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PODCAST

Milwaukee Mafia

Did you know Milwaukee had a Mafia? Many people don"t realize how powerful the Milwaukee Mafia was - especially during Frank Balistrieri"s impressive 30-year reign! Gavin Schmitt has been researching and writing published works on the Milwaukee Mafia for over a decade, and is considered the top expert on the subject. Join Gavin Schmitt and Eric Wulterkens as Gavin takes you through stories of the Milwaukee Mafia, and related Wisconsin true crime. For more information, visit MilwaukeeMafia.com

true crime documentary

All Episodes

48:57

Milwaukee’s Gambling Empire

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/10/26

Topics:PinballHorse racingPolicy (number) wheelsJohn Doe investigationsLinks:Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more informationGavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQHPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/MilwaukeemafiaBonus fact: In 1963, the Wisconsin supreme court ruled free plays on pinball machines were illegal - even though there was little enforcement behind the law. In 1980, Wisconsin legalized free plays.

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47:30

A Mixed Bag of Booze and Blood

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/10/12

People included in this episode:Joe VallonePasquale MigliaccioJoe BedamiHasso PestalazziPat FerraraLinks:Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more informationGavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQHPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

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29:48

The Scaffidi Family

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/09/28

In this episode, Gavin talks through the murders of three Scaffidi family members: Vincenzo "James" Scaffidi, Anthony, and Joseph.On Saturday, March 14th, 1891, Antonio Scaffidi was murdered in prison along with Joseph P. Macheca and Antonio Marchesi.Vincenzo Scaffidi was shot six times from behind on the evening of December 12, 1919. He was found lying in a ditch on Whitnall Avenue in the town of Lake (now the location of Mitchell Airport), his .38 revolver still in his shirt.In the early morning

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39:20

Tony Gennaro Spills the Beans

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/09/21

Gavin continues on with Tony Gennaro snitching from prison. In the last episode, Tony, while an inmate at Waupun, sent a letter to Milwaukee’s captain of detectives, Adolph Kraemer. Tony writes: “If you want to talk with me about them, I would like to talk to you alone. Please don’t tell anyone about my name, because I am a prisoner and there are many Italian fellows from the Third Ward here; keep quiet and afterward you will find out many important things concerning them.”Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com

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24:28

Murder of Jack Dentice

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/09/14

In this episode, Gavin covers the murder of Jack Dentice, and part one of Tony Gennaro snitching from prison. There are two different versions of the motive for Jack's murder, and Frank LaGalbo is included in both of them."During dinner, LaGalbo and Jack got into an argument about girls and LaGalbo told Jack that his girl was a prostitute and that she worked for his uncle, Vince Crupi.”Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more informationGavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQHPatreon:

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28:34

The Carusos & Waukesha's Little Italy

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/09/07

Gavin walks listeners through stories of bombings and murder in this episode.Wisconsin’s Sicilian Mafia a was primarily based in Milwaukee, but the suburb of Waukesha had its own Italian community. One cannot fully appreciate the history of the Milwaukee Mafia without including Waukesha.Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more informationGavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQHPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

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17:09

What made the Milwaukee Mafia Different from other Mobs?

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/08/31

In this episode, a listener asks what makes the Milwaukee Mafia different from other mobs, such as New York and Chicago.The answers:Working as city employees while controlling the garbage industryProhibition wasn't as big of a boom for the Milwaukee Mafia as other mobsEric gets Gavin off on a tangent about the Milwaukee Mafia and Las VegasVending machines (remember when cigarettes were sold in vending machines?)And some stories that Gavin has come across he has found surprisingA bubble gun patentA

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22:38

Non Sicilian Gangsters

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/08/24

The Milwaukee Mafia was primarily Sicilian (by definition). What other ethnic groups participated in Milwaukee crime? Gavin's Note: I am not always comfortable referring to someone as "Sicilian" or "Irish" when they were born in the United States, but this is the shorthand law enforcement uses when gangs recruit based on a person's heritage, so I'm following their lead.Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more informationGavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQHPatreon:

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15:23

J. Edgar Hoover's Top 10 "Hoodlum" List

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/08/17

In this episode Gavin discusses the Apalachin, New York meeting (November 14th, 1957), and J. Edgar Hoover's Top 10 Hoodlum List. Notable Milwaukee "Hoodlums" on the list include:Frank BalistrieriJohn AliotoWalter BroccaVisit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more informationGavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQHPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

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22:35

Mafia Myths

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/08/10

In this "mini" episode, a listener asks Gavin: "What are some of the common Mafia myths?" He covers some, but far from all of them.Check out our website for more information: https://milwaukeemafia.com/the-milwaukee-balistrieri-family-dont-sell-them-short/Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more informationGavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQHPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/MilwaukeemafiaCheck out our episode sponsor: Appleton Podcast Co-op

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32:17

Death in the Family II: Angelo LaMantia

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/08/03

The prime suspect in the Frank Aiello murder has left town. This time we catch up with him. Will Aiello's killer be brought to justice?Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more informationGavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQHPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

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01:44

New Podcast Fox Cities Murder and Mayhem

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/07/28

Introducing our Newest podcast Fox Cities Murder and Mayhem launching on August 3, 2021. Check it out and subscribe at FoxCitiesMM.comGavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQH

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38:28

Death in the Family I: Frank Aiello

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/07/27

So many murders in the Third Ward seem to be random. But this time, the victim is the grandson of mob boss Vito Guardalabene and nephew of Angelo and Pete Guardalabene. Who would dare strike the family?Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more informationGavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQHPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

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31:39

Capone Nemesis: Joseph Aiello

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/07/20

With the Genna brothers out of the way, Joseph Aiello stands in Capone's way of being the undisputed boss of Chicago. This episode contains information about:Joseph AielloAl CaponeThe Sicilian UnionMichele MerloTony LombardoBugs MoranAlthough this episode is not directly related to the Milwaukee Mafia, it is important information for next week's episode.Information for this episode came primarily from http://www.myalcaponemuseum.com/id99.htm.Other Links:Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more

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20:22

Alberto Speciale Murdered

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/07/13

After being in America only four months, Alberto Speciale was shot by two gunmen on February 17, 1926 at the corner of Lyon and Jackson Streets in Milwaukee. When investigating Speciale's murder, the police find mysterious letters and many dead ends. For more information: https://milwaukeemafia.com/Wiki/alberto-speciale/This episode is based on Chapter 8 of Gavin's book: The Milwaukee MafiaVisit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more informationGavin's BooksPatreonNote: The audio quality was updated

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36:16

The Terrible Genna Brothers

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/07/06

Chicago's mob boss was Al Capone, right? Well... it didn't have to be that way. A band of brothers stood in his path.Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more informationGavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQHPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

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16:46

Murder of Tony Kuzmanovich

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/06/29

On August 28, 1928, Tony Kuzmanovich closed up his restaurant at 3 am with $800, and headed home with his wife. Ad the couple were headed home, a car came alongside of their car at the corner of 65th and Wisconsin, only a block from their destination. A man yelled for Tony to pull over, which Tony did, and then a sawed-off shot gun was pointed at Tony and his wife.Assuming he was the target of a robbery, Tony reached for his wallet, but the man with the shotgun likely thought that Tony was pulling

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30:58

Guardalabene: The Prohibition Years

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/06/22

An overview of the Guardalabene Milwaukee Mafia family in the 1920s.Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more informationGavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQHPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

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31:33

Felice Lazaro and John Sorce

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/06/15

The Sorce name will come up again, but this first time doesn't end well.Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more informationGavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQHPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

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25:34

Ronzio Double Slaying

Milwaukee Mafia ·

2021/06/08

Bodies are piling up, but now we have the most dastardly murder yet: an unarmed grandmother. Also, we briefly touch on Kenosha.Visit MilwaukeeMafia.com for more informationGavin's Books: https://amzn.to/3ssKOQHPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/Milwaukeemafia

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