Podcast Summary: "Former Mafia Boss, Michael Franzese, Shares Mob Secrets"

Podcast Information:

• Title: To The Point - Home Services Podcast
• Host/Author: RYNO Strategic Solutions
• Episode: Former Mafia Boss, Michael Franzese, Shares Mob Secrets
• Release Date: February 18, 2025
• Description: The Home Services podcast that gets to the point, with solutions to help your service company grow. Our focus is to help HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Roofing, etc. companies learn how to grow their companies with marketing & operational solutions.

1. Introduction to Michael Franzese

The episode kicks off with Chris, the host, expressing his excitement about featuring Michael Franzese—a renowned former mob boss known for his involvement in the Colombo crime family and his subsequent reformation. Chris shares his personal journey of discovering Michael through a Netflix documentary, which piqued his interest in inviting him as a guest.

Chris [00:51]: "It's something mob-related, I think is super interesting... it's kind of a whole different world, and our guests lived in that world."

2. Michael Franzese’s Mafia Background

Michael Franzese delves into his past, detailing his rise within the mob hierarchy. He highlights his father's role as the underboss of the Colombo crime family and his own ascent to being recognized as the "yuppie Don," a term bestowed by Fortune magazine, where he was ranked 18th among the top 50 biggest mob bosses in U.S. history.

Michael Franzese [00:00]: "We were selling a half a billion gallons of gas a month and taking down 25, 30, 40 cents a gal. This is to the Point..."

Chris acknowledges Michael's formidable reputation, emphasizing that Michael stands out as the only living member from that Fortune list who remains free.

Chris [03:00]: "...there's only two people that are still alive. And you’re the only one that's a free man."

3. The Gas Tax Scheme: A Major Mob Operation

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the elaborate gas tax evasion scheme Michael orchestrated. He explains how the mob exploited federal, state, and local gasoline taxes to amass substantial weekly incomes.

Michael Franzese [21:51]: "We were taking the tax on every gallon of gasoline... we were between 5, 8, $10 million a week in income because we were selling a half a billion gallons of gas a month."

Chris underscores the magnitude of this operation, noting its peak profitability over a span of roughly seven years.

4. Leadership and Business Acumen in the Mob

Michael shares insights into his leadership style within the mafia, drawing parallels between mob operations and legitimate business practices. He emphasizes the importance of delegation, motivation, and strict standards in managing a large workforce, whether in illegal activities or legitimate businesses.

Michael Franzese [27:03]: "My talent was this. I always had this motto, do what you do best. Delegate the rest."

Chris relates this to modern business practices, highlighting the universal principles of effective leadership and management.

5. Conspiracy Theories and Mafia Involvement in Historic Events

The conversation takes a deep dive into various conspiracy theories, with Michael providing his perspectives based on insider knowledge.

a. Jimmy Hoffa’s Disappearance Michael discusses the long-standing mystery surrounding Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance, asserting his belief in the mob's direct involvement.

Michael Franzese [09:56]: "The order for Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance came out of New York... One of the shooters is still alive and doing life in prison."

b. JFK Assassination Addressing the controversial topic of JFK's assassination, Michael confirms mob involvement, linking it to political tensions between the mob and the Kennedy family.

Michael Franzese [12:32]: "There's no question that the mob was involved in the JFK hit... Robert F. Kennedy came after us even harder. We hated the Kennedys and that's why we agreed to help."

6. Transition from Mafia Life to Reformation

Michael narrates his transformative journey from a high-profile mobster to a reformed individual dedicated to speaking engagements, writing books, and mentoring youth. He attributes his change to personal faith, the influence of his wife, and enduring solitary confinement that prompted deep self-reflection.

Michael Franzese [04:47]: "It was my wife that started it off with me and then I spent almost three years in solitary confinement, became a person of faith."

Chris commends Michael’s redemption and his efforts to use his past experiences to benefit others.

Chris [04:47]: "Kudos to you for completely flip-flopping that... using your past experience to go and do good stuff in the world."

7. Current Events and Personal Opinions

In the latter part of the episode, Michael shares his insights and theories on contemporary issues, reflecting his ongoing engagement with societal matters.

a. LA Fires Michael provides his perspective on the severe wildfires in Los Angeles, suggesting potential arson motives and criticizing the government's inadequate response and preparation.

Michael Franzese [39:20]: "I believe these fires, if not started by natural causes, have to be arson... the government is not prepared, and their response was just horrible."

b. Jeffrey Epstein’s Death He vehemently denies the official account of Jeffrey Epstein's suicide, advocating for further investigation into possible foul play.

Michael Franzese [42:28]: "Absolutely not. That's ridiculous. He did not hang himself... it's absolutely absurd to think that he would have committed suicide."

c. Political Pardons (Fauci and Hunter Biden) Michael expresses strong disapproval of recent political pardons, linking them to corruption and emphasizing the need for accountability.

Michael Franzese [43:44]: "People died as a result of this... These people are destroyed. We have to hold these people accountable so nothing like this could ever happen again."

8. Business Ventures and Legal Challenges

Reflecting on his entrepreneurial ventures both during and after his time in the mob, Michael discusses his legitimate businesses, such as automobile dealerships and restaurants, alongside his illegal operations. He recounts interactions with law enforcement, highlighting his strategic maneuvering to evade detection.

Michael Franzese [37:34]: "We were always one step ahead of them... They couldn't figure it out."

9. Conclusion and Future Endeavors

As the episode wraps up, Chris and Michael discuss future projects, including Michael’s upcoming appearance at Rhino X, where he will delve deeper into his business strategies and leadership philosophies. Michael expresses eagerness to share his knowledge and learn from others in the home services industry.

Michael Franzese [49:06]: "I'm excited to share that... business is business... certain things that make you successful and... certain things that you have to do."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Michael Franzese [00:00]: "We were selling a half a billion gallons of gas a month and taking down 25, 30, 40 cents a gal."
• Chris [03:00]: "You’re the only one that's a free man."
• Michael Franzese [09:56]: "The order for Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance came out of New York."
• Michael Franzese [12:32]: "There's no question that the mob was involved in the JFK hit."
• Michael Franzese [27:03]: "Do what you do best. Delegate the rest."
• Michael Franzese [43:08]: "It's absolutely absurd to think that he would have committed suicide."
• Michael Franzese [43:44]: "We have to hold these people accountable so nothing like this could ever happen again."

Key Takeaways

• Leadership and Delegation: Michael emphasizes the importance of delegation and focusing on core competencies to manage large teams effectively, a principle applicable in both illegal and legitimate businesses.

• Ethical Transformation: His journey from a notorious mob boss to a reformed individual highlights the power of personal transformation and the impact of faith and support systems.

• Insider Insights: Michael provides compelling perspectives on historical events and contemporary issues, underpinned by his firsthand experiences within organized crime.

• Accountability and Integrity: A recurring theme is the necessity for accountability, whether addressing government corruption, corporate malfeasance, or personal misconduct.

Conclusion

This episode of To The Point - Home Services Podcast offers an in-depth exploration of Michael Franzese's life, blending gripping narratives from his mafia days with his subsequent redemption and current viewpoints on pressing societal issues. Listeners gain valuable lessons on leadership, the consequences of unethical actions, and the importance of accountability, all delivered through the candid lens of a former mob boss turned advocate for positive change.