Original Gangsters Podcast
Original Gangsters, a True Crime Talk Podcast · James Buccellato and Scott Burnstein
Show overview
Original Gangsters Podcast has been publishing since 2019, and across the 6 years since has built a catalogue of 198 episodes. That works out to roughly 200 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.
Episodes typically run an hour to ninety minutes — most land between 54 min and 1h 10m — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. It is catalogued as a EN-language True Crime show.
There hasn’t been a new episode in the last ninety days; the most recent episode landed 6 months ago. The busiest year was 2023, with 50 episodes published. Published by James Buccellato and Scott Burnstein.
From the publisher
Hosted by veteran crime reporter, documentarian, and award-winning author Scott Burnstein, Original Gangsters Podcast tells the current and past stories of La Cosa Nostra, one percent biker clubs, drug cartels, Canadian crime, urban crime, and more, with insightful analysis and educated commentary. Each week, Scott sits down with former gangsters, journalists, authors, law enforcement members, and lawyers to deep dive a specific topic, figure, or group in organized crime. Simply put, Original Gangsters Podcast is the ultimate place for organized crime news and history.
Latest Episodes
View all 198 episodesEp 200The Rise of "Nurget" Stadnick and the Ontario Hells Angels
Scott tells the story of how Hells Angels' Walter "Nurget" Stadnick became one of the most powerful biker bosses in history. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 198Montreal Mafia Don Leo Rizzuto Remains In Command From Behind Bars
Scott and Canadian Whistleblower Ken Pereira discuss the latest news on the Montreal Mafia following the June arrests of eleven members in the Rizzuto Crime Family, including Boss Leo Rizzuto. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 197How the Feds Busted Outlaws MC Legend Harry "Taco" Bowman with Rick Convertino
In this episode, Former Detroit Federal Prosecutor Rick Convertino joins to discuss how he and the organized crime task force in Detroit took down Outlaws Motorcycle Club Legend Harry "Taco" Bowman after years of investigation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 196The 1979 Mafia Commission Meeting That Almost Happened with Retired FBI Agent Dennis Buckley
In this episode, Senior Reporter Daniel Edward Rosen and Retired FBI Agent Dennis Buckley join to tell the fascinating story of how the FBI was tipped off about a commission meeting comprising several powerful Mafia bosses that was supposed to take place at Gurney's Inn in Montauk, New York, in September 1979. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 195Mob Ties: How Current NBA Point Shaving Scandal is Connected to the Pittsburgh Mafia
In this episode, Scott explains how the current NBA and College Basketball point-shaving scandal involving dozens of players and teams is connected back to "Sugar" Shane Hennen, an eccentric lawbreaking gambler who grew up in Pittsburgh and has strong ties to members and associates of the Pittsburgh Mafia. Pittsburgh Mob Expert Paul Hodos (Author of "Steel City Mafia") joins to provide background on Hennen's Pittsburgh wiseguy associates and explain the city's history and influence with the gambling industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 194White Devil John: A White Man's Rise to Power in Boston's Chinatown Mob
In this episode, Scott is joined by long-time partner and former co-host, Dr. James Buccellato, to tell the fascinating story of John Willis aka "White Devil John", who went from being a homeless orphan to one of the most powerful players in Boston's Chinese Mafia. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 193Operation Gametax: The Case That Crippled The Detroit Crime Family
In this episode, former Detroit Mobster Nove Tocco sits down with the man who prosecuted against him, retired Federal Prosecutor Rick Convertino, in the Operation Gametax trial. Operation Gametax was a large-scale federal operation targeting the Detroit mafia, specifically the local chapter of La Cosa Nostra, and included indictments against 17 made members and associates of the Tocco-Zerilli crime family, including then-Boss Jack Tocco, powerful capo Anthony "Tony Jack" Giacalone, and then-Underboss Tony Zerilli. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 192Latest News on the Canadian Underworld - Is a Prison War on the Horizon? Ken Pereira Joins
In this episode, Scott and Canadian union whistleblower Ken Pereira discuss the latest developments in Canadian organized crime, including the actions of Hells Angels boss Marty Robert and David "Ice Pick" Turmel, leader of the rapidly growing Blood Family Mafia. Scott also examines how the ongoing conflict between these groups could shift from the streets to the Canadian prison system. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 191Former Boston Mob Soldier Vincent "Gigi" Marino Talks Patriarca Mob War, Being Screwed by Justice System
After 28 years behind bars, former Boston Mob Soldier Vincent "Gigi" Marino joins Scott to discuss the details of the 1989 Patriarca Crime Family war and explain how corrupt FBI agents and federal prosecutors tilt the scales of justice against him. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 190Genovese Mob Deep Dive - Interview with Retired NYC FBI Agent Mike Campi
Former NYC FBI Agent Mike Campi and author of "Mafia Takedown: The Incredible True Story of the FBI Agent Who Devastated the New York Mob", joins Scott to tell his detailed, first-hand account of going after the Genovese crime family in the late '90s. Mr. Campi gives a comprehensive deep dive involving some of the most powerful men in Italian organized crime at the time, including Barney Bellomo, Vincente "The Chin" Gigante, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 189Wise Guys in the White House - Gangsters, Presidents, and the Deals They Made with Author Eric Dezenhall
Eric Dezenhall, author of "Wise Guys in the White House - Gangsters, Presidents, and the Deals They Made", joins Scott to tell the tales of organized crime members making deals with, and sometimes even robbing, powerful presidents. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 188Analyzing The Road to Montreal Mob - Hells Angels Peace Summit with Ken Pereira
Scott and Canadian union whistleblower Ken Pereira analyze and discuss the brutal war between the Montreal Mob and Hells Angels that finally came to an end in December of 2024 after a peace summit between Mob Boss Leo Rizzuto and Hells Angels Leader Marty Robert. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 187The Life and Crimes of Luigi "Baby Shacks" Manocchio with Former State Police Col. Steve O'Donnell
Scott sits down with Former Rhode Island Police Col. Steve O'Donnell to talk about the life and crimes of Former Patriarcha Crime Family Boss Luigi "Baby Shacks" Manocchio, who passed away on Dec. 8, 2024. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 186The Westies: Inside the New York Irish Mob with Author and Expert T.J. English
New York Times Bestselling Author T.J. English joins Scott to do a deep dive on Jimmy Coonan and the infamous Irish American gang in New York City known as the "Westies." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 185Going After LCN in New Haven and Detroit with Former FBI Agent Donald Brutnell
Former FBI Agent Donald Brutnell joins Scott to lay out his career as a field agent in Detroit and New Haven, Connecticut in the 1970s and 80s. In the episode, Brutnell gives details on some of the biggest LCN figures in New Haven and Bridgeport at the time, including Billy Grasso, Midge Renault, the Cursio brothers, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 184Kansas City Underworld Deep Dive with Expert Gary Jenkins
Gary Jenkins is a former police officer and Kansas City mafia historian. He joins Scott to discuss notorious figures in the Kansas City Underworld and Civella Crime Family, including former K.C. Black Mafia Leader Eddie Cox, Mark Sorrentino, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 183Kansas City Street Legend Eddie Cox on His Former Life and Story of Redemption
Eddie Cox is the former leader of the Kansas City Black Mafia and a notorious jailhouse attorney who served 32 years in prison. He, his paralegal partner Rusty Marks, and Attorney Tom Norrid join Scott to discuss Cox's past on the street and their mission at the Law Offices of Tom Norrid in Springfield, Missouri, to help prisoners who were wrongly convicted and reduce sentences for those with non-violent offenses. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 182Current State of Canadian Hells Angels and Rizzuto Crime Family with Ken Pereira
Former union leader and whistleblower Ken Pereira joins Scott Burnstein to discuss the current landscape of Canadian organized crime and battle for control between the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club and the Rizzuto Crime Family. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 181Deep Undercover in the New Jersey Mob with Giovanni Rocco
Former FBI Agent Giovanni Rocco sits down with Scott to tell his story of being undercover in the DeCavalcante Crime Family for several years, his close relationships with capo's and made men within the family, and how he was almost made. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 180Black Brothers Inc Bust: Philadelphia Black Mafia Expert Talks 50 Years of Crime In North Philly
Sean Patrick Griffin, author of "Black Brothers, Inc. : The Violent Rise and Fall of Philadelphia's Black Mafia", joins Scott to discuss Philly street legend Eugene "Bo" Baynes, the Black Mafia's influence in music, its close ties to celebrities, and how the government busted the powerful organization in September 1974. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.