To the casual observer, organized crime is viewed as a singular entity, spearheaded by a powerful mafioso or crime family. In reality, it’s a multi-faceted network built on generations of blind loyalty, spawning corruption and ruthless violence. In this episode, we’ll follow the path from Charles “Lucky” Luciano and his merciless plot to end a brutal power struggle in New York to Joseph Valachi, whose testimony opened the vault to a world previously hidden in the shadows. This episode is sponsored by: Burrow Babbel - Promo code: MAFIA BetterHelp Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music featured in this episode: “Smoke” by Rafael Archangel; “Fog” and “Gates” by Sergey Cheremisinov; “Difference,” “Imminence,” “Snowfall,” and “Universe in Hands” by Kai Engel; “Walking Along” and “Waltz (Tchaikovsky Op. 40)” by Kevin MacLeod. Sound Effects from freesound.org | Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Following the retirement of Filippo Buccola in 1952, Raymond Patriarca was promoted to boss of the New England crime family. He became a dominant force in all illicit, political, and labor union activities. After years of trying to infiltrate the New England crime family, the FBI finally succeeded when Joe Barboza, a hitman for Patriarca, became an informant. Raymond Patriarca would be imprisoned in 1969, but his greatest heist was yet to come. Special thanks to Gary Jenkins of the true crime podcast Gangland Wire; Joe Broadmeadow, Author and Founder of JEBWizard Publishing; Tim White, Investigative Reporter and Co-Author of “The Last Good Heist,” and former Rhode Island State Police Superintendent, Brendan P. Doherty. Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music featured in this episode: “Deep Space” by Almusic34; “Misery” by Damiano Baldoni; “Computations” by Scott Buckley; “Gates” and “Old All” by Sergey Cheremisinov; “January” and “Snowfall” by Kai Engel; “Bankrupt” by Jahzzar; “How the Night Came" by Showdown; “Angst” by Xenojam. Sound Effects from freesound.org | Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Prior to Prohibition, two separate Mafia families emerged in New England, one based in Boston, Massachusetts and the other based in Providence, Rhode Island. By 1932, both families combined and became a force to be reckoned with. Over time, the New England crime family would soon become synonymous with one cunning and ruthless leader, Raymond Patriarca. But one concealed microphone by the FBI would reveal all of Patriarca’s secrets. Special thanks to Gary Jenkins of the true crime podcast Gangland Wire; Joe Broadmeadow, Author and Founder of JEBWizard Publishing; and Tim White, Investigative Reporter and Co-Author of “The Last Good Heist.” Mafia's theme is "Spellbound Hell" by Damiano Baldoni. Music featured in this episode: “Gray” and “Smoke” by Rafael Archangel; “Misery” by Damiano Baldoni; “Lucerna,” and “She Wolf In My Heart” by Sergey Cheremisinov; “Dark Alleys” and “Snowfall” by Kai Engel; “Bankrupt” by Jahzzar; “On the Ground,” “Rollin’ at 5,” and “Waltz (Tchaikovsky Op. 40)” by Kevin MacLeod. Sound Effects from freesound.org | Additional sound effects from freesfx.co.uk. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

1920's Chicago – the beginnings of the infamous Chicago Outfit. Frank Nitti, friend of notorious gangster Al Capone, went from struggling breadwinner to leading one of the country's most powerful organized crime groups. Diversifying the Outfit's portfolio by branching out into new and lucrative forms of crime, and even inventing a new way to kill someone that would be widely adopted by the mob. This episode is sponsored by: Best Fiends BetterHelp Babbel - Promo code: MAFIA Special thanks to Geoff Schumacher and the Mob Museum. Music by Damiano Baldoni, Sergey Cheremisinov, and Kai Engel. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

It’s the early 1970's in Biloxi, Mississippi. Kirksey Nix, one of the leading members of the Dixie Mafia, had been convicted of murder and began a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Despite this, Nix would continue heading up his gang from prison, orchestrate a hit on a local judge and his wife, and even target and scam gay men out of their money over the phone. This episode is sponsored by: Babbel - Promo code: MAFIA ManScaped IPVanish Special thanks to Synova Cantrell. Music by Damiano Baldoni, Sergey Cheremisinov, and Kai Engel. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.