Johnny Depp might have played Donnie Brasco in the Academy Award-nominated film, but the real-life hero is Joe Pistone. Pistone came up on the mean streets of Patterson, New Jersey before going deep undercover and spending six years inside the Bonanno and Columbo crime families. In the new podcast “Deep Cover-The Real Donnie Brasco,” Joe Pistone shares the true stories of his time with The Mob to his friend, and our host, actor Leo Rossi. If you loved the Sopranos--“Fuhggedaboutit”--this is The Real Donnie Brasco. Learn more at deepcoverpodcast.com
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Reality vs. Fiction Part 4, B.T.S. of Donnie Brasco
Season 3 · Episode 12
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 • Duration 45:52
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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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.
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Unedited Video Episodes & Behind-the-Scenes Content
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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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Jules Interview - Joe's Handler & Donnie's Rabbi
Season 3 · Episode 11
Tuesday, January 10, 2023 • Duration 53:19
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.
JOIN THE MOTION LOUNGE!
For the first time, we are offering a subscription plan. For just $5.99 a month you will join the Motion Lounge and get:
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
Member-only Bonus Episodes
Member-only AMA's
Family-first access and discounts to live events.
Join now by clicking THIS LINK!
Have a question about this episode, a tape, or a past episode? Ask it here.
Not ready to join the mob? Connect with us on social using the links below:
Connect with us on social using the links below:
Instagram: @deepcoverpod
Facebook: @deepcoverpodcast
Twitter: @deepcoverpodcast
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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Life and Death Phone Call with Lefty Ruggerio and Donnie, Part 1
Season 3 · Episode 2
Tuesday, October 25, 2022 • Duration 45:59
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.
About the MOTION LOUNGE !
For the first time, we are offering a subscription plan. For just $5.99 a month you will join the Motion Lounge and get:
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
Member-only Bonus Episodes
Member-only AMA's (ask me anything)
Family-first access and discounts to live events.
Join now by clicking THIS LINK!
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Facebook: @deepcoverpodcast
Twitter: @deepcoverpodcast
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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Donnie's Tapes
Season 3 · Episode 1
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 • Duration 39:43
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.
JOIN THE MOTION LOUNGE !
For the first time, we are offering a subscription plan. For just $5.99 a month you will join the Motion Lounge and get:
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
Member-only Bonus Episodes
Member-only AMA's
Family-first access and discounts to live events.
Join now by clicking THIS LINK!
Not ready to join the mob? Connect with us on social using the links below:
Instagram: @deepcoverpod
Facebook: @deepcoverpodcast
Twitter: @deepcoverpodcast
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 Trailer
Friday, September 30, 2022 • Duration 03:13
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.
Want more? Connect with us on social:
Instagram: @deepcoverpod
Facebook: @deepcoverpodcast
Twitter: @deepcoverpodcast
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Season 2 Finale: More Listener Questions!
Season 2 · Episode 13
Wednesday, July 28, 2021 • Duration 42:21
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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The French (Canadian) Connection ft. Eric from Canada
Season 2 · Episode 12
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 • Duration 37:58
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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Examining The Criminal Mind with Dr. Frank
Season 2 · Episode 11
Wednesday, July 14, 2021 • Duration 53:52
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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Joe Pistone Returns to the FBI
Season 2 · Episode 10
Wednesday, June 30, 2021 • Duration 36:42
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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Breaking Down a Lost ‘Lefty’ Tape
Season 2 · Episode 9
Wednesday, June 23, 2021 • Duration 43:45
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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