Deep Cover: The Real Donnie Brasco

On this season finale of Deep Cover, Joe and Leo deep dive into your final movie questions to reveal fiction from fact. Joe shares more of Donnie Brasco’s day-to-day life, particularly from the last impactful moments with Sonny Black and Lefty Ruggiero. From the Japanese Steakhouse fight to the thwarted hit by Donnie the made man– what was a true story and what was fabricated by the brilliant Paul Attanasio? Listen to learn more and stay tuned at the end to hear what’s in store for the forthcoming season!

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Episode Notes:

[00:00] Introduction with Joe and Leo

[02:09] Movie clip: Don the Jeweler

[03:20] Joe shares how he knew so much in real life about diamonds during his first meet with Lefty Ruggiero

[06:40] Joe’s Cadillac and blending in as broke

[10:32] Movie clip: He says it’s a fugazi.

[12:00] Joe shares the seeds of the fake diamonds scene. 

[15:16] Movie clip: This is Lefty’s car 

[16:19] Movie clip: Donnie Brasco fights a DA at the airport to save his cover 

[17:45] Joe shares the truth about the shocking encounter

[19:06] Movie clip: Lefty hates the cold 

[20:57] Joe details what really happened with the air conditioner debate

[24:54] Movie clip: Donnie refuses to take off his shoes 

[26:11] Joe sets the record straight about the Japanese Steakhouse fight 

[28:09] Movie clip: “You think I’m a f******g rat?”

[29:56] The federal boat and dramatic licensing byway of Paul Attanasio

[33:33] Truth or false: the ending of the movie Deep Cover

[35:15] True Story: FBI agents told Sonny Black and Lefty Ruggiero that Donnie Brasco was a cop 

[37:40] Next season guests: Former undercover cop and beauty agent, Lisa Lockwood, Retired NYPD Ralph Friedman, former U.S. Customs Bob Starkman

[39:54] Happy New Year– until next time!

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On this special episode of Deep Cover, Joe and Leo speak to former FBI boss, Jules Bonavolonta, who was Head of Organized Crime and Narcotics in New York during the Deep Cover investigation. Jules takes us down memory lane from the Vietnam War to his self-negotiations from the Army into the coveted federal agency.

But it’s really his untold stories about life-or-death moments with Joe Pistone, Lefty, Santo Trafficante, and the bureaucracy that will make you understand the severity of the undercover operation. Just how much trust and friendship played a major role in their success? You don’t want to miss this one.

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Episode Notes:

[00:00] Introducing guest, ex-FBI agent, Jules Bonavolonta

[02:00] The Garden State Trio: Bonavolonta, Leo and Joe.

[03:10] On Anthony Imperiale, former New Jersey state senator

[05:20] On using “dramatic licensing” with the truth for movies and tv 

[06:50] On the reaction of family and friends after joining the FBI

[09:00] Why Bonavolonta threatened to leave the military during the Vietnam War and made it in the FBI

[19:20] How Bonavolonta met Joe Pisone while running the organized crime division 

[21:15] What’s a successful organized crime? Jules speaks on monitoring Joe in the mafia 

[24:52] Joe explains to Bonavolonta what he does all day with Sunny Black and Lefty

[27:10] Jules details how much Lefty trusted Joe up until his trial testimony 

[29:09] Jules and Joe relive the moment the mafia gave Joe a contract to kill Bruno Indelicato

[33:55] The infamous argument between Jules and Joe prior to his meeting with Santo Trafficante

[41:55] When the mafia found out that Donnie Brasco is Joe Pistone– an open contract

[44:04] Jules can kill you with his hands 

[47:00] Outro

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On this episode of Deep Cover, Leo Rossi walks Joe Pistone through a few more scenes of his Hollywood blockbuster, “Donnie Brasco.” Joe shares intimate details about real-life challenges with his wife, Maggie, while undercover, reveals the subtle brilliance of a scene between Donnie and Lefty, and other insights. He also shares some unrelated stories about the Sicilian Mafioso turned informant, Luigi Ronsisvalle, and a drug deal gone bad in Pensacola, Florida. This one’s full of suspense! 

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On this special episode of Deep Cover, Leo Rossi and Joe Pistone are joined by ex-Colombo crime mobster turned motivational speaker Michael Franzese. He shares his personal testimony about the ways in which “the life” negatively impacted him and his family. Son to the notorious former underboss, Sonny Franzese, Michael was not only born into the life but contributed for nearly 20 years prior to incarceration which prompted his uncharacteristic exit. 

Michael and Joe met in their separate endeavors along the way and detailed the extent of their relationship then and now. Tune in for a true tale about the Mafia life from one of their very own.

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Episode Notes:[00:47] Intro with Leo Rossi and Joe Pistone

[01:07] Introduction to Michael Franzese

[03:09] Franzese speaks on his meeting with Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano

[05:00] Joe remembers his first time meeting Michael Franzese in “the life”

[06:32] Michael Franzese breaks down how he and his family were impacted by the mob life.

[09:04] Franzese shares the story of his father, Sonny Franzese, who was imprisoned until 100 years old.

[11:36] What defines a leader?

[12:35] Franzese, Joe, and Leo discuss the relationship between crime mob and cops

[15:03] Franzese shares his relationship with Bernard “Bernie” Welsh

[16:47] Sonny Black’s girlfriend relays a message to Joe post-trial

[18:14] Franzese gives Joe his flowers

[20:09] How did Carmine “Junior” Persico run the family from prison?

[23:22] Michael Franzese’s dad agreed with the mob's decision to put a contract on his son’s life

[24:37] Nicky “Glasses” Marangello has a message for Donnie

[26:52] Leo shares a story about Carlo Gambino and the new age of mobsters

[29:47] The old neighborhoods just aren’t the same

[31:26] Michael Franzese speaks on his recent book, “Mafia Democracy”

[35:02] Franzese shares the similarities between the government and the mob

[38:04] Franzese went into business with an Armenian vineyard

[40:00] Outro

[40:26] Questions from the motion lounge

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Joe Pistone and Leo Rossi continue with more behind-the-scenes insight about the Blockbuster movie based on Joe’s time in the mob, “Donnie Brasco.” Accompanying clips featuring Johnny Depp, Al Pacino, and others, Pistone shares more deets about his undercover experience and offers some loving words in memory of Anne Heche, the actress who portrayed his wife Maggie Pistone on screen. He even clarifies facts from fiction regarding that infamous wife slap! More, when you tune in to Deep Cover now.

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Episode Notes:

[00:00] Intro with Joe Pistone and Leo Rossi

[01:56] Joe visited the Mob Museum in Las Vegas

[03:04] Leo Rossi and Joe Pistone’s one-man-show about Donnie Braso

[03:27] How the movie designers recreated Sonny Black, Lefty and Nicky entering a disco nightclub

[07:45] Donnie Brasco gets caught by the cops; no permit for the lion

[10:29] On one-taker scenes that require precision

[12:30] How the bribed cop let everyone down; gambling operation at the club gone wrong.

[14:50] The arrest record of Donnie Brasco

[16:10] Meet us in the Motion Lounge

[17:27] The Boss, Carmine Galante, gets whacked

[20:31] Sonny Black becomes a Capo and Lefty gets nervous

[23:21] Paul Attansio, the screenwriter, continues to write accurate emotions for each character

[25:26] How does a hit get set up? Lefty, or Al Pacino, goes off on Donnie Brasco after being “sent for.”

[28:40] The truth about the $300,000 in cash and Joe Pistone remembers Anne Heche, the actress who portrayed his wife and best friend.

[29:07] Joe admits there was a time when he couldn’t turn ‘off’ his character, Donnie Brasco, in real life.

[33:05] Through Leo’s stage play, Joe’s family finally realized just how lonely the job was for him.

[34:50] 85% is true

[35:50] Maggie and Joe’s movie-stealing scenes: “Why do you hate me when I love you so much?” and “I’m not beginning like them, Maggie, I am them.” - the back story.

[36:44] When Lefty got saved from being whacked.

[37:50] Outro

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Joe Pistone and Leo Rossi review and discuss the most popular clips from the motion picture, “Donnie Brasco” based on Joe’s book about his time spent undercover in the mob.Joe clarifies a few of the most important contrasts between real life and dramatization and offers some new revelations about the infamous 1981 killing of 3 capos and a boss from the Bonanno Crime Family.We learn how Johnny Depp and others, mostly unknown actors at the time, got the role of a lifetime– including a childhood friend. And he answers a question from the Motion Lounge! Tune in.

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Twitter: @deepcoverpodcastEpisode Notes:[00:00:00] Intro with Joe Pistone and Leo Rossi

[00:01:07] Behind the scenes: “Donnie Brasco” the movie

[00:02:40] Fuhgeddaboudit aka “Forget about it!”

[00:07:30] The killing of the 3 Capos in the Bonanno Crime Family ("Phil Lucky," "Sonny Red" and “Big Trin”), starting with the boss, Carmine Gallente

[00:10:17] Dramatic license: Joe clarifies that he was not physically present during the whackings.

[00:11:31] The truth about Dominick "Big Trin" Trinchera, the actor George Angelica

[00:15:15] Sonny Red, Big Trin, and Phil Lucky discuss “Where is Bruno?”

[00:17:45] The infamous murder scene in “Donnie Brasco”

[00:20:06] On Jimmy Russo and Johnny Depp’s tense dialogue in the car

[00:23:09] “The meek wanna inherit the Earth…” Joe and Leo discuss the scriptwriter, Paul Attanasio.

[00:25:02] Unfortunately, it was just “family business.” Joe shares how the mob could effectively compartmentalize after a killing.

[00:28:35] Next time: More movie clips, Joe and Lefty Ruggerio.

[00:29:13] A question from The Motion Lounge

[00:30:32] Why did the mob whack so many people in restaurants?

[00:32:20] Join the Motion Lounge!

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The Tony Conti saga comes to an end. In this episode, Leo Rossi and Joe Pistone take us through several different tapes that meticulously details the quick, but life-threatening, downfall of Tony Conti (undercover FBI agent) following an incident with the Balistrieri family. 

In Joe’s attempt to cover for his partner’s disappearance after being pulled from the investigation, Joe as Donnie Brasco takes a necessary and calculated trip to Milwaukee in search of the supposed wannabe wise guy. With Lefty Ruggiero hot on his trail, Donnie fabricates his findings. Then, the sobering event ends with an impromptu late-night meeting between the two and mob boss, Mike Sabella.

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Episode Notes:

[00:00] Intro with Leo Rossi and Joe Pistone

[01:08] TAPE: Where is Tony Conti? Joe dictates letter about Lefty Ruggiero and Tony’s meeting for Jules Bonavolonta of the FBI (10/10/1978 at 9:30pm)

[05:37] How was Conti in real life? Did he really have a relationship with three women?

[07:42] Everybody’s Joe

[08:37] Frank Balistrieri’s girlfriend was disrespected and Mike Sabella vouches for everyone

[12:42] At the heart of it all is greed: Balistrieri to Trafficante

[13:45] Conti beats the scam; disappears in Milwaukee

[15:32] Donnie offers Lefty $500 from a “score” or bet

[18:25] Lefty calls Donnie for a mysterious late night meet

[20:24] TAPE: Donnie and Lefty discuss the search for Tony Conti’s car in Milwaukee

[24:52] Lefty talks about a $7,000 contractor for a fast food restaurant

[27:17] TAPE: Donnie tells Lefty that Conti’s car is impounded by the cops

[30:44] Lefty Ruggiero does not play about his money

[33:26] TAPE: Donnie plants the idea that Tony Conti was whacked; Lefty pushes back

[38:44] TAPE: Lefty gives Donnie final search locations for Tony; tells him to make a restaurant reservation at 12am at night

[42:11] Joe Pistone says that dinner would later become a vital part of the investigation

[43:17] TAPE: Donnie presents Lefty with the potential car tag belonging to Tony Conti

[45:45] Lefty’s never asleep

[46:23] Joe Pistone explains how answering difficult questions can be life or death; sign off until next time

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Following last week’s focus on the casino deal between Traficante, Sonny Black, and the Bonnano family– in this episode, stakes are raised even higher as Donnie Brasco finds himself in a bit of a pickle between in Milwaukee with Tony Conti and Lefty Ruggiero.

Joe takes us through several FBI tapes detailing the ins and outs of their biggest target on the Milwaukee crime scene: Frank Balistrieri, boss of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin family.

As Joe begins to fight an internal battle between family and work, we hear how he's at risk of creating distrust from Lefty Ruggiero as he continues to keep the many stories he's crafted and his real identity a secret as he continues to help the FBI collect evidence.

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Leo Rossi and Joe Pistone deep dive into the relationship between Donnie and Sonny Black Napolitano. At a time when Sonny was attempting to push Lefty out of the conversation, we learn about the infamous club deal Donnie helped orchestrate between Traficante, Sonny, and the Bonanno Crime Family. Plus, get the full scope of just how far and wide this FBI investigation spread across the states.

All of season three we will be listening to the tapes that Joe carried undercover and were recently found and remastered. Joe Pistone, Leo Rossi, and you are hearing some of these for the first time. If you want more tapes and videos of the show, you can sign up to become a member of The Motion Lounge HERE.

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Episode Notes:

[00:50:00] Intro

[00:01:26] Episode Recap

[00:03:07] Rusty Rustelli

[00:06:25] Donny Brasco explains stark differences between Lefty and Sonny Black

[00:08:05] The Back Story & Benny: Promised Ones

[00:10:55] Setting the grounds for the club: an FBI location

[00:14:88] Donnie’s cash money and street cred

[00:17:05] “Friendship” with Sonny versus Lefty

[00:19:16] Donnie and Lefty’s incident with the air conditioner

[00:22:23] Arm wrestling with Sonny

[00:24:42] Donnie gets around, San Diego to Milwaukee

[00:26:33] Sonny and Lefty’s family

[00:28:50] Next tape: Sonny Black starts to push Lefty out

[00:33:41] John “Boobie” Cerasani

[00:34:33] Is Sonny’s crew still alive?

[00:35:43] Joe shares more about exposing the criminal enterprise

[00:37:27] Next tape: Donnie and Sonny are Ernie Borgnine in “Marty”

[00:39:44] Sonny Black and Nicky picks up Donnie from the airport

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In this conclusion to our two-part episode on the Lefty Tape, you will hear how Joe Pistone, as Donnie Brasco, talks his way out of a life-or-death situation with Left Ruggerio. 

Listen to find out how Joe managed to not only save his skin but also kept his business running with the mob as the FBI built their case. It all ends with a sit down to find out if Joe lives or dies. 

Numerous Mafia characters are mentioned and talked about in this episode including, The Bonannos and Trafficante families, Sonny Black, Tony Mira, Ceaser Bonventre, Frank Castellano, The Zips, and Mike Sabella. 

All of season three we will be listening to the tapes that Joe carried undercover and were recently found and remastered. Joe Pistone, Leo Rossi, and you are hearing some of these for the first time. If you want more tapes and video of the show, you can sign up to become a member of the The Motion Lounge HERE.

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Key Moments:

[00:00:00] - Intro with Leo Rossi

[00:00:48] - Show recap

[00:01:28] - Joe Pistone and Leo Rossi recap the backstory between Lefty Ruggiero and Sonny Black

[00:02:49] - Lefty interrogates Donnie (Joe) about Rocky: “think like me”

[00:04:57] - Joe explains why he’s trying to save Rocky’s life

[00:07:50] - The battle for Miami with Sonny, the Bonannos and Trafficante

[00:09:46] - Lefty pressures Donnie (Joe) about letting Rocky in on the deal; and there’s another Tony

[00:13:23] - “America’s Guest” Lefty talks money and being ambushed in Brooklyn

[00:16:43] - What happened to Mike Sabella?

[00:17:40] - “Do you have anything hidden, Donnie?”

[00:19:05] - Leo’s Resume

[00:20:36] - Lefty’s Mysterious Man

[00:22:18] - The Demise of Cesare Bonventre

[00:25:07] - Frank DeCicco sets up Frank Castellano

[00:25:41] - Sonny Black’s crew

[00:27:24] - “I’m treating you like a friend.” Lefty blows up on Donnie Brasco

[00:30:07] - Who is The Gimp (Moe The Gimp)?

[00:31:31] - Tony Mirrar frustrates Lefty

[00:33:17] - Lefty almost gets whacked

[00:36:36] - Sonny’s Deal Gone Bad

[00:38:20] - The Hole in Mirrar’s Case

[00:40:10] - It Ends with a Sit-Down

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