We talk with Giovanni Rocco, a former deep cover agent for the FBI, is responsible for taking down the American Mob organization commonly referred to by the media as “The Real Sopranos.”

During Operation Charlie Horse, Giovanni infiltrated the DeCavalcante crime family based in New Jersey and personally gathered enough evidence to prosecute and convict several high-ranking members and associates of the crime family. This action, while bolstering his legend in the undercover world, ultimately led to early retirement and the relocation of his family.

During his decades-long career as an undercover for the federal government, he successfully infiltrated outlaw motorcycle gangs, domestic and international terror organizations and the Mafia. Drawing from his service in law enforcement in various positions, Giovanni now shares his expertise with law enforcement, military and intelligence units worldwide.

More recently, he has become the host of the show, “Inside the Life” along with co-host Dutch McAlpin, produced by The Mob Museum, where they give listeners a one-of-a-kind look into the inner world of organized crime, featuring guests who have lived on both sides of the law.

In addition to his work as a subject matter expert and host of a successful YouTube show, Giovanni is also an author. He released his autobiography entitled, “Giovanni’s Ring: My Life Inside the Real Sopranos” released in February of 2021. I’ll leave the link in the description of the episode, and if you’d like, you can get a signed copy from Giovanni himself. Definitely a must have book for your collection.

Giovanni’s experiences have been featured in The Washington Times, the New York Post, and more.

This is his story in his own words.

Episode chapters and timestamps:

00:00 Start

01:27 Opening Remarks

03:36 Interview Begins

04:38 Growing up in Bayonne, New Jersey

06:40 Influence of the Mafia in Bayonne

08:32 Giovanni's family and upbringing

12:09 The influence of violence and the draw of the streets

16:03 Going from "Black Sheep" to becoming a police officer

18:28 The importance of the law enforcement oath

21:06 Giovanni's early law enforcement career

24:09 Working in extremely violent areas of New Jersey

27:35 Dealing with fear on the job

29:56 Were neighborhoods safer when the mob was in control?

31:47 Becoming an undercover operative

33:26 Undercover work and the element of truth

37:10 Physical tells and how they may betray an undercover operative

39:38 Balancing relationships and family life with undercover work

45:55 Introducing Giovanni Gatto (the alter ego)

48:50 The art of evasiveness

50:45 'Operation Charlie Horse' begins

55:19 Meeting Luigi 'Lui the Dog' Oliveri, alleged made member of the DeCavalcante Crime Family

55:52 Getting an introduction to Charlie 'The Hat' Stango, Capo in the DeCavalcante Crime Family

57:08 Getting to know Charlie 'The Hat' Stango

59:06 How 'Operation Charlie Horse' progressed

01:00:00 The Mafia's approach to vetting Giovanni

01:04:35 Walking the legal line as an undercover

01:06:09 Facing dangerous situations as an undercover

01:08:20 Nearly getting caught by The DeCav's

01:13:10 Nearly getting caught, the infamous bridge story

01:16: 15 Nearly getting caught, the soccer game

01:17:12 The end of 'Operation Charlie Horse'

01:18:41 Giovanni gets a contract to kill

01:20:40 The leadership of the DeCavalcante Family during Giovanni's undercover work

01:21:58 The possibility of faking a 'hit'

01:24:40 Early retirement and beginning work with training and development for law enforcement and military personnel

01:32:45 Doing the 'Inside the Life' podcast for The Mob Museum

01:39:25 Closing remarks

In this episode, special guest Tony Taouk and myself discuss the career of infamous Philadelphia mob lawyer, Robert "Bobby" Simone (1933 - 2007).

Robert F. Simone was known for winning a string of difficult cases for clients that included members of Philadelphia's organized-crime family such as Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo, Philip "Crazy" Phil Leonetti, Frank "The Baracuda" Sindone, union boss John McCullough, and many more.

We discuss many topics surrounding the life and times of Simone including:

• His law studies at Temple University
• The Pottsville Heist: His first big criminal defense case of Lillian "Tiger Lil" Reis
• How he began defending mobsters like Frank "The Barracuda" Sindone
• Meeting and beginning to defend Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo
• The 1980 defense of Scarfo, Philip "Crazy Phil" Leonetti, and Lawrence "Yogi" Merlino in the Vincent Falcone murder case
• Simone's defense and association with the Philly mob in the 1980's and 1990's
• Simone's defense of himself in his 1984 tax evasion case
• Simone's ability to tear down government informants such as Nick "The Crow" Caramandi
• The Martorano drug conviction in the mid-to-late 1980's
• Simone's conviction of racketeering in the early 1990's and his disbarrment from being a lawyer
• Simone's retirement, autobiography, and ultimate legacy

Link to Simone's book, "The Last Mouthpiece: The Man Who Dared to Defend the Mob" https://www.amazon.com/Last-Mouthpiece-Man-Dared-Defend/dp/0940159694

Link to "MOUTHPIECE: VOICE FOR THE ACCUSED" (2002)" * PRODUCED BY THE HISTORY CHANNEL (Used in this video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7hDUNfyRJc

In this episode, the first of a two-part series, we discuss the life and times of Paul "The Waiter" Ricca, who was born Felice De Lucia in Apricena, Italy in 1898.

Paul Ricca was one of the most powerful underworld figures in the history of Cosa Nostra in this country, his career spanning from the Capone Era into the 1970's. For over 30 years, Ricca co-ran The Chicago Outfit with his friend and contemporary, Anthony "Tony" Accardo.

In Part One, we cover:

(1) De Lucia's birth in Apricena, Italy in 1898 and the mystery surrounding both his real birthdate as well as the true names of his parents

(2) De Lucia's involvement and conviction of multiple murders in Italy as part of an ongoing family feud, and his immigration to the United States in 1920 (while still a fugitive in Italy)

(3) His original connections with key underworld players including Joseph "Diamond Joe" Esposito and Johnny "The Fox" Torrio, which led to his arrival in Chicago in the early 1920's

(4) His introduction to major Chicago underworld figures including Frank Nitti and Al Capone as a manager at the Bella Napoli Restaurant (where he got his nickname)

(5) His admission to the Al Capone organization and his subsequent rise through the ranks

(6) His ascension to leadership of The Chicago Outfit after Capone was convicted of tax evasion in 1931

(7) Ricca's many arrests in the early 1930's with famous national syndicate figures including Meyer Lansky and Charles "Lucky" Luciano

(8) Ricca's involvement in labor racketeering and his extortion of local Chicago unions

(9) The infamous 1943 Hollywood Extortion trial, which led to Ricca's first major conviction and prison time

(10) Ricca and The Outfit's possible involvement in the Frank Nitti suicide

I hope you enjoy this episode!