Podcast appearances and mentions of Michael Franzese

Michael Franzese, the former Colombo crime family capo who once served time in the same cell where Jeffrey Epstein died, told NewsNation that physically, it would have been “impossible” for Epstein to hang himself in that space. Franzese emphasized the lack of structural elements such as ceiling fixtures or a high bed to facilitate hanging—elements he believes were necessary but absent in that cellHe also expressed deep skepticism about the reported missteps of jail staff and malfunctioning cameras that night. Drawing from his own prison experience, where guard watches were rigorous and surveillance unbroken, Franzese said he “just can't buy” the idea that corrections officers slept through checks or that cameras conveniently failed—all details that form the backbone of the official suicide narrative. to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Suicide in Jeffrey Epstein's jail cell is 'impossible,' says mobsterBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins takes a deep dive with his guest Matt into the assassination of Carmine Galante—one of the most infamous mob hits in American history. Matt co-authored a book titled Made In Long Island Matt begins by analyzing the controversial footage captured at the Ravenite Social Club shortly after the murder. While federal investigators interpreted the scene as a celebration by those responsible, Matt challenges that narrative. He breaks down the body language and behavior of key figures, including Bruno Indelicato, suggesting the footage actually reflects anger and exclusion—not guilt. The episode introduces guest Matt, co-author of Made on Long Island, who provides an insider's perspective on the inner workings of organized crime. Matt prefers to not give his last name. Together, they explore how the Galante hit fit into a broader power struggle within the Bonanno crime family and beyond. Matt cowrote this book with Bartley Scarbrough. Matt tells a little-known story about Mob dealings with Fireworks around the 4th of July. One story is about a closed store and how they made up for the closed store and gave a fireworks show on the 5th and most of the kids never knew. The conversation expands to include major mob figures such as John Gotti and Sonny Red Indelicato, examining the shifting alliances and rivalries that shaped the events leading up to the assassination. Matt shares firsthand stories of mob life, detailing how communication relied on coded language and payphones—tools that kept operations hidden in plain sight. Gary and Matt dissect the planning behind the hit, revealing a calculated operation involving surveillance, weapon disposal, and carefully constructed alibis. They also address the aftermath, focusing on law enforcement's inability to definitively link the crime to certain suspects—raising questions about whether individuals like Indelicato were wrongly accused.   A central theme emerges: the gap between official narratives and the complex realities of organized crime. Matt argues that investigative misinterpretations—particularly by federal authorities—led to flawed conclusions and, potentially, unjust prosecutions. This episode challenges long-held assumptions about the Galante murder, offering listeners a more nuanced view of Mafia politics, loyalty, and betrayal. It's a detailed reexamination of a landmark mob hit—and a reminder that the truth is often far more complicated than the headlines. 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. Transcript [0:00] Yeah, if you could just hold the frame right there, I think it’s very important [0:03] to set the stage of what we have here. This is a meeting of Bonanno crime family members, very high up ones, in front of Neil Delacroche’s Gambino headquarters on Mulberry Street, known as the Ravenite. Now, the feds used this tape to say that Bruno Indelicato was part of a conspiracy to murder Galante and that this tape shows the celebration. It does not. This tape is an absolute beef being put in primarily by Sonny Red and Delicato because he was supposed to do the hit jointly with the Gambino family led by John Gotti. He’s furious because at this point in time, he thinks he’s left out of the head. And just before you roll it, this video basically proves to every law enforcement person and every Cosa Nostra member that the people in this video did not do the murder. You don’t go out in Cosa Nostra, commit one of the biggest hits ever, a triple homicide, and then show your face an hour later. It does not work that way. So if you roll the tape, we can see some of the body language on these guys as well. [1:08] The guy in the white is Stefano Canone. He is the family’s consigliere, [1:13] which is technically third in charge, an advisory role. He is already at the Ravenite when everyone else arrives. A key figure in this is Sonny Red in Delicato Wearing a black jacket you’ll see His son is in the white shirt there The younger fellow that’s Bruno in Delicato The only guy that was convicted of this crime Now look at what’s going on here This is not a celebration They’re in the face of him And they’re furious And stop right there if you could, The gentleman in the black jacket right there. [1:44] Sonny, Red, and Delicato, he takes a couple steps back from his consigliere, which is technically his boss, and he turns around in fury, and he’s angry because, again, his team, led by him, was left off the head. Notice also, if you want to keep rolling the tape, he goes to his glasses. This is an absolute sign of anger, as per our body language experts, who, by the way, don’t even know who these people are. The only thing they know is this is a dispute, not a celebration. You notice that when he puts his hand up by his glasses? Now he thinks a little bit better of it because that’s his boss he’s talking to. And that’s a very good sign here. Again, another angle of this is in the Pizza Connection case in 1985. [2:27] Not only in the indictment, but also in FBI testimony, when asked who killed Carmen Galante, they did not say it was Bruno and Delicato and two other masked assailants. They said it was three unknown masked assailants that killed him. That’s what their testimony was. Everybody on the Cosa Nostra side and on the law enforcement side knows what this is. No mob guy commits a triple murder and then goes out to run to a place that we used to refer to as the FBI screen test, which was the Ravenite in Lower Manhattan and Mulberry Street. Everybody knows it, and it’s about time the story gets told, [3:05] and you’re going to see a lot more of this. Hey, all you wiretappers. Good to be back here in studio of Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit Sergeant, and I have a guy here who has a different story and what he would say the real story behind the murder of Carmine Galante. Now, guys, there’s three monumental hits in organized crime history, I would say. The Galante hit… [3:33] Big because of the cigar in his mouth and that picture that was captured, but he was also an important hit in Mob. Now we also had the Anastasia. Anastasia was important and it was also got important, more important because of the photographs. Paul Castellano was important, I think more because of John Gotti than anything, but Carmine Galante and Matt here knows a lot about that hit and a lot about an alternative story to what really happened as it was reported it in the media. So welcome, Matt. Thank you so much for having me on, Gary. I really love your program. I’m happy to be here. All right, Matt, you got a book made on Long Island. Let’s just show everybody the copy of that. There you go, guys. There’s a copy of the book. It’s available on Amazon right now, right, Matt? [4:25] It certainly is. Thank you for putting it up. And one little sentence I’ll draw attention to at the bottom is, no AI was used in this. I know a lot of books are coming out now and people using AI, which I personally think is garbage. This is all handwritten and 440 pages of story after story. Yeah, there’s a lot to it. I guess you were writing under the name of Bartley Scarborough. Yeah, Bart is a good guy. He’s a friend of mine who actually started organizing this with me literally about 15, 20 years ago. Just to give everybody the timetable, we could not release this stuff till now because everybody with criminal culpability is now deceased or one guy is doing life in jail without the possibility of parole for another crime. That’s why we waited so long. Bart organized this stuff. He had me go over the thoughts. And he actually, I don’t know how much he’s going to want to talk about it, but he actually was there when we spoke to some of our friends who gave us extreme detail about this. But in terms of the actual writing, I actually penned it all myself with Bart’s assistant. All right, great. And as you know by now, it’s no easy task to write, especially 400-some pages. That’s a lot of words. That’s a lot of work, guys. Trust me, that is a lot of work. [5:41] You’ve got to keep going over it. Good writing is hard because it takes about three rewritings to actually get it out. Did you find that? [5:51] I did. It’s definitely extremely hard to do with volumes like this going over the past so many years. And plus getting the information from our friends, it was extremely hard to do. It was very time consuming. And I need to stress for the audience, I was not present when any of these major crimes like the homicides went down. I was present for the other things in the book, horse racing, which I’m sure we’re going to talk about later, major fireworks sales. But I need the audience to know that I was not present when the homicides went down, even though I was a juvenile at the time, and that from the proceeds of the fireworks sale and the horse racing, I did not pocket the proceeds like other people did. I know there’s lawyers out there, and I’m paying some $1,000 an hour. I apologize to people, but the lawyers told me 100 times I need to make those facts clear. Okay. All right. You did not do any of this, but you were right next to people who did do this. So we’re talking about firsthand information, correct? That is correct. Now, again, I was there for some of the stuff. I was there for some of the entity in the book. I was definitely there for the major league fireworks deals and participated in those. The horse racing that we’ll get to later, I was there for that. But in terms of the hard stuff, the stuff with no statute of limitations, homicides, I was not there. [7:12] So tell me about these group of guys that you grew up with, that you started doing some of these things. We have some kind of interesting personalities in there. Tell us about those guys. Oh my gosh. We had a real collection of characters is the only way to put it. Now, growing up when we were very young, let’s call it 11, 12, 13, we all really had two goals in mind. We wanted to make money and we wanted to play sports at that age. And that’s what we did. We made money on anything, paper routes, shoveling snow, raking leaves. And what happened was being so competitive, we got into a feud with another group in the same town. Now, there’s no way around it. We were idiots at this age. Some of our guys were carrying guns. Two of the guys in particular, their parents, what we call, were on the job, which means they were cops. So they had access to guns. Another guy was able to get us guns. So the bottom line is you’ve got 13-year-old kids who… That have no fuse carrying guns. Here is where it all started. [8:11] My uncle, like my cousin’s dad, came to one of the baseball games, and we had no idea that he knew the other coaches. And all of a sudden, they realized these kids are carrying guns. They’re going to kill each other. So they sat us down, disarmed us. It’s a pretty funny thing that’s in the book. I remember my uncle saying, whoever has a weapon, you put it on the table right now. I take a sock out of my pocket. He’s, what’s wrong with you? He goes, I asked for weapons, not your dirty laundry. I go, there’s a 25 inside the sock. He was shocked. But what they did was this. They disarmed us. They said, you want to kill each other with fists? Go at it. But we have a better idea. Why don’t you sell fireworks? Why don’t you work for us? You’ll make money doing this. First year, we only had about a week before the 4th of July. We sold out a couple pallets that they had. Now, the second year, I said, can we get these same prices? They said absolutely We went nuts to sell this stuff We ended up with an order for $85,000, And that’s how the order was so big That John Gotti got brought into this He was their boss at the time That’s how we met him And again, people say John Gotti, John Gotti Well to us at the time John Gotti was the same as John Smith The name meant nothing to us. [9:26] So some of these guys, older guys that you started dealing with that sat you down were relatives. There were members of the Gambino family then of Gotti’s crew. That is correct. Yep. Yep. They actually had two guys out of the three guys that sat us down. And by the way, none of us, myself included, ever had even the slightest inkling that these guys were involved in organized crime. You actually had two guys that were Gambino guys and one guy who was also a coach who was with the Genovese. [9:54] That was the actual makeup of the three guys that sat us down. And this was that. What towns are you talking about out there in Long Island? Kind of guys that listen from New York. Sure. This is actually Syosset, believe it or not, which was a upper middle class area. Nice and calm, crime free. And again, most of everybody that was with us was from Syosset. [10:19] Interesting. So the fireworks thing, I’ve always wondered about that. I’ve noticed in Kansas City, the mob guys, several of them every year have these huge, big firework tents. And I started asking around. I found out that they might make $100,000 in about two or three weeks time off those fireworks. There must be immense profit in it. And it’s so that kind of profit and kind of a gray area crime, if you will, in some cities, they don’t allow fireworks to be sold or even to be shot off. Mob likes to get into that and make that money. So tell us a little bit more about how that worked. Who were your customers? You guys went out into the community and sold more. You were more like you weren’t retailers. You were more like found other people to retail. It sounds to me like tell me the nuts and bolts of how that worked. [11:05] That is exactly correct. Now, the first year when they gave us the two pallets with about five or six days, maybe a week before the 4th of July, we sold those strictly to local people we know. And by the way, as kids, we loved fireworks ourselves. We still do. I do. I can speak for myself. We love this stuff. Now, when I saw the prices, for example, that these guys can get us, and I’ll use a barometer, very common in New York, a mat of firecrackers, which is a pack of 80 packs inside, 16 firecrackers to a pack. You could buy that for $8 And it would just fly like hotcakes These guys were selling us the stuff At $3 a mat So all these prices Were anywhere from. [11:49] 70, sometimes even 80% cheaper than what we could sell them for. So the profit, like you said, was utterly enormous. Now we had a full year to work our second year because they said, yes, sell as much as you want, go ahead and get the pre-orders. We contacted everybody we knew. All of our guys had people in other places, Huntington, the town of Huntington, we did big business, other places out in Suffolk and even somewhere in the city. [12:13] And again, for young kids at that age to put together an order for $85,000. She knocked everybody. And that’s what really got their attention. And for that kind of money being fronted to us, that’s why they had to bring their boss in, which was John. The other thing that really shocked us too, I was worried about getting caught. Now the legal penalties for getting caught was nothing. Five or $10 fine, nothing on your record. It was nothing. However, the police could take all your firearms. If they took money like that from young kids, we’re finished. Our lives are over. and to be honest, the organization solved that for us. They sat us down with cops. The cops told us to our face, you will never have a problem. Don’t worry about it. And once I heard, that’s when I told our guys, go ahead and sell as much as you can, and that’s when we got the order for the two tractor trailers. I knew at that point in time, the risk is pretty much gone. Yes, there’s a risk of getting robbed, but we had two of our guys’ older brothers who were a really severe, a tough guy, one that’s referenced in the book a lot, Bubbles. And again, he’s a deceased, and we’ll talk about him more in terms of the Galante hit. So people that are going to rob us really would be like, why would I rob these guys? Look at who they’re with. So in my opinion, we had no risk, and that’s why we went nuts with this. [13:30] That’s the beauty of working with the mob. They usually had connections with law enforcement that could get you protected. Now, you brought Gotti into it. Tell us about meeting Gotti for the first time. [13:39] Was he all that, like they say? Was he just this real charismatic personality that you just wanted him to like you and wanted to do what he wanted you to do? What was that like? I’m glad you brought it up because I’m going to tell you that’s the funniest thing that ever happened to any of us in our lives. And I suspect it might have been one of the funniest things that ever happened to him. When we got this order for the two-tracked trailers, he wanted to meet us with some of his other people. One that turned out to be Angelo, quack, quack, Angelo Ruggiero. And we decided to meet at our friend’s house over in Syosset. It was during a school day, but we had no risk because his dad was a New York City cop. His dad wasn’t there. His mom would be out the whole day playing a card game she played called Mahjong. So we said, yeah, let’s do it at his house. Now, these guys show up. Again, we’re teens. We’re 13, 14, 15 in that range. One, a couple guys maybe a couple years older. And these guys were like in their low 30s. That’s all John Gotti was age-wise when we met him, I would say. [14:39] No older, I wouldn’t think, than 35. I could do the math, but right in that range. All nice cars, nice suits. They come in with all the samples. So we lay them all around my friend Jeff’s house I’m talking about in his stoves, his mother’s piano, the couches and everything And they’re going over stuff and they’re saying, look This stuff here comes $48 to a case Your price, I’m just making up numbers for argument’s sake Your price is $175 a case on this one You can easily sell this stuff for $600 or whatever the numbers were So we’re shocked Now to set the stage My friend’s mom was really A kind of a crazy lady she was very Loud and she was extremely Opinionated if not wild She would always kid my not kid She was serious to my friend Jeff saying You’re a no good bum this Boy’s gonna end up in jail she would berate Our friend into the ground I mean this kid was crazy believe me this kid was Driving us to school at 14 and 15 years Old didn’t have a worry in the world So Yeah. [15:40] This is where the humor came in. She came home unexpectedly. Apparently, one of the card players didn’t show up. They couldn’t do it. She walks into her house, and she sees fireworks all over. She sees us with guys who look like gangsters that are 35 years old, and she blows her stack. She screams, who are these hoodlums in my house? What are these devices these criminals have? What is this fool meaning her son done this time with nuts? And I’ll never forget John says to my uncle who was in there He says did you set this up as a gag? Very low so nothing we could hear except a few people And my uncle had a really weird look on his face He goes I wish I could get off that easy So we figure the deal is all over She’s going nuts I run up to her with the price lists And I say Mrs. Goldberg please I know we like to shoot a fire It’s not about that It’s about making money I show her the list And I reference before the matter firecrackers I point to it. I call these guys firework salesmen. That’s what I call John and Angelo. I go, these firework salesmen here can sell us this amount of firecrackers for $3. [16:49] We can sell it all day long for $8. There’s a fortune in this. So then instead of her blowing up, she goes, tell me more. So that was funny enough. So I go through more prices. And just to set the stage for your listeners, a lot of people in New York might know this term. People outside might not. I’m a Christian, but if you have a non-Christian, Jewish people call him Goy or Goyim. She’s looking at the lists, and she explodes in the loudest voice you’ve ever heard. If the Goyim will buy these devices, then sell them to the Goyim we were. We lost it. [17:24] She said that Angelo, my uncle, a bunch of the guys had to go outside. And I stepped outside with them, too, because they didn’t want to insult her and laugh in her face. I don’t know how John stayed in the house with her, but he did for a while. These guys were laughing so hard, tears were coming out of us. So the neighborhood girls that we knew saw these guys all dressed in suits. They thought we were crying, and they sincerely asked, are you guys okay what happened? It was because we were laughing so hard we started crying. So I said, let me get in here. The fireworks deal is more important. So she went over this stuff with us, telling us how we’re going to make money. Just insanity. The book really expands on this. And then afterwards, when John left the house, he also broke down in laughter. He didn’t want to do it in front of her. He couldn’t take it. Out of respect, he didn’t want to laugh in someone’s face like that. But he walked two doors down, and he freaking lost it. So I think it’s got to be one of the funniest things he’s ever had happen to him in his life. He said it was. And it just got crazier from there. [18:19] Now, was Angelo Ruggiero with him? He was his right-hand man. Was he there on this deal? Yeah, Angelo was there with him. Yep, he sure was. What was he like to deal with as a person? I’ve interviewed his son who has a show. What was he like? Was he funny? He seemed like he talked a lot and was a funny guy. I’m just curious. He did. And again, in the account that you guys are going to read about in the book, Tommy, who’s the main character in this book, who again, deceased and gave me all the interactions he had with him, explains what a nice guy he was. I know he had a violent side. I know he has a lot of hits under his belt, but he was apparently a ton of fun. [18:59] When I interacted with him, I thought he was freaking hilarious. And as you’ll see in the book, Angelo is really the one who fed all the inside information nonstop to our buddy Tommy, Tommy, who at that time was playing cards over at John’s Club in Ozone Park, the Bergen, very regularly at that point in time. And the book really traces Tommy about what happened, his interactions with Angelo, his interactions with everybody else. And when you get to the whole crux of the matter, Angelo is the one who told our good friend Tommy that, hey, the commission has authorized a hit on Galante. And the hit is to be done jointly with our family, meaning the Gambinos, and with the Bananos. And that John was going to be the leader of the Gambino faction. [19:48] Sonny Red and Delicato was going to be the leader of the Banano faction, and Joey Messino was not only the one taking the messages to and from Rusty, which is the Philip Mestelli in jail, but Joe Messino was going to supervise the entire operation. So that was the structure of it. Yeah, that’s what I’ve read about it. And also what you’re saying about Angelo Ruggiero is that’s one reason the Bureau was able to learn so much about Castellano because he would go to meetings at Castellano’s house, if I remember right, come back home and get on the phone or have some people come over. And he talked to him about, he said this and he said this and he said that and he said this. That gave him probable cause then to go into Castellano’s house. So he was known to be loose lips, and that’s why he got the moniker quack quack, I’ve heard. But I also heard it was because of the way he walked, so I’m not sure. No, that’s true. Both of what you’re saying is true. And just to touch on him one more time, very important. He loved my friend Tommy because Tommy got him out of more than a couple of jams. I’ll give an example. There was a guy in the Gambino family up in Connecticut. John always referred to him as the genius Tony Mungali And he put a firework sorter in with Angelo. [21:06] Now, this guy blew his stack because no fireworks came, and he had promised the entire neighborhood a gigantic fireworks show. He had his friends, his people of his family over there, neighbors and no fireworks. This guy blew his stack, and this story is detailed in the book. Tommy got a call from another Gambino guy the morning of July 5th, very early. He was still hungover from partying the night before. He said, oh, my God, what’s this about? It’s got to be something bad. Did somebody blow their hand off with fireworks? What’s going on? And the bad news was that this Tony had put a beef in saying, what’s wrong with you people? You didn’t do what you said. And he was blaming Angelo. Tony was all over Angelo. And the bottom line is Tony was right. It was Angelo’s fault. However, my friend Tommy never threw Angelo under the bus. My friend Tommy ate it. And he basically, it’s a real good recounting in the book. And there’s so many stories like this. There’s hundreds of them. But I’ll give you this one real quick. [22:03] Like, so Tommy basically told Tony Mengele, listen, how old are the kids that you promised this big fireworks show to? And Tony blew up. He’s like, what the F does it matter how old the kids are? But my friend Tommy was smart and he was going somewhere. He’s like, listen, these kids don’t know the difference between July 5th and July 4th. We’re going to come to your house tonight. We’re going to give it the most insane fireworks show anybody in your area has ever seen. We don’t want a dime. We’re so sorry this mistake happened They go up there I was with them at that point. [22:38] Nothing but fun. So welcoming. And again, my buddies, none of us would ever throw Angelo under the bus. And believe me, Tony and his uncle, Sandalo, he tried to pin it on Angelo. We said, no, it’s not his fault. It’s not his fault. Bottom line is those guys loved us. One of Tony’s workers ended up being a gigantic fireworks customer of ours. And to the best of my knowledge to this day, and I’m not involved in it in the slightest, To this day, all one of his guys does is sell fireworks in the Connecticut region. Makes a fortune. Interesting. And so that’s a wild story. But again, Angelo loved Tommy because so many times Tommy would say, look, Angelo didn’t do this. I did. What did Angelo do in return? He gave Tommy so many different pieces of information. And again, I won’t bog you down, but each one of these stories is so interesting. Angelo had some fireworks clubs that he made money on. [23:32] There’s no other way to put it. Angelo was not working much at all. And then one of these meetings, John brought everyone in and said, listen, from now on, these clubs that sell fireworks, particularly Oceanside, New York, Long Beach, Bayville, Massapequa, he goes, I’m giving them to you guys to run. And now, obviously, none of us want anything to do like that. We’re going to cut out his friends. We’re going to end up in a freaking meat grinder or end up in a cement truck. So we all told John we didn’t want it. John said, that’s it. It’s over. It’s yours. so then our next step was to make sure we figured out how much roughly those guys were making. [24:05] I give my friend tommy all the credit in the world he ended up giving angelo more money by a lot, for using the place than angelo ever made doing work and this time angelo doesn’t have to do any work angelo loved us all these guys loved us because we paid them more than they made and now they didn’t have to do a damn thing so our guys were very smart and calculating particularly Tommy, but some of the other ones. And that was a good Angelo story. Yeah, it is. And I’ve read that not only Gotti and in his neighborhood, but other mob guys around in New York and their neighborhoods, they would put on a huge fireworks shows for everybody in the neighborhood every year. Gotti particularly was noted for that. That is interesting, their love for fireworks and fireworks shows. Did they ever front you these things? Did they front you money or did Did they buy the fireworks? [24:56] You guys made this money each year, but I’m sure you’d spend it all. Then the following year, you’d have to come up with money. How did that work? The money worked. You wanted to be able to pay them back if they fronted anything. [25:08] Yes. You have a bunch of good questions here. I’m going to backtrack one second on what you said about guys in the life loving fireworks. That is a hundred percent fact. Love the fireworks and the stuff that people see at some of the celebrations over at the Bergen. Yeah, that was rooted from our guys providing it. Now, here is one of the reasons why John turned over these four locations to us. He had complaints from multiple people. Castellano, I believe Michael Franzese people. These guys went to the fireworks locations on the best days, like July 2nd and July 3rd, and they were closed. And John blew up at that. He’s making me look like a freaking idiot. I’m telling Castellano’s people, it could have been his nephews or little cousins or whatever, go to this place to load up with fireworks for free. These guys go to the place and it’s closed that’s one of the motivating factors why john, turned that business over to us we had it open all the time now in terms of fronting stuff absolutely the money was enormous those guys fronted it to us all the time big loads that’s just how it was young kids like that we can come up with anything near that kind of money. [26:14] And just another tidbit too the lady i told you about who would go wild when we were doing the deal. She offered to fund some money up too. And that’s detailed in the book as well. But yeah, as we got it to like year number three, I don’t remember us ever putting a penny up after year three. It was all fronted to us. Was it all cash too? When you went out to these clubs and these people with the neighborhoods and stuff, would they always just give you cash each year? [26:40] That is a great question, and the answer is yes for the people we retailed to, yes for the people that walked into the stores. However, we had wholesale customers that we would give credit to. Now, I’ll give you this story, which is also detailed in the book real quick. There was a street gang in Huntington. They were known as the Huntington Hitters, primarily Hispanics. They gave us an order, and one of our good friends got back from a younger kid that he helped out before that his older brother was intending to rob us when we dropped off the fireworks. [27:14] So we had what I thought was a brilliant plan made. Tommy was very instrumental in this, and I gave some feedback too. We told these guys, come meet us at this bar out on Jericho Turnpike in Huntington. We have some additional fireworks we want to show you guys and see if you want it, which was a lie. But we knew that they wouldn’t rob us then because we didn’t have anything honest. Let me tell you what we brought to that meeting. We brought Bubbles and two of his guys that were freaking deadly people. And they had freaking gym bags with them. And they said, don’t worry anything about security when we do this deal. And they showed him stuff inside the bags, heavy duty weaponry. So right away, these Huntington hitter group said, these are the wrong people to rob. So sure enough, right on cue, a day or two later, they called my buddy and said, you know what? We don’t want to do the fireworks business. We can’t. That I petitioned, and I got a few of my friends to agree, and Tommy definitely went with it too. You know what? These guys can make a fortune doing this. Let’s front them five or ten grand worth of this stuff and see what happens. And I’m like, it’s not going to cost us anything. Number one, I don’t think they’re going to rob us. If they do, what did we lose? $1,500 at the most? My friends said we were nuts, but we went with it. And I want to tell you, smartest move we ever made. [28:29] As every year we went by, we fronted them more and more. They were our first customer that we ever fronted a full tractor trailer to. Never had a problem getting one cent from them. It’s funny how that evolved. It’s just absolute madness. But again, I give Tommy a lot of the credit here and some of the other guys very sharp to come up with a business plan like this. [28:52] I tell you, this little crew you got in with early on, they were a bunch of hustlers. But you also had this deal with Gotti and horse racing and getting inside information on horse racing. There’s some pretty good stories there that are in the book. Tell the guys a little bit about that point. Then we’ll move on to the Galante hit. [29:11] Absolutely. Now, horse racing was interesting. We would go to a place called Roosevelt Raceway, which is over in Westbury, Long Island. Really not that far from where we lived over in Syosset. Now, again, I know the law was probably you had to be 18 to make a bet. They didn’t care. I was making bets there at 12 and 13 years old. I’ll tell you this one time that they did care, and I’ll get to that at the end of the question you asked, and you’ll see why. So we were clowns, but even as clowns, we could see it. If a horse, these were harness racing, by the way. If a harness race is coming down the stretch, you didn’t have to be a genius to see that one or two of these horses would hold back, but the other two jockeys would whip the crap out of their horses. So naturally, we felt cheated, even at young ages. Our guys were definitely certified. There’s no question about that. Our guys would throw things at the freaking jockeys. I’m talking about golf balls, rocks. Our guys were insane. And a lot of that stuff is detailed in the book, how crazy we were. But to get to your point, after I think it was the third or fourth year, John walked with Tommy. [30:17] And he said, you guys are bringing in so much money and doing so well. I want to give you a gift. And I remember Tommy, because myself and a little bit of Bart, but myself, I had to pull all this out of my friend Tommy. He knew he was going to pass away. And he wanted this story out in the public. Now, this guy, Tommy, never wanted his real name used, but he gave me detail after detail. Some of the stuff, like I’m explaining with the fireworks and the horse racing, I was there myself to see. But on the heavy stuff, he gave me detail after detail. same with a little bit to Bart. So this is how Tommy explained it to us. John gave him a sheet of paper and Tommy being a smartest said, oh, what is this, John? You want me to go play the freaking lottery with these numbers? What do these numbers mean? John, you smartest. Here’s what the numbers mean. The first number was the number of the race at Roosevelt Raceway. The next four numbers were the only four horses that could win. Usually these races had eight horses in them. Once in a while, seven, once in a while, nine, but eight was the norm. Those are the only four horses that can win. And for the audience, I want to explain to them how that’s possible. [31:24] Let’s say you have an eight horse harness race and you tell four of the jockeys, no matter what happens, you are not to come in the top. They’ll hold the horses back. And by the way, this is not just conjectural rumor. These guys got locked up for it later on down the line, jockeys and everybody what they were doing is it hold the four horses back the organization would have no idea what horse was going to win they just knew which four wouldn’t so what did they didn’t bet winner plays to show they would bet exactus triples and sometimes super factors which means all four and box those four around some yeah so in your example. [32:03] Basically, John gave our buddy Tom three races, and Tommy knew that this has got to be damn better than a tip. It has to be rock solid. So what happened was we all went there, and we knew nothing about it. We didn’t know that we should just bet a small amount of money. We had no knowledge about damaging a pool, so I’ll make it easy for the listeners. Tommy overbet these races like crazy. For example, if a three combination triple should pay $1,500, the first thing the FBI and the New York Racing Authority would ask is, why did this $1,500 triple pay only $400? And the reason is, and they knew it because the race was fixed. So everybody was betting those combinations. Now, the organization was smart enough to only bet small amounts of money, and they used the term not to damage the pool. That was a term they used all the time. We don’t want to damage the pool. [33:04] Again, throw us in the mix. We had absolutely no idea. We didn’t know any of this. So Tommy bet the crap out of these races, and he did damage the pool. And that brought the attention of the authorities. But worse than that, another long story in the book goes back to the Connecticut people, because I think the genius Tony Mengele was the one helping to fix the races. So they figured there was a leak on their side. And John Gotti actually thought he was going to get killed over this. And he told people, including Angelo, I might not be coming back from this meeting. I got sent for here. The horse pulls bad because John was really running the horses with Tony and some other guys. Tony grabbed him by chance outside of the Ravenite, Mr. Neal’s club, and they walked. [33:52] And Tony apparently was furious, like, yeah, let’s kill whoever damaged the pool, whoever did this. And then John apparently told him it was us. And then Tony says, oh, man, those fireworks guys, I love those guys. He goes, okay, nothing’s going to happen here. So apparently Tony went into the meeting, and he basically lied to the people there, Castellano and Neil Delacroach, and he says, listen, I found out the leak. The leak is on our side, and I’ll take care of it. And that’s how it worked But again, that ties back to the fireworks If that never happened, I don’t know what would have happened John had every intention of going in there and saying he’s screwed up He didn’t explain to us And he had no business giving us the numbers And he knows that, He did not have permission to give us anything at the racetrack He took it on himself to do it, And he got saved by that stroke of luck Of meeting Tony in front of the club before the meeting Had someone been outside, whoever Tommy Bellotti or anybody said Hey, get inside, the meeting’s going on Those two would not have had a chance to talk. I don’t know what would have happened, but I think it would have been very bad for Sean. Yeah, would have been. Yeah, that’s interesting. Now, explain to the guys about the pool. Everybody doesn’t know about the pool. [35:04] These exactors and trifectas, how that pool works. That is a great question because we had to have it explained to us. Let’s take any racetrack, and the first number you’re going to have is how many people bet on what’s focused on triples. Now, the definition of a triple is horses come in the order of one, two, three. So if you bet a 7-4-3 triple, the race must end 7-4-3 for you to hit that triple. Now, the next variation of that is if you like the 7-4-3, what most people will do is they will do what’s called boxing that triple, which means they have 7-4-3 and that’s a winner. [35:43] But so is 4-3-7. So is any combination. So is 2-7-4. [35:49] 3-7-4. Any of the combination of your three horses win. Now, they can tell what a triple should pay based on the amount that’s spent and what the odds are. Let’s say you have a horse that’s a mid shot, like an 8 or 10 to 1. You have a favorite in there and maybe a halfway of a little bit of a long shot. They know what that should pay in a certain range. Now, if you know that race was fixed, and by the way, it’s all pari-mutual, so the weighting is average. If you’ve got $10,000 in a triple pool and you have 10 winning tickets, each ticket’s going to get paid $1,000. And they would know that’s legitimate and that’s honest. And there should be about 10 people with those combinations. Now, if you have that same $10,000 worth of triple pool, and again, these are round numbers. It’s way higher, just for an example. and all of a sudden you’ve got 105 winning tickets when mathematically there should be 10 or 15 at the most the money drops that thousand dollar prize now might be 210 dollars and that’s what the feds and everyone new york racing authority looks for if you have a horse that’s eight to one first place let’s say ten to one second place and let’s say five to two third place that triple should pay something like, I’m guessing, $400, $500, $600 around that range. If that triple pays only $150, right away they know that somebody knew something. [37:16] Too many people bet on that combination. They know how many people probably will bet on any certain combination. And when that gets skewed, too many people bet on one combination, then they know something’s up. Interesting. That’s like these new sports prop bets in the apps on gambling, on the apps on sports. If all of a sudden there’s a whole lot of money goes out on some team on the spread and too much money goes down in one place, then they know there’s something going on. Somebody knows something and they start looking. [37:48] Exactly. They start looking and you make a great point about today’s sports betting. If you have a basketball player, and again, this is not conjecture. There’s already been indictments on this. Let’s say the guy is supposed to have 11 rebounds in a game. All of a sudden, when he has nine, he tells the coach, man, I hurt my ankle. I can’t play anymore. Now, if the balance was normal on his under and his over, no problem. What do we all know happens? The under money bet on this guy is radical. It’s a 95 to 5 ratio. They know right away it’s fixed. And that’s what I believe the guy in Toronto, the Toronto Raptors was doing. And so many other ones were too, but that’s everywhere. We were involved in that way, way back in the day as well, to some degree. We heard so much about it. Yeah, interesting. [38:34] Let’s get into Carmine Galante. The probably most famous, certainly the most famous image, even more famous than Albert Anastasia of Carmine Galante laying there. He was the Bonanno, longtime Bonanno capo and had risen up in the ranks. And he comes out of the penitentiary and Rusty Rustelli is supposed to be the next Bonanno boss. And Carmine decides that he’s going to act like he’s the boss. So let’s talk about how this whole thing started a little bit. That is a great observation. And that’s pretty much how the ball got rolling with those guys. Here’s how we got involved in this. [39:12] We had one of our good friends who was helping us with the fireworks and going to the clubs and having nothing but fun. And then the one night when Tommy was at the club, the cops came in. And I know a lot of people think, oh, Cosa Nostra doesn’t mix with the cops. People will think that they don’t know what they’re talking about. Look at the convictions with gas pipe cases and everybody else. John had guys on his payroll that ended up getting convicted and stuff. [39:39] The cops and Cosa Nostra do work together. despite what everyone else says. Look at us with the fireworks, for example. So anyway, at the card game, what I was told from Tommy is they kept getting messages after messages. And again, these messages at that time would come in over pay phones. There were no cell phones. So you’d have a guy sitting at the pay phone. And as I’m told, most of the messages would be coded numbers. Let’s say Angelo’s number was 167. The guy would just pick up the phone, tell number 167, which is Angelo. [40:11] Another set of code numbers and that might mean hey the cops are coming over now the cops came into the club they came into the bergen and apparently they told everybody listen nobody here is getting locked up we don’t want information we just need to give you some news and from what tommy says because he was there playing cards at the time they told him that our good friend michael had died in a car accident and they wanted to know should they go and wake his dad up and And his dad obviously was in the life made guy and do it that way. Or did John and Angelo perhaps want to go out to the house? They gave him the option to do it. And John and Angelo, of course, jumped at that. And they, whatever they did, they went at the house. I don’t know if they waited till they woke up in the morning, whatever it was and knocked on the door or whatever. But so that’s what happens now at the wake, by the way, just to make the story a little bit more clear, there. [41:09] This was probably our fourth year or so selling fireworks. And every year we sold fireworks, we met more and more people. So many of it is detailed in the book. I can’t even tell you the list of people we met. And you name it, Tony Ducks, Corralo, all these guys. So we’re meeting more and more people. Two in particular that we started hanging out with because they liked us because we were just crazy, drinking, women chasing maniacs, were Baldo and Chesery. And that’s Baldo Amato and Cheshire Bonventry. They were with the Bananos. And we were hanging out with them. They grabbed my friend Tommy at the wake and pulled him away. And everyone’s thinking, oh, they’re really Sicilian. We call them the Zips. They’re tough guys. They probably just don’t want to show their emotions because they love Michael in front of everybody. We didn’t know what was going on. They informed my friend Tommy that our friend, Michael, did not die in a car accident. It was a basic, supposed to be a warning that turned into a hit. [42:12] And Tommy’s, that’s nonsense. The cops told us the car was off the road. The car was a crumpled mess. That’s nonsense. But Baldo insisted and said, no, these guys shot him off the road. So nobody believed any of this. But we came up with the conclusion of, hey, we’re friends with the cops. The cops will take us to the impound yard. Let’s see for ourselves. House so those guys went over there and what tommy says they found bullet holes in like less than a minute they found a couple bullet holes so they knew right away that baldo was telling the truth now all this was going on other people would tell us don’t trust baldo don’t trust chesery the sicilians are the most ruthless cunning backstabbers you’re ever going to meet and i didn’t feel that way and neither did tommy or the other guys that were involved with us our other friends aunt and The whole gang, Gonzo, we didn’t feel that way at all. We thought they really had our best interest. So. [43:08] That stayed quiet, but two of our friends swore on that day, no matter who did this to our friend, Michael, no matter who they are, we don’t care what their rank or anything. [43:19] We’re going to make them pay for what they did. They’re going to have to answer for what they did to our friend. And we know the rules. You can’t touch a maid guy or an associate without getting permission. But we kept everything quiet for another reason. Michael’s dad I referred to as a maid guy. Now, you talk about crazy. This guy was nuts. This guy had no fuse. He’s detailed all over the book. For example, when John O’Neill would tell him to go out and just talk to a guy, don’t hurt him. This guy owes us a couple thousand. Just talk to him. The guy would end up with two broken arms. This guy had no fuse whatsoever. If he ever thought for a minute that somebody had killed his son, the worry was, and I think the worry is correct, he would have gone out and just killed better than adult targets all over the place. Whether they knew anything about it Which 99% of them knew nothing about this He would have just started killing people He would have started a war So that was the reason why the bosses, Did not want him And to his death he never knew that this happened They kept it from him for that reason There was no stopping this guy would have gone on a rampage So that was a big factor in that, So Then you talked before about the card games And Angelo. [44:30] More of these messages came in And my buddy Tommy noticed it And he said, Angelo, what’s going on? And so don’t worry after the card game, I’ll walk you down and we’ll talk to you. Apparently after the card games, Tommy and Angelo would walk down 101st Avenue and have these long talks. And Angelo said to Tommy, the commission has authorized a hit on Carmine Galante. We got the hit. John is our lead. [44:54] We have to do it jointly with the Bananas. Sonny Red is there, and Joe Massino is going to look at the whole thing and supervise the whole thing. So bells went off on my friend Tommy’s head. All of a sudden, he got everybody together. Not me, of course. I was not there when this transpired. I was not there when they organized the hit. But he got the other guys together, and he said, look, this is the guy who killed our friend. We have no risk now because the commissioner wants this guy dead. So these guys came out with what Tommy detailed to me. And by the way, it wasn’t just Tommy who detailed this to us. Bubbles detailed it to us. And there’s one big distinction I need to mention here. Tommy wanted all of this out. He did not want his real name used. [45:40] However, Bubbles wanted his real name used. He used to hang out with general views people. And he told me, he goes, use my name. I want people to know that I did this. And after he passed and that’s why inside the book we do reveal his real name and where he lived and the interesting thing for me was Bubbles and Tommy had no idea that each one of them was talking to me and to a small degree Bart about this so the details that they both gave were exactly the same the most ingenious hit I’ve ever heard of in my life they had police help from the 8-3 precinct over in Bushwick. Apparently, there was some cop over there that hated, I think it was a family dispute of some kind. The guy who was being, I think his grandmother or aunt or somebody was being shaken down by the bananas. So we had that asset. We now had Baldo and Chesery, who were Galante’s top bodyguards. So our guys went out on surveillance for months. And the funny thing about the surveillance was, who else was doing surveillance at the same time? [46:47] John Gotti was, and so was his people. So there was times like when Tommy and the guys would be close to a certain place. And by the way, he was killed at Joe and Mary’s. But that is not the only place that these guys did heavy surveillance on. And it’s not the only place that Galanti hung out at. So the book names a bunch of other places that the surveillance was done. So these guys would be there, and they’d look down the block, and possibly John and Angela were there doing the same surveillance. So they had to leave. Otherwise, John and Angela, what the hell are you guys doing over here? So that was funny to me on that regard But our guys in my opinion Put together the most ingenious hit Down to every single detail. [47:26] Basically took out the police help to help with the zips. The alibi is another crazy part of this. At that time, we would like to do a lot of fishing. We went off to a place called Sentinel Riches in Long Island. And one time we were night fishing over there and we saw guys jump off the boat, get onto smaller boats and come back an hour or two later with bundles. Now you don’t have to be Albert Einstein to realize what they were doing. They were running junk and they were Colombians. Yeah. So I discussed it a little bit with the boat’s captain and he said, just don’t say a word. Don’t go near him. Keep you guys away. We almost had a problem because again, our guys were drunk and our guys were carrying and our guys will, we came close to having a problem. But Tommy put this together. He had the boat captain go out one day and again, he didn’t tell all the people that were with, he didn’t tell his cousin’s crew for Shaw, who was with us that day, our guys jumped off the boat onto a smaller boat, took that boat to the Oak Beach Inn, took stolen cars in on that day, the July 12th, 1979, and they did the hit. [48:35] So Tommy’s uncle was furious with him. He thought he was lying to him. He goes, you’re lying. You were not there. I put you on that boat, which he did. Our friends were drunk and they drove him there on the road. Morning and i picked you up when that boat doc said don’t lie to me you’re on the boat all day and that’s when tommy and again this is detailed in the book like crazy told everybody can you say alibi and what do you mean he goes yeah you just said we were on the boat all day that’s not true, jumped the boat went to the oak beach and took the stolen cars did the work and came back so that was that shocked everybody in the room apparently when tommy was forced to detail, everything that happened on the hit. He even detailed for them all the cars that were involved. He detailed how the marked police cars actually held parking spaces for our guys in front of the place. One was, my understanding, about a half a block north. The other one was about a half a block south of the location over there, which was 205 Knickerbocker. They held the parking spaces. Our guys rolled up. [49:37] And if there was something going on, like, for example, FBI surveillance or unmarked cops in the place, those cop cars were not giving up the space. Our guys would honk and flash at them. But if they did not give up the spaces, the signal to our guys was the place is dirty, leave. So we had a lot of built-in signals like that. And then when they gave up the parking spots, both of the cops moved from one north heading south, one south heading north. What did that do? That let them both take one more scan of the block. Is the block dirty? And if the block was dirty, they were going to blow the sirens and everything was off. But the details, again, that are in the book about this hit are freaking shocking how meticulous it was. [50:22] Interesting. I have one question that Galante’s guy, Cousin Moy, they called him, Angelo Prezzanzano, I probably butchered that, but he was off sick that day. Was he part of it or was he just off sick that day? I’m going to tell you, to be honest, I have no knowledge of that. I know that Boldo and Chessery were the primary bodyguards that day. Yeah, they were there that day. I actually have no knowledge, but the other couple of details that are just beyond fascinating, how our guys operated on this. For example, when the car pulled up with one driver and three shooters, one of the shooters, again, he wanted to be named, so we’re naming him. It was Bubbles. [51:01] And the other two guys, Bubbles was a very big-built guy. He would easily be spotted. Plus, he knew a lot of people in the city. He stayed in the car. The two guys that were normal-built, they went inside. And I want the listeners to understand how skilled these guys were at this hit. [51:19] They had provided Baldo and Chesery with dark jackets that day. Now, I’ve read some stuff that people said, oh, they had big, heavy leather jackets on. That’s a lie. They were lightweight summer jackets. And people said, why do that? The answer is because at that time, people were wearing white and pastels and light clothing. It was burning hot that day in the summer. And if you want to spot somebody in a restaurant, you want them to stick out like a sore thumb. So that was the motivation for those black jackets. Now, check this one out. And again, the book goes through this in so many more details. Our guys walked in prearranged with Baltimore Orioles baseball hats. Because again, keep in mind, Chesaree and Boulder did not have a great command of the English language. They didn’t really 100% know American customs. And we showed them Mets and Yankee hats that everybody has. So now we show them a distinctive bright orange baseball hat with a bird on it that nobody could mistake. Here was the signal. Our guys walked up to them face to face with these hats on. [52:22] Now, that was slick. That was slicker shit, man. It was smart because if the place was hot, if Boldo and Chesery realized there was too many maid guys in there or surveillance guys or FBI in there, they were to immediately tell our guys it’s too crowded today. Only get takeout. Only get takeout. The place is too crowded. That was a signal to our guys to walk out and to tell the people the place is hot. leave. These guys had multiple hot signals here that if something was wrong, they would do it. Now, if they didn’t give those signals, our guys were to turn their hats around. So they walked in with the hats like a normal baseball player. They walked out with the hats like a catch you would wear with his hat on backwards. That was to give Boulder and Chesery the signal, Boulder and Chesery the signal this thing was going down. Now, here’s the most fascinating thing about the story is Tommy recanted for us. That day, July 12th, 79, was supposed to be a dry run. [53:28] And they told everybody, just do it like it’s real. Now, we were all hoping that Bould on Chesaree would do it like it was real, and they did it. They walked out of the place, and they walked north. I believe in their minds, they said, this is a dry run. Nothing’s going to happen. Then they heard the shots, and that’s what happened. And I want to elaborate on this because, again, there’s so much built in here. One of the witnesses said that, and I’ll tell you who the witness was. It was one of the guys who killed his daughter, Torano. His daughter had said that, oh, I saw Baldo crouched over with a gun. Gary, you’re a former detective. You’ve got a scene with four people shot, three dead. And you have a witness saying that a guy was in there with a gun out. You tell me how the guy is not arrested at the very least and tried. And I’m going to give everyone the answer here of why that didn’t happen. And I think it’s pretty clear. [54:25] I’m convinced that the FBI had static surveillance on the place, just like they did to Mr. Neal’s club that we always call the, basically the FBI screen test. Yeah. That’s number one. And, or they had a guy up the street. So I believe what happened here was they looked at what this witness said, and then either their own cameras or a human agent that they had on the streets said, wait a second, we cannot charge these guys. I saw a bold on Chesaree, whatever the number would be, 200 feet up the street before the shots rang out. They’re innocent. They didn’t do the shooting. Otherwise, of course, you got a witness saying, I saw a guy behind a table in a gun in a quadruple shooting, triple homicide, and that guy’s not going to get arrested. So obviously there was something there. [55:16] I was wondering why. And I’m going to take another step for people, too. And again, terrible. Cosa knows the story ever told. But to take this one step further, the cop cars were there. There were two marked cars close in proximity when this went down. I think the FBI might have said, wait a second here. What just happened? One guy that we hate, Galante, is dead. Some other guy, a cap on a maid guy are gone. Look at our cameras. How could we do anything here? There’s marked cops here. I think the feds had to realize the cops played a role in this. [55:50] Let’s just kill it and move on. I think that’s possible. Now, the cop cars were also referenced by Tommy. He told us the meeting that they had. It was a life or death meeting, by the way. When John Gotti and other people went to that meeting, Tommy’s uncle and people like that, there was a good chance none of them were going to come out alive. The book details that Castellano, who everyone knows, wanted to kill John Gotti, had a cast of killers in that building. Roy DeMail’s people were in there. There were people in there that you couldn’t even believe. Nino Gadge’s people in there. Hardcore butchers. They knew how to dispose of and chop up bodies. So in that meeting, apparently what Tommy made clear, and again, we took notes, we went over this for hours, days, literally years. [56:36] Sonny Red and Delicato made the statement in that meeting because, again, Sonny Red and Delicato put in the beef, hey, you guys did this hit without us. John Gotti’s saying, fuck you. Excuse my language. Effu. You guys did the hit without us. Nobody knew who did this hit, and I’ll get to that later. What happened here was that Sonny Red and Delicato and his people made an immediate beef, and we’ll talk about that later, saying, hey, The commission said this is to be a joint hit Between the Bananos and the Gambinos And I can definitely confirm From what they told me, Banano people and Gambino people Were on this hit together and doing surveillance So when Galante got killed Sonny Red and his Banano people Were furious Because they thought John Gotti went off And did a hit against the commission’s wishes At the same time, John Gotti was furious At Sonny Red and his people Thinking they did the work Without them being notified But the thing that Tommy always stressed is, again, that meeting was a death trap. Castellano always hated Gotti. Castellano wanted Gotti out. And this was the chance to do it for breaking the commission rule. So Castellano had hardcore murderers there that day. Roy DeMeo and his crew. [57:49] Incredible. You know, Gadgi, a cast of murderers. And John Gotti being street smart. And again, this is fully detailed in the book. It’s just too much to talk about here. John Gotti had made some very heavy precautions himself. Going into that meeting. But what the catch for me was, Sonny Red and Delicato said something like, whoever did this hit was either the most incompetent hitman ever, or possibly they were zips from Montreal that couldn’t give a crap if they were shot at or in a police shootout or whatever. They just didn’t care. And then Tommy said, what if I tell you that those cops were in on the hit? And that silenced the room. And that’s when Tommy had to come clean and talk about everything about it. And it shocked the people that were in that run that this hit was done like that. But that’s, that’s really how this thing was done. Interesting. Guys, you got to get this book. I’m telling you, Made on Long Island. And there’s a whole lot more details, these behind the scenes details about the Galante hit with some real people involved. It’s a lot different story than what we’ve ever heard. I know that. And even people went to jail behind this. But it was mainly on the say-so of informants who, as we know, will pretty much say anything to g

Ryan Pineda and Brian Davila host Michael Franzese as he shares his controversial views on government corruption, global power dynamics, and elite influence, drawing parallels between organized crime and modern politics.⁣⁣Watch the full interview here - https://youtu.be/sOXKUHSVtgU⁣⁣Connect with Michael - ⁣I Made $8,000,000 A Week In The Mob | Michael Franzese - https://youtu.be/siOsknie7m0⁣https://www.youtube.com/@UC4xuh0pSLRLhzWGUnpOlvXw ⁣https://www.instagram.com/michaelfranzese_⁣https://linktr.ee/michaelfranzese⁣__________⁣If you want to start your real estate investing business, we'll give you 1:1 coaching, seller leads, software, & everything you need. https://www.wealthyinvestor.com⁣⁣If you're a business owner who wants to get in peak physical shape, we can help! https://www.allproceo.com⁣⁣Join our private mastermind for elite business leaders who golf. https://www.mastermind19.com⁣⁣Join free Bible studies and workshops for Christian business leaders. https://www.tentmakers.us⁣__________⁣CHAPTERS: ⁣00:00 - Government vs Organized Crime Comparison⁣01:18 - Criticism of Political Power & Wealth Accumulation⁣02:16 - Division in America & Trump Controversy⁣04:48 - Iran Conflict & U.S. Military Strategy⁣07:37 - America's Global Control & Foreign Policy Motives⁣09:32 - Epstein Files, Cover-Ups & Elite Power

Send a textRyan Pineda and co-host Brian Davila interview former mob boss Michael Franzese as he shares his perspective on cartels, global politics, the Epstein files, and faith after leaving the mafia.⁣⁣Connect with Michael - ⁣I Made $8,000,000 A Week In The Mob | Michael Franzese - https://youtu.be/siOsknie7m0⁣https://www.youtube.com/@UC4xuh0pSLRLhzWGUnpOlvXw ⁣https://www.instagram.com/michaelfranzese_⁣https://linktr.ee/michaelfranzese⁣__________⁣If you want to start your real estate investing business, we'll give you 1:1 coaching, seller leads, software, & everything you need. https://www.wealthyinvestor.com⁣⁣If you're a business owner who wants to get in peak physical shape, we can help! https://www.boardroom-athlete.com/apply⁣⁣Join our private mastermind for elite business leaders who golf. https://www.mastermind19.com⁣⁣Join free Bible studies and workshops for Christian business leaders. https://www.tentmakers.us⁣__________⁣CHAPTERS:⁣1:55 - Cartels vs The Mafia⁣7:40 - Government, Taxes, and “The Biggest Crime Organization.”⁣12:20 - Iran, Global Conflict, and Trump⁣19:40 - The Epstein Files⁣47:25 - Why Politics Is More Divided Than Ever in America.⁣1:05:40 - From Mob Life to FaithLearn how to invest in real estate with the Cashflow 2.0 System! Your business in a box with 1:1 coaching, motivated seller leads, & softwares. https://www.wealthyinvestor.com/Want to work 1:1 with Ryan Pineda? Apply at ryanpineda.comJoin our FREE community, weekly calls, and bible studies for Christian entrepreneurs and business people. https://tentmakers.us/Want to grow your business and network with elite entrepreneurs on world-class golf courses? Apply now to join Mastermind19 – Ryan Pineda's private golf mastermind for high-level founders and dealmakers. www.mastermind19.com--- About Ryan Pineda: Ryan Pineda has been in the real estate industry since 2010 and has invested in over $100,000,000 of real estate. He has completed over 700 flips and wholesales, and he owns over 650 rental units. As an entrepreneur, he has founded seven different businesses that have generated 7-8 figures of revenue. Ryan has amassed over 2 million followers on social media and has generated over 1 billion views online. Starting as a minor league baseball player making less than $2,000 a month, Ryan is now worth over $100 million. He shares his experiences in building wealth and believes that anyone can change their life with real estate investing. ...

Should mail-in ballots be banned? Have Democrats actually tried to game the system? Joe Pags digs into the voter integrity fight and what's happening as Harmeet Dhillon moves to collect voter data—whether certain states want to cooperate or not. Is this transparency or a turf war? Pags lays it out clearly. Then it's DOPE OF THE DAY—lefty lunacy edition. The contenders are wild, the crew weighs in, and the laughs roll. And buckle up: former mob boss Michael Franzese joins Joe Pags for a jaw-dropping comparison between the old American Mafia and today's Mexican cartels. After reports that cartel boss El Mencho may be out of the picture, what really happens next? Franzese explains the power vacuum, the brutal internal battles, and why he believes modern cartels operate more like paramilitary organizations than street gangs. From border spillover risks to whether U.S. leaders grasp the threat, this is a chilling, insider perspective you won't hear anywhere else. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former mafia capo Michael Franzese; politics commentator Molly Jong-Fast; recovering 'tiger daughter' Lisa Sun; author Bill Janovitz on his book The Cars: Let the Stories Be Told

Wine branding is slow. It is different than other products; more rules, a limited set of consumers, and big brands standing in your way. These are the typical headwinds; unless your Samvel Hakobyan. I am convinced, despite the current tone of nah sayers and industry pundits looking for some kind of magic bullet to ease the woes of the trade, that proper and tested principles of business are more important now than ever—Persistance, perseverance, and passion; if you do not have these principles in your quiver, you are done. Where do these principals come from? are you born with them? Can you learn them? Can you read them in a book? The answer to these questions lies in this podcast with Samvel Hakobyan. I have to tell you, hosting Samvel Hakobyan on Wine Talks was one of those moments that reminded me why I'm addicted to these stories—especially when they connect so many worlds you wouldn't expect. But today, I want to linger on the Michael Franzese thread, because that's where grit, fate, and transformation collided like a flash in the cellar. Let's set the scene: Samvel, a young Armenian immigrant whose family had just clawed its way out of a bankrupt pizza shop in Sacramento, grows up idolizing one of the mob's most notorious figures—Michael Franzese. Not for the notoriety, mind you, but because Franzese's story is one of transformation. Here's a man who was the biggest earner in the mob after Capone, who finds God in a prison cell, and emerges not just clean, but on fire with a completely different purpose. So, how does a nineteen-year-old kid in California, hustling in door-to-door roofing, go from being a fan to actually sitting across the table from Michael Franzese? It's pure Armenian inspiration. Samvel told this story with the kind of detail that gives you goosebumps: Challenges at every step, flights canceled, Uber rides missed, and yet, by sheer persistence, Samvel finds himself pulled up to a hotel in Texas at the exact moment Franzese steps out to get into the very Uber they just exited. I mean, come on—if you wrote it, nobody would believe it! What kind of young man sidles up to a former mob boss and asks for his phone number? Only one who expects more out of himself and the world around him. And Michael, ever the seasoned reader of people, tells him, "If you have the guts to ask, I'll give it to you." There's a lesson in that right there: Opportunity doesn't knock; you do. Fast-forward through a winding road—Samvel helping his family, digging out of debt, building a marketing agency, and yet never dropping that thread with Michael. When the time came to link Michael's story with Armenian wine, Samvel saw it instantly: Combine a narrative of personal transformation with the oldest wine culture in the world. Who better to front a wine about rebirth, legacy, and endurance than a man who lived the mob life and now stands in the pulpit? Michael wasn't just a celebrity face. He became a real partner—a man who insisted the wines were as good as his redemption story, who put his thumbprint on the bottle and packed the aisles at Costco in person, shaking hands and turning heads on social media. When Samvel talked about getting Michael to speak at his events, launching wine, and explaining to skeptical Armenians why an Italian-American's name is on the label, I saw something much deeper: the courage to look outside your own comfort zone, to make new friends, and to tell a bigger, bolder story. Samvel's partnership with Michael Franzese is not just branding—it's building a bridge, and showing that the best of Armenia's wine tradition is strong enough to carry a narrative of transformation all the way to American shelves. What I took away from Samvel, and from Michael's improbable turn from mobster to mentor, is that you can't underestimate the power of reinvention—or of simply reaching out in the moment the universe opens the door. These are the stories that get passed along a hundred tables, over a hundred bottles, making us all believe just a bit more in second chances—and in the boldness it takes to ask for them. Cheers to that.   YouTube:  https://youtu.be/QaLEcGd-gC8 #WineTalks #ArmenianWine #MichaelFranzese #Entrepreneurship #ImmigrantStories #WineMarketing #Resilience #ChristianFaith #ArmenianHeritage #Transformation #BusinessStorytelling #PapaJohns #Salesmanship #SocialMediaMarketing #WineIndustry #Kroger #OvercomingAdversity #BrandBuilding #AncientVineyards #FamilyLegacy  

“No matter how difficult your life is…you can find your way through.”  This year on Searching for Heroes, Benjamin connected with people who endured some of life's most difficult moments and yet displayed profound resilience and unshakeable hope. Benjamin also introduced different themes to the podcast, with vulnerable and beautiful conversations on solitude, forgiveness, and rebirth. After speaking with remarkable individuals and hearing stories from powerful guests, Benjamin revisits four conversations that truly embody the podcast. Steve Callahan, Scarlett Lewis, Michael Franzese, and Darren Edwards generously shared their exceptional stories and offered insight into navigating some of life's most challenging situations.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Franzese, former captain in the Colombo family, on his more than five-decade journey into and out of organized crime -- a career choice that most often ends in life in prison and/or an early funeral. Franzese, 74, is now a wine mogul, author and speaker.

Michael Franzese, the former Colombo crime family capo who once served time in the same cell where Jeffrey Epstein died, told NewsNation that physically, it would have been “impossible” for Epstein to hang himself in that space. Franzese emphasized the lack of structural elements such as ceiling fixtures or a high bed to facilitate hanging—elements he believes were necessary but absent in that cellHe also expressed deep skepticism about the reported missteps of jail staff and malfunctioning cameras that night. Drawing from his own prison experience, where guard watches were rigorous and surveillance unbroken, Franzese said he “just can't buy” the idea that corrections officers slept through checks or that cameras conveniently failed—all details that form the backbone of the official suicide narrative. to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Suicide in Jeffrey Epstein's jail cell is 'impossible,' says mobster

Michael Franzese, the former Colombo crime family capo who once served time in the same cell where Jeffrey Epstein died, told NewsNation that physically, it would have been “impossible” for Epstein to hang himself in that space. Franzese emphasized the lack of structural elements such as ceiling fixtures or a high bed to facilitate hanging—elements he believes were necessary but absent in that cellHe also expressed deep skepticism about the reported missteps of jail staff and malfunctioning cameras that night. Drawing from his own prison experience, where guard watches were rigorous and surveillance unbroken, Franzese said he “just can't buy” the idea that corrections officers slept through checks or that cameras conveniently failed—all details that form the backbone of the official suicide narrative. to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Suicide in Jeffrey Epstein's jail cell is 'impossible,' says mobsterBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

In a recent interview with Michael Franzese, former Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight made several allegations concerning Sean "Diddy" Combs and other figures in the music industry. Knight claimed that Diddy had inappropriate relationships with artists Usher and Justin Bieber, alleging that Diddy engaged in sexual activities with both when they were young. He expressed particular concern for Bieber, stating, "It was the saddest thing in the world what they did to Justin Bieber. They had sex with him. I hate to say that because I really like Justin Bieber. I feel bad for Justin Bieber."Additionally, Knight suggested that Diddy and Snoop Dogg shared an unusually close and "uncomfortable" relationship, implying that their interactions went beyond professional boundaries. He stated, "Snoop and Puffy was so close, closer than close, closer than most. They would do things together, and part[y] together, and do things that it was uncomfortable for two men to be that way."We also hear from Diddy's team who responded to the recent comments made by Shyne.(commercial at 8:59)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Suge Knight Claims Diddy Groomed Justin Bieber & 'Molested' Usher | HipHopDX

Sammy Gravano and Michael Franzese confront loyalty, betrayal, faith, and legacy in the most emotional episode of the series.----

Sammy Gravano and Michael Franzese break down what is left of the American mafia, how the rackets changed, and who could survive in the life today.----

Sammy Gravano and Michael Franzese confront the code, the betrayals, and the one line even the Mafia never crossed.----

Sammy Gravano and Michael Franzese break down the Five Families, the wars, the betrayals, and the bosses who shaped American organized crime.----

Sammy Gravano and Michael Franzese face off on guilt, loyalty, legacy, and redemption in the most emotional episode of Mafia States of America.----

In Episode 4 of Mafia States of America, Sammy Gravano and Michael Franzese expose the ties between organized crime and government. From Hoover and the Kennedys to bribes, unions, and corruption, nothing is off limits in this explosive sit-down.------

Sammy Gravano and Michael Franzese nearly come to blows as decades of silence, betrayal, and broken codes erupt in the most explosive episode yet of Mafia States of America.------

Join the Wisenuts Podcast for an exclusive in-home interview with Michael Franzese, former Colombo crime family captain and son of notorious underboss Sonny Franzese. Michael opens up about his upbringing in the mob world, the codes and rules of La Cosa Nostra, run-ins with John Gotti, and how he walked away from the life without witness protection. We dive deep into conspiracy theories surrounding JFK's assassination, Jeffrey Epstein, and CIA involvement with organized crime. Michael shares his thoughts on modern scandals in the NBA, MLB, and NFL, the breakdown of family values in America, political corruption, and his successful transition to legitimate business with his Armenian-sourced Franzese Wine. From mob movies like The Godfather and Goodfellas to spiritual transformation and fatherhood, this episode is packed with raw stories and insights.Don't forget to Like & Subscribe to our YouTube Channel so you never miss an episode! Follow us on all Social Media: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@WiseNutsInstagram: instagram.com/wisenuts_podcastWisenuts Merchandise: https://wisenutspodcast.com/General Sponsors:Megeredchian Law

Once a heroin addict and serial shoplifter who stole over £10 million worth of goods, Cullan Mais has turned his life around — only to be cancelled for daring to interview Tommy Robinson. In this explosive Heretics interview, Andrew Gold digs into Cullan's raw journey from 12 prison sentences, collapsed lungs, and multiple rehabs to finding redemption, purpose, and controversy in a woke-obsessed Britain. SPONSORS: Get up to 45% off Ekster with my code ANDREWGOLDHERETICS: https://partner.ekster.com/andrewgoldheretics  Go to https://TryFum.com/HERETICS  and use code HERETICS to get your free FÜM Topper when you order your Journey Pack today!  Use Code ANDREW FOR 25% OFF Plaud Note: https://bit.ly/4nJWt7j  Plaud Note Pro: https://bit.ly/423JiWv  Grab your free seat to the 2-Day AI Mastermind: https://link.outskill.com/ANDREWS2  Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at https://mintmobile.com/heretics  Start your MyHeritage journey now with a 14-day free trial using my link: https://bit.ly/AndrewGoldMyHeritage Follow  @thecentralclub   Insta: https://www.instagram.com/cullan_mais X: https://x.com/cullanmais91

Ex Colombo Crime Family Member Michael Franzese speaks on how professional athletes find themselves dealing with an addiction to gambling. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of The Bret Boone Podcast, Rich Herrera speaks with Former member of the Colombo Crime Family Michael Franzese. The two speak about the NBA Gambling Scandal involving Chauncey Billups as well as the pitfalls of betting. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's an unbelievable hour on The Joe Pags Show! Joe dives into the NBA gambling scandal shaking the sports world — and who better to explain it than Michael Franzese, former caporegime of the Colombo crime family and one of the most fascinating figures in modern mafia history. Franzese gives insider details on how organized crime still operates today, why the mob always finds its way into sports betting, and how his family managed to stay out of this latest scandal. It's a jaw-dropping deep dive that connects the dots between power, money, and corruption in sports — straight from someone who lived it. Plus, Joe rips into Gavin Newsom's latest attempt to play “man of the people”, calls out AOC's unhinged mic rant, and laughs off talk of Curtis Sliwa stepping down — Pags says, not a chance. It's fast, fiery, and full of real talk — an hour that'll keep you hooked from start to finish! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on "Don't@ME", The NBA is a rudderless ship under Commissioner Adam Silver! This isn't business as usual. And now we see a huge FBI investigation involving a sitting head coach, a player, former players involved in alleged gambling rings and prop-bet manipulation and LSU fires Brian Kelly after shocking weekend in Baton Rouge. Plus, Former Caporegime of NY Colombo Crime Family, Michael Franzese joins Dan to share his thoughts on the recent NBA investigation involving mafia-backed poker and sports-betting schemes, and walks us through how a criminal organisation might build such a scheme from the ground up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kim Kardashian reveals brain aneurysm diagnosis, former mobster Michael Franzese joins 'TMZ Live' after the shocking NBA gambling arrests, Romeo Beckham sparks reconciliation rumors with ex Kim Turnbull, and Keke Palmer responds to backlash over new HBCU series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisation.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/Website: https://hackyou.media/Michael Franzese was pulling in $10 million a week from a gas tax scheme that made him one of America's most powerful mobsters. Then he did something almost nobody survives: he walked away alive.In this conversation, Franzese strips away the Hollywood mythology and breaks down what real power looks like when your life depends on reading people correctly. We unpack the brutal stress of criminal operations, why most "tough guys" don't last, and how the negotiation tactics that kept him alive now close business deals.00:00 Introduction to Michael Franzese03:49 First arrests and early surveillance from law enforcement06:08 Building businesses and the multimillion-dollar gas tax scam08:00 Knowing it wouldn't last and how the scheme eventually collapsed11:04 What he misses about mob life and the lifestyle12:40 Cleaning millions in cash and dealing with foreign banks15:30 Whether the mob still operates in New York and Italy today18:10 Reputation, respect, and fearing the people above you19:33 Reflections on Frank Costello and doing business without violence22:02 Applying mob skills to legitimate business and negotiation23:31 Taking a plea deal and liquidating assets before prison26:30 Solitary, diesel therapy, and finding faith behind bars29:06 Rumours, witness lists, and suspicion after leaving the life32:14 The few mobsters who actually walked away successfully34:49 Becoming a global speaker and finding purpose in storytelling39:20 Pizza, vending machines, and building a new empire51:05 How the Armenian wine business unexpectedly took off57:16 Delegation, treating people well, and earning respect01:02:51 Missed opportunities, like skipping Starbucks stock early on01:05:46 Wanting peace, purpose, and more freedom in his 70s01:11:36 The weight of regret, purpose, and giving advice to youth01:16:44 Faith, fear of hell, and the path to redemption01:29:47 Beating the odds while nearly everyone else ends up dead or jailed» Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life - https://www.digitalplaybook.net/» Transform your physique - https://www.thrstapp.com/» My clothing brand, THRST - https://thrstofficial.com» Custom Bioniq supplements: https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston• 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO• 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO» Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode: https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/» Join @WHOOP and get your first month for free - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst» Follow Michael«YouTube: @michaelfranzeseInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelfranzese_/?hl=enWine: https://franzesewine.com/Community: https://michaelfranzese.com/family/

"If God didn't have a different plan and purpose for my life, I don't think I would be here today." Author, speaker, and former Colombo Family Caporegime Michael Franzese details his experience with the mob and the epiphany that ultimately led him to turn a new chapter and step away from his life of crime. Years later, Michael's life is dedicated to helping young people, who become entranced by the facade of glamour, fame, and power that the mob presents, see the dark reality of the business. He also shares how his faith and family were a guiding light in his rebirth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Red Clay Strays Review, Charlie Kirk Murdered, Michael Franzese Truth by Tommy McElroy

On “Banfield,” Alacia Ford-Barron, mother of Myrah Zeigler, and Tarlika Nunez-Navarro, a former judge, discuss accused killer Larry Smith being allowed to attend a funeral. Also, this week marks 48 years since police arrested David Berkowitz, the “Son of Sam” killer who terrorized New York City for more than a year. Former Colombo crime family captain Michael Franzese, who interviewed Berkowitz last year, joins “Banfield” to share what he learned. Ashleigh Banfield is the definitive authority on the nation's biggest true crime stories. A veteran award-winning journalist, Ashleigh brings a sharp focus to the crime stories gripping America, distilling facts and analyzing context in a way which captures viewers' interests and imaginations. No one knows the prosecution and the defendants' cases better than BANFIELD, all the while keeping the victim at the heart of every story we tell – just another reason NewsNation is truly News for All Americans.Weeknights at 10p/9C. #banfield NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all Americans. More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYppFind us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyGHow to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij

In this episode, Tudor speaks with former mob boss Michael Franzese about the mysterious circumstances surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's death, the dark reality of sex trafficking, and the parallels between politics and organized crime. They discuss the pervasive corruption in government, the current state of American politics, and Michael's personal journey of redemption and his business ventures in the wine industry. The Tudor Dixon Podcast is part of the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network. For more visit TudorDixonPodcast.com Learn more about Michael Franzese HERE Watch The Tudor Dixon Podcast on RumbleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senate Passes $9B in DOGE Cuts, Former mobster once jailed in Jeffrey Epstein's cell says suicide inside would be ‘impossible', That man, Michael Franzese will join us and Senator Rick Scott also joins the show. Check Out Our Partners: Advantage Gold: Get your FREE wealth protection kit https://www.abjv1trk.com/F6XL22/4MQCFX/?sub1=Youtube American Financing: Save with https://www.americanfinancing.net/benny NMLS: 182334, http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org Allio Capital: Text ”BENNY” to 511511 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Franzese, the former Colombo crime family capo who once served time in the same cell where Jeffrey Epstein died, told NewsNation that physically, it would have been “impossible” for Epstein to hang himself in that space. Franzese emphasized the lack of structural elements such as ceiling fixtures or a high bed to facilitate hanging—elements he believes were necessary but absent in that cellHe also expressed deep skepticism about the reported missteps of jail staff and malfunctioning cameras that night. Drawing from his own prison experience, where guard watches were rigorous and surveillance unbroken, Franzese said he “just can't buy” the idea that corrections officers slept through checks or that cameras conveniently failed—all details that form the backbone of the official suicide narrative. to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Suicide in Jeffrey Epstein's jail cell is 'impossible,' says mobster

Michael Franzese, the former Colombo crime family capo who once served time in the same cell where Jeffrey Epstein died, told NewsNation that physically, it would have been “impossible” for Epstein to hang himself in that space. Franzese emphasized the lack of structural elements such as ceiling fixtures or a high bed to facilitate hanging—elements he believes were necessary but absent in that cellHe also expressed deep skepticism about the reported missteps of jail staff and malfunctioning cameras that night. Drawing from his own prison experience, where guard watches were rigorous and surveillance unbroken, Franzese said he “just can't buy” the idea that corrections officers slept through checks or that cameras conveniently failed—all details that form the backbone of the official suicide narrative. to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Suicide in Jeffrey Epstein's jail cell is 'impossible,' says mobsterBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Michael Franzese shares about his former life as an infamous mobster and how God has the power to transform anyone. --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Franzese shares about his former life as an infamous mobster and how God has the power to transform anyone. --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dave Rubin of "The Rubin Report" talks about Donald Trump catching South African president Cyril Ramaphosa completely off guard by forcing him and the press to watch video footage of Economic Freedom Fighters'Julius Malema getting crowds to chant "Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer"; Elon Musk staring down South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as Trump explains the murders of white South African farmers; Scott Jennings and CNN's Abby Phillip getting into a tense debate over the murders of white South African farmers; Charlie Kirk exposing how uneducated the "free Palestine" advocates and protesters at University of Cambridge are; Columbia University's graduation ceremony descending into chaos as Columbia President Claire Shipman desperately tries to show her support for Mahmoud Khalil;" Marco Rubio's tense exchange with Pramila Jayapal over the revoking of Tufts University student Rumeysa Öztürk's visa; The Beat's'" Ari Melber pushing back on James Carville's baseless accusations of the Trump administration pressing charges on LaMonica McIver because she's black; and much more. Dave also does a special "ask me anything" question-and-answer session on a wide-ranging host of topics, answering questions from the Rubin Report Locals community.   WATCH the MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE segment of the show here: https://rubinreport.locals.com/ Check out the NEW RUBIN REPORT MERCH here: https://daverubin.store/   ---------- Today's Sponsors: Gravity Defyer - Sick of knee pain? Get Gravity Defyer shoes. Minimize the shock waves that normal shoes absorb through your feet, knees and hips with every step. Use the promo code "RUBIN30" at checkout, to get an extra 30% off orders over $120 or more. Just text RUBIN30 to 91888 or go to: http://gdefy.com and Use the promo code "RUBIN30"   Franzese Wine - Experience the rich legacy of 94-point wines from Armenia, inspired by Michael Franzese's story of redemption. Get your first bottle today for 15% off! Limited time offer. Go to: https://franzesewine.com/ and use code RUBIN for your discount.   Juvenon BloodFlow 7 - BloodFlow-7 by Juvenon is scientifically designed to support healthy circulation — so you feel energized, clear-headed, and vibrant again. Go to: https://www.bloodflow7.com/Rubin

In a recent interview with Michael Franzese, former Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight made several allegations concerning Sean "Diddy" Combs and other figures in the music industry. Knight claimed that Diddy had inappropriate relationships with artists Usher and Justin Bieber, alleging that Diddy engaged in sexual activities with both when they were young. He expressed particular concern for Bieber, stating, "It was the saddest thing in the world what they did to Justin Bieber. They had sex with him. I hate to say that because I really like Justin Bieber. I feel bad for Justin Bieber."Additionally, Knight suggested that Diddy and Snoop Dogg shared an unusually close and "uncomfortable" relationship, implying that their interactions went beyond professional boundaries. He stated, "Snoop and Puffy was so close, closer than close, closer than most. They would do things together, and part[y] together, and do things that it was uncomfortable for two men to be that way."We also hear from Diddy's team who responded to the recent comments made by Shyne.(commercial at 8:59)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Suge Knight Claims Diddy Groomed Justin Bieber & 'Molested' Usher | HipHopDX

In a recent interview with Michael Franzese, former Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight made several allegations concerning Sean "Diddy" Combs and other figures in the music industry. Knight claimed that Diddy had inappropriate relationships with artists Usher and Justin Bieber, alleging that Diddy engaged in sexual activities with both when they were young. He expressed particular concern for Bieber, stating, "It was the saddest thing in the world what they did to Justin Bieber. They had sex with him. I hate to say that because I really like Justin Bieber. I feel bad for Justin Bieber."Additionally, Knight suggested that Diddy and Snoop Dogg shared an unusually close and "uncomfortable" relationship, implying that their interactions went beyond professional boundaries. He stated, "Snoop and Puffy was so close, closer than close, closer than most. They would do things together, and part[y] together, and do things that it was uncomfortable for two men to be that way."We also hear from Diddy's team who responded to the recent comments made by Shyne.(commercial at 8:59)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Suge Knight Claims Diddy Groomed Justin Bieber & 'Molested' Usher | HipHopDXBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Michael Franzese reveals the untold secrets of the mob and how he turned a life of crime into a powerful story of redemption and success. In this episode of the Next Level Podcast with Jeremy Miner, Michael shares how he went from feared mob boss to respected entrepreneur and motivational speaker. As the son of a notorious crime figure, he was drawn into organized crime, mastering negotiation, loyalty, and strategy to survive. After prison changed his life, he embraced spirituality and found a new purpose using the hard-earned lessons from his past to build a successful business and inspire others. Today, Michael continues to make an impact through speaking, mentorship, and his own wine brand. Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (04:50) Life With a Mafia Boss Father (13:00) Inside the Mob Initiation Ritual (17:15) Mob Negotiation Tactics That Apply to Business (21:30) Gasoline Tax Scam: The Mob's Billion-Dollar Hustle (27:30) CIA, the Mob, and the JFK Assassination (31:00) Negotiating with the Federal Government (37:15) Leaving the Mob (42:30) Finding Purpose After Crime (46:30) Mafia Myths Busted: What Hollywood Gets Wrong (50:03) Business Lessons from Organized Crime More From Michael Franzese Franzese Wine: https://franzesewine.com/ Michael's Community: https://michaelfranzese.com/Family/ Follow Michael on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaelfranzese⁩  

Michael Franzese reveals the untold secrets of the mob and how he turned a life of crime into a powerful story of redemption and success.In this episode of the Next Level Podcast with Jeremy Miner, Michael shares how he went from feared mob boss to respected entrepreneur and motivational speaker. As the son of a notorious crime figure, he was drawn into organized crime, mastering negotiation, loyalty, and strategy to survive. After prison changed his life, he embraced spirituality and found a new purpose using the hard-earned lessons from his past to build a successful business and inspire others. Today, Michael continues to make an impact through speaking, mentorship, and his own wine brand.Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(04:50) Life With a Mafia Boss Father(13:00) Inside the Mob Initiation Ritual(17:15) Mob Negotiation Tactics That Apply to Business(21:30) Gasoline Tax Scam: The Mob's Billion-Dollar Hustle(27:30) CIA, the Mob, and the JFK Assassination(31:00) Negotiating with the Federal Government(37:15) Leaving the Mob(42:30) Finding Purpose After Crime(46:30) Mafia Myths Busted: What Hollywood Gets Wrong(50:03) Business Lessons from Organized CrimeMore From Michael FranzeseFranzese Wine: https://franzesewine.com/Michael's Community: https://michaelfranzese.com/Family/Follow Michael on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaelfranzese⁩ 

On today's After Dark episode of the Where to Stick It podcast, the boys reminisce over exploding toilets, discuss updates to the podcast studio, Rhea Ripley, Homies gum ball toys, more annoyances at the tattoo shop, the boys new careers as Bollywood heart throbs, and Michael Franzese may just be the real "Little Carmine" from the Sopranos.Support the showCatch new episodes of the Where to Stick It Podcast every Tuesday and Thursday. If you like the show, please consider supporting us on Patreon where we upload exclusive content each month for only $3 a month.

Former top Mafia member, Michael Franzese, joins Pastor Greg Laurie to share one of the most captivating stories ever discussed on this podcast. Hear everything, from which movies truly replicate the real-life mafia, to the highs and lows of Franzese's faith. When Jesus came into that prison of Franzese's, his life completely turned for the better. It's a story of how nobody is beyond God's reach. Listen in! --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former top Mafia member, Michael Franzese, joins Pastor Greg Laurie to share one of the most captivating stories ever discussed on this podcast. Hear everything, from which movies truly replicate the real-life mafia, to the highs and lows of Franzese's faith. When Jesus came into that prison of Franzese's, his life completely turned for the better. It's a story of how nobody is beyond God's reach. Listen in! --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Franzese was once a powerful mafia boss, leading a crew of 300 men and raking in millions each week. After a prison sentence, he turned his life around – and now says the real gangsters are the people running our government. Michael Franzese is a former caporegime leader of the New York Colombo Crime Family, where he was a prominent “made member” known as “The Prince of the Mafia.” The son of a crime family underboss, he now hosts the Michael Franzese Show on Rumble and is a motivational speaker. Find more at https://michaelfranzese.com and https://x.com/MichaelFranzese 「 SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS 」 Find out more about the brands that make this show possible and get special discounts on Dr. Drew's favorite products at https://drdrew.com/sponsors  • FATTY15 – The future of essential fatty acids is here! Strengthen your cells against age-related breakdown with Fatty15. Get 15% off a 90-day Starter Kit Subscription at https://drdrew.com/fatty15 • PALEOVALLEY - "Paleovalley has a wide variety of extraordinary products that are both healthful and delicious,” says Dr. Drew. "I am a huge fan of this brand and know you'll love it too!” Get 15% off your first order at https://drdrew.com/paleovalley • THE WELLNESS COMPANY - Counteract harmful spike proteins with TWC's Signature Series Spike Support Formula containing nattokinase and selenium. Learn more about TWC's supplements at https://twc.health/drew 「 MEDICAL NOTE 」 Portions of this program may examine countervailing views on important medical issues. Always consult your physician before making any decisions about your health. 「 ABOUT THE SHOW 」 Ask Dr. Drew is produced by Kaleb Nation (https://kalebnation.com) and Susan Pinsky (https://twitter.com/firstladyoflove). This show is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this eye-opening episode of Keeping It Real, Jillian sits down with former Mafia capo Michael Franzese, a man who lived deep inside the world of organized crime and walked away—something almost unheard of. We dive into his fascinating life story, from his rise in the Colombo crime family to his decision to leave the Mafia behind and find redemption.But here's where it gets even more interesting: are the tactics of the government really that different from those of the Mafia? Michael shares his firsthand experience with the inner workings of both, exposing corruption, backroom deals, and power plays that eerily mirror what happens in the political world. From tax schemes and money laundering to loyalty, fear tactics, and backstabbing, we break down the shocking parallels between organized crime and modern government. We also explore the world of sports gambling—one of the Mafia's biggest money-makers—and how its influence has evolved with legalization, corporate interests, and political involvement.This is a must-listen episode for anyone who wants an unfiltered look at how power really works—whether in the streets or in Washington, D.C. Don't miss this raw, unfiltered conversation with one of the most compelling figures in organized crime history. If you like the show, please be sure to like, comment, and share.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does it take to survive in the Mafia? Former Colombo crime family captain Michael Franzese reveals the inner workings of the mob, from secret rituals to the ruthless code of loyalty. He shares how he built a fortune, the lessons he learned, and why he ultimately left that life behind. Listen to the full episode here - Spotify- https://g2ul0.app.link//uoSwtN5KkRb Apple -  https://g2ul0.app.link//t6yWwccLkRb Watch the Episodes On Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/%20TheDiaryOfACEO/videos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill Maher sits down with former Colombo crime family capo, podcaster, and best-selling author Michael Franzese for a fascinating exploration of organized crime, current politics, and America's shifting cultural landscape. From comparing Mafia code to modern government maneuvering, to dissecting the psychology of leaders, the two dive headlong into the forces shaping American life. Franzese shares candid reflections on his days running lucrative schemes (and why he ultimately walked away), while Bill challenges the notion of how power truly works. They also swap favorite scenes from The Godfather and Goodfellas, delve into Franzese's religious awakening, how lessons from the mob world can translate into navigating business, politics, and personal relationships. Get ready for a raw, riveting sit-down that blurs the lines between comedy, true crime, and social commentary. Go to https://www.RadioactiveMedia.com or text RANDOM at 511511 to save up to 50%, today! Get started at https://www.factormeals.com/random50off and use code random50off to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping. Follow Club Random on IG: @ClubRandomPodcast Follow Bill on IG: @BillMaher Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or by using this link: https://bit.ly/ClubRandom Watch Club Random on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ClubRandomYouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Jim talks with former mobster Michael Franzese about his past, the mafia's influence, and the parallels between organized crime and government. They dive into media manipulation, corruption, and even a wild encounter Jim had with Joe Pesci. Don't miss this one! Follow Michael on social media: IG: @MichaelFranzese_ X: @MichaelFranzese SUBSCRIBE + LIKE for more from comedian Jim Breuer! Official merch available at https://bit.ly/JimBreuerMerch Tour dates and more at https://www.jimbreuer.com The Breuniverse Podcast premieres weekly every Thursday morning on Patreon and Friday on YouTube/Rumble. http://jimbreuer.com/patreon Follow Jim: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimbreuer_official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JimBreuer/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JimBreuer Rumble: https://rumble.com/JimBreuer Disclaimer: The views expressed in the audio are the opinion of the hosts and are not facts. #JimBreuer #Comedy #podcast #BreuersBunker #JimmyShaka #DeepTalks #UnplugFromMedia #Comedy #WakeUp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First up today we talked with former NY mob member Michael Franzese on the CEO assassination in NY and mafia life. Then we talked with NJ Rep. Jeff Van Drew about the drone controversy. Next we talked with Ned Ryun about why the government lies to us about everything and the Trump transition. Finally we talked with Chef Andrew Gruel who gave us the perfect way to cook prime rib. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices