Podcast Summary: Camp Gagnon – Episode "Ex Cop REVEALS NYC Mob Stories"
Host: Mark Gagnon
Guest: Tony Hernandez
Release Date: December 12, 2024
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
Transcript Provided By: User
1. Introduction
In this riveting episode of Camp Gagnon, host Mark Gagnon delves deep into the underworld of New York City's organized crime with former NYPD transit cop, Tony Hernandez. Drawing from his unique background—being half Italian and half Mexican—and his family's intricate ties to the Mafia, Tony presents an unfiltered glimpse into the real-life operations of one of the city's most formidable criminal networks.
2. Tony Hernandez’s Background and Mafia Connections
Key Topics: Heritage, Family Ties, The French Connection
Tony Hernandez introduces himself as a former NYPD transit cop with a life story intertwined with New York City's Mafia. Despite his Hispanic last name and cultural appearance, Tony reveals his half Italian heritage, stemming from his grandmother who immigrated from Italy and settled in Corona, maintaining strong Mafia connections.
Notable Quote:
Tony Hernandez [00:11]: "My family was actually connected to the French Connection, a drug smuggling operation from Europe to bring drugs into New York City."
(00:11)
3. The French Connection
Key Topics: Drug Trafficking Operations, Virgil Alessi, Vinnie Papa
Tony provides an in-depth explanation of the French Connection, a notorious drug trafficking scheme that sourced opium from regions like Indochina and Thailand. This operation was facilitated by Mafia affiliates such as Virgil Alessi and Vinnie Papa, who played pivotal roles in smuggling and distribution.
Notable Quotes:
Tony Hernandez [07:43]: "The French Connection comes from those regions, like the Golden Triangle, Indochina... they smuggled heroin through Canada to the United States."
(07:43)
Tony Hernandez [10:20]: "Virgil was listed as one of the 13 biggest drug traffickers in New York City in 1975."
(10:20)
4. Growing Up Around Mafia Figures
Key Topics: Neighborhood Influence, Key Food Supermarket, Childhood Experiences
Tony recounts his upbringing in The Hill, a section of Flushing, where his family's establishment of Mafia-run businesses like Parkside Restaurant fostered an environment saturated with organized crime. As a child, Tony observed interactions between his family and mobsters, unaware of the illicit undertones behind seemingly mundane transactions.
Notable Quotes:
Tony Hernandez [02:22]: "Growing up, organized crime was entrenched in the society... It was just part of the culture."
(02:22)
Tony Hernandez [03:57]: "Anybody that knows Key Food, it's owned by Taps, their parent company, which is a mob-run company."
(03:57)
5. Life as a Transit Cop and Navigating Mafia Relationships
Key Topics: Working in Mafia-Owned Establishments, Respect and Boundaries
Transitioning to his career as a transit cop, Tony shares experiences of working alongside his father in Mafia-controlled restaurants. These establishments served as hubs for mob discussions and operations, requiring Tony to balance his role as a law enforcement officer with the complex dynamics of respect and loyalty within the Mafia.
Notable Quotes:
Tony Hernandez [13:19]: "If you want to be around it, but don't be in it... it's just about respect."
(13:19)
Tony Hernandez [16:04]: "Those are the cast of characters that I grew up around."
(16:04)
6. Mafia-Run Businesses and Rackets
Key Topics: Legitimate Fronts, Illegal Activities, Money Laundering
The conversation delves into how Mafia-run businesses, such as restaurants and bars, served as fronts for various illegal activities, including money laundering, gambling, and drug distribution. Tony illustrates how these establishments were meticulously managed to maintain legitimacy while covertly facilitating criminal operations.
Notable Quotes:
Tony Hernandez [14:10]: "They wanted the people that they know... trust you're around them."
(14:10)
Tony Hernandez [25:22]: "Most of them were nice... classy guys."
(25:22)
7. Decline of the Italian Mafia and Rise of Other Organized Crime Groups
Key Topics: Shift in Criminal Dominance, Emergence of Albanian and Dominican Mafias
Tony discusses the evolution of organized crime in New York City, highlighting the decline of the traditional Italian Mafia and the rise of other ethnic crime groups such as Albanians, Dominicans, and Serbians. These newer groups often engage in more violent and direct criminal activities, filling the power vacuums left by the waning influence of the Italian families.
Notable Quotes:
Tony Hernandez [73:02]: "They have heavy influence... Dominicans control Washington Heights and the Bronx."
(73:02)
Tony Hernandez [75:15]: "The Albanians went to war... took over Lucchese gambling spots."
(75:15)
8. Corruption within Law Enforcement
Key Topics: Police-Mafia Collusion, Internal Corruption, Impact on Crime Fighting
The episode touches upon corruption within the NYPD, where certain officers engage in illicit activities or collude with Mafia figures. Tony emphasizes the challenges in combating organized crime when systemic corruption undermines law enforcement efforts.
Notable Quotes:
Tony Hernandez [90:09]: "There's a lot of organized... Dominicans, uptown... Taxicab companies, restaurants."
(90:09)
Tony Hernandez [93:54]: "The Feds have that power... they are the biggest gang."
(93:54)
9. The Allure of Organized Crime Figures
Key Topics: Charisma, Leadership, Influence of High-Profile Mobsters
Tony reflects on the charismatic leadership of figures like John Gotti, who commanded respect and admiration within the Mafia through their boldness and strategic acumen. These leaders exemplify the magnetic pull that organized crime holds over individuals seeking power and influence.
Notable Quotes:
Tony Hernandez [87:20]: "He (Gotti) was almost godlike. He had charisma... he was tough, smart moneymaker."
(87:20)
Tony Hernandez [90:26]: "These guys are probably pissed that I'm talking about."
(90:26)
10. The Evolution of Mafia Operations
Key Topics: From Street Violence to White-Collar Crimes, Modern-Day Strategies
As traditional rackets like extortion and loan sharking become less viable due to modernization and legal changes, the Mafia has shifted towards more sophisticated white-collar crimes. This includes stock manipulation, money laundering through legitimate businesses, and leveraging legal loopholes to sustain their operations.
Notable Quotes:
Tony Hernandez [54:19]: "They have gotten more sophisticated... white-collar crimes like stock pump dumps."
(54:19)
Tony Hernandez [55:36]: "The mob has legitimized itself... operating under loopholes."
(55:36)
11. Reflections on Organized Crime Today
Key Topics: Persistence of Organized Crime, Integration with Legitimate Businesses, Future Outlook
Concluding the episode, Tony offers a sobering analysis of the current state of organized crime in New York City. Despite the decline of the traditional Italian Mafia, organized crime remains entrenched through various ethnic groups and their integration into legitimate business sectors. Tony underscores the adaptability and resilience of these criminal organizations, suggesting that their influence persists as they evolve to navigate modern challenges.
Notable Quotes:
Tony Hernandez [74:19]: "They're still entrenched in pretty much every business... They aren't going anywhere."
(74:19)
Tony Hernandez [82:11]: "Their history will die... if you don't keep it alive."
(82:11)
12. Conclusion
In this compelling episode, Tony Hernandez provides an unparalleled insider perspective on the dynamics of New York City's organized crime. From the historical intricacies of the French Connection to the contemporary challenges posed by new ethnic mafias and systemic corruption in law enforcement, Tony's narrative paints a vivid picture of a criminal underworld that is both deeply rooted and ever-evolving. Listeners gain not only a historical overview but also a nuanced understanding of the present-day landscape of organized crime in one of the world's most iconic cities.
Final Thoughts:
This episode is a treasure trove for enthusiasts of true crime, organized crime history, and anyone intrigued by the complex interplay between law enforcement and the Mafia. Tony Hernandez's firsthand accounts and deep familial ties offer authenticity and depth, making "Ex Cop REVEALS NYC Mob Stories" a must-listen episode of Camp Gagnon.
Note: All quotes are attributed to Tony Hernandez and are based on the provided transcript. Timestamps correspond to the guest's statements unless otherwise specified.