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 7 years since has built a catalogue of 209 episodes. That works out to roughly 210 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.
Episodes typically run an hour to ninety minutes — most land between 53 min and 1h 10m — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. It is catalogued as a EN-language True Crime show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 months ago, with 11 episodes already out so far this year. 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 209 episodesThe Top Ten U.S. Mafia Bosses of All Time According to Scott Burnstein
The Massive NBA/College Hoops Point Shaving Scandal with Retired FBI Agent James Lawton
Five Families 2026: The Top Guys in the NYC Mafia Today
The Story of Las Vegas Tycoon Benny Binion and the Murder of "Russian Louie" Strauss
Excerpts From Whitey Bulger's Memoir Revealed and an Unsolved Boston Mob Murder
The Crimes of Detroit Mob Associate Ronnie Morelli with Former Detroit Mobster Nove Tocco
1980s Detroit: Dirty Politics, Drugs, and Organized Crime with former Detroit Mobster Nove Tocco
The Life of Legendary Boston Mobster Joe McDonald | Interview with Author/Expert Springs Toledo
The Gardner Museum Heist: How the Philly Mob Got Their Hands on Priceless Painings with Former Agent Geoff Kelly
The Unknown Charles Manson Murders - What You Don't Know About the Manson Family
The Lufthansa Heist and Busting the Lucchese Mob with Former FBI Agent Neil Moran
Ep 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.