On this episode of Bad News, Good Lawyers, retired FBI Special Agent Séamus McElearney discusses his new book, Flipping Capo: How the FBI Dismantled the Real Sopranos.
He joins host Tom Firestone, head of our Government Investigations & White Collar Practice, to share how he and his colleagues flipped Mafia soldier Anthony Capo and several other members and associates of the notorious DeCavalcante organized crime family – leading to the solving of 11 murders and the conviction of 71 defendants.
With television show The Sopranos largely based on the DeCavalcante crime family, Séamus offers a unique perspective on the real-life events that inspired the series, and how members of the organization reacted to depictions of their lives on screen.
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*The views expressed by guests on Bad News, Good Lawyers are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of Squire Patton Boggs.
Key questions addressed in this episode
What is the key to flipping made members of a Mafia family?
How did Capo’s cooperation lead to other members and associates of the DeCavalcante family flipping?
How significant was the prosecution of so many members and associates of the DeCavalcante family to the FBI’s overall efforts to attack La Cosa Nostra?
What do the real-life Sopranos think of the television show The Sopranos?
What parts of The Sopranos were based on real events?
What is the one unsolved organized crime murder Séamus would most like to see solved?
If you have any questions about our podcast, please contact Tom Firestone. And look out for future episodes in this series, where we discuss the intersection of law and politics, and how good lawyers can develop creative solutions to the toughest issues.