caracappa and Louis Eppolito.'Listener discretion by @octoberpodVHSMusic is by our editor @theinkypawprintSources:Mafia Cops Interview - Louis Eppolito on the Sally Jesse Raphael showhttps://www.amazon.com/Mafia-Cop-Lou-Eppolito/dp/1416517014http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/mafia-cops-louis-eppolito-stephen-caracappa-sentenced-life-prison-article-1.366777https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nye/pr/2009/2009mar06b.htmlhttps://www.reddit.com/r/OldSchoolCool/comments/15ygama/louis_eppolito_on_sally_jesse_raphael_1992/https://nypost.com/2005/07/07/victims-mom-fingered-mafia-cop-from-tv-talk-show/https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nye/pr/2005/2005mar10.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/07/nyregion/louis-eppolito-dead.htmlhttps://www.silive.com/news/2017/04/report_mob_cop_with_staten_isl.htmlhttps://web.archive.org/web/20170412190201/http://gothamist.com/2017/04/12/nypd_cop_turned_mafia_hitman_dies_i.phphttps://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-2nd-circuit/1532561.htmlhttps://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-mafia-cop-louis-eppolito-dead-20191105-55tnkoq4f5amvm5555qcp3fb34-story.htmlhttps://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nye/pr/2009/2009mar06b.htmlhttp://www.ipsn.org/indictments/caracappa_indictment/caracappa_indictment_newest.htmhttps://web.archive.org/web/20060111191537/https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/01/05/60minutes/main1180833.shtmlhttp://www.ipsn.org/indictments/caracappa_indictment/caracappa_indictment_newest.htm
Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. The Mafia Cops: NYPD Corruption and Murder with Michael Connell. In this explosive episode of Gangland Wire, I uncover the shocking true story of two NYPD detectives who became hitmen for the Mafia. Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa weren't just dirty cops—they were fully embedded in the Lucchese crime family, leaking intelligence, setting up murders, and betraying the very system they swore to uphold. Joining me is Michael Connell, author of a gripping account of their crimes. We break down how these officers, once respected members of law enforcement, used their badges to serve the mob. Eppolito's deep family ties to organized crime and Caracappa's access to high-level police intelligence made them the perfect duo for Gaspipe Casso and the Lucchese family. Their corruption ran so deep that they not only provided inside information but also carried out Mafia-ordered executions—including the tragic killing of an innocent man due to a case of mistaken identity. We discuss how their downfall unfolded, from a shocking whistleblower to the relentless detective work that finally exposed them. We dive into the role of Betty Heidel, a grieving mother determined to find justice for her murdered son, and Detective Tommy Dades, who helped piece together the case that brought Eppolito and Caracappa to justice. This story concerns power, betrayal, and the dark intersection between law enforcement and organized crime. Don't miss this deep dive into one of NYPD's most astonishing corruption cases. Find Michael's book Blood on the Badge at this link. Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos. To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast. Donate to the podcast. Click here! #TrueCrime #BostonMafia #OrganizedCrime #GanglandWire #AngiuloFamily #FBI #Surveillance #MafiaHistory Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers out there. Good to be back here in Studio Gangland Wire. I have an author today, some stories about the mafia cops, the mob cops in New York City, Caracapa and Eppolito. Those two guys were bad dudes. So I have Michael Connell. Welcome, Michael. Hey, it's great to be here. Thanks. Thanks. Great to see you again. Yeah, you too. Yeah, you've been on the show before, haven't you? I have, yes. For my previous book, I guess that we were here together three or so years ago. Was it that long? Was it Abrellis? Was it Abrellis' book? It was Abrellis, right, exactly. Yeah, that guy's a character. Abrellis, also known as Kid Twist, who went out the window of a hotel in Coney Island. [0:48] Nobody knows exactly how he went out, but one thing's for sure, it wasn't voluntary. The canary could sing, but he couldn't fly, right? Exactly. So, guys, I know you all know me, but I'm retired intelligence unit detective Gary Jenkins, Kansas City Police Department. Got this show, Gangland Wire, and we deal with the mafia almost every week. So this story is blood and the bads, the mafia, two killer cops, and a scandal that shocked the nation. I know you know some of y'all will know this story about Steve Caraappa and Lou Eppilito I want to tell you what Joe Pistone who everybody knows is Donnie Brasco, said about this book "Cannell pulls back the veil to refill law enforcement's most lurid chapter an entwined tale of decorated detectives on the mafia payroll a true account of police depravity unearthed...
Michael Cannell was once the 1st Author to visit The Happy Hour Social Club! NOW HE IS BACK!!!!!Michael and King Hap Disscuss "The Mafia, Two Killer Cops, and a Scandal that Shocked the Nation". The Blood and The Bagde hit book stores this week and this is a fascinating topic and book!!!Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa were decorated members of the NYPD, and they were a HUGE PART of the Mafia and keeping organized crime alive!!! From giving out info, to alerting the mob to members that flipped, to fixing cases, and TO EVEN MURDER!!!!!!! The dectives were happy to get their hands dirty and WOW DID THEY!!!!!!Awesome show and a must listen for Mafia, True Crime, and Law enforcement fans!!!!!Check out Michael's website and where to pick up this AMAZING BOOK!http://www.michaelcannell.com/This episode was recorded live on the network infront of Happy Hour V.I.P.sIf you want to be part of the live tapingsfollow us on Twitchhttps://m.twitch.tv/thehappyhourscorwww.TheHappyHourSocialClub.comAS ALWAYSThe Happy Hour is brought to you by the official Top Shelf Alcohol of the Happy Hour!CLEARWATER DISTILLERY https://shop.clearwaterdistilling.com/PROMO CODE KINGHAPSAVES 10% and free shipping over $100OLD SCHOOL LABSAmazing Supplements made for Amazing people!TRY OATMEAL CREAM PIE PROTEIN! Save 15% site wide with promo code Kinghaphttps://shop.oldschoollabs.com/?aff=364Liquid I.V.WOW..... NEW MOCKTAILS!!!
Through the 1970s and 1980s Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa served in the NYPD, rising through the ranks, each becoming decorated detectives. They are also responsible for what may qualify as the department's darkest chapter. For years the two cops operated not only as paid informants for the Lucchese organized crime family, but served as mob henchmen, committed a multitude of crimes and were involved in at least fifteen murders. And they came remarkably close to getting away with all of it. Michael Cannell, a former editor at the New York Times and author of the critically acclaimed A Brotherhood Betrayed, now has written the definitive account of the crooked cops' escapades and the trail of terror they left-which included the deaths and wrongful imprisonment of wholly innocent people-in BLOOD AND THE BADGE: The Mafia, Two Killer Cops, and a Scandal That Shocked the Nation (January 14, 2025; SMP). "Cannell pulls back the veil to reveal law enforcement's most lurid chapter, an entwined tale of decorated detectives on the mafia payroll - a true account of police depravity unearthed with intensive reporting." -Joe Pistone, New York Times bestselling author of Donnie Brasco "Michael Cannell's Blood and the Badge details the extraordinary 'Killer Cops' investigation, a harrowing story of corruption and murder within law enforcement itself. Cannell misses nothing."-Nicholas Pileggi, bestselling author of Wiseguy and co-writer of the Academy Award-winner Goodfellas Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.
For the first time in forty years, former New York Times editor Michael Cannell has unearthed the full story behind two ruthless New York cops who acted as double agents for the Mafia.No episode in NYPD history surpasses the depravities of Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, two decorated detectives who covertly acted as mafia informants and paid assassins in the Scorsese world of 1980s Brooklyn.For more than ten years, Eppolito and Caracappa moonlighted as the mob's early warning alert system, leaking names of mobsters secretly cooperating with the government and crippling investigations by sharing details of surveillance, phone taps and impending arrests. The Lucchese boss called the two detectives his crystal ball: Whatever detectives knew, the mafia soon learned. Most grievously, Eppolito and Caracappa earned bonuses by staging eight mob hits, pulling the trigger themselves at least once.Incredibly, when evidence of their wrongdoing arose in 1994, FBI officials failed to muster an indictment. The allegations lay dormant for a decade and were only revisited due to relentless follow up by Tommy Dades, a cop determined to break the cold case before his retirement. Eppolito and Caracappa were finally tried and then sentenced to life in prison in 2009, nearly thirty years after their crimes took place.Cannell's Blood and the Badge is based on entirely new research and never-before-released interviews with mobsters themselves, including Sammy “the Bull” Gravano. Joining me to discuss his new book, BLOOD AND THE BADGE: The Mafia, Two Killer Cops, and a Scandal that shocked the Nation—N.Y. Times editor and author Michael Cannell Follow and comment on Facebook-TRUE MURDER: The Most Shocking Killers in True Crime History https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064697978510Check out TRUE MURDER PODCAST @ truemurderpodcast.com
True Crime Tuesday presents: Blood and the Badge: The Mafia, Two Killer Cops, & The Scandal That Shocked The Nation with Journalist/Author, Michael Cannell! No episode in NYPD history surpasses the depravities of Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, two decorated detectives who covertly acted as mafia informants and paid assassins in the Scorsese world of 1980s Brooklyn. For more than ten years, Eppolito and Caracappa moonlighted as the mob's early warning alert system, leaking names of mobsters secretly cooperating with the government and crippling investigations by sharing details of surveillance, phone taps and impending arrests. The Lucchese boss called the two detectives his crystal ball: Whatever detectives knew, the mafia soon learned. Most grievously, Eppolito and Caracappa earned bonuses by staging eight mob hits, pulling the trigger themselves at least once. Incredibly, when evidence of their wrongdoing arose in 1994, FBI officials failed to muster an indictment. The allegations lay dormant for a decade and were only revisited due to relentless follow up by Tommy Dades, a cop determined to break the cold case before his retirement. Eppolito and Caracappa were finally tried and then sentenced to life in prison in 2009, nearly thirty years after their crimes took place. On today's TCT, Michael Cannell, author of the book, "Blood and the Badge: The Mafia, Two Killer Cops, and The Scandal That Shocked The Nation" talks about the rise and fall of Eppolito and Caracappa, the players around them that drew out their dishonest and evil traits, how things even went wrong in the first place, and how one partner wanted to stay quiet, while one had Hollywood aspirations! Get your copy of "Blood and the Badge" here: https://read.macmillan.com/lp/blood-and-the-badge-9781250817785/ PLUS: DUMB CRIMES AND STUPID CRIMINALS WITH JESSICA FREEBURG! Watch the video of the Hooters waitress flirting with the Florida cop here: https://bit.ly/3DQk3gS Check out Jessica Freeburg's website and order her new books: https://jessicafreeburg.com/books/ and check out Jess on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessicafreeburgwrites There are new and different (and really cool) items all the time in the Darkness Radio Online store at our website! . check out the Darkness Radio Store! https://www.darknessradioshow.com/store/ #crime #truecrime #truecrimepodcasts #truecrimetuesday #michaelcannell #bloodandthebadge #stmartinspublishing #themafiatwokillercopsandthescandalthatrockedthenation #louieeppolito #stephencaracappa #nypd #mafia #lucchesefamily #gambinofamily #fatthegangster #jimmytheclam #gangster #gaspipecasso #johngotti #burtkaplan #lasvegas #hollywood #FBI #federalgovernment #mafia #RICO #dumbcrimesstupidcriminals #TimDennis #jessicafreeburg #paranormalauthor #floridaman #drugcrimes #foodcrimes #stupidcrimes #funnycrimes #sexcrimes #dumbcrimes
True Crime Tuesday presents: Blood and the Badge: The Mafia, Two Killer Cops, & The Scandal That Shocked The Nation with Journalist/Author, Michael Cannell! No episode in NYPD history surpasses the depravities of Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, two decorated detectives who covertly acted as mafia informants and paid assassins in the Scorsese world of 1980s Brooklyn. For more than ten years, Eppolito and Caracappa moonlighted as the mob's early warning alert system, leaking names of mobsters secretly cooperating with the government and crippling investigations by sharing details of surveillance, phone taps and impending arrests. The Lucchese boss called the two detectives his crystal ball: Whatever detectives knew, the mafia soon learned. Most grievously, Eppolito and Caracappa earned bonuses by staging eight mob hits, pulling the trigger themselves at least once. Incredibly, when evidence of their wrongdoing arose in 1994, FBI officials failed to muster an indictment. The allegations lay dormant for a decade and were only revisited due to relentless follow up by Tommy Dades, a cop determined to break the cold case before his retirement. Eppolito and Caracappa were finally tried and then sentenced to life in prison in 2009, nearly thirty years after their crimes took place. On today's TCT, Michael Cannell, author of the book, "Blood and the Badge: The Mafia, Two Killer Cops, and The Scandal That Shocked The Nation" talks about the rise and fall of Eppolito and Caracappa, the players around them that drew out their dishonest and evil traits, how things even went wrong in the first place, and how one partner wanted to stay quiet, while one had Hollywood aspirations! Get your copy of "Blood and the Badge" here: https://read.macmillan.com/lp/blood-and-the-badge-9781250817785/ PLUS: DUMB CRIMES AND STUPID CRIMINALS WITH JESSICA FREEBURG! Watch the video of the Hooters waitress flirting with the Florida cop here: https://bit.ly/3DQk3gS Check out Jessica Freeburg's website and order her new books: https://jessicafreeburg.com/books/ and check out Jess on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessicafreeburgwrites There are new and different (and really cool) items all the time in the Darkness Radio Online store at our website! . check out the Darkness Radio Store! https://www.darknessradioshow.com/store/ #crime #truecrime #truecrimepodcasts #truecrimetuesday #michaelcannell #bloodandthebadge #stmartinspublishing #themafiatwokillercopsandthescandalthatrockedthenation #louieeppolito #stephencaracappa #nypd #mafia #lucchesefamily #gambinofamily #fatthegangster #jimmytheclam #gangster #gaspipecasso #johngotti #burtkaplan #lasvegas #hollywood #FBI #federalgovernment #mafia #RICO #dumbcrimesstupidcriminals #TimDennis #jessicafreeburg #paranormalauthor #floridaman #drugcrimes #foodcrimes #stupidcrimes #funnycrimes #sexcrimes #dumbcrimes
Through the 1970s and 1980s Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa served in the NYPD, rising through the ranks, each becoming decorated detectives. They are also responsible for what may qualify as the department's darkest chapter. For years the two cops operated not only as paid informants for the Lucchese organized crime family, but served as mob henchmen, committed a multitude of crimes and were involved in at least fifteen murders. And they came remarkably close to getting away with all of it. Michael Cannell, a former editor at the New York Times and author of the critically acclaimed A Brotherhood Betrayed, now has written the definitive account of the crooked cops' escapades and the trail of terror they left-which included the deaths and wrongful imprisonment of wholly innocent people-in BLOOD AND THE BADGE: The Mafia, Two Killer Cops, and a Scandal That Shocked the Nation (January 14, 2025; SMP). "Cannell pulls back the veil to reveal law enforcement's most lurid chapter, an entwined tale of decorated detectives on the mafia payroll - a true account of police depravity unearthed with intensive reporting." -Joe Pistone, New York Times bestselling author of Donnie Brasco "Michael Cannell's Blood and the Badge details the extraordinary 'Killer Cops' investigation, a harrowing story of corruption and murder within law enforcement itself. Cannell misses nothing."-Nicholas Pileggi, bestselling author of Wiseguy and co-writer of the Academy Award-winner Goodfellas Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.
For the first time in forty years, former New York Times editor Michael Cannell unearths the full story behind two ruthless New York cops who acted as double agents for the Mafia.No episode in NYPD history surpasses the depravities of Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, two decorated detectives who covertly acted as mafia informants and paid assassins in the Scorsese world of 1980s Brooklyn.For more than ten years, Eppolito and Caracappa moonlighted as the mob's early warning alert system, leaking names of mobsters secretly cooperating with the government and crippling investigations by sharing details of surveillance, phone taps and impending arrests. The Lucchese boss called the two detectives his crystal ball: Whatever detectives knew, the mafia soon learned. Most grievously, Eppolito and Caracappa earned bonuses by staging eight mob hits, pulling the trigger themselves at least once.Incredibly, when evidence of their wrongdoing arose in 1994, FBI officials failed to muster an indictment. The allegations lay dormant for a decade and were only revisited due to relentless follow up by Tommy Dades, a cop determined to break the cold case before his retirement. Eppolito and Caracappa were finally tried and then sentenced to life in prison in 2009, nearly thirty years after their crimes took place.Cannell's Blood and the Badge is based on entirely new research and never-before-released interviews with mobsters themselves, including Sammy “the Bull” Gravano. Eppolito and Caracappa's story is more relevant than ever as police conduct comes under ever-increasing scrutiny.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/houseofmysteryradio. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/houseofmysteryradio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Matt Crawford speaks with author Michael Cannell about his book, Blood and the Badge: The Mafia, Two Killer Cops, and a Scandal That Shocked the World. No episode in NYPD history surpasses the crimes committed by Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, two decorated detectives who covertly acted as mafia informants and paid assassins for the mob in 1980s Brooklyn. For more than ten years, Eppolito and Caracappa moonlighted as the mob's early warning system, leaking names of mobsters secretly cooperating with the government and crippling investigations by sharing details of surveillance, phone taps, and impending arrests. The Lucchese boss called the two detectives his crystal ball: Whatever detectives knew, the mafia soon learned. Most grievously, Eppolito and Caracappa earned bonuses by staging eight mob hits, pulling the trigger themselves at least once. Cannell takes us on a deep dive, grabs us by the throat and never let's go. Expertly researched and written, Blood and the Badge reads like a screenplay, almost too outlandish to believe. But make no mistake, these stories are true and so are their victims. Cannell makes sure we maintain our humanity as we read and wait to see if justice will prevail.
Stephen Caracappa, a former NYPD detective, is infamous for his role as one of the "Mafia Cops," who betrayed their duties and became operatives for the Lucchese crime family in New York City. Initially a respected detective in the NYPD's Organized Crime Homicide Unit, Caracappa partnered with fellow detective Louis Eppolito to sell police information and participate in Mafia-related crimes, including multiple murders. Their actions, driven by greed and ambition, allowed them to use their law enforcement positions to protect and assist the very criminals they were sworn to apprehend. Their most notorious crimes included the abduction and murder of individuals like Israel Greenwald and James Hydell, carried out under orders from Mafia leaders such as Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso.The unraveling of their criminal enterprise began when Casso, facing a life sentence, became an informant and exposed the corrupt activities of Caracappa and Eppolito. Following a detailed investigation, the two were arrested in 2005 and subsequently found guilty on multiple counts, including racketeering and conspiracy to commit murder. Their trial was a stark revelation of the extent to which corruption had infiltrated the NYPD, leading to life sentences for both men. Caracappa's legacy remains a chilling example of how law enforcement can be corrupted from within, demonstrating the need for vigilance and integrity in those sworn to uphold the law.(commercial at 9:10)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
Stephen Caracappa, a former NYPD detective, is infamous for his role as one of the "Mafia Cops," who betrayed their duties and became operatives for the Lucchese crime family in New York City. Initially a respected detective in the NYPD's Organized Crime Homicide Unit, Caracappa partnered with fellow detective Louis Eppolito to sell police information and participate in Mafia-related crimes, including multiple murders. Their actions, driven by greed and ambition, allowed them to use their law enforcement positions to protect and assist the very criminals they were sworn to apprehend. Their most notorious crimes included the abduction and murder of individuals like Israel Greenwald and James Hydell, carried out under orders from Mafia leaders such as Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso.The unraveling of their criminal enterprise began when Casso, facing a life sentence, became an informant and exposed the corrupt activities of Caracappa and Eppolito. Following a detailed investigation, the two were arrested in 2005 and subsequently found guilty on multiple counts, including racketeering and conspiracy to commit murder. Their trial was a stark revelation of the extent to which corruption had infiltrated the NYPD, leading to life sentences for both men. Caracappa's legacy remains a chilling example of how law enforcement can be corrupted from within, demonstrating the need for vigilance and integrity in those sworn to uphold the law.(commercial at 9:10)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com
This week, Steve goes way, way back to the 1980's and 90's to take a look at two of NYPD's finest organized crime detectives who were, shockingly, also in organized crime. Stephen Caracappa and Louis Eppolito used their fortuitious position within the police department to hand info, and on numerous occasions, victims, over to New York's infamous Five Families. Was it cunning deception that let them get away with it for nearly three decades, or was it something else? Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Caracappa_and_Louis_Eppolito https://themobmuseum.org/blog/mob-cops-saga-still-reverberates-10-years-after-their-life-sentences/
Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins interviews true crime author Jeffrey Sussman about the “Mob Cops” Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, one of the many stories in his new book Big ASppler Gangsters (Boxing and the... The post The Mafia Cops – Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa appeared first on Gangland Wire.
0:00 - Intro & Summary2:00 - Movie Discussion31:09- Cast & Crew34:14 - True Crime/Pop Culture 42:26 - TV43:46 - Music50:30 - Rankings & Ratings To see a full list of movies we will be watching and shows notes, please follow our website: https://www.1991movierewind.com/Follow us!https://linktr.ee/1991movierewind Theme: "sunrise-cardio," Jeremy Dinegan (via Storyblocks)Don't forget to rate/review/subscribe/tell your friends to listen to us!
The Mafia Cops doing mob hits part # 2 #LouisEppolito #StephenCaracappa #TommyDades In part # 2 Detective first grade Tommy Dades talks about the big break that led to information that became the catalyst for the investigation of Lou Eppolitto, and Steve Caracappa. A former New York garment dealer, Burton Kaplan, sat down with DEA agents in 2004 to tell them an incredible story about two retired New York Police Department detectives. There was plenty of time. Kaplan, a 71-year-old longtime Mob associate and former mastermind of a $10 million marijuana sales ring, had completed only eight years of his 27-year prison sentence. He wanted it shortened to see his granddaughter. Kaplan said that from 1986 to 1993 he met many times with two NYPD detectives, Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, to perform services for them and deliver $4,000 in monthly payoff money from Lucchese crime family underboss Anthony “Gaspipe” Casso in exchange for confidential information on police informants and investigations. Casso also paid Eppolito and Caracappa much more to assist in eight murders, including $70,000 for one whack. They received about $375,000 in all. It was a story law enforcement had heard a decade before – from Casso himself – but now they had what they considered a solid witness. In March 2005, DEA and FBI agents converged on and arrested Eppolito and Caracappa as the pair walked into Piero's, an Italian restaurant in Las Vegas. The two, following a 2006 trial in federal court in Brooklyn, were convicted of eight contract murders, two of which they did themselves, and counts of racketeering, bribery, kidnapping and other felonies, from 1979 to 2005. On March 6, 2009, a federal judge sentenced Eppolito to life in prison plus 100 years, Caracappa to life with 80 extra years, and fined each more than $4 million. Both men, unwaveringly, professed their innocence. A decade after their sentencing, the so-called “Mob Cops” case remains both disturbing and extraordinary. Eppolito and Caracappa not only betrayed their police colleagues, but accepted large bribes to deliver police records to a top organized criminal for years, and, worse, acted willingly as his hit men while working as police officers. “I have never dealt with anything this egregious,” John Peluso, assistant special agent for the DEA's New York field office, told the Associated Press. “They are toxic.” U.S. District Judge Jack B. Weinstein, who presided over the “Mob Cops” trial, once remarked that the “two defendants have committed what amounts to treason against the people of the City of New York and their fellow police officers.” This video may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This material is being made available within this transformative or derivative work for the purpose of education, commentary and criticism, and is believed to be "fair use" in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/otcpod1/support
Friends of the Family Mafia Cops, Lou Eppolitto, and Steve Caracappa. Mr. Eppolito and his partner, Stephen Caracappa, were convicted of taking part in eight gangland murders in New York's “Mafia Cop” scandal. Louis Eppolito was practically born into the Mafia. His father was a Gambino family soldier known as Fat the Gangster. An uncle known as Jimmy the Clam, a grandfather and a cousin were made men, too. By age 10, Louis was joining his father on his bookmaking rounds. A life in organized crime seemed preordained, but Louis's interest faded after several relatives were killed by rival gangsters. So after graduating from high school, Louis went in a different direction: he joined the New York Police Department. It was an unlikely career that earned him many medals and headlines. But Mr. Eppolito would end up at the center of one of the biggest scandals in department history. He and a fellow detective, Stephen Caracappa, were convicted in 2006 of moonlighting as mob assassins, involved in eight gangland slayings while on the payroll of Anthony Casso, a Luchese crime family underboss known as Gaspipe. Mr. Eppolito, 71, died on Nov. 3 at a hospital in Tucson, Ariz., his wife, Frances Ann Eppolito, confirmed this week, without providing a cause. He had been serving a life sentence at the high-security United States penitentiary nearby. After their arrest, Mr. Eppolito and Mr. Caracappa, who died at a medical detention facility in 2017 at 75, became widely known as the “Mafia Cops.” The nickname came easily: Mr. Eppolito had already written a memoir, “Mafia Cop: The Story of an Honest Cop Whose Family Was the Mob” (1992), in which he recounted his mob pedigree. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/otcpod1/support
Time for another trip to New York to talk about some mafia goons. But this time with a neat little twist. You see, Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa are no regular mafia worker bees, they were also NYPD detectives. And boy did they get into some shenanigans. Enjoy!
The Sit Down: A Crime History Podcast Presented by Barstool Sports
On the third episode of the Sitdown, Jeff and special guest Blackjack take a look at two of the most corrupt law enforcement officers in the history of the United States. Both men who swore to protect disgrace their badges and become mafia hitmen. PRESENTED BY STABLE DUEL: A Fantasy Horse Racing App
On the third episode of the Sitdown, Jeff and special guest Blackjack take a look at two of the most corrupt law enforcement officers in the history of the United States. Both men who swore to protect disgrace their badges and become mafia hitmen. PRESENTED BY STABLE DUEL: A Fantasy Horse Racing App
Lock, Tone and D.C. discuss the life of Louis Eppolito Mob Kid turned crooked cop. Email us any questions, comments and recommendations at sayhellotothebadguypodcast@gmail.com follow us on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/badguypodcast/ follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Say-Hello-To-The-Bad-Guy-Podcast-100164991782927 References: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/07/nyregion/louis-eppolito-dead.html https://www.ajc.com/news/louis-eppolito-nypd-cop-who-became-mob-hit-man-dead/cxgZm0FDYHUUVBq6N8OW5H/ https://mafia.wikia.org/wiki/Louis_Eppolito_and_Stephen_Caracappa https://news.sky.com/story/louis-eppolito-former-nypd-officer-who-carried-out-mafia-hits-dies-in-prison-11856346 https://themobmuseum.org/blog/mob-cops-saga-still-reverberates-10-years-after-their-life-sentences/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/badguy-lock/message
FBI Agent R. Lindsey DeVecchio's name has come up numerous times during our discussion of the alleged conspiracy between the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice and various leaders of Organized Crime. This episode delves more deeply into Agent DeVecchio's alleged role as both a handler of high-level mobsters turned informants as well as his own possible turncoat activity which may have included not only turning over information that allowed the mob to murder numerous people but who also may have helped cover up the deeds. DeVecchio's activities spanned the 1980s, 1990s up through 2006 and the so-called Mafia Cops trial of Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa. His alleged actions as a mob informant so panicked his bosses in the Justice Department that they needed desperately to produce a coverup or all of the good that DeVecchio did as head of the Colombo Crime Family squad in getting 19 gangsters off the streets would be wasted. In addition, they were afraid that the ultimate indictment, that of John Gotti, Jr would be annulled. They needed a pair of patsies to take the blame for DeVecchio's alleged crimes. Thus, they used a carrot and stick on one of their high-level mobster informants, Anthony Gaspipe Casso, to finger the two NYPD cops first in 1996 and again in 2006. While DeVecchio retired with full pension and wrote a book about the various investigations against him, not only were Eppolito and Caracappa indicted and sentenced to life terms in jail, but repercussions of the coverup lead to the ending of a fruitful spying operation against the number three guy in Osama bin Laden's Islamic terrorist organization, Ramsey Yusef and ultimately possibly to the successful downing of TWA Flight 800 and the disastrous attack on the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001.Support the show (https://www.change.org/p/ask-the-federal-9th-circuit-court-of-appeals-to-accept-louis-eppolito-s-appeal-based-upon-structural-errorhttps://www.change.org/p/u-s-court-of-appeals-for-the-9th-circuit-please-free-louie-eppolito)
In 2006, Dan Gordon, an award-winning screenwriter and producer, was writing the screenplay to a Universal Pictures proposed film based on Lou Eppolito's book, Mafia Cop: The Story Of An Honest Cop Whose Family Was the Mob. When he read in the papers that Louis Eppolito and his partner, Stephen Caracappa, far from being heroes, had been arrested for supposedly selling secrets and becoming hit men for the mob, he asked Universal Studios if he could cover the RICO trial of two NYPD Detectives, Louis Eppolito, and Stephen Caracappa as research and they heartily agreed. During the trial, it became clear that Eppolito did not believe his defense attorneys were acting in his best interests.The news media dubbed the two NYPD Detectives the "Mafia Cops" and it was a sensational trial that on the surface looked like Eppolito and Caracappa not only took bribes to deliver information to the Lucchese Crime Family but also acted as hitmen for the mob.The trial hinged on the testimony of a small-time criminal, Burton Kaplan who said he was a go-between ferrying information and payoffs between the two detectives and Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso.Support the show (https://www.change.org/p/ask-the-federal-9th-circuit-court-of-appeals-to-accept-louis-eppolito-s-appeal-based-upon-structural-errorhttps://www.change.org/p/u-s-court-of-appeals-for-the-9th-circuit-please-free-louie-eppolito)
Podcast: Raider-Cop Nation Date:May 29, 2019 Episode#89 Subject:Mob Detectives Host: Alpha Mike Mafia Quote: "I respectfully decline to answer because I honestly believe my answer might tend to incriminate me” ~ Joey Gallo Introduction: Alpha Mike goes over the new Raider-Cop Podcast format and future episodes. Reminder to the audience A-Wall every Monday on @TestEverything1521 Main Topic::Mob Detectives #89. This episode explores, Host Alpha Mike explains. Background: Louis Eppolito #3179 years of service 1969-1989, 2nd Grade Detective., Mr. NYC Body Building 1967, 11th highest decorated officer in NYPD. Upon retirement became a movie actor in various movies. FatherRalph Eppolito soldier Gambino Family, died (natural) 1969 at 52 years old. UncleFreddy Eppolito soldier Gambino family. UncleJimmyThe Claim Eppolito Capo/ Acting Underboss., CousinJim Eppolito Soldier. CousinFrank Santero Jr. Gambino. Upon retirement Louis Eppolito, moved to Las Vegas. Was accused in 1984 of proving classified reports of LCN to Rosario Gambino, where fingerprints were obtained. Eddie Lino Capo Gambino family killed by the detectives of the NYPD Eppolito & Caracappa. Anthony Gaspiper Casso underboss of the Luchese Family. Gasspipe had the pair detectives Det. Steven Caracappa: served in the USMC 1966-1968, joined the NYPD in 1969 after some issues with a prior arrest. During the late 60's the NYPD had a great need to fill the ranks. Det. Caracappa obtained the rank of 1st Grade Detective, retiring at that ranks. The Family Tree: Ralph "Fat The Gangster" Eppolito, soldiers Gambino Family, father of Louis Eppolito Freddy Eppolito, soldiers Gambino family, Uncle of Louis Eppolito Jimmy "The Clam" Eppolito,capo/acting underboss, uncle of Louis Eppolito Jim"Jim Jim" Eppolito, soldiers cousin of Louis Eppolito Frank Santero Jr, associate Genovese family, cousin of Louis Eppolito Mob Hits in this case: Eddie Lino, Captain Gambino family Nicholas Guido, innocent civilian James Hydell, associate Gambino family Frank DeCicco/Underboss/Gambino Bartholomew Boriello/Capo/Gambino NYPD Police Records Found in Mobsters Home: Rosario Gambino, Captain Gambino Family, currently living in Italy Retirement Living Las Vegas: Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa Reference: : United Statesv. Eppolito, 436 F. Supp. 2d 532 (E.D.N.Y 2006) District Court, E.D. New York @RaiderCopNation @alphamike2017 #RaiderCopNation #AmericasFew @o9TacticalG www.o9tg.com @TestEvery1521 Test Everything 5 minutes on the Power of God Facebook Twitter iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play PodBean YouTube TuneIn Join the Raider-Cop NATION Pistol Pete the Gunsmith Kilo Sierra’s companies: Sepulveda inc #EmpanadaLadiesOfGeorgia #JailsLASD #CACorrections #MDCR #NYPD #LAPD #LASD #MDPD #MPD #NYSP #NJSP #LVPD #Security #HCSO #PBSO #BSO #OCSO #PCSO #SFPD #DPD #HPD #SAPD #LCSO #FMPD #CCSO #NYC #NYCDOC #NJDOC #TestEverything1521 @RaiderCopNation #RaiderCopNation
On this D for Dirty Cops episode we talk about how Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa were kept on retainer to provide confidential information to the Lucchese family. In addition to obstructing the NYPD’s investigations, Lou and Steve gave up the identities of confidential informants that resulted in many people being murdered. Eventually their bosses turned informant, & they were convicted of 8 murders. To support Murder Dictionary & get access to rewards, perks, & merch, please visit our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/MurderDictionaryPodcastIf you’d like shirts, mugs, phone cases, & other merch, you can shop at https://murderdictionary.threadless.com/ This episode has been edited by Dimitris Kokkos. Contact him at mypodcasthero.com for all of your audio, production, & editing needs.Please rate, review, subscribe & follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter to stay updated on new episodes, true crime tidbits, & the best true crime memes.MURDER DICTIONARY LINKS:Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/murderdictionarypodcast/ Facebook : https://facebook.com/Murder-Dictionary-Podcast-1202280266480382/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/m_d_podcastiTunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/murder-dictionary/id1169967004 LOUIS EPPOLITO AND STEPHEN CARACAPPA LINKS:Louis Eppolito: Working for the Mobhttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Eppolito_and_Stephen_CaracappaMENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE LINKS:Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotlinehttps://victimsofcrime.org/help-for-crime-victims/get-help-bulletins-for-crime-victims/bulletins-for-teens/bullying-and-harassmenthttp://stompoutbullying.org/Home – The Hotline®http://www.ncadv.org/http://www.crisistextline.org/textline/?gclid=CjwKEAjw9MrIBRCr2LPek5-h8U0SJAD3jfhtHplx6Ibc8Ov7oG79YLibo1TubSfQrumNc-WnXJixDxoCKafw_wcBhttps://www.mentalhelp.net/meeting-finder/ca/woodland-hills/
Distinguished columnist and author Jimmy Breslin joins Doug for a conversation about his new book “The Good Rat: A True Story.” The book tells the tale of Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, two former NYPD detectives who worked on behalf of the Mafia.