Gangland Wire

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with author Kevin E. Meredith to examine a little-known but highly influential force in Chicago’s Prohibition-era crime wars—the Secret Six. Click here for a link to get the book The Secret Six: The Rise and Fall of Chicago's greatest Vigilantes

Meredith, a former newspaper reporter turned historian, explains how he uncovered the story while researching another project. What he found was a group unlike any other: wealthy businessmen who stepped outside traditional law enforcement to combat the chaos of organized crime and corruption gripping Chicago in the early 1930s.

The Rise of the Secret Six
The conversation begins with the conditions that gave rise to the Secret Six—widespread corruption, violent labor disputes, and a city dominated by gangland power structures. A key turning point was the murder of construction supervisor Philip Meeker, which galvanized prominent business leaders into action. Rather than working quietly, the Secret Six operated in full public view, using media attention as a weapon. They were not truly “secret,” nor limited to six members, but their branding captured public imagination during a time of fear and instability. Vigilantes with Resources: Meredith details the group’s unconventional tactics: running a covert jail inside the St. Clair Hotel; financing independent investigations; using early lie-detection technology; coordinating with local law enforcement. Their financial power allowed them to function almost like a parallel police force, blurring the line between legal authority and private enforcement.

High-Profile Cases and Mob Pressure
The Secret Six became entangled in some of the most notorious events of the era, including fallout from the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Their aggressive tactics earned both praise and criticism. One of the most striking episodes discussed is their involvement in an extortion case tied to socialite Marian Wright. Their heavy-handed investigative style brought results—but also legal and ethical scrutiny. Their existence also intersected with figures like Al Capone, who recognized the group as a legitimate threat to organized crime operations.

The Fall and Legacy
Operating from roughly 1930 to 1933, the Secret Six ultimately collapsed under mounting criticism and suspicion. Deals that appeared questionable—such as the recovery of stolen bonds—raised doubts about their methods and motives. Despite their short lifespan, they had a significant impact. Meredith emphasizes how their story reflects enduring tensions between public safety and civil liberties—questions that remain relevant today.

Final Takeaway
This episode explores a unique chapter in American crime history where private citizens took the fight to organized crime, raising complex questions about justice, power, and accountability. Get this great book The Rise and Fall of Chicago's Greatest Vigilantes

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Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
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In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins welcomes author Ray Franze to discuss his historical fiction novel The Heights, a story inspired by the real-life mob figures who controlled Chicago Heights and Northwest Indiana for much of the twentieth century. Drawing on FBI files, family stories, and historical research, Franze explores the rise of Frank LaPorte and the Chicago Heights crew, one of the most influential factions associated with the Chicago Outfit.
The conversation begins with the famous 1928 photograph showing Al Capone and several future participants in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Franze explains the long-standing belief that members of the Chicago Heights crew may have been involved in planning the infamous gangland murder and discusses the crew's close relationship with Capone and his associates.
Gary and Ray examine the unique position of Chicago Heights, located south of Chicago near the Indiana border, and how the area developed its own powerful criminal organization before eventually becoming part of the Chicago Outfit. They discuss the role of the Union Siciliana, the Beer Wars of Prohibition, and the alliance between Capone and local leaders such as Dominic Roberto, Jimmy Emery, and Frank LaPorte.
The discussion also covers the expansion of organized crime into Northwest Indiana, Calumet City, and Joliet. Ray explains how gambling, vice, and bootlegging operations flourished in these territories and how Chicago Heights became a major power center within the Outfit structure.
The conversation explores Frank LaPorte's leadership style and his remarkable ability to avoid publicity and law enforcement attention. Unlike many notorious gangsters, LaPorte remained largely unknown to the public while building a powerful organization through trusted family members, loyal associates, and strategic insulation from criminal activity.
Gary and Ray also discuss the Outfit's transition into seemingly legitimate businesses, including jukeboxes, vending machines, and cigarette distribution, as federal investigators increased pressure on traditional gambling operations. The evolution of mob-controlled businesses reflects the Outfit's efforts to adapt to changing law enforcement tactics.
Click here to get Ray's book, The Heights.
Another fascinating topic is the legendary Villa Venice nightclub, opened by Sam Giancana with appearances by Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. Ray shares family memories of the grand opening and explains how these firsthand accounts became one of the most authentic scenes in his novel.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.  
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
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To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins welcomes back organized crime historian and author John Binder for an in-depth discussion about his new book, The Chicago Outfit During the 1960s. Together, they explore one of the most important yet often overlooked decades in the history of the Chicago mob.

The conversation examines how the Chicago Outfit evolved during the 1960s under powerful figures like Sam Giancana and Anthony Accardo. John Binder explains how the Outfit expanded beyond traditional rackets into massive gambling operations, Las Vegas casinos, labor racketeering, prostitution, truck hijacking, and narcotics trafficking. Gary and John discuss the transition from the old Prohibition-era gangsters to a new generation of mobsters emerging from the infamous 42 Gang. The episode details how Giancana cultivated loyal associates, enforced discipline through violence, and helped reshape the Outfit’s power structure during a turbulent period marked by gangland murders and internal rivalries.

The discussion also explores the Outfit’s extensive network of political corruption in Chicago. Binder explains how mob-controlled wards, corrupt politicians, and labor influence allowed organized crime to manipulate elections and maintain enormous influence over city government and law enforcement.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.  
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with organized crime historian and author John Binder to explore the violent and chaotic world of Prohibition-era Chicago. Drawing on his acclaimed book Al Capone's Beer Wars, Binder traces the explosive rise of organized crime in the 1920s and how bootlegging transformed local street gangs into powerful criminal empires.

The discussion examines how Prohibition reshaped America’s underworld, creating unprecedented opportunities for ambitious gangsters like Al Capone. Gary and John trace the roots of Chicago’s infamous gang wars, focusing on the bitter conflict between Capone’s organization and the North Side Gang. Central to the story is the assassination of Dion O'Banion, a murder that ignited a bloody cycle of revenge killings and permanently altered the balance of power in Chicago’s criminal landscape.

The episode dives into the roles played by immigrant communities, particularly Italian and Jewish gangs, who entered the bootlegging business during a period when economic opportunities were limited. Gary and John discuss how organized crime flourished in poorly policed neighborhoods, where gangs established territorial control and built sophisticated alcohol distribution networks spanning multiple states.

Listeners also hear detailed stories about notorious gangland figures including Machine Gun Jack McGurn and the fearsome Frank McErlane, whose violent reputation became legendary even within criminal circles. The conversation reveals the ruthless tactics these men employed as rival factions fought for dominance in the lucrative bootlegging trade. The episode also explores the blurred line between organized crime and legitimate business during Prohibition, showing how gangsters used political influence, territorial control, and business alliances to expand their operations. Gary and John discuss the strategic importance of places like Cicero, which became critical strongholds for Capone’s growing empire.

John Binder also discusses his Chicago Prohibition Gangland Tour, which allows participants to visit the streets, neighborhoods, and historic locations where these infamous events unfolded. The tour provides a rare opportunity to experience the physical landscape of Chicago’s mob history while learning about the real people behind the myths. This episode offers a compelling look into the rise of organized crime during Prohibition, separating fact from fiction while uncovering the brutal realities that created some of America’s most notorious gangsters.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.  
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.

Gary Jenkins celebrates the Netherlands, who are in Kansas City for the World Cup. He has a discussion with a Dutch organized crime researcher, David Amoroso, and they trace how the American Mafia expanded its gambling empire after losing Cuba. The episode explores how Meyer Lansky's vision of luxury casinos evolved into an international operation spanning the Bahamas, London, and Amsterdam.  

David explains how the Genovese crime family, under Meyer Lansky, relied on the Cellini brothers from Steubenville, Ohio to establish professional casino operations throughout Europe. The discussion examines the logistics of exporting experienced casino managers, dealers, and security personnel while navigating cultural differences and working alongside local criminal organizations.  

The conversation also explores the unique gambling laws across Europe, where many governments controlled legal casinos while organized crime filled the demand through illegal gambling operations. Gary and David compare these European developments with the early growth of casino gambling in Las Vegas and the influence of American mob figures.  

The discussion shifts to the modern era, where organized crime has increasingly focused on online gambling, sports betting, and international drug trafficking. David describes how ports such as Rotterdam and Antwerp became major hubs for global narcotics smuggling and explains why European criminal organizations have embraced these lucrative markets.  

Another major topic is the growing threat of match-fixing in international sports. The hosts discuss how Italian Mafia groups, Chinese gambling syndicates, and other criminal organizations manipulate soccer, tennis, and other sporting events through bribery and coercion. They explain how athletes can become trapped through seemingly minor requests that eventually lead to long-term criminal control.  

Gary and David conclude by examining the challenges European law enforcement faces when investigating cross-border organized crime, comparing the fragmented legal systems in Europe with coordinated enforcement efforts in the United States. The episode provides an insightful look at how organized crime has adapted from traditional casinos to today's global gambling and sports betting networks.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire
Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"

To go to the store or make a donation click here.  
To rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here
To rent Brothers against Brothers, click here.
To rent Gangland Wire, click here.