PBD Podcast Mafia States of America | Episode 4 - "Mob vs Government"
11 snips
Nov 10, 2025 
Sammy Gravano, a former mob underboss turned whistleblower, joins ex-mobster Michael Franzese to delve into the murky connections between organized crime and government. They share shocking tales of bribes, local police corruption, and how the mafia influenced construction unions. Both guests highlight the alarming parallels between mob tactics and government strategies, raising concerns about modern corruption. With anecdotes of the Kennedys and the role of Prohibition, this conversation is a gripping exploration of power and influence.
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How Mafia 'Tax' Inflated Everyday Prices
- Organized crime extracted value by raising prices across industries while the public largely took no action.
- Sammy Gravano explains the mafia taxed goods like garments and construction to capture steady revenue streams.
Violence As A Collection Tool
- Sammy Gravano recounts brutal collection tactics, showing a victim's hand caved in from being slammed in a door.
- He displayed the injured hand in court to prove the violence used to enforce debts.
Mafia Became Multinational And Embedded
- By the 1980s the mafia had become a multinational business with tentacles into unions, Las Vegas, and markets like the fish and garment industries.
- The mafia charged roughly a 30% 'tax' and controlled services like hauling and bars for laundering and extortion.
