Deep Cover: The Real Donnie Brasco

On this season finale of Deep Cover, Joe and Leo deep dive into your final movie questions to reveal fiction from fact. Joe shares more of Donnie Brasco’s day-to-day life, particularly from the last impactful moments with Sonny Black and Lefty Ruggiero. From the Japanese Steakhouse fight to the thwarted hit by Donnie the made man– what was a true story and what was fabricated by the brilliant Paul Attanasio? Listen to learn more and stay tuned at the end to hear what’s in store for the forthcoming season!

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Episode Notes:

[00:00] Introduction with Joe and Leo

[02:09] Movie clip: Don the Jeweler

[03:20] Joe shares how he knew so much in real life about diamonds during his first meet with Lefty Ruggiero

[06:40] Joe’s Cadillac and blending in as broke

[10:32] Movie clip: He says it’s a fugazi.

[12:00] Joe shares the seeds of the fake diamonds scene. 

[15:16] Movie clip: This is Lefty’s car 

[16:19] Movie clip: Donnie Brasco fights a DA at the airport to save his cover 

[17:45] Joe shares the truth about the shocking encounter

[19:06] Movie clip: Lefty hates the cold 

[20:57] Joe details what really happened with the air conditioner debate

[24:54] Movie clip: Donnie refuses to take off his shoes 

[26:11] Joe sets the record straight about the Japanese Steakhouse fight 

[28:09] Movie clip: “You think I’m a f******g rat?”

[29:56] The federal boat and dramatic licensing byway of Paul Attanasio

[33:33] Truth or false: the ending of the movie Deep Cover

[35:15] True Story: FBI agents told Sonny Black and Lefty Ruggiero that Donnie Brasco was a cop 

[37:40] Next season guests: Former undercover cop and beauty agent, Lisa Lockwood, Retired NYPD Ralph Friedman, former U.S. Customs Bob Starkman

[39:54] Happy New Year– until next time!

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On this special episode of Deep Cover, Joe and Leo speak to former FBI boss, Jules Bonavolonta, who was Head of Organized Crime and Narcotics in New York during the Deep Cover investigation. Jules takes us down memory lane from the Vietnam War to his self-negotiations from the Army into the coveted federal agency.

But it’s really his untold stories about life-or-death moments with Joe Pistone, Lefty, Santo Trafficante, and the bureaucracy that will make you understand the severity of the undercover operation. Just how much trust and friendship played a major role in their success? You don’t want to miss this one.

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Episode Notes:

[00:00] Introducing guest, ex-FBI agent, Jules Bonavolonta

[02:00] The Garden State Trio: Bonavolonta, Leo and Joe.

[03:10] On Anthony Imperiale, former New Jersey state senator

[05:20] On using “dramatic licensing” with the truth for movies and tv 

[06:50] On the reaction of family and friends after joining the FBI

[09:00] Why Bonavolonta threatened to leave the military during the Vietnam War and made it in the FBI

[19:20] How Bonavolonta met Joe Pisone while running the organized crime division 

[21:15] What’s a successful organized crime? Jules speaks on monitoring Joe in the mafia 

[24:52] Joe explains to Bonavolonta what he does all day with Sunny Black and Lefty

[27:10] Jules details how much Lefty trusted Joe up until his trial testimony 

[29:09] Jules and Joe relive the moment the mafia gave Joe a contract to kill Bruno Indelicato

[33:55] The infamous argument between Jules and Joe prior to his meeting with Santo Trafficante

[41:55] When the mafia found out that Donnie Brasco is Joe Pistone– an open contract

[44:04] Jules can kill you with his hands 

[47:00] Outro

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On this episode of Deep Cover, Leo Rossi walks Joe Pistone through a few more scenes of his Hollywood blockbuster, “Donnie Brasco.” Joe shares intimate details about real-life challenges with his wife, Maggie, while undercover, reveals the subtle brilliance of a scene between Donnie and Lefty, and other insights. He also shares some unrelated stories about the Sicilian Mafioso turned informant, Luigi Ronsisvalle, and a drug deal gone bad in Pensacola, Florida. This one’s full of suspense! 

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On this special episode of Deep Cover, Leo Rossi and Joe Pistone are joined by ex-Colombo crime mobster turned motivational speaker Michael Franzese. He shares his personal testimony about the ways in which “the life” negatively impacted him and his family. Son to the notorious former underboss, Sonny Franzese, Michael was not only born into the life but contributed for nearly 20 years prior to incarceration which prompted his uncharacteristic exit. 

Michael and Joe met in their separate endeavors along the way and detailed the extent of their relationship then and now. Tune in for a true tale about the Mafia life from one of their very own.

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Episode Notes:[00:47] Intro with Leo Rossi and Joe Pistone

[01:07] Introduction to Michael Franzese

[03:09] Franzese speaks on his meeting with Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano

[05:00] Joe remembers his first time meeting Michael Franzese in “the life”

[06:32] Michael Franzese breaks down how he and his family were impacted by the mob life.

[09:04] Franzese shares the story of his father, Sonny Franzese, who was imprisoned until 100 years old.

[11:36] What defines a leader?

[12:35] Franzese, Joe, and Leo discuss the relationship between crime mob and cops

[15:03] Franzese shares his relationship with Bernard “Bernie” Welsh

[16:47] Sonny Black’s girlfriend relays a message to Joe post-trial

[18:14] Franzese gives Joe his flowers

[20:09] How did Carmine “Junior” Persico run the family from prison?

[23:22] Michael Franzese’s dad agreed with the mob's decision to put a contract on his son’s life

[24:37] Nicky “Glasses” Marangello has a message for Donnie

[26:52] Leo shares a story about Carlo Gambino and the new age of mobsters

[29:47] The old neighborhoods just aren’t the same

[31:26] Michael Franzese speaks on his recent book, “Mafia Democracy”

[35:02] Franzese shares the similarities between the government and the mob

[38:04] Franzese went into business with an Armenian vineyard

[40:00] Outro

[40:26] Questions from the motion lounge

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Joe Pistone and Leo Rossi continue with more behind-the-scenes insight about the Blockbuster movie based on Joe’s time in the mob, “Donnie Brasco.” Accompanying clips featuring Johnny Depp, Al Pacino, and others, Pistone shares more deets about his undercover experience and offers some loving words in memory of Anne Heche, the actress who portrayed his wife Maggie Pistone on screen. He even clarifies facts from fiction regarding that infamous wife slap! More, when you tune in to Deep Cover now.

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Episode Notes:

[00:00] Intro with Joe Pistone and Leo Rossi

[01:56] Joe visited the Mob Museum in Las Vegas

[03:04] Leo Rossi and Joe Pistone’s one-man-show about Donnie Braso

[03:27] How the movie designers recreated Sonny Black, Lefty and Nicky entering a disco nightclub

[07:45] Donnie Brasco gets caught by the cops; no permit for the lion

[10:29] On one-taker scenes that require precision

[12:30] How the bribed cop let everyone down; gambling operation at the club gone wrong.

[14:50] The arrest record of Donnie Brasco

[16:10] Meet us in the Motion Lounge

[17:27] The Boss, Carmine Galante, gets whacked

[20:31] Sonny Black becomes a Capo and Lefty gets nervous

[23:21] Paul Attansio, the screenwriter, continues to write accurate emotions for each character

[25:26] How does a hit get set up? Lefty, or Al Pacino, goes off on Donnie Brasco after being “sent for.”

[28:40] The truth about the $300,000 in cash and Joe Pistone remembers Anne Heche, the actress who portrayed his wife and best friend.

[29:07] Joe admits there was a time when he couldn’t turn ‘off’ his character, Donnie Brasco, in real life.

[33:05] Through Leo’s stage play, Joe’s family finally realized just how lonely the job was for him.

[34:50] 85% is true

[35:50] Maggie and Joe’s movie-stealing scenes: “Why do you hate me when I love you so much?” and “I’m not beginning like them, Maggie, I am them.” - the back story.

[36:44] When Lefty got saved from being whacked.

[37:50] Outro

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Joe Pistone and Leo Rossi review and discuss the most popular clips from the motion picture, “Donnie Brasco” based on Joe’s book about his time spent undercover in the mob.Joe clarifies a few of the most important contrasts between real life and dramatization and offers some new revelations about the infamous 1981 killing of 3 capos and a boss from the Bonanno Crime Family.We learn how Johnny Depp and others, mostly unknown actors at the time, got the role of a lifetime– including a childhood friend. And he answers a question from the Motion Lounge! Tune in.

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Twitter: @deepcoverpodcastEpisode Notes:[00:00:00] Intro with Joe Pistone and Leo Rossi

[00:01:07] Behind the scenes: “Donnie Brasco” the movie

[00:02:40] Fuhgeddaboudit aka “Forget about it!”

[00:07:30] The killing of the 3 Capos in the Bonanno Crime Family ("Phil Lucky," "Sonny Red" and “Big Trin”), starting with the boss, Carmine Gallente

[00:10:17] Dramatic license: Joe clarifies that he was not physically present during the whackings.

[00:11:31] The truth about Dominick "Big Trin" Trinchera, the actor George Angelica

[00:15:15] Sonny Red, Big Trin, and Phil Lucky discuss “Where is Bruno?”

[00:17:45] The infamous murder scene in “Donnie Brasco”

[00:20:06] On Jimmy Russo and Johnny Depp’s tense dialogue in the car

[00:23:09] “The meek wanna inherit the Earth…” Joe and Leo discuss the scriptwriter, Paul Attanasio.

[00:25:02] Unfortunately, it was just “family business.” Joe shares how the mob could effectively compartmentalize after a killing.

[00:28:35] Next time: More movie clips, Joe and Lefty Ruggerio.

[00:29:13] A question from The Motion Lounge

[00:30:32] Why did the mob whack so many people in restaurants?

[00:32:20] Join the Motion Lounge!

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The Tony Conti saga comes to an end. In this episode, Leo Rossi and Joe Pistone take us through several different tapes that meticulously details the quick, but life-threatening, downfall of Tony Conti (undercover FBI agent) following an incident with the Balistrieri family. 

In Joe’s attempt to cover for his partner’s disappearance after being pulled from the investigation, Joe as Donnie Brasco takes a necessary and calculated trip to Milwaukee in search of the supposed wannabe wise guy. With Lefty Ruggiero hot on his trail, Donnie fabricates his findings. Then, the sobering event ends with an impromptu late-night meeting between the two and mob boss, Mike Sabella.

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Episode Notes:

[00:00] Intro with Leo Rossi and Joe Pistone

[01:08] TAPE: Where is Tony Conti? Joe dictates letter about Lefty Ruggiero and Tony’s meeting for Jules Bonavolonta of the FBI (10/10/1978 at 9:30pm)

[05:37] How was Conti in real life? Did he really have a relationship with three women?

[07:42] Everybody’s Joe

[08:37] Frank Balistrieri’s girlfriend was disrespected and Mike Sabella vouches for everyone

[12:42] At the heart of it all is greed: Balistrieri to Trafficante

[13:45] Conti beats the scam; disappears in Milwaukee

[15:32] Donnie offers Lefty $500 from a “score” or bet

[18:25] Lefty calls Donnie for a mysterious late night meet

[20:24] TAPE: Donnie and Lefty discuss the search for Tony Conti’s car in Milwaukee

[24:52] Lefty talks about a $7,000 contractor for a fast food restaurant

[27:17] TAPE: Donnie tells Lefty that Conti’s car is impounded by the cops

[30:44] Lefty Ruggiero does not play about his money

[33:26] TAPE: Donnie plants the idea that Tony Conti was whacked; Lefty pushes back

[38:44] TAPE: Lefty gives Donnie final search locations for Tony; tells him to make a restaurant reservation at 12am at night

[42:11] Joe Pistone says that dinner would later become a vital part of the investigation

[43:17] TAPE: Donnie presents Lefty with the potential car tag belonging to Tony Conti

[45:45] Lefty’s never asleep

[46:23] Joe Pistone explains how answering difficult questions can be life or death; sign off until next time

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Following last week’s focus on the casino deal between Traficante, Sonny Black, and the Bonnano family– in this episode, stakes are raised even higher as Donnie Brasco finds himself in a bit of a pickle between in Milwaukee with Tony Conti and Lefty Ruggiero.

Joe takes us through several FBI tapes detailing the ins and outs of their biggest target on the Milwaukee crime scene: Frank Balistrieri, boss of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin family.

As Joe begins to fight an internal battle between family and work, we hear how he's at risk of creating distrust from Lefty Ruggiero as he continues to keep the many stories he's crafted and his real identity a secret as he continues to help the FBI collect evidence.

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Leo Rossi and Joe Pistone deep dive into the relationship between Donnie and Sonny Black Napolitano. At a time when Sonny was attempting to push Lefty out of the conversation, we learn about the infamous club deal Donnie helped orchestrate between Traficante, Sonny, and the Bonanno Crime Family. Plus, get the full scope of just how far and wide this FBI investigation spread across the states.

All of season three we will be listening to the tapes that Joe carried undercover and were recently found and remastered. Joe Pistone, Leo Rossi, and you are hearing some of these for the first time. If you want more tapes and videos of the show, you can sign up to become a member of The Motion Lounge HERE.

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Episode Notes:

[00:50:00] Intro

[00:01:26] Episode Recap

[00:03:07] Rusty Rustelli

[00:06:25] Donny Brasco explains stark differences between Lefty and Sonny Black

[00:08:05] The Back Story & Benny: Promised Ones

[00:10:55] Setting the grounds for the club: an FBI location

[00:14:88] Donnie’s cash money and street cred

[00:17:05] “Friendship” with Sonny versus Lefty

[00:19:16] Donnie and Lefty’s incident with the air conditioner

[00:22:23] Arm wrestling with Sonny

[00:24:42] Donnie gets around, San Diego to Milwaukee

[00:26:33] Sonny and Lefty’s family

[00:28:50] Next tape: Sonny Black starts to push Lefty out

[00:33:41] John “Boobie” Cerasani

[00:34:33] Is Sonny’s crew still alive?

[00:35:43] Joe shares more about exposing the criminal enterprise

[00:37:27] Next tape: Donnie and Sonny are Ernie Borgnine in “Marty”

[00:39:44] Sonny Black and Nicky picks up Donnie from the airport

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In this conclusion to our two-part episode on the Lefty Tape, you will hear how Joe Pistone, as Donnie Brasco, talks his way out of a life-or-death situation with Left Ruggerio. 

Listen to find out how Joe managed to not only save his skin but also kept his business running with the mob as the FBI built their case. It all ends with a sit down to find out if Joe lives or dies. 

Numerous Mafia characters are mentioned and talked about in this episode including, The Bonannos and Trafficante families, Sonny Black, Tony Mira, Ceaser Bonventre, Frank Castellano, The Zips, and Mike Sabella. 

All of season three we will be listening to the tapes that Joe carried undercover and were recently found and remastered. Joe Pistone, Leo Rossi, and you are hearing some of these for the first time. If you want more tapes and video of the show, you can sign up to become a member of the The Motion Lounge HERE.

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Key Moments:

[00:00:00] - Intro with Leo Rossi

[00:00:48] - Show recap

[00:01:28] - Joe Pistone and Leo Rossi recap the backstory between Lefty Ruggiero and Sonny Black

[00:02:49] - Lefty interrogates Donnie (Joe) about Rocky: “think like me”

[00:04:57] - Joe explains why he’s trying to save Rocky’s life

[00:07:50] - The battle for Miami with Sonny, the Bonannos and Trafficante

[00:09:46] - Lefty pressures Donnie (Joe) about letting Rocky in on the deal; and there’s another Tony

[00:13:23] - “America’s Guest” Lefty talks money and being ambushed in Brooklyn

[00:16:43] - What happened to Mike Sabella?

[00:17:40] - “Do you have anything hidden, Donnie?”

[00:19:05] - Leo’s Resume

[00:20:36] - Lefty’s Mysterious Man

[00:22:18] - The Demise of Cesare Bonventre

[00:25:07] - Frank DeCicco sets up Frank Castellano

[00:25:41] - Sonny Black’s crew

[00:27:24] - “I’m treating you like a friend.” Lefty blows up on Donnie Brasco

[00:30:07] - Who is The Gimp (Moe The Gimp)?

[00:31:31] - Tony Mirrar frustrates Lefty

[00:33:17] - Lefty almost gets whacked

[00:36:36] - Sonny’s Deal Gone Bad

[00:38:20] - The Hole in Mirrar’s Case

[00:40:10] - It Ends with a Sit-Down

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In this episode, you will hear the real life conversation between Lefty and Joe as Donnie faced a life-and-death situation as he dealt with accusations of theft from fellow mobster Tony Mirra. 

Join co-hosts Leo Rossi and Joe Pistone as they dive into the first tape from Joe’s collection of undercover conversations. Hear from Lefty Ruggiero’s wife, as she urgently tries to contact Joe for Lefty, and then from Lefty himself as he questions Joe to find out the truth behind the accusations. 

It’s high drama on this episode of Deep Cover: The Real Donnie Brasco! If you have questions about this episode or past episodes, you can ask them here by joining the Motion Lounge, where you can also listen to the full tape used in this episode.

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• Season Exclusives, such as the complete collection of tapes Joseph D. Pistone recorded while in deep cover with New York's most notorious crime families.
• AD Free Podcast Episodes (Two Days Early)
• Unedited Video Episodes & Behind the Scenes Content
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Episode notes:

[00:01:30] - Introduction to Joe’s defense for his life

[00:02:18] - Louise Ruggiero’s (Lefty’s wife) concerned call to Joe about Lefty’s meeting; quick brief on Tony Mirra

[00:04:34] - Lefty’s call to Joe about Lefty’s meeting with Tony Mirra

[00:05:37] - Who is Rocky?

[00:06:52] - $250,000 accusation

[00:07:46] - Lefty probing for information

[00:09:36] - Joe explains the story he’s trying to sell

[00:11:45] - Junk money, Zips

[00:19:37] - Lefty continues to probe/explain, compares Tony Mirra’s and Donnie’s situation

[00:24:59] - Sally - head of the Bonanno family

[00:29:27] - Federal “Stool Pigeon”

[00:35:29] - Lefty and Tony Mirra’s bad blood

[00:39:00] - Lefty and Joe (Donnie) are in pinch, how will this play out in the next episode?

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Leo Rossi and Joe Pistone are back with the third season! This season is called “Donnie’s Tapes." All season, Joe and Leo will be going over the actual tapes that Joe carried while undercover for six years with the mafia as Donnie Brasco. 

The tapes were recently found by Joe and then remastered by Jam Street Media. In this episode, Joe talks about how he did the actual recordings, the technology then versus today, and how others were not as lucky as him with their undercover recordings over the years. 

In this first episode of the season, you will hear a few of the tapes played "before and after" style to appreciate how much better they sound now. Buckle up, 'cause this season it’s all about the tapes on Deep Cover: The Real Donnie Brasco.

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• Season Exclusives, such as the complete collection of tapes Joseph D. Pistone recorded while in deep cover with New York's most notorious crime families.
• AD Free Podcast Episodes (Two Days Early)
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Episode notes and links:

[00:00:00] - Season 3 introduction; I am Leo Rossi[00:01:40] - Leo and Joe Pistone are back!

[00:03:16] - Joe found additional tapes from his Mafia days

[00:04:44] - Old school ways agents secretly recorded conversations

[00:08:40] - Introduction to Jules, Joe’s sounding board

[00:10:20] - Speaks on the validity of two Donnie Brasco movie scenes

[00:11:35] - What you will hear and subscribers will see in the forthcoming season

[00:12:47] - Leo speaks on meeting Joe for the first time 25 years ago with a $500,000 hit on his life

[00:13:55] - What’s coming next? Meet Quinn, the next 2 episodes and a fun game.

[00:15:25] - Before and after #1 -- original tape audio vs remastered audio; "a great clean-up job"

[00:16:30] - Re-introducing Lefty Ruggiero

[00:18:10] - Do mob wives know who is in “the life”?

[00:18:39] - The backstory on Lefty and Joe’s heated conversation; re-introducing Tony Mirra (re-listen to "Donnie Brasco vs. Tony Mirra" from season 1 ) ; Michael Francis Interview with Joe 

[00:20:20] - Before and after #2

[00:21:50] - Joe explains “the boat” and how Lefty identified it belonging to the FBI; Abscam 

[00:25:42] - Before and after #3

[00:26:30] - Explanation of audio; Lefty at the club questioning Joe on details

[00:28:40] - The difference between Sonny Black and Lefty

[00:29:10] - Joe compares Al Pacino as Lefty compared to real-life Lefty

[00:30:30] - Join The Motion Lounge to go deeper!

[00:31:40] - Season 3 overview

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Season 3 of Deep Cover will focus on the tapes Joseph D. Pistone recorded undercover as Donnie Brasco. Hear the voices of notorious mobsters, learn how "wiseguys" throw the English language around, and find out the stories behind the tapes that led to over 100 convictions of some of New Yorks most notorious families of crime. 

Season three airs on October 18th, 2022. Follow to never miss an episode.

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In the season 2 finale, producer Matty joins Joe and Leo to ask another round of questions submitted by you, the listeners! Thank you for listening to Deep Cover: The Real Donnie Brasco and be sure to follow us on social media for updates on season 3!

Thank you to our sponsor Sunday! Get 20% off at checkout when you visit GetSunday.com/Deepcover20. Thank you to our sponsor Hunt a Killer! Visit huntakiller.com/deep for $10 off.

00:00:00 - Intro 00:06:52 - Fan Questions

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This week we’re getting a visit from Joe’s friend from the north, Eric from Montreal Canada. As a former detective with the Montreal Police Department, Eric has a resume as long as the rap sheets of some of the criminals he put away. The two former colleagues share with Leo about the cases they worked together, and about the connection the mafia had between the states and our neighbors from the north. Thank you to our sponsor Sunday! Get 20% off at checkout when you visit GetSunday.com/Deepcover20. Thank you to our sponsor Hunt a Killer! Visit huntakiller.com/deep for $10 off.

00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:51 - Interview with Eric from Canada 

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Go inside the mind of a criminal. This week Joe and Leo are joined by criminal psychiatrist and Joe’s old colleague, Dr. Frank, to take a deep dive into how the mind of a killer works. Listen as they talk about the differences between the mentality of a mafioso and a serial killer, as well as Dr. Frank’s history working with Joe in the FBI. 

Thank you to our sponsor Hunt a Killer! Visit huntakiller.com/deep for $10 off.

00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:54 - Dr. Frank 

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Just when we thought Joe was done with the FBI he decides to give it another shot. But before he can be reinstated he must go through what all rookies go through- training at the FBI Academy. He talks with Leo about his decision to go back to the bureau and the training process that he had to go through to once again become Special Agent Joe Pistone. Thank you to our sponsor Hunt a Killer! Visit huntakiller.com/deep for $10 off. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:09:32 - Joe is reinstated Follow us on social media: Deep Cover (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Jam Street Media (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Never before heard tapes! The year is 1978 as we listen to original recorded conversations between Joe “Donnie Brasco” Pistone, infamous Lefty “Two Guns” Ruggiero and another undercover agent known on the street as “Tony Conte”. Leo and Joe break down what they hear and analyze what is really being said all those years ago.

00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:16 - ‘Lefty’ Tape Follow us on social media: Deep Cover (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Jam Street Media (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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After years of unwarranted harassment from his superior, Joe finally had enough. He tells Leo about the incident that finally pushed him over the edge. In one final confrontation with his special agent in charge, Joe quit the FBI just a few years short of his 20-year mark. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:06:48 - Joe Quits the FBI Follow us on social media: Deep Cover (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Jam Street Media (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) 

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This week Joe begins to shut the door on his career with the FBI. He walks Leo through the years of harassment and unnecessary heat he faced at his assigned field office from his Special Agent in Charge. From calling his wife to check on his whereabouts to attempting to interrupt his time to testify in the Commission trial, the constant, insufferable behavior that Joe faced finally pushed him over the edge. We also get a look at some of his undercover work with never-before-heard tapes of a conversation he had with Sonny Black. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:22:20 - Sonny Black Tapes Follow us on social media: Deep Cover (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook) Jam Street Media (@twitter) (@instagram) (@facebook)

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