The Hit Parade of 1978 - Stayin' Alive

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 notorious and illustrious figures like Whitey Bulger and Billy Bulger. And of course the truck hijacking case that resulted from the undercover work of Special Agent Nick "Doc" Gianturco. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Summer Topics00:25 The Lobster and Loan Shark Case00:54 John Zip Connolly's Background02:45 Connolly's Early Career and Connections05:22 Connolly's Transfer to Boston06:59 Operation Lobster Begins10:47 The Undercover Operation Details15:02 The End of Operation Lobster18:19 Aftermath and Convictions

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 ongoing legal battles and the connection of some of the men to Lara's father, Richie.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Listener Engagement01:02 Loan Sharking in Massachusetts05:33 The Case Against Loan Sharks11:20 Legal Troubles and Appeals15:05 Wrap-Up and Future Episodes

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 testimonies of witnesses and the eventual verdicts.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Schedule Changes00:45 The Pinball Case Overview02:39 The Race Fixing Case Begins05:39 Key Players and Investigations08:13 The Role of Witnesses and Testimonies11:11 The Trial and Its Developments14:03 Chula's Cooperation and Its Consequences16:35 The Indictments and Their Implications18:35 Conclusion

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 are Joseph "Joe Onions" Scanlon, Joseph DiFronzo, Joseph Patrizzi and George Basmajian.

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 suspects involved. The girls discuss the complexities of the case, including the connections between the victims and organized crime, as well as the aftermath of the massacre.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Blackfriars Massacre02:56 Profiling the Victims05:37 The Crime Scene and Investigation11:08 Business Entanglements and Motives14:04 The Arrests 16:50 Background of the Defendants22:38 The Role of Informants and Testimonies26:23 The Aftermath of the Massacre30:00 The Investigation and Legal Proceedings33:38 Theories and Suspects in the Case

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 by an international drug smuggling ring.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the 1977 Drug Smuggling Case02:04 The Discovery of the Ghost Ship04:47 The Murders of Ralph Imperatore and Billy Lavin07:43 The String of Homicides: Gerald Christy, Ronald Leone, Rudy Baronet, and Cesar Ledda10:18 Theories and Connections

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 crime, and the man who killed him. They wrap up with Lytwyn's story, the events that leading up to his death and the outcome of his murder trial.

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.

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, the court proceedings, and the eventual sentencing. The conversation also touches on the life of Dominic Isabella, a figure in Boston organized crime, and how he was connected to Lara's father, Richie Chicofsky.00:00 Introduction and Milestones00:59 The 1977 Gambling Charges06:08 Larry Zannino's Early Days and Indictment10:39 Sentencing and Consequences15:57 Dominic Isabella's Arrest and Background

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!