In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with Tim Richards, a former St. Louis intelligence officer and author of Crook’s Kill and Cops Lie. Tim brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge from his years investigating the mob and navigating the thin line between law enforcement and organized crime.
We dive deep into the history and dynamics of the St. Louis crime families and their ties—or lack thereof—to Kansas City and Chicago. Tim reveals how the St. Louis mob and the Syrian mob were into labor racketeering, ghost workers, and union control, profiting off federally funded projects.
Click here to buy Crooks Kill and Cops Lie and to see all of Tim’s books
• Listeners will hear gritty stories about:
• The interplay between Kansas City, St. Louis, and Chicago mob families.
• The “Syrian” mafia’s role in local unions, vengeance, and violence.
• St. Louis mob figures like Paul Leisure, Mike Trupiano, and Jesse Stoneking.
• An unforgettable encounter with Trupiano during a traffic stop.
• The challenges police faced without legal wiretaps, relying instead on FBI intelligence.
• The ripple effects of mob influence reach as far as Las Vegas gambling operations.

From bloody reprisals to uneasy alliances, Tim shares not just history but lived experience—vivid accounts of hit jobs, betrayals, and the complexities of policing organized crime. As he reflects on how law enforcement strategies and technology have evolved, Tim leaves us with a powerful reminder of the mob’s enduring mark on Midwestern history.
If you want an insider’s perspective on St. Louis mobsters and the Midwest underworld, you won’t want to miss this one.

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This is a must-listen for true crime fans, Mafia historians, and anyone fascinated by how organized crime once ruled the Jersey Shore.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

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0:03 Welcome to Gangland Wire
1:02 Exploring Kansas City and St. Louis Mob Ties
4:19 The Influence of the Chicago Mafia
8:56 The Aladdin Hotel and Skimming Operations
11:41 A Deep Dive into Paul Leisure's Fate
15:12 The Old Italian Mafia and Its Tactics
23:09 Changes in Policing and Mafia Control