For years, the mafia ran Youngstown, OH, providing the drugs, gambling, and prostitution the blue collar town was known for. As crime got worse, Jim Traficant ran for sheriff on a platform to kick out the mob…at the same time he was taking money from them. Even after the FBI arrested him, Traficant was a beloved figure in Youngstown. He was elected to Congress as a populist candidate who fought for his district - all while taking bribes and evading taxes.

“Crimetown” creator Marc Smirling is back with “Crooked City: Youngstown, OH.” This 15-part podcast brings the tales of the city’s mobsters as they maneuver for money and power, and how the colorful Traficant worked both sides of the law.

OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEWS OF "CROOKED CITY: YOUNGSTOWN, OH" BEGIN IN THE FINAL 8 MINUTES OF THE EPISODE.

In Crime of the Week: A little vab with do ya.

For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.

Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com.

This show was recorded in The Caitlin Rogers Project Studio. Click to find out more.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.