Kyle Tequila

They were powerful, ruthless, and violent, with tentacles spreading all the way to Florida and California, a vast criminal empire spanning nearly 100 years, making its fortune off bootleg liquor, illegal gambling, prostitution, extortion, political corruption, labor racketeering, loan sharking, and murder for hire.

They were powerful, ruthless, and violent, with tentacles spreading all the way to Florida and California, a vast criminal empire spanning nearly 100 years, making its fortune off bootleg liquor, illegal gambling, prostitution, extortion, political corruption, labor racketeering, loan sharking, and murder for hire.

Since the days of Capone, the outfit has been led by a who's who of powerful bosses like Frank the Enforcer Nitti, Paul the Waiter Rica, Anthony Big Tuna Ocardo, and Salvatore Momo Giancana. When Kenny was there in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s, the bosses were Joseph Joey Dove Zayuba, Sam Black Sam Carlisi, and John No-Nose DiFranzo.

Since the days of Capone, the outfit has been led by a who's who of powerful bosses like Frank the Enforcer Nitti, Paul the Waiter Rica, Anthony Big Tuna Ocardo, and Salvatore Momo Giancana. When Kenny was there in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s, the bosses were Joseph Joey Dove Zayuba, Sam Black Sam Carlisi, and John No-Nose DiFranzo.

It was a period of great prosperity, and they were stronger than ever.

It was a period of great prosperity, and they were stronger than ever.

He takes a long pause and seems to be deep in some old memory.

He takes a long pause and seems to be deep in some old memory.

Look, I don't know much about the Mafia. I mean, I guess I know as much as anybody who's seen a movie or TV show about it. But sitting here with him, listening to him talk, watching him remember these terrible things, I feel confused. I just don't see what you would expect to see from someone who's had a life like this. You know, a hardened criminal with bodies under his belt.

Look, I don't know much about the Mafia. I mean, I guess I know as much as anybody who's seen a movie or TV show about it. But sitting here with him, listening to him talk, watching him remember these terrible things, I feel confused. I just don't see what you would expect to see from someone who's had a life like this. You know, a hardened criminal with bodies under his belt.

Some kind of monster. Instead, I see a tired, sad man, genuinely hurt that this was his life. I have to know, how does someone like that get wrapped up in all this?

Some kind of monster. Instead, I see a tired, sad man, genuinely hurt that this was his life. I have to know, how does someone like that get wrapped up in all this?

A rough childhood, a tumultuous marriage, a mother pulling a gun on her own son, homelessness, desperation, all leading to one fateful moment. A bad decision that would define a young kid's entire life and the life of his future family.

A rough childhood, a tumultuous marriage, a mother pulling a gun on her own son, homelessness, desperation, all leading to one fateful moment. A bad decision that would define a young kid's entire life and the life of his future family.

How do you keep an entire life of crime away from your friends, away from your family? How does your wife not know? Or your kids? It seems impossible, but I know it's true. I know because I was there. Because Kenny is my father. And I had no idea about any of this until now.

How do you keep an entire life of crime away from your friends, away from your family? How does your wife not know? Or your kids? It seems impossible, but I know it's true. I know because I was there. Because Kenny is my father. And I had no idea about any of this until now.

Crook County is a true crime podcast about my father, Kenny the Kid Tequila's rise through the ranks of one of the most notorious organized crime syndicates in the country, the Chicago Outfit. We'll explore in great depth my father's life of crime and its profound and lasting impact on my family to this very day.

Crook County is a true crime podcast about my father, Kenny the Kid Tequila's rise through the ranks of one of the most notorious organized crime syndicates in the country, the Chicago Outfit. We'll explore in great depth my father's life of crime and its profound and lasting impact on my family to this very day.

Crook County is a production of iHeart Podcasts and Tenderfoot TV in association with Common Enemy. All episodes are produced, written, and hosted by me, Kyle Tequila. Executive producers are Donald Albright and Payne Lindsey. Original score by Makeup and Vanity Set. Main title song is called Aloha by the band Starry Eyes. End credit song is called Crush, also by the band Starry Eyes.

Crook County is a production of iHeart Podcasts and Tenderfoot TV in association with Common Enemy. All episodes are produced, written, and hosted by me, Kyle Tequila. Executive producers are Donald Albright and Payne Lindsey. Original score by Makeup and Vanity Set. Main title song is called Aloha by the band Starry Eyes. End credit song is called Crush, also by the band Starry Eyes.