This is the never before told story of the rise and fall of notorious Chicago cop Jerry Finnigan. Jerry tells his story in a wide open format which spans 15 chapters. His journey covers the abyss of Chicago policing and Jerry's fall from highly decorated street cop to a convicted felon. Nothing is off the table in these conversations. The show is hosted by film producer Neal Edelstein (Mulholland Drive, The Ring, The Straight Story). Follow Neal on X at @nealedelstein and the podcast at @Fin ...
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Welcome to the Sit Down, a crime history podcast that delves into the long obsessed archives of crime. Weekly, we look at the sinister and evil lives of the world's most ruthless people. Ones that are both alive and dead. Everything from the Mafia, to the drug trade, cartels, terrorists, war criminals, serial killers, white collar criminals and more. Hosted by Jeff Nadu.
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Episode 172: Gambino Associate Peter Zuccaro
36:16
36:16
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After a week off we are back with a brand new episode. Today we delve into the life of Queens gangster Peter Zuccaro who was a longtime Mafia associate of the Bonanno Crime Family and then the Gambino Crime Family. He has one of the more unique stories ever, never becoming a made man. That said, his life was filled with personal problems, run in's …
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Episode 171: Philly Mob Associate Roger Vella
47:46
47:46
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Today we delve into the wild story of "Crazy" Roger Vella, a young South Philly kid who idolized Joey Merlino. In the end he became Joey's driver, got involved with his own dirt and tried to frame Joey and his friends. That would lead to betrayal like most mob stories. In the first 30 or so minutes of the show I talked about the recent brawl involv…
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In this episode for the first 15 minutes or so we delve into the recent arrest of Sinaloa Cartel founder and kingpin El Mayo Zambada. After that I talked about Michael Blutrich who was the owner and founder of Scores Gentlemen's Club in Manhattan. In the early 90's he would open the business in the territory of the Gambino Crime Family. He was quic…
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Episode 169: The Mafia & The Fulton Fish Market
28:47
28:47
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The original Fulton Fish Market opened on the lower half of Manhattan in the early 1820's. For nearly 200 years it operated as one of the biggest East Coast fish markets in the world. Sadly though when money is made and profits are in the millions and billions, the Mafia shows up and today I detail the control the Mob had on the Fulton Fish Market …
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Today we delve into mobster Joseph Stassi who was a complete Mafia enigma. He goes way back to the early 1920's when he gained the respect of people like Meyer Lansky. He operated with a cold demeanor and was looked at as a very callous killer who made a ton of money through numbers and eventually casinos in Cuba. He was extremely respected by many…
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Episode 167: Corrupt Chicago Cop Jerry Finnigan
1:40:15
1:40:15
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Today we welcome former Chicago police officer Jerry Finnigan to the show. Jerry at one point was a decorated cop who was given various awards for his abilities to get guns and drugs off the street. He eventually would begin taking drug money off suspects and this would divulge into criminal activity in which in the end he paid for as he was sent t…
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Philadelphia is a city rich in the annals of crime. From the Mafia to black gangs to bikers. One of the lesser known organized crime groups that operated in South Philadelphia over the years is the 10th and Oregon Crew. They are a tale of two different stories that came face to face with the Philly Mob and Joey Merlino and other groups like the Pag…
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Joey Merlino has an extremely interesting presence right now on YouTube. He tells colorful stories and dishes on everything from his criminal life to various informants that testified against him. One person he clearly despises is Ralph Natale. Natale in his own right was a squirrely outlandish guy who was easy to manipulate. Today I delve into Ral…
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Episode 164: Philly Kingpin Alton "Ace Capone" Coles
31:40
31:40
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Alton "Ace Capone" Coles was a flashy large scale drug dealer from Philadelphia. He grew up without any sort of family dynamic and began selling narcotics. He would graduate to selling huge amounts of drugs and began investing in legit businesses which culminated in creating a record label and filming a movie that would get himself on the FEDS rada…
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Today in this episode I delve into the interesting story of Colombo capo Joseph "Joe Campy" Campanella. Joe was the protege of Colombo powerhouse Bill Cutolo and has an extremely interesting story of power and deceit. I also discuss in the first 15 minutes the death of John Gotti 22 years ago and what Gotti's legacy actually is? DISCLAIMER: My vide…
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Episode 162: The CURRENT Mafia In America In 2024
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1:00:13
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Today in this episode I delve into the Mafia in 2024 in America. Where do these crime families stand as far as power and influence? In a city by city look I also look into what we know about the hierarchies in cities like Boston, Philly and of course New York. DISCLAIMER: My videos and podcasts are meant for entertainment and educational use. All m…
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Episode 161: Teamsters Union Steward Joe Lanfranchi
1:28:14
1:28:14
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Today we welcome former Teamsters Local 282 shop steward Joe Lanfranchi onto the show. Joe came up as a friend of legendary union leader John Cody. Joe was involved in some of the biggest construction projects in the city and in turn dealt with the Gambino Crime Family who held control of Local 282 for years. Local 282 at one point was under the co…
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Episode 160: Frank Morano - Mafia Journalist And Radio Host
1:15:48
1:15:48
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On this podcast our goal has always been to bring you interviews from the world of organized crime. Today we do that again, we welcome on radio host and Mafia journalist Frank Morano, who hosts a terrific show called "The Racket Report." We discussed many things about his start as a journalist coming up in Staten Island, the RICO act. his relations…
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Episode 159: Former Bonanno Capo Peter Lovaglio
1:03:43
1:03:43
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On this podcast our goal has always been to bring you interviews from the world of organized crime. Today we do that again, this time with a man who you've never heard from. In this exclusive interview, we speak to a one time captain in the Bonanno Crime Family. Peter Lovaglio was originally from Brooklyn and wanted to live a normal life but he wou…
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Episode 158: RECENT Aryan Brotherhood Case + Convictions
38:12
38:12
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Today I delve into the recent convictions of high ranking members of the Aryan Brotherhood, a Mafia like organization that operate inside America's prison system. Last week, multiple members were found guilty and the indictment details a fascinating look inside "The Brand." DISCLAIMER: My videos and podcasts are meant for entertainment and educatio…
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John Stanfa was an old school Sicilian mobster who emigrated to the US in the 1960's. He began his career as a fairly lowly mobster before becoming a driver for Philly mob boss Angelo Bruno. After serving prison time in the 80's, Stanfa found a spot to wiggle his way in power of the Philly Mob and it would eventually lead to a war on the streets of…
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Episode 156: Gambino Associate Lewis Kasman
1:28:54
1:28:54
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Today we bring you yet another EXCLUSIVE interview. I spoke recently to a man named Lewis Kasman. At a young age, Lewis would meet John Gotti and his brother Gene. Before he knew it, Kasman began a life working and making a lot of money in the Garment District of New York City. He would become very close to Gambino boss John Gotti and became essent…
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Episode 155: Bartolomeo “Bobby Glasses” Vernace
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Bartolomeo “Bobby Glasses” Vernace was a capo in the Gambino Crime Family. He came up as a strong earner and very capable mobster. He was said to be involved in everything from loan sharking to bookmaking and even the drug trade. He would ultimately allegedly be involved in a double murder case and it would change his life forever. Down the road th…
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Tino Fiumara was a high ranking mobster in the Genovese Crime Family. He rose to power in the 70's as a ruthless killer and eventually a very large earner while in control of the Newark New Jersey waterfront controlling unions like the ILA. Fiumara was a mob heavyweight and one of the most powerful people in the history of the Jersey faction of the…
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Gregory Scarpa Jr was a mobster in the Colombo Crime Family. He followed in the footsteps of his gangster father Colombo lunatic Greg Scarpa Jr into the Mafia and learned how to kill and steal. Greg Jr would cultivate a very lucrative drug business and allegedly take part in murders. In the end though, his crimes put him in prison for a long time a…
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The Tanglewood Boys were a mob farm team that operated out of a shopping center in Yonkers, NY. They were mostly the sons of mobsters in the Lucchese Crime Family. The crew made a lot of money and were vicious criminals who did what they had to do. Most of them would become high level mobsters, but one betrayed his friends and gave them up. DISCLAI…
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Mark Reiter was an on record associate of the Gambino Crime Family. He was a large-scale narcotics dealer aligned with Gene Gotti and other members of the Gotti crew. He was supply for some of the biggest movers of narcotics in NYC. DISCLAIMER: My videos and podcasts are meant for entertainment and educational use. All material found in my videos r…
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Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was born in the country of Jordan. He was a petty criminal and thug early in his life. He would become radicalized and go to prison to build his dream of an "Islamic" state. Upon release from inside he had many fighters and got seed money from Osama Bin Laden to built a training camp where he would begin to sow the seeds of his…
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Episode 149: Eric Foss - 11 Years In Prison With The Mob
1:45:39
1:45:39
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I recently spoke with an individual from Baltimore named Eric Foss. In the early 2000's, the government alleges that Eric was involved in a wide scale drug network. He did over a decade in the FEDS. Along the way he came into contact with many mobsters including Jimmy Coonan, Mark Reiter, Vito Guzzo, Norman Dupont and more. We talked about his expe…
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Episode 148: Former Bloods Gang Member "G Lock"
1:07:41
1:07:41
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"G Lock" is from the Bronx, NY. During his youth he began a life of crime robbing people and selling drugs. Eventually he would be jumped into the Bloods street gang where he was in and out of prison. He ultimately in 2019 caught a case and landed in federal prison. We also delve into his relationship with Bonanno mob associate Gene Borrello and cr…
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There aren't many mob bosses that were more powerful than Genovese BOSS Vincent "The Chin" Gigante. In the 80's, Chin began dealing with a mob associate named Peter Savino. Peter was a good earner, trustworthy and tough. Chin took a liking to him but the connection with Savino would eventually be very destructive to Vincent Gigante. DISCLAIMER: My …
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Episode 146: Anthony "Tony Lee" Guerrieri
31:09
31:09
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Anthony "Tony Lee" Guerrieri was a longtime member of the Gambino Crime Family. He was a dear friend of "Fat Andy" Ruggiano becoming made in the 50's. He was a good earner and loyal and eventually became very close to Gambino boss John Gotti. In the first ten or so minutes of the show I discussed the interesting reporting recently involving Joey Me…
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Episode 145: Colombo Associate Tommy McLaughlin
29:45
29:45
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Tommy McLaughlin was a Colombo Crime Family mafia associate. He was born in the Dyker Height section of Brooklyn. He began commiting crimes at a young age and was a protege of Greg Scarpa. Tommy was very involved in drug trafficking and the vicious third Colombo Family war. In the end, he would do a long jail term then get out and face old crimes a…
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Today on the show we delve into the very interesting Gambino heavyweight Joseph "Joe Piney" Armone. Armone was a fixture in the family since the 50's and was a huge earner in many interests for the Mafia. He was a pragmatist and one of the most important people in the Gambinos until the 90's and he played a huge part in the Paul Castellano hit. In …
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Episode 143: Interview With Bonanno Associate Hector Pagan
59:18
59:18
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On Episode 143, Hector "Junior" Pagan was an on record associate in the Bonanno Crime Family. He came up in the system as a juvenile offender eventually moving to Bensonhurst Brooklyn in his teens. He got into crime quickly and his life culminated in being involved in the Mafia. Thanks to Junior for reaching out to me and sharing his story with me.…
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On Episode 142, Raymond "Long John" Martorano was a HUGE earner and made man in the Philadelphia Crime Family. He ruled the roost in Philly as the meth king. He went all the way back to Angelo Bruno, and then Nicky Scarfo monopolizing the meth business. In the end, he went away to prison and got out and faced the new face of the mob in the worst wa…
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Jerry readjusts to being on the outside and addresses accusations of crimes leveled against him. He also discusses the notorious "Hunting Photo". We end with a Q & A session. Follow Neal on X at @nealedelstein and the podcast at @FinnigansTake. Music: "Refraction 3" from the album "Lux: Refractions” by loscil, courtesy of Scott Morgan. Learn more a…
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Jerry spends four years in solitary confinement at the MCC before he settles on a plea deal. He discusses his time in jail and how it shaped his new outlook on life. Follow Neal on X at @nealedelstein and the podcast at @FinnigansTake. Music: "Refraction 3" from the album "Lux: Refractions” by loscil, courtesy of Scott Morgan. Learn more about your…
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Episode 141: Robert "Bobby Cabert" Bisaccia
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On Episode 141, we delve into the life of former Gambino Crime Family mobster and eventual capo Robert Bisaccia. Bobby was a longtime member who at one point ran North Jersey for Gambino boss John Gotti. DISCLAIMER: My videos and podcasts are meant for entertainment and educational use. All material found in my videos reflect this use. Check out an…
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The noose is tightening on Jerry as fellow SOS members are talking to the feds. The FBI swoops in and arrests him at his home which begins a 10 year incarceration odyssey. Follow Neal on X at @nealedelstein and the podcast at @FinnigansTake. Music: "Refraction 3" from the album "Lux: Refractions” by loscil, courtesy of Scott Morgan. Learn more abou…
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Jerry and SOS members make an arrest of a gang member who is politically connected to Aldermen Ed Burke, a man at the top of Chicago's political power. Was this arrest the start of the end of SOS? Jerry believes so and in true Chicago fashion, politics, policing and power collide in a web of deceit and drama. Follow Neal on X at @nealedelstein and …
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On Episode 140, we delve into the life of former Gambino Crime Family mobster John "Jackie Nose" D'Amico who died recently at the age of 86 years old. DISCLAIMER: My videos and podcasts are meant for entertainment and educational use. All material found in my videos reflect this use. Check out and go buy our CUSTOM Sitdown Cigar here- https://priva…
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This is the beginning of the end of SOS and Jerry's career, which ignited with an investigation of a car insurance scam by a member of SOS who joined an FBI special task force. Follow Neal on X at @nealedelstein and the podcast at @FinnigansTake. Music: "Refraction 3" from the album "Lux: Refractions” by loscil, courtesy of Scott Morgan. Learn more…
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Jerry is awoken in the middle of the night by a call from a cop, his younger brother John has been shot and killed. Jerry races to the scene of the crime to discover John used his girlfriend's service weapon to kill himself. Things unravel quickly from there. Follow Neal on X at @nealedelstein and the podcast at @FinnigansTake. Music: "Refraction 3…
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Episode 139: Joseph "Joey Cupcakes" Urgitano
30:55
30:55
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On the last episode of 2023, we delve into the very interesting but little known Lucchese Mafia associate Joey Urgitano. Urgitano is from Harlen and came up surrounded by the Mob and followed in his fathers footsteps. His life culminated in long prison trips and a life devoid of consistency on the street. DISCLAIMER: My videos and podcasts are mean…
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Jerry is burned out in SOS and requests a transfer to Midway Airport where he can take a breather but where Jerry goes, crime and conflict follow. Follow Neal on X at @nealedelstein and the podcast at @FinnigansTake. Music: "Refraction 3" from the album "Lux: Refractions” by loscil, courtesy of Scott Morgan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit …
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Jerry joins Special Operations Section and details how the unit would remove drugs and illegal guns off the streets of Chicago. This roving pack of cops was a freight train already coming off the rails when Jerry joins, with a history of members being indicted for a litany of crimes. The unit was highly effective but also troubled. Follow Neal on X…
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Episode 138: Current Five Families Headed Into 2024
1:12:26
1:12:26
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Today Scott Burnstein from the Original Gangsters Podcast joins me as we delve into the Five Families and some of the other families and where they stand currently. We also delve into some of the recent storylines in the Mafia genre including Joey Merlino's podcast Subscribe to @originalgangsterssamp5672@originalgangsterspod DISCLAIMER: My videos a…
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Jerry's success as an aggressive cop pays off for the brass of the Chicago Police Department but the complaints against him begin to pile up. Jerry details how the complaint system works and how it built a box he could not get out of. Follow Neal on X at @nealedelstein and the podcast at @FinnigansTake. Music: "Refraction 3" from the album "Lux: Re…
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Jerry details how he would remove guns from the streets of Chicago, the methodology was not always legal but the results were undeniably effective. Follow Neal on X at @nealedelstein and the podcast at @FinnigansTake. Music: "Refraction 3" from the album "Lux: Refractions” by loscil, courtesy of Scott Morgan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
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Episode 137: Anthony Senter RELEASED From Prison
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Today I delve into the life of Anthony Senter, a vicious killer who did dozens of hits for the Gambino Family and then became made into the Lucchese Family. He would eventually, alongside his crime partner Joey Testa, get life. Recently Anthony was released from federal prison to a halfway house in an unprecedented decision. How is this happening? …
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This chapter details the murder of Jerry's eldest brother Bill who is killed in a stabbing in a bar fight. When no charges are brought against the man who killed Bill, Jerry does his own investigation and believes the fix was in. Follow Neal on X at @nealedelstein and the podcast at @FinnigansTake. Music: "Refraction 3" from the album "Lux: Refract…
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Jerry joins the 7th district tactical team of the Chicago Police Department where he quickly becomes seasoned in the ways of Chicago's "real police". Follow Neal on X at @nealedelstein and the podcast at @FinnigansTake. Music: "Refraction 3" from the album "Lux: Refractions” by loscil, courtesy of Scott Morgan. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis…
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This week we delve into Carmine "Mr Gribbs" Tramunti who was the boss of the Lucchese Crime Family from 1966 to 1973. He was a gigantic earner and very powerful individual who was extremely connected not only in NYC but around the country. He will go down as one of the most underrated people in the history of the Mob in New York City. Like cigars? …
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Jerry requests and is subsequently assigned to the 7th District, an area of Chicago that is tantamount to a war zone in the 1980's. Follow Neal on X at @nealedelstein and the podcast at @FinnigansTake. Music: "Refraction 3" from the album "Lux: Refractions” by loscil, courtesy of Scott Morgan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad…
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