Does The American Mafia Still Exist? A Real Life Wise Guy Reveals The Truth | The Connect

David "Chicky" Cicchetelli was a young man in Springfield, Massachusetts when he joined a mafia boss from the infamous Genovese Crime Family. What started as petty loan sharking quickly turned into a multimillion dollar illegal bookie business for Chicky. Years after doing time for that, he ended up getting rolled up in the biggest indictment in East Coast history...
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0:00 Tour Dates!
0:32 Intro
2:48 Connection To Italy And The Bronx
4:28 FUM Sponsor Ad PROMO CODE: CONNECT
6:18 How The Mob Operated In New England
9:14 How The Boss In Springfield Was K*illed
14:15 Getting Started With The Mob
19:21 Explaining What A Bookie Does
25:51 How The Take Downs And Snitching Started
29:53 Side Hustles, Collections And Ties To The New York Mob
41:36 The Family Structure After The Boss Was Whacked
45:11 Chicky Breaks Down How He Ran His Book Making Business
53:46 Hello Fresh Sponsor Ad PROMO CODE: 50CONNECT
55:19 The Money And The Muscle Of The Operation
1:00:52 Getting In Trouble With The Bosses
1:11:52 The Federal Crackdown On The Operations
1:31:08 Getting Out Of Prison And Linking Up With Gotti
1:34:10 Caught Up In Historical Indictment Of The Latin Kings
1:44:34 Living The Straight Life And The Future Of The American Mob

[@theconnectpod]

Chicky is a stand up guy, a real Goodfella. Thanks for watching and make sure to like and comment! Support Our Sponsors! FUM: tryfum.com/ Pomo Code: CONNECT HelloFresh: hellofresh.com/50connect Promo Code: 50CONNECT

[@BostonsF1nest]

I like Chickie but you should have interviewed Anthony Arillotta who was the capo in Springfield after Bruno died. Arillotta was a powerhouse. Rich and dangerous. He was made in NYC too.

[@Jessesgirl0307]

Please come to Vero Beach, Fl at Riverside Theater or Melbourne, Fl civic center. The Stress Factory is much like Riverside Theater. I'm originally from where Chicky is from. My paternal side was in part before Chicky was. Small world when i saw him on Ian's. So i can't wait for to watch this one too. Much love and respect for you. Love this podcast, longtime follower.

[@lincoln5310]

No San Antonio?

[@jthomos21]

FUM is something I am sending to my brother - flavored air seems better than what he is doing. Thanks

[@Herkulez1981]

No he was not

[@SW-qs2iq]

My favorite part is when Johnny Interrupts a great story to interject his own personal experience.

[@devdropemoff4249]

Never fails

[@pgh1729]

Chickie never had the makings of a varsity athlete…

[@davidkwitman9245]

This is an underrated comment.

[@BTKYG]

Agreed this caught me off guard lol

[@dannycostello8325]

lol ok

[@NandorTheRelentless76]

This is my LAST Sunday dinner here!

[@jaimesonritter3375]

take it easy over there judge roy bean !

[@FeloniousSavage]

Johnny's hairline goes back half a centimeter every time he learned something new, 😂😂😂

[@richard09able]

He’s in Cali, he needs to see those hair doctors 😂 . Take a pull a day keep the hairline away 😂

[@ep_got_the_sauce]

He got a hair transplant ya goof. Fa get about it.

[@zacharyharris438]

Band name: Sex Fiend with Hair Plugs

[@user-rr7os5bn9t]

Haha

[@marksrink]

He had a wierd hairpiece on before...clueless to crime too....has no clue about sport betting haha..

[@D33Lux]

This channel is off the hook, best guests, amazing stories, amazing experiences.

[@Beantownpatsy]

I've been around this life in a small capacity Your guest is the most truthful and honest guy. I've heard on any of these shows well done.

[@mikejohn7273]

Chicky is a rat hes no wiseguy 🐀🐀🐀🐀

[@sopranos45]

he doesn't seem to be much involved 😂

[@LiquidityThieves]

​@sopranos45 a federal grand jury indictment tends to have that affect on people

[@sopranos45]

@@LiquidityThieves I can understand that lol

[@LiveForFreedom777]

I’m from spfld. Mass and he got indicted with my uncle. Shit is for real, for real. Tough little city

[@philp7648]

You can tell this guy had morals and old school principles when he tapped on the table and apologized for it spoke volumes to his character. Also Assault and battery with a saw horse is crazyy😂

[@choossuck7653]

You should see the video where he got robbed by a midget

[@Herkulez1981]

He is a lier so no

[@sodapopinski9922]

​@@Herkulez1981how so?

[@Herkulez1981]

@@sodapopinski9922 just that he is not the mob asscociate /booking kingpin he says he is . People that actually was made members of the genovese family in the same town as him has exposed him and several other respected journalist anz mob historians

[@xDRBKZ]

I agree, as soon I saw that it rubbed me the right way. Honestly I think he did it before in the interview and didn't apologize, and idk why he would apologize anyways. But clearly in his own mind he's got his rules or morals or lines of respect and he holds himself to a standard where if he crosses it he will correct it on his own, even if it makes him "smaller" or like submitting or apologizing to someone who is not necessarily above you actually makes you stand taller or be a bigger man

[@HBLOS14]

Every mafia guy has fire sunglasses

[@LiquidityThieves]

Awesome interview!! Really likable guy and very cool stories. Loved it

[@BobbyGeneric145]

One of the other wise guy book makers said in regards to beating up people who owed "really you aren't out anything... Its just numbers on a piece of paper...no need to drop a body for that".

[@HIGHWAYATMIDNIGHT]

Great interview! Chicky is such a genuine dude! He was great on Gagnon too. Lot of love for Chicky here in Jersey! Can’t wait to see you at The Stress Factory in New Brunswick NJ Nov 2nd Johnny! Definitely going to be a good time. Chicky should come down! Anyways awesome podcast man keep killing it brother & stay safe out there boys!

[@frankscanlon801]

Chicky .... 💯 Solid. You can tell just how he's talking. I grew up in NJ/NY, I'm pretty good at reading people. Chicky is probably one of the most stand up dudes I've listened to. God Bless him and his family. One of the good guys left.

[@chickycecchetelli_]

Thank you brother just telling my stupid stories. 🙏

[@frankscanlon801]

@@chickycecchetelli_ Chicky my man.... Wow first time I ever received a response. 😆 See, I guess I do read pretty sporty. And yeah, just telling YOUR story. YOUR past as you lived it. That's what I got from ya. Well, being from the BRONX I guess I learned how to read people quick as a wrong bad read could cost you a lil somethin you know what I mean. So with that, again all the blessings to you and your family... Real talk !!!

[@masonhealey4044]

Vito genovese was my grandfather's great uncle. my great grandma was Genevieve genovese:) glad he moved away from all the crazy stuff when he was a kid.

[@rayjinx5194]

🧢

[@QEsposito510]

Genevieve Genovese 😂 her parents were assholes for that.

[@craigpetties1476]

All these ex mobsters youtubers means the great decline of the American Mafia. The complete opposite of Italy where no one has a KZbin channel.

[@s70rk]

What do you mean decline? The entire US government is mafia run, nowadays. Granted, it's not the Italian one, it has different ancestry. Same ancestry as the people running Hollywood. Coincidentally, most Hollywood movies portray the mafia as purely Italian, that helps to obfuscate the true nature and history of US organized crime.

[@Z_P_P_P]

This guy isn’t an ex mobster he washed cars and picked up laundry

[@luciferslettuce]

You're somewhat right, our politicians are the American mafia now. Lol

[@AllTheSmoke90]

I think the sopranos depicted the difference in how Italy is superior perfectly

[@joedimaggio3687]

Agreed

[@hoopman82]

Chicky ciccatelli is effing GOLD! No one better! This guy should be on every mob documentary around. He screams “OG” screams it . 5”10 360. He is the king of this genre.

[@WadeRHill]

The only channel that delivers a full on podcast that keeps one interested and locked to the monitor every single video! Not to mention the various guests that have been featured, bro never misses🏋️‍♂️🙏🙏

[@trueomnilord7045]

Shawn Ryan Show as well

[@hervavengill8734]

Chicky is a great story teller... The detail of his stories are amazing. I'm surprised he does not have his own channel, he probably has numerous stories to share. Its one thing to have great stories and its another thing in which a person shares the stories. Chick has his way in which he presents his stories. Great show

[@dbear503]

Chicky,Chicky,Chicky,Chicky Stu Cazzo.

[@yungwes20]

The Hu Ke Lau was my dad’s favorite place. CRAZY!

[@joewatts2940]

This dude sounds like the most genuine of all these mobsters making rounds these days. Makes me think he actually IS very violent and has been made lol.

[@chrismaurina5260]

Best part is anthony arilotta who’s the biggest rat in that area lives back there with his mother and no one does nothing it’s sad

[@beantownie6177]

Definitely enjoyed this interview

[@docjennison7023]

Best wise guy interview I’ve ever heard. Nice

[@chickycecchetelli_]

Not a wise guy but thank you for watching.🙏🙏🙏

[@quickflipper3782]

Great interview 🔥🔥

[@magwa78]

What a good guy. Definitely needs his own Podcast - Brilliant episode.

[@undisputedretail]

I met Chickie back in 86. Legit guy, no nonsense type of guy. Real deal, the streets used go call him the Italian Joe Lewis

[@bluesky6985]

The problem is the government offering Mob guys 2 3 years to turn on the bosses when you're basically facing life. That's a deal you can't resist.

[@GuidoLuzzi]

government can never make a deal with someone when he decides to to flip. it's a huge fallacy. they don't get to pick the terms or your cooperation. it is 100% up to the judge to decide how much time they get. the FBI comes goes to bat for for and tries to get the least amount of time possible but the Judge has the authority to say no and still give the person 50 years. that's never how it happens though because it would discourage people in the the future for flipped but the FBI can 100% not make a deal for 2,,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, years etc. it's all up to the judges discretion.

[@ej4458]

Unless you're with the chinese mafia, then it's a deal you can't understand

[@muneymap]

The government is the real mafia

[@WV_Raised1983]

The problem is people don't know how to be loyal anymore. I remember a time when family meant everything and even friends were loyal. That's the main reason i keep my circle small you can't even trust family anymore. Well at least i wouldn't trust my family.

[@Frosty98206]

Facts(💯), Today's era is filled with Jealousy envy, and Greed, I Wouldn't trust my Family either if you Placed Half a Million 💸💰in a Room with a Knife 🔪they would do whatever to get that half a Million, Eroison of Morals & Ethics is at Play everyone is about "ME, ME, ME" very few have any Decent Charcter anymore & that all can be applied to Personal family & Families in OC.

[@paulvon2378]

Chicky looks right out of "Goodfellas." Real deal. Great interview.

[@oliverscarlettmackenzie5136]

He looks like the fat guy in a Bronx Tale who presses the biker to death with his belly in the "now youse CAN'T leave" scene.

[@natureboyricflair8555]

Naples and Sicily are nowhere near each other.

[@pasqualeventura945]

They are both in Southern Italy approx 14 hours by ferry and less,than an hour by plain !

[@thecomicstyleartist]

Great interview. This guy loves the word ' allegedly ' lol

[@luisjacome5359]

Ive worked in ny for a company owned by italians... very well connected people when i work with other companies all of them are intrigued about the fact that the company gets these huge contracts... The guest talking about how they are legitimate companies now is on point

[@forza1984]

Chickie is a true gentleman, stand up dude

[@aaronbenhaggai973]

Johnny getting the hair plugs😅

[@BrianJoyce-dk2sg]

Quit interrupting the guest. Let him speak.

[@jetfryl9831]

I grew up in East Boston. Was all Italian when I grew up. Was awesome

[@NandorTheRelentless76]

I never personally knew Chicky but I was in the same room with him many mornings in SPFD. I hope the years have been better for you than most of the people in those rooms

[@user-xd8ic8be6g]

The "social media" i love it that the older generation r so oblivious to it , shows how deluded/addictive our generation is 🤦

[@pasqualeventura945]

I agree 100%

[@mojo88bassandbourbon72]

The Genovese had franchises so to speak allegedly this guy is the real deal when he explained the 100k that guys have to cover books I know of some of those folks ...he's one of the realest on any of the pods

[@nicolinaosullivan6712]

"I aint Givin secrets' awww i genuinely loved how he kept saying that !🖤 im born & raised on atwells ave in prov. Now im in boston. Im glad some of the good one's are home that deserve to be home 🖤🖤

[@nicolinaosullivan6712]

I obviously mean the ones who kept quite & got home not that rat fucks who know what they do then flip when caught that's ridiculous

[@user-qb7xf4yh5c]

What a beauty you are, Nicolina

[@Alienspecies635]

I'm from Massachusetts. His name is funny because he's from Springfield, which is located right next to Chicopee. Chicky Chicopee. Nicki. 😂 funny in my own mind anyways 🤣 I enjoyed listening to him he seemed very humble. No show boating or gloating. He seemed to be very honest about everything.

[@benitolazio8193]

Great content

[@BIG_MOPPER]

Cool to hear this im from Worcester Massachusetts 35 40mins from Boston.

[@tomasalman250]

I love how the promotion, gave me the urge to have a cig

[@ridge6982]

This guy answered phones. He was never a gangster. There’s video of him getting beat down by a little person. The stories are endless

[@donald3290]

You Sound a little jealous my man😂😂

[@MassAppeal966]

​@donald3290 He did get pinched booking in Spfld and there was an iconic photo of him in his Celtics jumpsuit outside the courthouse. He wasn't the type to lay a beating on someone.

[@sidthekid2929]

🤣🤣 y'all people really think y'all know shit.

[@patcrowley-ne8ty]

Funny how he doesn't wanna say Emilio name cause he's the only one still connected..he's only got like 13 years left to do

[@giannicatalano6062]

Emilio’s a friend of ours, he’s just being respectful not saying names..he don’t have 13 years left, he’ll be out in less than 8. Supposed to be out in I believe 2031 but he’ll be home sooner.

[@dwaynesamuels2543]

Lucky Luciano is my grandad

[@charmeddiva007]

Chicky!!! There's my absolute favorite guy ❤

[@tomnohmy1273]

I like this dude. I grew up in the area, unfamiliar with this life but really cool. Used to go to the Huke lau with my fam.

[@garrettb5576]

From there too. Unfortunately Hu Ke Lau is gone now. I've heard some stories of famous wrestlers there too. Crazy stuff

[@nicholasrheaume1568]

Sitting in Holyoke watching this

[@garrettb5576]

I'm in Holyoke too..

[@jairsanchez4739]

Big fan of the Podcast.. Bring it down to Vegas n do some shows in the 702

[@vics128]

The fact that all these mob guys are on KZbin shows you how small and insignificant the mob is these days.

[@pasqualeventura945]

I would not bet on that !

[@IshaqqRahim]

This is so good like watching. 3 movies and a documentary

[@michaelfelipe5606]

Everyone’s ready to become an informant when they’re facing three years

[@perrinconsolati3455]

I was born in Western Massachusetts. Interesting fact, the same guy that killed big Al also killed whitey Bulger...

[@MustacheP1180]

Nope , the guys suspected of killing Whitey was the Gea’s brothers … different dudes, and they are not informants

[@samuelmills5961]

Chicky is so entertaining, love the stories.

[@chickycecchetelli_]

Thank you brother. 🙏

[@powell4661]

​@@chickycecchetelli_ Thank you for the pizza restraunt story. I used to love to go to the greatest Italian Deli on earth as a child with Dad. He worked for them and everyweek I would go and enjoy the food. While envelops and gifts were exchanged.

[@OTOss8]

Really, it's the glasses. The glasses really tie his look together, do they not?

[@TheKenLucas]

Happy to see you touring though

[@GoatDR]

I had family that was a boss in Chicago. They knew it was fading out when the 80’s came along and by the 90’s it was just small drug dealing.

[@muschipups4017]

Who’s your family? I grew up on Hubbard in Chicago. Grew up around those guys? Born in 79 so I was little guy growing up in the 80’s.

[@david-468]

It still kinda exists at least the numbers game

[@BIG_MOPPER]

Whats up with the courtroom walls in the background 😂

[@LeeJF1]

I think a better example would've been to say if enough people place small bets & it equates to enough exposure if a result goes against you, you're gonna need to lay it off, so there can be a real cost attached to you placing that bet. Not to mention other expenses the operation as a whole will have

[@J-gr1ie]

“Get in shape you big slob” 😂😂 the irony

[@chickycecchetelli_]

Thanks for watching.🙏🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣💪💪💪💪💪

[@chr1staki]

39:18 Johnny, they need the money from the losing bets to pay the winning bets

[@leahholmes9928]

Just bought tickets for Dallas! 🎉

[@boop79]

Chicky is the best you guys can do 😂

[@kubasonic]

he was decent.

[@dexter255]

Lol Don Vito! 😂

[@chickycecchetelli_]

Don chicky lol lol🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@danielyamson1551]

Watching from Philippines

[@choossuck7653]

RIP BIG AL BRUNO 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@BattleBornBrandon]

This show would be 100× better if the host wasn't CONSTANTLY talking over his guests

[@bryanfarmer1693]

Excitement maybe

[@caseycameron5370]

​@@bryanfarmer1693EXACTLY what I was gonna say well said sir well said

[@eyez718]

🤯 Like….just when I thought I heard/seen everything “wise guy” based, here’s yet another. I like this guy😏

[@frankpitochelli6786]

Just an FYI to Johnny, I've watched a couple of your podcasts, nice job, but, gotta let the guests speak, can't interrupt as much as you've done in the video's ive watched. JMO... Best wishes.

[@gennerobootz6490]

This guy isn’t even a mobster

[@plutus205]

He’s a great speaker

[@jayr3635]

EVERY male from New England that I've met is 100% a crook!! Haha its like scheming and crime is inherent or something for those guys!! All my friends from there are cool guys and (somewhat) good guys if given the right context. But definitely always skirting the lines and always hustlin! Lotta dudes from out west money isnt a huge focus, but my new england pals are all about making money!

[@maineeveryday796]

Hahaha

[@patrickhenry4742]

I'm from tha Rose I know

[@JayTrace401]

Very true. Born & raised in rhode island. If we can push the envelope believe me we're pushing it and skimming the top. Hahahah

[@chriscorker5634]

Started listening and couldn't stop, quite captivating. It's a bit different in my homeland England. He`s a veteran? How?

[@mrouija4740]

He was in the military which makes him a veteran. Hope that answers your question. 7 months later 😂

[@kiesdo3908]

Great story teller, but Johnny, please let your guests talk without interrupting them in the middle of their sentence

[@monkeyman8265]

Another reason people would still bet with a bookie is not having to pay taxes on your wins.

[@josephmalecki]

Credit and they take reverses.. straighten up

[@bryangoodwin6626]

Illegal book makers give the best odds.

[@pasqualeventura945]

Yes and you get your money presto pronto !

[@pasqualeventura945]

Also, the pay off is better

[@South_paw330]

Nice shades😎

[@AnthonySC213]

I read his nephew is the head latin king in Massachusetts wth

[@whydat684]

Down here the Bookies don't for the most use violence. Gambling is an illness what our Bookies would do is call all the other Bookies and cut off your action .That can be worce than a beating when your ill. Plus that does not bring as much heat with the law.

[@garytheretaaraaaaaaard.9173]

This Johnny dude is the king of cutting of his guests when they try to talk.

[@TheDRoccShow]

An absolute embarrassment

[@chickycecchetelli_]

Thanks for watching gid bless.🙏

[@sojouner_-1363]

29:30 The Government is in some way complicit with all organized crime from the Mob to Gangs, you always got officials aiding these criminal organizations even if its simply by them looking the other way while they commit their crimes, but often times it goes even further to where they are actively making a prophit off of organized crime

[@kingnile8280]

Very humble guy!

[@chickycecchetelli_]

Thank you brother. 🙏

[@lowlyfesocks]

CHICKY: cough cough 😷 I got a lil cold ME: CHICKY got Covid 😂😂😂

[@naldo8097]

Glad to see you had Tim Dillon on

[@kjfgkgfkfkjhgjkgkj]

Lmao

[@aedenaxelrad2521]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@MichaelBrooks-yr5nt]

😂

[@C-24-Brandan]

He wasn't a made guy lol a bookie and associate

[@user-ur7bf1in4h]

Stop interrupting your guests

[@haydukethor]

stop interrupting the comment section

[@WestSideGorilla1980]

Johnny hes a hot house flower....never had the makings of a varsity KZbin channel...small hands.

[@accavanos]

I have many drivers myself that get me around. One driver is uber. The other driver is lyft. Lol

[@OGtalks]

Man . I love the way this guy tells stories . I like his style . 🫡

[@bigbody1842]

My only complaint or suspect story is how was he "Staying on top"of a numbers operation and didn't know where the number was generated he said it came from Powerball or something.....wrong .. the number came from the total daily winnings from the race track . I'm from south texas and I know that ! Makes me wonder

[@david-468]

Numbers can be played many different ways also he never claimed to run numbers but more so was a bookie

[@KC-nn5wc]

I worked for al Bruno kid at his restaurant

[@rikidd77]

"It's all public record, It's all out there..... I'm not saying anything that's not out there" if we had a dollar each time he said that in all his podcasts

[@rubr949]

Haha this guy is to polite

[@PittbuII]

He was a bookie and an associate

[@Z_P_P_P]

And Bookie is being generous he picked up the phone and just like he picked up a lot of dry cleaning

[@BostonsF1nest]

He should have interviewed Anthony Arillotta. He was the capo in Springfield after Bruno died. Arillotta was a fuckin powerhouse. Wealthy, dangerous and popular. Made in NYC too. I love Chickie but he was never made let alone being a capo like Anthony was.

[@Beantownpatsy]

Doesn't matter Chicky is stand up also his brother is too. Good guy

[@MichaelBrooks-yr5nt]

didn’t he flip?

[@powell4661]

​@@MichaelBrooks-yr5ntno, he served his time

[@mikestopa6814]

Shout Out To Springfield Massachusetts Real Ones Know It Gets Griddy

[@kjfgkgfkfkjhgjkgkj]

Loving the Steve jobs look johnny

[@MichaelBrooks-yr5nt]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@wilfredrivera6521]

Grew up in Connecticut and the Hu ke Lau I remember as a kid ,they would have Hawaiian food

[@chickycecchetelli_]

Chinese

[@wilfredrivera6521]

@@chickycecchetelli_ they might’ve Been Chinese or some other Asian ethnicity, but I remember the theme being Hawaiian (Polynesian)they would even serve like a volcano tray with different Hawaii style hors d’oeuvres and my favorite was the “Hawaiian egg rolls” which were more like the Filipino lumpias. Then again, I was a kid, so whatever it was they were good memories

[@earnit4036]

Chicky is not a tuff guy if you’re from springfield you know that chooch

[@MichaelBrooks-yr5nt]

he never said he was a tough guy

[@earnit4036]

@@MichaelBrooks-yr5nt talk the talk walk the walk it’s alway one foot in one foot out with these “associates” the guy is a joke real guys laugh at guy like this and while he’s at it get the omerta tattoo removed, as I said chooch

[@MichaelBrooks-yr5nt]

@@earnit4036 wheres the jacket?

[@SaltStorm007]

‘Wow that’s Pretty organized’.........’Organized crime’....😂

[@jimmya2624]

7-800 a week? Not gonna lie, this episode is cringe af. I know bigger more lucrative books than that nowadays. You got 100 players now, you’re clearing 25-30 grand a week. Easy. Watching these two talkin about the books is hard to watch. Johnny doesn’t know anything so it’s cool, but Chicci sounds amateur af for being in the mix like that

[@teambitcoin7530]

I really enjoyed this video. Allegedly

[@mkvohland]

You really said “who is patriacha”? Cmon man