Retired intelligence detective Gary Jenkins interviews former Mob Wife, Lisa Calabrese Swan, about her life with Frank Calabrese Jr. and the Calabrese family. Lisa takes the listener from her first days meeting a young, exciting, handsome man named Frankie Calabrese. She did not know or even understand what his family was all about. She describes the gradual realizations she experienced as she saw Frank Calabrese Jr. becoming more involved in the Outfit life as he descended into an addiction to cocaine. She stuck by him like any good Outfit wife until she could not handle the stress. Losa Swan found life as a Mob Wife to be anything but glamorous and exciting.
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Transcript
SPEAKERS
GARY JENKINS, Lisa Swan
 
00:00
My husband was dealing cocaine and using cocaine and I would find bags of cocaine in his closet in his drawers, and I was totally against drugs. And I would just dump everything in the toilet 1000s of dollars of cocaine in the toilet. And it was something that didn’t belong to him or he was selling for somebody else. And any time I looked, I found it. And I made sure I got rid of it. Yeah, I think was he was gone for a weekend, or he didn’t come home one night. So I packed all this stuff and put it on the front steps. And when his friend went to drop him off, he goes,

Diary of a Chicago Mob Wife

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Documentary

True crime

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, we talk Arnold Rothstein, Meyer Lansky and the early Jewish mob. Gary interviews Dan about his book “The Incorruptibles: A True Story of Kingpins, Crime Busters, and the Birth of the American Underworld. ” Click here to get the book.
The conversation touches on violent incidents within the Jewish community, leading to a discussion on the organization and association of various underworld groups such as pimps and casino owners. The influence of Tammany Hall in the political landscape, the power of newspapers in shaping public opinion, and the role of figures like Arnold Rothstein are explored as related to organized crime.
Dan shares insights into the intricacies of the Jewish underworld’s organization, showcasing how the reform movements and vice laws of the time shaped criminal activities. The formation of the “Incorruptibles,” a team tasked with dismantling the Jewish underworld, becomes a focal point of the conversation as the book delves into the intricacies of their operations. The interview emphasizes the historical significance of early Jewish gangsters in paving the way for renowned figures like Arnold Rothstein and Meyer Lansky.
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To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. 
To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here
To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos.
To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast.
Donate to the podcast. Click here!
Transcript
[0:00]
Introduction to the Roots of Organized Crime
[0:00]Well, hey, welcome, guys. Welcome, all you wiretappers out there back here in
the studio of Gangland Wire.
I got another episode here that I think you’ll find really entertaining and
kind of go back to the roots of organized crime before there was a commission,
almost when the mustache piece were just kind of a bunch of guys running around
robbing all their neighbors and things like that and the immigrant experience,
because at the same time, you had this large influx of Jewish people from Eastern
Europe primarily coming in the United States and all settling in basically the
same neighborhoods as the Italian immigrants.
And Irish were already been there for a while. They play in this too.
Because you guys all know, I’ve said this before, by the time the Italians and
the Jewish people got here, the Irish already had all the government jobs sewed up.

The Incorruptibles and the Jewish Mob

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this conversation between Gary and Camillus Robinson, aka “Cam,” they delve into the intriguing histories of Frank Nitti and Paul Ricca, pivotal figures in the Chicago outfit from the Capone era to modern times. Cam discusses his book “Chicago Swan Song: A Mob Wife Story,” detailing Lisa Swan’s experiences living in the shadow of the Calabrese mob family during the Family Secrets trial. They explore the power dynamics between Nitti and Ricca, highlighting Nitti’s enforcement role and Ricca’s political savvy and connections with mob bosses nationwide. The conversation transitions to discussions around Capone’s influence, with differing perspectives on Nitti’s power after Capone’s downfall and Ricca’s rise to prominence. They delve into the organizational structure of the Chicago outfit, noting the mentorship roles that Nitti and Ricca played in grooming future mob leaders like Tony Accardo and Giancana. The conversation also touches on the Kansas City-Chicago mob connections and their intertwined history. Gary and Cam reflect on the transition from the prohibition era to modern times, emphasizing Nitti and Ricca’s legacy and impact in shaping the Chicago Outfit. They shed light on the mob’s complex relationships and power dynamics, pointing out how the Chicago Outfit Bosses changed while the organizational structure persisted. Gary and Cam keep the audience engaged throughout their banter with their deep knowledge and entertaining exchanges.
Chapters
0:00
Welcome to Gangland Wire
0:24
The Swan Song of Chicago Mob
3:49
Capone’s Shadow and Chicago’s Shift
11:22
Ricca’s Rise and National Connections
12:50
The Hollywood Scam and Its Players
14:52
Ricca’s Ascendancy and Tragic End
21:01
Chicago’s Organizational Structure
24:27
Chicago vs. New York Power Dynamics
25:08
Nitty and Ricca: Pivotal Figures
28:24
Mob Summit in Las Vegas
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Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week.
Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire
Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee”



To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. 
To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here
To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos.
To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast.
Donate to the podcast. Click here!
Transcript
[0:00]
Welcome to Gangland Wire
[0:00]Welcome, all you guys. Well, welcome, all you guys.
I’m back here in studio Gangland Wire with my good friend, Camulus Robinson.
I tell you what, Camulus,

Who was the Real Boss: Nitti or Ricca?

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. Gary found a little-known story about a famous WW2 war hero/movie star who took on Fifi Bucceri of the Chicago Outfit.
Audie Murphy was the most decorated soldier in World War II. He also suffered from a gambling addiction after the war. In this fantastic story, we learn how he killed 50 Germans single-handedly to win the Congressional Medal of Honor and came home to a grateful public. Jimmy Cagney sponsored him in the Hollywood movie industry, where he became a film star in many action movies. The most famous was To Hell and Back. Murphy’s gambling addiction led him into the hands of two scam artists from Chicago. The rest is right out of an Audie Murphy movie.  Let us just say that he was not afraid of the Mob. 
Support the Podcast
Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week.
Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire
Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee”



To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. 
To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here
To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos.
To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast.
Donate to the podcast. Click here!
Transcript
Transcript
[0:00]Well, hey guys, welcome back into the studio of Gangland Wire.
Gary Jenkins here, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective.
I’ll tell you a story. I found this story in a book titled Pay, Quit, or Die.
It was written by a former Chicago police detective named Don Heroin.
And it’s a story that I never heard. I couldn’t find online.
It was about a war hero that I I remember as a child, his name was Audie Murphy.
[0:32]And the title of the chapter was from War Hero to Hollywood Star to Mob Buster, in a way.
Anyhow, Audie Murphy. Let me tell you a little bit about Audie Murphy.
[0:46]Every kid, everybody my age, post-war baby boomer that knew about World War
II, Every boy probably has heard of Audie Murphy.
It was a remarkable journey. He was born in 1925 down in Texas,
made him just right to be a young man.
1941, whenever the war was really rocking and rolling, he fought in Europe.
His early years were he grew up poor and
in hardship on the farm now you know he may be poor
to have have hard conditions but you know usually had enough to eat uh just
that farm life is it’ll make you tough i’ll tell you i was raised on a farm
man a little tough of your butt up went in the army in world war ii like everybody
else even a lot of the mob guys went in And Johnny Roselli,
I just read an article about him,
and he went in, and by the end of the war,

Audie Murphy and the Mob

The interview delves into the life and criminal activities of Louis Milito, a mobster born in Brooklyn in 1942. The host, Gary Jenkins a retired Kansas City Police detective, discusses Molito’s upbringing in a neighborhood teeming with Sicilian immigrants and his involvement with the Rampers street gang alongside Sammy the Bull Gravano. Despite his criminal endeavors, Milito also pursued a career as a hairdresser, showcasing a surprising dichotomy in his persona.
Milito’s criminal journey includes car theft, jewelry heists, and involvement in high-profile murders like that of “Johnny Keys” Simone, a Philadelphia mobster. Milito’s loyalty to Gravano and the Gambino crime family is highlighted through his involvement in various criminal activities under their command. However, a grave mistake occurs when Milito and Gravano mistakenly murder a 16-year-old instead of the intended target, leading to unforeseen consequences. The episode explores Milito’s continued involvement in criminal activities, including a murder ordered by the Gambino underboss, Frank DiCicco. Amidst power struggles and changes within the Gambino family, Milito’s dissent towards Gravano’s rise in the hierarchy sets the stage for his eventual downfall. As Gravano ascends through the ranks, tensions rise within the family, leading to Milito’s imprisonment for tax evasion in 1984.
The narrative culminates in Milito’s final days filled with regret and poignant discussions with his wife, Lynda. The complex dynamics of loyalty and betrayal in the organized crime world are highlighted, showcasing the precarious existence mobsters like Milito navigated. Milito’s mysterious disappearance after a meeting with Gravano hints at a tragic end to his tumultuous life. The interview provides captivating insight into the intricate web of relationships, crimes, and internal conflicts that characterized Milito’s life as a mobster.
Check out Lynda Milito’s book – Mafia Wife: A Story of Love, Muder, and Madness.
Support the Podcast
Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week.
Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire
Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee”



To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. 
To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here
To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos.
To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast.
Donate to the podcast. Click here!
[0:00]Well, hey guys, welcome to the studio of Gangland Wire.
Glad to be back in here. I am a retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective.
Worked a mob for about 15 years in Kansas City.
Well, guys, I’ve been talking about a lot of different mobs and a lot of different
guys in the mob over the years.

Louis Milito: Another Gravano Victim?

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode of Mafia Biographies, delve into the captivating life of John “Handsome Johnny” Roselli. Born Filippo Sacco in 1905, Roselli’s journey traversed organized crime during Prohibition, connections with mob figures like Al Capone, and ventures into liquor imports and labor racketeering.
Transitioning to Las Vegas, Roselli emerged as a key player in the casino scene and infiltrated Hollywood craft unions and production companies, showcasing his versatility. The narrative takes a surprising turn in the 1960s with involvement in a CIA plot to assassinate Fidel Castro, entwining mobsters and political intrigue.
Roselli’s appearance before a Senate committee in the 1970s shed light on his connections to espionage and criminal activities. His mysterious demise in 1976 near Miami further added layers of speculation to his intricate life, leaving a legacy that echoes the complexities of crime, business, and political power in American history. Join us for more underworld biographies as we unravel captivating stories of mobsters.
Support the Podcast
Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week.
Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire
Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee”



To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, the documentary, click here. 
To rent Gangland Wire, the documentary, click here
To buy my Kindle book, Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos.
To subscribe on iTunes click here. Please give me a review and help others find the podcast.
Donate to the podcast. Click here!
Transcript
[0:00]
Welcome to Gangland Wire
[0:00]Well, hey, welcome all you wiretappers back here in the studio of Gangland Wire.
We’ve got another riveting episode of Mafia Biographies. You know,
I’m bringing you these little short Mafia biographies.
It’s your host, former intelligence unit detective, Kansas City Police Department, Gary Jenkins.
And today we’re going to delve into the intricate life of John Handsome Johnny Roselli.
He was a mobster who his life story weaves through the gritty streets of Chicago,
started in New York, of course, goes out to L.A., Las Vegas.
This is the gripping story of a man who was able to navigate both the criminal
underworld and the covert world of espionage.
But he also was able to navigate through the boardrooms and the film studios
of the Hollywood major motion picture producers.
It’s crazy. And we’re going to uncover the different layers of handsome Johnny
Roselli. He was born Filippo Sacco, July 4th, 4th of July, 1905.
I didn’t know he was that old. He’s born in Esperia, Italy.
[1:04]Roselli’s early life was marked by an immigration to Boston at th...

Diary of a Chicago Mob Wife

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