6 | Fire In The Sky

Summary

Crook County: Episode 6 – "Fire In The Sky"

Host: Kyle Tequila
Release Date: March 11, 2025
Podcast Series: Crook County by Tenderfoot TV and iHeartPodcasts

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Introduction

In Episode 6 of Crook County, titled "Fire In The Sky," Kyle Tequila delves deeper into the tumultuous life of Ken Tekiela, exploring pivotal moments that shaped his journey within and eventually away from the Chicago Outfit. This episode provides a gripping account of loyalty, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of a better life amidst organized crime.

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Witnessing the Tragic Plane Crash (04:21 - 06:25)

Ken recounts a life-altering event from March 1979—the crash of American Airlines Flight 191 at O'Hare International Airport, which remains the deadliest aviation accident in U.S. history.

Ken [05:12]: "The scene left an enormous impression on Kenny's mind. And over the course of the next few months an idea began to form that maybe one day he could be a firefighter."

This tragic incident ignited Ken's desire to seek a safer and more honorable profession, steering him away from his clandestine activities within the mafia.

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Deciding to Leave the Outfit (06:44 - 12:50)

Fueled by the plane crash's impact, Ken began envisioning a future as a firefighter. However, escaping the Outfit was no simple feat.

Ken [06:57]: "I always knew that the less I knew, the better chance I had of surviving."

Ken strategized to blend his criminal responsibilities with his studies, aiming to obtain his EMT certification. His mentor, Mickey, played a crucial role in encouraging him to pursue education.

Ken [11:16]: "He just kind of liked me, and he knew that would not be a good life for me. So he kind of encouraged me on the side to just, you know, go ahead, get your education."

Despite his plans, the complexities of the Outfit's structure made his exit seem nearly impossible.

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Relationship with Honey (16:30 - 21:24)

Ken introduces Honey, a compassionate woman who worked at the club. Their deep connection provided Ken solace from his dangerous life.

Ken [17:02]: "Honey was my girl, you guys. Honey was the best man... She felt very, very comfortable with me."

Their relationship was a breach of the Outfit's strict rules, which prohibited emotional bonds with the talents. Honey became Ken's confidante and sanctuary, but complications arose when Paulie, a high-ranking enforcer, began abusing her.

Ken [31:10]: "Then one day, Honey disappeared. He just disappeared off the map... I took care of that fat bastard myself."

Honey's disappearance marked a turning point, intensifying Ken's struggles within the Outfit and his quest for freedom.

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Turf Wars and Internal Conflict (21:24 - 28:29)

The late 70s and early 80s were rife with turmoil within the Chicago Outfit, marked by fierce turf wars driven by the burgeoning cocaine trade.

Ken [21:50]: "We had gun battles in the streets and attempted takeovers of Outfit businesses all across the Chicagoland area."

These conflicts strained the Outfit's power structure, leading to paranoia, betrayals, and heightened violence.

Chicago Tribune reporter Jeff Cohen provides historical context:

Jeff Cohen [08:48]: "The Chicago outfit... still very kind of a top-down organization... they had tentacles that went into government and went into the police department and went into unions that allowed them to sort of operate with impunity."

The increasing external pressure from federal agencies and internal strife made sustaining the Outfit's operations increasingly untenable.

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Encounter with Tony Spilotro (33:09 - 35:40)

Tony "The Ant" Spilotro, a notorious enforcer portrayed famously by Joe Pesci in Casino, enters Ken's narrative. His volatile nature and ruthless methods epitomize the Outfit's internal chaos.

Ken [33:09]: "I'll split your fucking head open again... I'm taking over these clubs."

Spilotro's aggressive push to dominate the casino industry in Las Vegas brought heightened scrutiny from law enforcement, exacerbating the Outfit's vulnerabilities.

News Reporter [34:30]: "Murder rates in Vegas had spiked to unprecedented levels since his arrival."

Despite his notoriety, Spilotro's actions ultimately led to his downfall, orchestrated by the Outfit itself.

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Ken's Exit from the Outfit (35:17 - 37:06)

Amidst the Outfit's internal purge and the elimination of high-profile figures like Spilotro, Ken seized the opportunity to sever ties.

Ken [37:06]: "You couldn't ask for better timing to get out of the outfit than what happened there with all the chaos that was going on."

The disintegration of the Outfit's hierarchy provided Ken the perfect cover to exit, allowing him to focus on his burgeoning career in firefighting without immediate threats.

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Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode (37:28 - 40:48)

As Ken begins his new life, shadows of his past linger, hinting at future challenges and the perpetual struggle to leave behind a life of crime.

Ken [37:39]: "Just when I think I'm getting away from this, I'm covering up dirty cops who are out there murdering people."

The episode closes with a promise of deeper exploration into Ken's ongoing battle to reconcile his past with his aspirations for a normal life.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ken [05:12]: "The scene left an enormous impression on Kenny's mind... maybe one day he could be a firefighter."
• Ken [11:16]: "He just kind of liked me...get your education."
• Ken [17:02]: "Honey was my girl...She felt very, very comfortable with me."
• Ken [21:50]: "We had gun battles in the streets and attempted takeovers of Outfit businesses..."
• Jeff Cohen [08:48]: "They had tentacles that went into government and went into the police department..."
• Ken [33:09]: "I'll split your fucking head open again...I'm taking over these clubs."
• Ken [37:06]: "You couldn't ask for better timing to get out of the outfit..."
• Ken [37:39]: "Just when I think I'm getting away from this, I'm covering up dirty cops..."

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Final Thoughts

Episode 6 of Crook County masterfully intertwines personal memoir with the broader historical context of organized crime in Chicago. Through Ken Tekiela's firsthand experiences, listeners gain an intimate understanding of the complexities and dangers inherent in leading a double life. As Ken navigates his path towards legitimacy, the remnants of his past continue to cast long shadows, setting the stage for future revelations in the series.

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Stay tuned for the next episode of Crook County, where Kyle Tequila continues to unravel the intricate web of crime, loyalty, and redemption in Ken Tekiela's life.

Transcript

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[Ken]

It out.

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[California Psychics Representative]

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[Kyle Tequila]

Of certainty California Psychics Crook county is released weekly and brought to you absolutely free. But if you want to hear the whole season right now it's available ad free on Tenderfoot Plus. For more information, check out the Show Notes. Enjoy the episode.

[Ken]

You're listening to Crook County. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals participating in the podcast. This episode also contains subject matter, including graphic depictions of violence, which may not.

[Podcast Host]

Be suitable for everyone.

[Ken]

Listener discretion is advised.

[Kyle Tequila]

Previously on Crook County. Kenny got some new orders.

[Ken]

So not only working and running whorehouses, I'm doing occasional hits on the side. All right, order hits.

[Kyle Tequila]

And we met a new boss, Big Fat Paulie.

[Ken]

He always Gave me my assignment.

[Kyle Tequila]

Kenny's twin brother Rich Reve. An abusive childhood.

[Ameca Insurance Representative]

I remember eating dog food because I.

[Ken]

Was so damn hungry. You know, some of the torture stuff.

[Ameca Insurance Representative]

I wouldn't.

[Ken]

I never speak of it ever.

[Kyle Tequila]

And remembers Ken as a troubled kid.

[Ken]

You could see why he could be an enforcer because he just had that.

[Ameca Insurance Representative]

Mentality, very violent mentality.

[Kyle Tequila]

My name is Kyle Tequila. Welcome to Crook County. Just by the way I'm tired that she Cause I'm living a lie Lost.

[Ken]

In the waves Lost in the way. There was upheaval in the Syndic in the outfit at that time. The Cubs were being taken over by different factions. Drugs. There was a big turf war for drugs. There was a lot of upheaval at that particular time. So I was able to backdoor my out at that time.

[Kyle Tequila]

Episode 6 Fire in the sky.

[News Reporter]

We'Re reporting this afternoon on the worst commercial air disaster in United States commercial aviation history.

[Ken]

There was a plane that went down in Chicago at DC10 that I actually witnessed this plane go down at O'Hare Field.

[News Reporter]

Flight 191, American Airlines bound for Los Angeles. The account of possible disaster victims Is ranges from 263 up to 279, some.

[Kyle Tequila]

As high as 290 in 1979. The tragic crash of American Airlines Flight 191 shocked the country.

[News Reporter]

Hugh Hill is now in position at O'Hare Field to give us our first direct on the scenes report. Hugh standing at the oasis on the toll road overlooking the scene of this crash. There are no survivors. No survivors.

[Kyle Tequila]

Ken was leaving a shift at the club and stopped to pump gas at a station near O'Hare Airport when he witnessed the plane make a cartwheel in midair and nose dive into the ground shortly after takeoff.

[Leesa Representative]

Many rescue vehicles leaving the area.

[Ken]

More coming in, fighting rush hour traffic to get there. Just an unbelievable s. Hundreds of people milling around wishing that they could help. Wanting to help, I'm sure. But the heat is so intense from the smoldering wreckage, it's almost impossible to get close to some of the areas.

[News Reporter]

Of the plane that are left.

[Kyle Tequila]

The scene left an enormous impression on Kenny's mind. And over the course of the next few months an idea began to form that maybe one day he could be a firefighter.

[Ken]

It's just like all the fire trucks, the police and everybody converging in on like man, that'd be a cool job, dude.

[News Reporter]

They are still taking bodies out every few minutes. The firemen are still here. All of these emergency, emergency personnel quite dedicated to the task, Highly professional People, but of course, touched by the emotion of this, this day and this night.

[Ken]

So I just did a little bit of research. And back then, research, you had to go to a library, you know, So I did a little research. And I knew I did not want to be in the outfit. My whole life. It just. I just knew I didn't want to do. I was a natural, but I just simply didn't want to do it.

[Kyle Tequila]

But it was only an idea, and a crazy one at that. He was deep in the outfit and there was no way they would ever let him go. So he put it behind him and went back to work.

[Ken]

But I, but, but I always knew, and this is kind of a. And this is kind of bizarre, but I always knew that the less I knew, the better chance I had of surviving. Now we flip that coin. I'm doing hits, all right. You know, that's knowing too much. So I, I'm in the mode of, you know, don't get nosy, don't ask questions, do your job and go home. However, I guess the people that, that are attracted to that business and are in their business are not. There's no paper trail. And back then it was strictly paper. There's no computers, strictly paper. And if you didn't have a paper trail, you didn't exist. These people were living, they were tangible. They ate, they breathed, they did bad things, but they didn't exist. Everything was done with cash. You know, like I said, you could walk into a goddamn car dealer and 1979 and buy a Coup de Ville for $12,000 cash, because that's all they wanted was cash. And no one's asking any questions. You know, I don't give a who this guy is. Here's your application. I mean, whatever you're filling out there, use whatever name you want. You know, I got, I got that cash in my hand, baby, that's just packed right there. So I. It's a caste world. No one's asking questions now that, you could never do that now. That's impossible. You just, you can't, you can't live like that now. And you can't get away with the stuff that we got away with now. It would be impossible.

[Kyle Tequila]

I asked Chicago Tribune reporter Jeff Cohen to weigh in on this general period in the outfit.

[Jeff Cohen]

Chicago in the 70s and the 80s, you're still dealing with the leftover organization of basically the capacity Capone era. At that time, it was still very kind of a top down organization. You still had major bosses, you had the Tony Accardo characters who were running the outfit. And it was that leftover organization, the organization that came out of prohibition and was able to gain a foothold in Chicago by having tentacles that went into government and went into the police department and went into unions that allowed them to sort of operate with impunity. And they weren't afraid of law enforcement because a lot of times they had a good enough control of law enforcement that they didn't really need to be fearful of that. And so that let them expand into basically almost all manner of life in Chicago. There were certain neighborhoods where you couldn't even open up a hot dog stand without getting some kind of permission and. Or street loan from somebody who would then have a piece of that business going forward. So you had money moving through the city at all levels that they controlled through legitimate businesses and definitely through illegitimate ones.

[Kyle Tequila]

As the years dragged on, the image of the plane crash still haunted him, and he found himself no longer able to suppress the urge to move on from the outfit.

[Ken]

Yeah, the reason I was. The reason I remember that plane crashed so much is because that's when I decided I wanted to be a paramedic firefighter. You know, I figured, that's my career now. I'm gonna do this because I don't want to do what I'm doing. Everybody that worked in that business, that was their career, in their minds, that's what they were gonna do forever. I knew that that's just. That's just not gonna happen. It's just. It can't happen.

[Kyle Tequila]

Ken had made up his mind and put a plan in place to eventually leave the outfit. With his current responsibilities taking up most of his time, he knew it would take years to finish all the classes required to get his paramedic license before he could even begin to look for a job. But none of that would even matter without the approval of the higher ups, which he knew was impossible. So he went back to his old boss, Mickey, the made guy, who first saw potential in a young kid who had robbed his nephew and offered him a place in the outfit.

[Ken]

I was young. I still had a chance to get out, and he just kind of liked me, and he knew that would not be a good life for me. So he kind of encouraged me on the side to just, you know, go ahead, get your education. All right? But.

[Kyle Tequila]

So he was like a mentor? Yeah, he was like a mentor up mentor.

[Ken]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, he was like, you know, I mean, I looked at him like.

[Kyle Tequila]

A dad, you know, I asked Jeff if he's ever heard of anything happen, like this before someone getting out of the mob.

[Jeff Cohen]

I have a couple of friends who, as you know, everybody in Chicago kind of knows somebody who knows somebody kind of thing where there were these two sons and their dad was a Chicago police officer and also basically like the sub boss of Comiskey Park. So all the concessions going in and out of Comiskey, they controlled it and they would skim it and take money out of the ballpark and blah, blah, blah. So they allow some of that to happen for the reason that you said. I think in episode where somebody who has value, who's going someplace, they allow them to kind of do that because they think it's something that they can use in the future. So when I heard you tell that story, I was like, yeah, that's kind of a thing. They let some people go.

[Kyle Tequila]

So with the green light from Mickey, Ken hit the books.

[Ken]

I start studying to be an emt. Paramedic, right? I get my emt. I can take the fire department test anyway, anyway, so I go through that trade. I am working and the outfit, and I'm studying to be an EMT because I want to get on a fire department. I want a career, I want to get out of this business.

[Kyle Tequila]

But he was still years away from passing any tests and he still had a job to do managing the club. And that responsibility came before all else.

[Ken]

So I remember working the front door of the whorehouses and studying my EMT book while I was working the front door of the whorehouses. I distinctly remember that they thought I was nuts, you know, what the fuck you want to do that for? Let's go out and party, you know, I just told them, listen, I got more important shit to do, okay? More important to me. So. And I think they respected that. So I think I impressed the bosses too, you know, because I wasn't doing what everybody was doing. I was trying to move on.

[Kyle Tequila]

Part of that responsibility included hiring new girls. And one new girl in particular lit a fire in Ken that almost cost him everything.

[Ameca Insurance Representative]

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[Ken]

With.

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[Leesa Representative]

At Lisa, they know good sleep is essential for mental, physical and emotional health. From memory foam mattresses to hybrids that keep you cool all night long, Lisa's mattresses offer exceptional comfort and support with free delivery and 100 nights to try out your mattress in the comfort of your home. Go to Lisa.com today and get 20% off all mattresses. That's L E-E-S-A.com and use code IHEART for an extra $50 off your purchase. Remember, no matter who you are, there's a Lisa just for you.

[California Psychics Representative]

At California Psychics, we know that when you haven't found love, it feels like everyone else has. Every movie has a love interest. Every song is a love song. Where are all the songs about cats, the joy of early bedtimes, and of course, the pda? Looking for love sucks. Thankfully, California Psychics can give you the guidance you need to help you find the one. We connect you with the very best. In fact, 98% of the psychics who apply to work with us make the grade. That's why we can guarantee if your reading isn't life changing, it's free. Download the app or connect with [e-mail] Right now, new customers receive 20 minutes for just $20. So you could be feeling all lovey dovey real soon. Experience the joy of certainty. California Psychics.

[Kyle Tequila]

Over the years, while Ken was working the club, he had seen hundreds of girls come in and out of the business. Some lasted longer than others, but many of them would be there one day and gone the next. It seemed to be the nature of the trade, but every now and then a girl would show up that seemed different than the rest. Somehow out of place in this cruel, dark world they occupied. One of those girls was named Honey.

[Ken]

Honey. Honey was my girl, you guys. Honey was the best man. We just hit it off. I don't. I can't explain it. Just one of those people you could sit on and talk with and just have a conversation for hours without even having to think about what you're gonna talk about. Or you could just sit there and talk about nothing and feel just as comfortable, just as safe, just as. Just as peaceful as having a great conversation. She was just one of those people who I felt really, really comfortable with, and she felt very, very comfortable with me.

[Kyle Tequila]

She must have been special because Ken was breaking one of the cardinal rules of the business. Never get emotionally involved with a talent.

[Ken]

We would date. I dated her. I'll be honest with you. I think I fell in love with her. I really do. I think I fell in love with that girl.

[Kyle Tequila]

I asked him what she looked like.

[Ken]

Yeah, kind of short. I don't know, maybe five, four little baby doll cuts. You know, short bangs, you know, down the sides of the cheeks, back of the cheeks, and then cropped up on the neck. You know, just. I don't know what they call them. Baby dolls. I used to call them baby doll cuts. She wore red lipstick. Drove me insane. Red lipstick. Drives me insane. She wore it all the time. She had those sparkling, beautiful eyes so you could swim in them. I could just dive. Go swimming in her eyes. And that smile, man, that got me every fucking time. A great girl.

[Kyle Tequila]

Ken knew he would need to tread carefully with Honey, but the attraction was too strong. They were lovers and friends and would spend many nights confiding in each other.

[Ken]

She would. I would come to work, you know, stressed out because I was in school a lot, and I knew. I knew I had to work at late shifts and, you know, tired. But I'd walk in the door and she would be waiting for me. Man, she was always so loyal. And there. She would just. I'd see that big smile on her and just, you know, just everything went away. All the bad stuff went away.

[Kyle Tequila]

But Honey wasn't the only woman in Ken's life.

[Ken]

I was seeing, Honey. When I was dating your mother, Kyle, we weren't married. We were dating. And we would. For quite a period there. Just like all people when they first start dating. Maybe not all people, but in our particular case, we would break up for a time and then get back together. Break up for a time, get back together. And for a couple years there, your mother and I broke up. And that's when I did a lot of this mobster work. We did a lot of it when she was. When I was broken up with her.

[Kyle Tequila]

I asked my mom what she remembers about these years.

[News Reporter]

If we got married when we were.

[Ken]

Engaged at 19 and 20, I would.

[News Reporter]

Have been divorced at 22. But the relationship kept coming back, back and forth. It was like we would break up.

[Ken]

And he would see people and I.

[News Reporter]

Would see people, and we would be.

[Ken]

Like in a bar at the same time.

[News Reporter]

He was somebody and I was somebody. But it kept going on for eight years.

[Kyle Tequila]

The simple fact is Holly was a civilian and innocent and not a part of this life. So Ken continued to keep a wall up between his two worlds. But Honey was on the inside, and he could be himself around her. With Honey, there was nothing to hide.

[Ken]

She was one of a kind. I don't think I met anybody ever like her. Even your mother, who. I got along. I loved your mother. I still love your mom. But it was just. It was a difference. It was different, I think. Cause we were both doing that stupid work. She was a whore. I was running a whorehouse. You know, I think we had that little thing in common. She was a soulmate, you know, almost like a soulmate. Like a companion. We both escaped together. Us together. Yeah. I was her escape and she was my escape. Absolutely. Yeah.

[Kyle Tequila]

And there was certainly a lot to escape from during this period in the Outfit. The growing popularity of cocaine in America had given rise to powerful and violent drug cartels, which led to intense warring among rival organizations with origins from all over the world competing for the same Chicago turf. There were gun battles in the streets and attempted takeovers of Outfit businesses all across the Chicagoland area.

[Ken]

There was a couple attempts to take over the clubs. There was a Russian group of Russians, maybe Ukrainians, maybe Georgians, I don't know, Eastern European. And they were coming in to. To take over the clubs. Not just. Not just the club I was working, but the clubs in that whole area there. And I. Dude, I don't know what was going on here. I really don't. They just appeared. And. Yeah, we had. It was a gun battle that broke out. I mean, I remember. I remember yanking my piece and coming right out of. Right. Right over the top of my desk and just unloading, just unloading on the mouth. The guy that was talking, doing all the talking, I just. I just filled him up full of lead. His whole face was loaded up. And I don't think the guys were expecting that. So they pulled their pieces, but they left. They turned around and ran. They didn't stay. And I don't know why they could have had me because I was. I only had a couple shots left, and then I make a phone call. We had to get him out of there. So some people came and wrapped them up in clear plastic. I don't like clear plastic, but use clear plastic for him. Cleaned up the. The mess and took him wherever they took him. Put some, buried them some foundation somewhere because we had construction companies that we would pay to put our bodies into foundations that they were working on. Nothing, no residential stuff, but all commercial stuff. And they were on the payroll. They only got paid. You know, it'd be a midnight pour. You know, they put the lights up and bring a truck out and midnight pour, they'd be pouring concrete at 2 o'clock in the morning and we'd be dropping bodies. So, yeah, I mean, everything was pre arranged. You guys got to realize it's a business, man. It's a business. And a lot of people had their fingers in the pie, all right? So called legit people and so called not legit people, all right? Everybody had their fingers in the pie. Everybody was getting a piece, all right? And that's what kept the peace, because everybody was getting a piece.

[Ameca Insurance Representative]

At Ameca Insurance, we know it's more than just a house. It's your home. The place that's filled with memories. The early days of figuring it out to the later years of still figuring it out. For the place you've put down roots. Trust Amica Home Insurance. Amica empathy is our best policy.

[Podcast Host]

So when we last left you, the facts were heating up. This is my favorite part. Are we going to break the case?

[Ken]

No.

[Podcast Host]

We're planning our next all inclusive beach [e-mail] actually, this is my favorite part. @cheapcaribbean.com get more sand for your dollar with their beach favorite sale score. $175 instant savings on bookings of four nights or more to the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Aruba, and the Bahamas. I've got my passport right here. Offer ends April 1st. Visit CheapCaribbean.com tired of restless nights? At Leesa, they know good sleep is essential for mental, physical and emotional health. From memory foam mattresses to hybrids that keep you cool all night long, Leesa's mattresses offer exceptional comfort and support with free delivery and 100 nights to try out your mattress in the comfort of your home. Go to Leesa.com today and get 20% off all mattresses. That's L-E-E-S A.com and use code iheart for an extra $50 off your purchase. Remember, no matter who you are, there's a Lisa just for you.

[California Psychics Representative]

At California Psychics, we know that when you haven't found love, it feels like everyone else has. Every movie has a love interest. Every song is a love song. Hmm. Where are all the songs about cats? Or the joy of early bedtimes? And of course, the PDA Looking for love sucks. Thankfully, California psychics can give you the guidance you need to help you find the one. We connect you with the very best. In fact, 98% of the psychics who apply to work with us don't make the grade. That's why we can guarantee if your reading isn't life changing, it's free. Download the app or connect with [e-mail] Right now, new customers receive 20 minutes for just $20. So you could be feeling all lovey dovey real soon. Experience the joy of certainty. California psychics.

[News Reporter]

67 year old Roy Williams, head of the powerful Teamsters union. Guilty on all counts. 59 year old Alan Dorfman of suburban Deerfield, Guilty on all counts. Dorfman, a Chicago insurance executive and former consultant to the Teamsters pension fund, has close ties to the crime syndicate. 53 year old Joseph Joey the Clown Lombardo. Lombardo of Chicago, guilty on all counts. Lombardo has been identified by federal investigators as a high ranking member of the Chicago crime syndicate. Lombardo who had never been convicted of him.

[Kyle Tequila]

The 1980s was a tumultuous time for organized crime in America. The FBI had ramped up efforts to fight corruption and the Mafia stranglehold on local governments, labor unions and law enforcement.

[News Reporter]

45 year old Thomas O'Malley, a former Chicago policeman, guilty on all counts. Massa and the other four defendants face up to 55 years in prison.

[Kyle Tequila]

Unprecedented cooperation across major federal agencies led to many high profile prosecutions of mafia bosses, corrupt government officials and crooked cops all over the country.

[News Reporter]

The message from this jury is quite clear and that at least in this district, that conduct charged in the indictment when proven by the government will not be tolerated.

[Kyle Tequila]

On top of all this, the turf wars were still raging.

[Ken]

There was upheaval in the syndic, in the outfit at that time. The Cubs were being taken over by different factions. Drugs. There was a big turf war for drugs. There was a lot of upheaval at that particular time.

[Kyle Tequila]

All this chaos was taking its toll on the power structure of the organization. And a feeling that this could be the beginning of the end permeated the outfit.

[Jeff Cohen]

The Chicago outfit had especially in the 70s and 80s, still almost like a corporate type of structure where you had a singular boss, you had almost like a board of directors, guys who were close to him, who would go and make some of the key decisions. And then underneath them you would have people at the capo level or people running individual street crews. And then under them you might have lieutenants who were kind of like their Bosses on the street. You would direct groups of 6, 7, 8, 10 made guys who are really in the organization and then beneath them, they might have all sorts of different associates and operators who were a part of the organization, but not plugged into that level. But they would still do the bidding of crew members or especially a street crew boss. So you had this kind of corporate hierarchical structure, pyramid type structure. And so when you have a conspiracy case that that kind of chops the head off the snake. The organization tends to sputter and scatter.

[Kyle Tequila]

People at all levels of the outfit were panicking. Some turned government informant and entered witness protection. Others staged bold robberies or assassinated high level operatives.

[Jeff Cohen]

The whole way that the outfit operated, which was to try to be in the shadows. Nobody really knows what's going on. Kind of directing things behind the scenes. That started to become impossible when surveillance got so much better. Their sort of traditional structure just kind of became impossible to run without bringing major, major heat. And so it just kind of. It crumbled into looser groups.

[Kyle Tequila]

They were turning on each other in fear and bodies were dropping. Nobody knew what would happen next. And nobody was safe.

[Ken]

Eventually, Paul started taking a liking to Honey. And there wasn't any whole hell of a lot I can do, man, but you know, she was a pro, so she did what she was supposed to do. He was hitting on, physically abusing her. And you know, we talked about it, but there was nothing I can do and there was nothing she could do. He was, you know, he's a major guy, he was a boss, but he was out of line doing that. You're not supposed to do that in our business. You're not supposed to do stuff like that. So he was up, made guy or not, he was up, man. And eventually it was going to catch up to him.

[Kyle Tequila]

But the abuse continued. And Kenny, helpless, could only watch as it happened.

[Ken]

Then one day, Honey disappeared. He just disappeared off the map. She was there one day and gone the next. And I fucking knew that fucking fat greaseball bastard had something to do with it. I didn't give a fuck at that time. I was angry. I took care of that fat bastard myself.

[Kyle Tequila]

Ken could never prove what actually happened to Honey. In the same way it's possible that Paulie was involved in her disappearance. I suppose it's just as possible that she simply ran away from the abuse and is still out there somewhere. I have no way of knowing. But at the time, Ken had his suspicions and he made his choice. And he would deal with the consequences if they came.

[Ken]

I had some Heat on me for a while. But nothing ever happened with that. Nothing ever happened with that. They weren't worried about me at that time. There was a lot of changes going on. So I was able to backdoor out. And I knew that, so I backdoored out of that shift. Perfect timing for it.

[Kyle Tequila]

Maybe it was because of all the turmoil taking place at that time, or maybe Kenny just got lucky. Either way, it seemed he had dodged a bullet. So he continued his studies and looked forward to the day he could leave this hell behind.

[Ken]

I don't know what happened to her. I miss her, you know. She was quite a girl, you know.

[Kyle Tequila]

And now a new problem had just walked in the front door and put a gun to Kenny's head.

[Ken]

I'll split your fucking head open again. Cause I'm fucking stupid. I don't give a fuck about jail. That's my business. That's what I do. Tony Spilatro came in and I recognized him. I know who he was. In the movie Casino, Joe Pesci played him. Just so you got an idea, what.

[Kyle Tequila]

A guy is Tony the Ant. Spilotro was a feared enforcer who rose to great power within the outfit.

[Ken]

I never talked to him before. I never introduced to him before, but I know who he was. He was a legend. Basically an asshole, but a legend.

[Kyle Tequila]

In the 70s, he was sent to Las Vegas to head up the organization's ambitions in the growing casino industry.

[News Reporter]

I don't know whether you notice or not, but you only have your fucking.

[Ken]

Casino because I made that possible.

[Kyle Tequila]

He was famous for his short stature and even shorter temper.

[Ken]

Little guy. I don't know why he was such a beast. He was just a little, little grease ball.

[Kyle Tequila]

Where the fuck you get off talking.

[News Reporter]

To people about me behind my back.

[Ken]

Going over my head?

[Kyle Tequila]

Your fucking warrant.

[Ken]

Don't ever go over my fucking head again, you motherfucker, you.

[Kyle Tequila]

He was violent and unpredictable, but ultimately successful in racking up huge earnings for the Outfit. He was greedy and ambitious. He ran a gang of thieves who would break into hotel rooms, wealthy estates and jewelry stores. Murder rates in Vegas had spiked to unprecedented levels since his arrival.

[News Reporter]

Man by the name of Tony Spilotro has attracted the attention of law enforcement officials, some of whom think Spilotro is the most cunning and dangerous member of the crime syndicate.

[Kyle Tequila]

By the end of the 1970s, Spilotro had become a loose cannon. And his illegal antics were becoming public knowledge and attracting heat from local and federal law enforcement. Spilotro would eventually be linked to as many as 25 mob related killings witnesses died. In December of 1979, the Nevada Gaming Commission officially blacklisted Spilotro, which legally barred him from entering any of the state's casinos, the very ones it was his job to oversee. He would spend the next several years going back and forth from Vegas to Chicago, wreaking havoc and asserting his dominance wherever he could.

[Ken]

So he came in and wanted to take over the clubs. He was gonna take over the clubs. He stuck a gun right in my fucking head, says, I'm taking over these clubs. And I says, okay, these are your clubs. Cause I was gonna. I was just gonna end up working for him anyway. I didn't care who ran the clubs. This let me finish my job so I can finish school, get a job, and I don't care who I work for at that point.

[Kyle Tequila]

But Ken never saw Tony again, and he never did end up taking over the club. But his reign of terror continued. In 1983, around the time he stuck a gun to Ken's forehead, he was tried for the brutal murder of two Chicago gang members. He was acquitted. There were at least 15 other arrests.

[News Reporter]

Not a single conviction.

[Kyle Tequila]

Law enforcement officials had yet to be Spilotro in court.

[News Reporter]

A longtime Chicago mob observer reported. Some predict Tony will take a big fall someday, but it hasn't happened yet. So far, Spilotro has lived a charmed life.

[Kyle Tequila]

But that charmed good luck was soon coming to an end. In 1986, the outfit had had enough of Tony the Ant, Spilotro and his crew and orchestrated a mass hit of nearly a dozen mobsters, including Tony and his brother Michael, a hit made even more famous by its brutal depiction in the movie Casino.

[Ken]

We found him in. Him and his brother. They found him in Indiana. All baseball batted up, buried in a shallow grave in Indiana.

[News Reporter]

With dozens of crime figures from Chicago, New York, and other cities recently convicted or indicted, there may be a shortage of mob men available who could run Las Vegas rackets as profitably and as efficiently as federal authorities believe Spilotro did.

[Ken]

You couldn't ask for better timing to get out of the outfit than what happened there with all the chaos that was going on. You know, I was already in for eight, nine years by then. So I knew that was my cue, and I took it. And I was gone. And I was gone.

[Kyle Tequila]

Next week on Crook County.

[Ken]

Just when I think I'm getting away from this, I'm covering up dirty cops who are out there murdering people. And a million years, did I ever think that was gonna happen. I. I mean. I mean, who even thinks of shit like that.

[Kyle Tequila]

Crook county is a production of iHeart podcasts and Tenderfoot TV in association with Common Enemy. All episodes are written, produced and hosted by me, Kyle Tequila. Executive producers are Donald Albright and Payne Lindsay. Original score by Makeup in Vanity set. Main Title song is called Crush by the band Starry Eyes. End credits song is called Aloha also by the band Starry Eyes. Sound mix by Cooper Skinner thank you to Oren Rosenbaum and the excellent team at UTA for their support and to my fearless attorney Wendy Bench for her guidance. To stay updated on all things Crook County, Follow us on all socials@crookcounty podcast or leave us a voicemail by visiting crookcountypodcast.com for more podcasts like Crook county, search Tenderfoot TV on your favorite podcast app or visit Tenderfoot TV. Thanks for listening. The story continues next week.

[Podcast Host]

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