Double Deal - True Stories of Criminals, Crimes and Lies
My name is Lara Chicofsky, and my cohost is Nina Jobe. We created this podcast to shine a light on some of the lesser known characters and crimes in Boston and New England. We've spent the past two years researching the Boston crime scene primarily focusing on the 1960s. There are many podcasts and books available about organized crime in the Boston area, but ours is a bit different. I spent most of my life in my father’s world. Eavesdropping when I was a kid, listening intently when he was at the end of his life. I often took wh...
Episodes
Operation Lobster
Lara and Nina discuss Operation Lobster, a joint undercover FBI/Mass State Police operation targeting the Winter Hill Gang. They also delve into the background of infamous former FBI agent John Zip Connolly and his connections with notoriou…
Is it Safe to go in the Water? The Loan Sharks
The girls delve into loan sharking in Massachusetts in the 1970s, focusing on key figures like Jimmy Martorano and the various legal challenges they faced. They discuss the timeline of the arrests, the run up to Operation Lobster, the ongoi…
A Day at the Races - Howie Winter and the Boys
The girls delve into the criminal activities surrounding Howie Winter in the 1970s, focusing on the pinball case and the subsequent race fixing scandal. They discuss the key players involved and the legal proceedings that followed exploring…
The Hit Parade of 1978 - Stayin' Alive
Thanks to technical difficulties and Nina being on strike in protest of said tech issues, Lara is flying solo today. She talks about the gangland slayings of 1978 in the Boston area and Rhode Island. Some of the men profiled in this episode…
The Blackfriars Massacre
Lara and Nina delve into the infamous Blackfriars Massacre that occurred in Boston in June of 1978, exploring the profiles of the victims, the details of the crime scene, the investigation that followed, and the various theories surrounding…
The Hit Parade of 1977 - The Smugglers' Blues
Nina and Lara wrap up this three part series about the men who were killed in gangland slayings in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in 1977. The last 6 men who lost their lives were linked together not just geography and association but also …
The Hit Parade of 1977 - The RI Edition - Part 1
The girls delve into two of the mob related homicide cases of 1977, focusing on the lives and deaths of Mike Ross and Dennis Lytwyn aka Danny Raimondi. They explore the circumstances surrounding Ross' murder, his connections to organized cr…
The Hit Parade of 1977 - Massachusetts
Lara and Nina delve into the gangland slayings in Massachusetts in 1977, focusing on former Alcatraz inmate, Louis Arquilla, and others including Robert McFarland and Jackie DiFronzo.
Making Book - The Gambling Case of 1977
In this episode, Lara and Nina delve into the 1977 gambling charges against several mob figures, including Larry Zannino, Abe Sarkis and Melvin Berger. They discuss the background of these individuals, the events leading up to the charges, …
War is a Racket - The Danvers Armory Heist of 1976
In this episode Lara and Nina discuss the Danvers Armory heist of 1976, where the weapons ended up, the attacks carried out by the IRA with some of the stolen M60s, their theories and more!
Make It Or Break It - The Mafia Induction Ceremony of '77
Much attention has been given to the Mafia induction ceremony of 1989 in Medford, Massachusetts, but few remember the ceremony that took place on October 5, 1977 in Boston. Lara and Nina discuss the men that were made that day and the testi…
No Happy Endings - From Maine to Massage Parlors
Lara and Nina delve answer questions about Sonny Mercurio and Little Joe Napolitano. They introduce Joe Puzzangara, discuss informants, connections between various Mafia figures., their counterfeiting operations and the massage parlor case …
The Mafia in Maine
This episode was inspired by a listener's email. Nina and Lara discuss Big Joe, Mickey and Little Joe Napolitano and their adventures in Maine including morphine, a still and a counterfeiting ring. 00:00Introduction to Organized Crime in Ma…
Nicky Bianco - The Taxman Cometh
In this episode, Lara and Nina revisit Nicky Bianco's early years including his time as a member of the Colombo Family and his return to Rhode Island, early legal troubles including income tax evasion, and his post prison career as a parale…
The Hit Parade of 1976
Nina and Lara delve into the mob slayings of 1976 in Massachusetts and RI. The hosts explore key figures, events, and the implications of these crimes, including the tragic story of Richie Castucci. They highlight the intertwining lives of …
Bonded Vault - Part 4 - The After Party
In this episode, Lara and Nina wrap up the Bonded Vault series, discussing the fates of various characters involved in the heist and subsequent events. They delve into the lives of Jacob Tarzian, Robert Dussault, Joe Danese, John Ouimette, …
Bonded Vault - Part 3 - Love, Lies & Alibis
In this episode, the hosts delve into the Bonded Vault heist trial, exploring more details of the robbery, the various players involved, and the courtroom dynamics that unfolded over the course of the trial. They discuss witness testimonies…
Bonded Vault - Part 2 - Revenge by Robbery 2.0
The Bonded Vault Heist: Revenge by Robbery 2.0In this episode, the hosts discuss unresolved technical and logistical issues before diving into a listener comment about notorious criminals Anthony "Ponytail" Parillo and Dennis Roach. They e…
Bonded Vault - Part 1 - Meet the Suspects
Unraveling the Bonded Vault Heist: Background Stories and Intriguing ConnectionsIn this episode, the hosts discuss their nonstop technical difficulties before diving into listener questions about the Medford Mafia Induction Ceremony. The ep…
The Hit Parade of 1975: Mob Activity, Conspiracies, and Murders of 1975
In their first full episode in two years, the hosts dive into a detailed recount of mob-related events and murders from 1975. The episode covers various crimes, including the deaths of Ben Tilley, Carmen "Gags" Gagliardi, Dickie Callei, Buf…
The Return: Reconnecting After Two Years
In this episode, the hosts return after a two-year hiatus and discuss the evolution of their podcast from its inception. They reminisce about their history, including how they met through Twitter in 2010, and the events that led them to sta…
The Hit Parade of 1974
Over 130 murders were committed in Boston in 1974 with one day in mid January seeing three slayings in less than 16 hours. The year didn’t end much differently with two men being shot five minutes apart. We're highlighting many of those hit…
A Tale of Two Thieves, Well Many Thieves
We're back this with our favorite topic: bank robberies, armored truck heists and colorful characters! There are a few familiar names from last season, some new ones, and we journey a little bit outside of Massachusetts. Linked episodes: Pr…
Frank Salemme - A Tribute
Frank Salemme passed away on December 13, 2022. This week's episode is a short tribute to his life along with a few perhaps lesser known stories. There will be much more to come about Frankie and his activities later this season. Next week,…
Not Your Average Joe: Joseph JR Russo & Some North End Tales
Mafia hitman JR Russo makes his debut as Jerry Angiulo returns for hijinks on the high seas.The Nite LiteThey're After Me Like a F***ing AnimalThe Hit Parade of 1966The Hit Parade; 1970-1973The Defense Never RestsJoe Meet JoeFor a transcrip…
Joe Meet Joe: Joseph Barboza - Part 3 - The Final Act
"Here he was, with all kinds of evidence against him in a death penalty case, and he acted like he was in small claims court. He wasn't concerned at all."Joe Barboza goes on trial for the murder of Clay Wilson. But his three favorite Feds -…
California Dreaming - Joseph Barboza - Part 2
"Tell Denny [Condon] I still love him.... if Rico was here, he'd help me." --August 1970 letter from Joe Barboza to Walter Barnes.Joe Barboza is back. After perjuring himself at the FBI's behest, Barboza is shipped off to California. But he…
The Hit Parade: 1970 to 1973
The first part of the 1970s saw the beginnings of a new gang war in Boston as Winter Hill began to cement their position in the underworld hierarchy. This week we take you from the 1970 murder of Tommy Ballou to the demise of Spike O'Toole …
The Hit Parade: 1970 - 1973
The first part of the 1970s saw the beginnings of a new gang war in Boston as Winter Hill began to cement their position in the underworld hierarchy. This week we take you from the 1970 murder of Tommy Ballou to the demise of Spike O'Toole …
Finding Frankie Salemme - The 1972 Arrest
Frank Salemme, Stephen Flemmi and Peter Poulos take off on SA Rico's instructions. Back home in Boston, Detective Billy Stuart & Hugh Shields go on trial for the 1967 murder of Billy Bennett. Three years later, Salemme is apprehended in NYC…
Piranha: Vinnie Teresa's Tales
Vinnie Teresa followed Jack Kelley into the Witness Protection Program. But Vinnie had a secret: he'd already been an FBI informant for over a decade. For a transcript of this episode visit our website. Follow us on Twitter for sneak peeks …
Jack's Justice - Part 3: The Trials Continue
Jack Kelley’s justice didn’t end with the first Marfeo Melei murder trial. This week Jack testifies for the government at the VA Robbery trial, and the 1968 Brinks trial. Richie takes the stand and helps to save Jerry Angiulo from a prison …
The Gaslight - Part 2: The Marfeo/Melei Murder Trial
The Marfeo-Melei murder trial finally begins, and Jack Kelley takes the stand. Raymond Patriarca has his chance to confront Jack! We finally reveal what happened to SA Gerard Comen. And Nina has a big announcement! Disorganized Crime - Raym…
Jack's Justice - Part 2: Richie's Disinformation Campaign
With Jack Kelley tucked away under Federal protection, Richie's disinformation campaign begins in earnest. Former FBI Agent turned defense attorney, John B. Green interviews the FBI's informants about Jack, as the defense tries to build the…
Where in the world is Louis Manocchio?
Where in the world is Louis Manocchio? We travel from Rhode Island to Martha's Vineyard to Venezuela to the ski slopes of Idaho and France along with the FBI searching for Louis.Jack's Justice - Part 1New York State of Mind - Part 2As the C…
Taking it on the Lam
Mello Merlino, Stevie Flemmi, Peter Poulos, Frankie Salemme and Frank Vendi all go on the lam. A new FBI Top Echelon Informant is placed on the books. And SA Rico recruits Robert Daddieco to further his case to Hoover and Tolson for a job t…
Jack's Justice - Part 1 - The First Round of Arrests
Welcome back to the first episode of Season Two. Pro Lerner, Bobby Fairbrothers, John E Rossi and Rudy Sciarra are all arrested on charges stemming from the 1968 double homicide of Rudy Marfeo and Anthony Melei. Richie and SA Rico implement…
Jack Goes Bad - Part 2 - Words are Weapons
After his first arrest & conviction in 1954, Jack Kelley vowed he'd never go back to prison. When the walls started closing in a little over a decade later, he implemented his escape plan. In our final episode of the season, Jack uses Richi…
Jack Goes Bad - Part 1 - Revenge by Robbery
Jack Kelley's criminal career begins to fall apart and he's forced to make a decision that will change his life, and those of his companions, forever. But Jack wasn't a victim. If he was being forced into retirement, he'd go out on his own …
It's A Fugazi! The Bond Scheme
fugazi · 1. Artificial, fake. Something that has no substance. · 2. A really bad knockoff, a copy.Mafia fiction writer extraordinaire Vinnie Teresa's testimony exposed the Boston mafia's participation in stolen and fake bond schemes up and …