Crook County: Episode 1 | "Give Me Your Fkin Money"**

Introduction to "Crook County"

"Crook County," a true-crime podcast produced by Tenderfoot TV and iHeartPodcasts, delves into the hidden life of Ken Tekiela, a celebrated Chicago firefighter and devoted father who simultaneously led a double life as a hitman for the Chicago mafia. Hosted by his son, Kyle Tequila, the podcast seeks to uncover the layers of deception that allowed Ken to maintain his criminal activities undetected for over two decades, ultimately revealing the profound impact on his family.

Ken Tekiela’s Descent into the Chicago Outfit

The episode opens with an atmospheric depiction of 1970s Chicago, juxtaposing the city's vibrant, sunlit beauty with its darker underbelly. Through this contrast, listeners are introduced to the duality of Ken Tekiela's life.

Kenny the Kid's Testimony [02:11 - 06:38]

Kenny the Kid, Ken Tekiela's moniker within the mafia, provides a harrowing first-person account of his life as a hitman:

“It's about 9pm at night. I'm in an apartment complex in a neighborhood that I really don't know very well...I put it right in his forehead...I beat him. I don't know who pulled the trigger...I left the door unlocked and I left. It was the end of him. That's it. Story's over.” [02:11]

This vivid description sets the tone for the episode, highlighting the brutality and routine nature of Ken's criminal activities. Kenny emphasizes the cold, methodical approach he took in executing his hits, underscoring the darkness that dominated his existence.

Impact on the Family and Community [06:38 - 31:13]

The narrative transitions to the emotional fallout of Ken's double life. Kyle Tequila confronts the chaos wrought by his father's actions:

“It destroyed our life. It destroyed our marriage, it destroyed my kids.” [07:40]

Maria Tremarke echoes the sentiment, sharing her fears and the constant threat of revenge from both the mob and law enforcement:

“Like, I started having flashbacks about his legs being broken when he went out to check the mail... Now these fucking people can, like, find him at our address.” [07:27]

The family's struggle is palpable as they navigate the treacherous waters of Ken's criminal past resurfacing, threatening their newfound suburban stability.

Interview with Kenny the Kid [12:28 - 31:13]

Kyle Tequila sits down with Kenny the Kid, marking the first direct interview with Ken about his life in the Outfit. Kenny describes his recruitment into the mob at 17, driven by desperation after being thrown out of his home:

“I got tossed out of my house at gunpoint by my mother.” [18:47]

He recounts his early activities within the mafia, including running whorehouses and executing hits, portraying himself as a low-level enforcer who never aspired to climb the ranks:

“My goal wasn't to run whorehouses and fucking kill... I did what I had to do to have a normal life and raise a normal family.” [17:24]

Kenny reflects on the absence of glory in his life of crime, expressing a desire to forget the violent past he once embraced:

“I try to forget these stories and I've been trying to forget these stories for years and years and years.” [17:24]

The Turning Point and Double Life [29:19 - 31:13]

As Kenny elaborates on his efforts to separate his criminal life from his family, the complexity of maintaining such a facade becomes evident:

“Nobody knew anything. I didn't want anybody to know. I was. I was kind of embarrassed.” [27:44]

Kyle reveals his own shock and betrayal upon discovering his father's true identity, highlighting the emotional toll of Ken's secrecy:

“How do you keep an entire life of crime away from your friends, away from your family?... I know because I was there because Kenny is my father.” [28:15]

Kenny acknowledges the consequences of his actions on his family, expressing remorse and the ongoing struggle to escape his past:

“I love my family. I still do, you know, very much.” [27:12]

Conclusion and Reflections

The episode concludes with Kyle reflecting on the complexity of his father's character. Contrary to the archetypal hardened criminal, Kenny is portrayed as a tired, remorseful man haunted by his past:

“I just don't see what you would expect to see from someone who's had a life like this... Instead, I see a tired, sad man, genuinely hurt that this was his life.” [18:06]

Kyle expresses a deep desire to understand how his father became entangled in such dark deeds and the ongoing impact it has had on their family.

Notable Quotes

• “It destroyed our life. It destroyed our marriage, it destroyed my kids.” — Kenny the Kid [07:40]

• “Nobody knew anything. I didn't want anybody to know. I was. I was kind of embarrassed.” — Kenny the Kid [27:44]

• “I try to forget these stories and I've been trying to forget these stories for years and years and years.” — Kenny the Kid [17:24]

• “How do you keep an entire life of crime away from your friends, away from your family?... I know because I was there because Kenny is my father.” — Kyle Tequila [28:15]

Insights and Reflections

"Crook County" masterfully intertwines personal narrative with broader themes of identity, secrecy, and the insidious impact of organized crime on family dynamics. Through Kenny the Kid's candid recounting and Kyle's introspective questioning, the podcast paints a nuanced portrait of a man torn between two worlds. The episode invites listeners to contemplate the complexities of morality, the allure of power, and the devastating repercussions of living a double life.

Conclusion

Episode 1 of "Crook County," titled "Give Me Your F**kin Money," sets a compelling foundation for the series. By delving deep into Ken Tekiela's clandestine life and its aftermath on his family, the podcast promises an intricate exploration of true crime, personal trauma, and the quest for redemption. As Kyle Tequila navigates his father's dark legacy, listeners are offered a profound look into the shadows that can lie beneath a seemingly ordinary life.