Later Days

Joe Poletto speaks with Gregory Scarpa Jr., the son of the notorious hitman Gregory Scarpa. Greg Scarpa Jr.  succeeded his father as capo in the Colombo family after his father contracted HIV AIDS following a contaminated blood transfusion in 1986. Scarpa Jr. was sentenced to 40 years in prison for racketeering and he was recently granted a compassionate release after serving 33 years.

Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Steve Forbert, the great American singer-songwriter from Meridian, Mississippi. Steve’s new record, ‘Moving Through America’ will be released on May 13th on Blue Rose. Let’s listen to Steve‘s new single called ‘Livin’ the Dream.’

Produced by: Joe Poletto & Karl Derfler
Engineered by: Karl Derfler
Production Director: David Gross
Production Managers:
Michelle Garramone & Kelsey Kirpich
“La...

Steve Forbert is one of the few artists who can mesmerize a crowd with nothing but a distinctive voice, an acoustic guitar and his trusty harmonica slung around his neck. More than four decades have passed since Steve first made his way to New York City from Meridian, Mississippi. Steve’s debut album ‘Alive on Arrival’ became one of 1978’s most acclaimed records.  Rolling Stone contributi...

Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Billy Beattie, founding member of the notorious Westies and Art Ruffles, FBI special agent in charge of the organized crime unit. 

Produced by Joe Poletto & Karl Derfler

Engineered by Karl Derfler

Production Director: David Gross 

Production Managers: Michelle Garramone & Kelsey Kirpich

https://www.aste...

Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Billy Beattie, founding member of the notorious Westies and Art Ruffles, FBI special agent in charge of the organized crime unit. 

The Westies reign of terror was largely built on the back of Mickey Featherstone‘s terrifying reputation. When strangers laid eyes on him in person the reaction was usually disbelief. That’s Mickey Featherstone? His...

Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Billy Beattie, founding member of the notorious Westies and Art Ruffles, FBI special agent in charge of the organized crime unit. Hell’s Kitchen of the 1970s and 80s, the long impoverished Irish slum on Manhattan’s west side, under the gloomy shadow of the Vietnam war and an economic recession, the dreamy enthusiasm of the 1960s was met by the stark reality of the 70s. The neighborhood of...

From an introduction made by his long time friend Tom Sheer, Joe Poletto was introduced to Art Ruffles, special agent in charge of the FBI’s organized crime unit in charge of the Gambino, DeMeo and Westies cases. Through his work in the Westies, Art secured Billy Beattie and another Westies member Mickey Featherstone into the witness protection program. Through Art, Joe was able to meet Billy.

This podcast series explores Joe’s con...

In this final part of the series, Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Larry Mazza, former Colombo family member, heavyweight bookmaker, and Greg the Grim Reaper Scarpa‘s right hand man. This is a dark story about a decent young man who loses his way, who gets seduced by a lifestyle that was the dream of most Brooklyn wannabes. Larry was a natural bookmaker and he became a Colombo hitman who plotted 25 murders and pulled the...

Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Larry Mazza, former Colombo family member, heavyweight bookmaker and Greg the Grim Reaper Scarpa‘s right hand man. Greg Scarpa is quite possibly the most prolific killer in mob history. His trademark is to put one behind his ear to make sure the victim is finished off. Greg Scarpa marches to his own beat.

Produced by Joe Poletto & Karl Derfler

Engineered by Karl Derfler

Production Directo...

Joe Poletto continues his conversation with Larry Mazza, former Colombo family member, heavyweight bookmaker, and Greg the Grim Reaper Scarpa‘s right hand man. This is a dark story about a decent young man who loses his way, who gets seduced by a lifestyle that was the dream of most Brooklyn wannabes. Larry was a natural bookmaker and he became a Colombo hitman who plotted 25 murders and pulled the trigger on four of them.

Over the next four episodes Joe Poletto will be talking with Larry Mazza, a former Colombo family member, heavyweight bookmaker, loanshark and Greg the Grim Reaper Scarpa’s right hand man and closest confidant. Larry was seduced first by an older woman who was the second pseudo-wife of the Grim Reaper and then finally by the life itself. After serving a 10 year sentence, Larry went on to write a book called “The Life,” where he pul...

"Later Days ~ The Mother Hips - Episode 2"

Later Days ~ The Mother Hips ~ Episode 1