Tue, Oct 15, 2019
At the height of Prohibition, Al Capone made a killing selling illegal alcohol and by making a spectacle of the gangster lifestyle. But with the booze running free and the money pouring in, his wasn't the only gang trying to get a piece of the pie. And Capone was never the sharing type.
Tue, Oct 29, 2019
From car thief to the operator of the Murder Machine, Roy DeMeo and his crew were possibly responsible for more than 200 murders in the 1970's. DeMeo made so much money for the Mafia that they would look the other way when it came to drugs, prostitution, and cruelty - but others on his crew were more disposable.
Tue, Nov 5, 2019
Three investigators try to put together the murder of Andrei Katz with the car thievery that the DeMeo crew has been doing for years without notice. And once the cops are on the case, it spells trouble for DeMeo. With rats running rampant and family members turning informant, even DeMeo's earning power can't save him.
Tue, Nov 12, 2019
Before the Mafia existed, at the turn of the century, there was Arnold Rothstein, known as The Brain. Rothstein would teach an entire generation of gangsters how to organize, act like gentlemen, and interact with the upper crust. And Rothstein himself, well-connected, could get away with almost anything - including fixing the World Series.
Tue, Nov 19, 2019
After gaining fortune and notoriety, Rothstein moved from bootlegging to drug smuggling to labor racketeering. With his connections and friendly demeanor, Rothstein was able to get out of any situation, and taught the likes of Charles Luciano, Meyer Lanksy, and Dutch Schultz to do the same. But a gambler is a gambler, and at some point there are some debts you can't get out of.
Tue, Nov 26, 2019
Vito Genovese had been biding his time for 4 years to take over the Luciano crime family. But when an old crime came back for him, the position was taken over by Frank Costello. Costello, the Prime Minister, had high-reaching connections and an approachable bearing. Costello was an agreeable leader who got along with everyone; until Genovese came back into the picture.
Tue, Dec 3, 2019
While Costello made his mafia money through gambling, Vito Genovese found something more lucrative: drugs. The brash and homicidal Don Vito was put in and out of exile from the United States - but when he returned at last, he went after Costello's mafia seat. And Costello, though unwilling to fight back, soon found himself on Don Vito's short hit list.
Tue, Dec 10, 2019
Joe Valachi had been in the Mafia for years, but hadn't risen much in the ranks. But when he was facing a life sentence, there was one group of people who thought he was high enough - for information. The FBI saw in Valachi a chance to learn the mob's structure; and Valachi saw a chance to get out of jail.
Tue, Jan 14, 2020
Colombo was flooded with cash from his numerous rackets and enjoying the good life. Distress grew in the highest circles of the Mafia that law enforcement scrutiny would intensify because of Colombo's actions. And he gained even more attention when he used the growing civil rights movement as retaliation against the FBI.