Gangland Wire

Did Frank Balistrieri Bomb My Cousin Augie


Listen Later

Gary interviews Mary Spicuzza, an investigative reporter with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who discusses her personal connection to the Milwaukee organized crime landscape through her cousin, Augie Palmisano. Augie was killed in a car bombing in 1978, an event that had a significant impact on Mary’s family, yet was rarely spoken of. Growing up, Mary’s father instilled in her a cautionary respect for organized crime, advising her to avoid falling in with the "wrong crowd." However, this left her with limited understanding of Augie's life and tragic death until she delved into extensive investigative research.
Mary chronicles her journey into uncovering the mystery surrounding Augie's murder, citing familial silence and societal stigma against discussing such topics. With Augie being part of the Milwaukee crime family, the Balistrieri Family, his history revealed a world filled with complexity, where he was not just a victim but also an active participant in gambling. Mary emphasizes that Augie ran a bar and was deeply involved in the gambling scene, but he was also a caring figure in his community, known for his generous acts and connections with local residents. This narrative complicates the typical portrayal of organized crime figures and invites listeners to see them as multifaceted individuals rather than solely as criminals.
The conversation touches on the broader context of organized crime in the 1970s, detailing how crime families in cities like Milwaukee, Kansas City, and Cleveland interlinked in schemes, particularly the infamous Las Vegas skim operation. Prominent figures like Frank Balistrieri, known as a ruthless mob boss in Milwaukee, are discussed, highlighting the violent measures he allegedly employed to assert his dominance. This included extortion and bombings, methods that claimed lives and instilled fear within the community. Augie's murder was surrounded by speculation; many believed it was due to a refusal to pay tribute or cuts to Balistrieri, who was known for his violent reputation.
Subscribe to get new gangster stories every week.
Click here to listen to Mary Spicuzza's podcast.
 
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] Well, hey, all you wiretappers. Welcome back here in the studio of Gangland Wire. This is retired Sergeant, Kansas City Police Department Intelligence Unit, Gary Jenkins, as you all know. And I have a really interesting show today and really interesting interview. I've not done much on Milwaukee. And you know, Milwaukee really was a part of the cartel, if you will, of Kansas City, Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Chicago that skimmed all that money from Las Vegas. And I've done a little bit on Milwaukee, and I've got one old show where we had a relocated witness from Milwaukee who was here in Kansas City, and we were starting to make a case on him, but then it came out he was a witness, and they sent him on to another city. But today I hear Mary Spicuzza. Mary, welcome.
[0:42] Thank you so much for having me. Now, Mary, tell me how I should really pronounce Spicuzza. Well, if you're in Sicily, my family's from Termini Moresi, and I've gone back to visit a few times, and they will say, if they see my name or my passport, they'll say, ah, Maria Caterina Spicuzza. There we go. There we go. So I don't expect you to say that, but it's always lovely this time of year if you want to go and you can practice.
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Gangland WireBy Gary Jenkins: Mafia Detective

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

583 ratings


More shows like Gangland Wire

View all
Mafia by Audioboom Studios

Mafia

2,760 Listeners

Original Gangsters Podcast by Original Gangsters, a True Crime Talk Podcast

Original Gangsters Podcast

670 Listeners

The Underworld Podcast by The Underworld Podcast

The Underworld Podcast

798 Listeners

Our Thing with Sammy The Bull by Sammy "The Bull" Gravano

Our Thing with Sammy The Bull

5,011 Listeners

The Sit Down: A Crime History Podcast by Jeff Nadu

The Sit Down: A Crime History Podcast

1,486 Listeners

Original Gangsters Podcast by Original Gangsters, a True Crime Talk Podcast

Original Gangsters Podcast

128 Listeners

Game of Crimes by Game of Crimes

Game of Crimes

1,446 Listeners

Matthew Cox | Inside True Crime Podcast by Rhapsody Voices

Matthew Cox | Inside True Crime Podcast

350 Listeners

The Gangland History Podcast: An Organized Crime & Mafia History Podcast by Jacob Stoops

The Gangland History Podcast: An Organized Crime & Mafia History Podcast

68 Listeners

The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell by Johnny Mitchell

The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

515 Listeners

Locked In with Ian Bick by Ian Bick

Locked In with Ian Bick

673 Listeners

Inside the Life by The Mob Museum

Inside the Life

100 Listeners

VladTV by DJ Vlad

VladTV

180 Listeners

Criminal Empire: Mafia Mysteries & Serial Killers by Charlie Outback

Criminal Empire: Mafia Mysteries & Serial Killers

35 Listeners

Sit Down with Michael Franzese by Michael Franzese

Sit Down with Michael Franzese

27 Listeners