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! JOIN THE MOTION LOUNGE! For the first time, we are offering a subscription plan. For just $5.99 a month, you will join the Motion Lounge and get: Season Exclusives, such as the complete collection of tapes Joseph D. Pistone recorded while in deep cover with New York's most notorious crime families. AD Free Podcast Episodes (Two Days Early) Unedited Video Episodes & Behind-the-Scenes Content Member-only Bonus Episodes Member-only AMA's Family-first access and discounts to live events. Join now by clicking THIS LINK! Have a question about this episode, a tape, or a past episode? Ask it here. Not ready to join the mob? Connect with us on social using the links below: Connect with us on social using the links below: Instagram: @deepcoverpod Facebook: @deepcoverpodcast Twitter: @deepcoverpodcast 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! JOIN THE MOTION LOUNGE! For the first time, we are offering a subscription plan. For just $5.99 a month you will join the Motion Lounge and get: Season Exclusives, such as the complete collection of tapes Joseph D. Pistone recorded while in deep cover with New York's most notorious crime families. AD Free Podcast Episodes (Two Days Early) Unedited Video Episodes & Behind-the-Scenes Content Member-only Bonus Episodes Member-only AMA's Family-first access and discounts to live events. Join now by clicking THIS LINK! Have a question about this episode, a tape, or a past episode? Ask it here. Not ready to join the mob? Connect with us on social using the links below: Connect with us on social using the links below: Instagram: @deepcoverpod Facebook: @deepcoverpodcast Twitter: @deepcoverpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. JOIN THE MOTION LOUNGE ! For the first time, we are offering a subscription plan. For just $5.99 a month you will join the Motion Lounge and get: Season Exclusives, such as the complete collection of tapes Joseph D. Pistone recorded while in deep cover with New York's most notorious crime families. AD Free Podcast Episodes (Two Days Early) Unedited Video Episodes & Behind the Scenes Content Member-only Bonus Episodes Member-only AMA's Family-first access and discounts to live events. Join now by clicking THIS LINK! Have a question about this episode, a tape, or a past episode? Ask it here. Not ready to join the mob? Connect with us on social using the links below: Connect with us on social using the links below: Instagram: @deepcoverpod Facebook: @deepcoverpodcast Twitter: @deepcoverpodcast 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. JOIN THE MOTION LOUNGE ! For the first time, we are offering a subscription plan. For just $5.99 a month you will join the Motion Lounge and get: Season Exclusives, such as the complete collection of tapes Joseph D. Pistone recorded while in deep cover with New York's most notorious crime families. AD Free Podcast Episodes (Two Days Early) Unedited Video Episodes & Behind the Scenes Content Member-only Bonus Episodes Member-only AMA's Family-first access and discounts to live events. Join now by clicking THIS LINK! Have a question about this episode, a tape, or a past episode? Ask it here. Not ready to join the mob? Connect with us on social using the links below: Connect with us on social using the links below: Instagram: @deepcoverpod Facebook: @deepcoverpodcast Twitter: @deepcoverpodcast 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Thank you to our sponsor Killer Psyche Podcast! Not ready to become a friend of ours? Stay connected via social using the links below: Instagram: @deepcoverpod Facebook: @deepcoverpodcast 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, you will hear the real life conversation between Lefty and Joe as Donnie faced a life-and-death situation as he dealt with accusations of theft from fellow mobster Tony Mirra. Join co-hosts Leo Rossi and Joe Pistone as they dive into the first tape from Joe’s collection of undercover conversations. Hear from Lefty Ruggiero’s wife, as she urgently tries to contact Joe for Lefty, and then from Lefty himself as he questions Joe to find out the truth behind the accusations. It’s high drama on this episode of Deep Cover: The Real Donnie Brasco! If you have questions about this episode or past episodes, you can ask them here by joining the Motion Lounge, where you can also listen to the full tape used in this episode. About the MOTION LOUNGE ! For the first time, we are offering a subscription plan. For just $5.99 a month you will join the Motion Lounge and get: Season Exclusives, such as the complete collection of tapes Joseph D. Pistone recorded while in deep cover with New York's most notorious crime families. AD Free Podcast Episodes (Two Days Early) Unedited Video Episodes & Behind the Scenes Content Member-only Bonus Episodes Member-only AMA's (ask me anything) Family-first access and discounts to live events. Join now by clicking THIS LINK! Not ready to become a friend of ours? Stay connected via social using the links below: Instagram: @deepcoverpod Facebook: @deepcoverpodcast Twitter: @deepcoverpodcast Episode notes: [00:01:30] - Introduction to Joe’s defense for his life [00:02:18] - Louise Ruggiero’s (Lefty’s wife) concerned call to Joe about Lefty’s meeting; quick brief on Tony Mirra [00:04:34] - Lefty’s call to Joe about Lefty’s meeting with Tony Mirra [00:05:37] - Who is Rocky? [00:06:52] - $250,000 accusation [00:07:46] - Lefty probing for information [00:09:36] - Joe explains the story he’s trying to sell [00:11:45] - Junk money, Zips [00:19:37] - Lefty continues to probe/explain, compares Tony Mirra’s and Donnie’s situation [00:24:59] - Sally - head of the Bonanno family [00:29:27] - Federal “Stool Pigeon” [00:35:29] - Lefty and Tony Mirra’s bad blood [00:39:00] - Lefty and Joe (Donnie) are in pinch, how will this play out in the next episode? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 3 of Deep Cover will focus on the tapes Joseph D. Pistone recorded undercover as Donnie Brasco. Hear the voices of notorious mobsters, learn how "wiseguys" throw the English language around, and find out the stories behind the tapes that led to over 100 convictions of some of New Yorks most notorious families of crime. Season three airs on October 18th, 2022. Follow to never miss an episode. Want more? Connect with us on social: Instagram: @deepcoverpod Facebook: @deepcoverpodcast Twitter: @deepcoverpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re getting a visit from Joe’s friend from the north, Eric from Montreal Canada. As a former detective with the Montreal Police Department, Eric has a resume as long as the rap sheets of some of the criminals he put away. The two former colleagues share with Leo about the cases they worked together, and about the connection the mafia had between the states and our neighbors from the north. Thank you to our sponsor Sunday! Get 20% off at checkout when you visit GetSunday.com/Deepcover20. Thank you to our sponsor Hunt a Killer! Visit huntakiller.com/deep for $10 off. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:51 - Interview with Eric from Canada Follow us on social media: Deep Cover (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Jam Street Media (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just when we thought Joe was done with the FBI he decides to give it another shot. But before he can be reinstated he must go through what all rookies go through- training at the FBI Academy. He talks with Leo about his decision to go back to the bureau and the training process that he had to go through to once again become Special Agent Joe Pistone. Thank you to our sponsor Hunt a Killer! Visit huntakiller.com/deep for $10 off. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:09:32 - Joe is reinstated Follow us on social media: Deep Cover (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Jam Street Media (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After years of unwarranted harassment from his superior, Joe finally had enough. He tells Leo about the incident that finally pushed him over the edge. In one final confrontation with his special agent in charge, Joe quit the FBI just a few years short of his 20-year mark. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:06:48 - Joe Quits the FBI Follow us on social media: Deep Cover (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Jam Street Media (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Leo and Joe dive into the Hollywood scene. The two give behind the scenes insight on the set of Leo’s new hit show, Graves End. We also hear stories from Joe’s time with some of the “Hollywood Elite,” including the times he met Dice Clay and Sid Rosenberg. Plus, Joe drops a bombshell change of heart regarding the notorious gangster Sammy “The Bull” Gravano. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:30:22 - A Million Dollar Question Follow us on social media: Deep Cover (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Jam Street Media (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Joe and Leo discuss The Maxi Trial in Palermo, Sicily. The case was against the Sicilian Mafia, and, boy, were those some mean, cold-hearted gangsters. The Sicilians had their own murderous ways of doing things, and unlike their American counterparts, nobody’s life was off-limits. The New York Mafia was also no stranger to taking action against those that crossed them, actions like putting a contract out on Joe’s life. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:07 - How the Wise Guys Get Their Nickname 00:07:06 - The Maxi Trial 00:13:30 - The Contract Follow us on social media: Deep Cover (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Jam Street Media (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The case is finally closed and it’s time for Joe Pistone, a.k.a the real Donnie Brasco to face The Mafia in court. For six years, he rubbed elbows with some of the scariest gangsters alive and now he’s working with the then U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani to bring them to justice. Joe’s testimony was crucial in The Pizza Connection Trial and The Commission Trial, which was the most expensive trial in New York City history. Usually, the mafia doesn’t deal in the business of drugs. But at the end of the day when the money’s rolling in, it’s easy to turn and look the other way. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:54 - The RICO Act 00:07:03 - The Lawyers 00:09:37 - The Pizza Connection Trial Follow us on social media: Deep Cover (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Jam Street Media (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices