About this episode

The episode discusses the downfall of Don Vito Genovese and the implications of modern technology on organized crime.

Gianni Russo, Pat Picirelli, and Megan Horan discuss a New York Post article claiming the five families worry younger mobsters are too tied to phones and social media, citing a fugitive Colombo consigliere, Ralph DiMatteo, caught after his son posted a poolside photo, and another extortionist who sent threats by text. The main topic is Vito Genovese: after the 1957 Apalachin meeting embarrassed the mafia, narcotics chief Harry Anslinger targeted Genovese for heroin trafficking. They describe an informant used to link Genovese to heroin meetings and argue he may have been framed by rivals like Costello and Gambino; Genovese’s conviction led to prison where he marked Joe Valachi for death, prompting Valachi to testify and expose La Cosa Nostra. In the mailbag, they answer questions about Russo’s delayed clothing line, Corleone Fine Italian products, Mort Downey Jr., mafia depictions, Harlem numbers king “Spanish Raymond” Marquez, Greg DePalma, top bosses, and continuing the podcast. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

People in this episode

Host: Gianni Russo

Guests: Pat Picirelli, Megan Horan

Topics covered

• mobsters
• Vito Genovese
• heroin trafficking
• mafia history
• informants
• social media impact

Keywords

• Vito Genovese
• mafia
• heroin
• informants
• social media
• New York Post
• Apalachin meeting
• Joe Valachi
• Ralph DiMatteo

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: New York Post, La Cosa Nostra

Products: Corleone Fine Italian products

Places: New York

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