Michael Franzese used to be a high ranking member of the feared Colombo crime family. At his most affluent, he generated 5-8 million dollars per week from legal and illegal businesses and became one of the biggest money makers in mob history. Michael is the only high-ranking official of a major crime family to ever walk away without protective custody, and survive.
We discuss his Mafia past, the dangers of dealing with people involved in crime, how people cross the line driven by greed and lack of understanding of potential consequences, how the mob takes advantage of gamblers, and much more. We also briefly touch upon the story of Michael Jordan's gambling problem and Mr. Franzese's friendship with Joe Pistone, who famously infiltrated the mob under the cover as Donnie Brasco.
Buy the book: I'll Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse https://amzn.to/3ekGwBj
Where to find Michael Franzese:
Website: michaelfranzese.com
INSTAGRAM: @mjfranzese
TWITTER: @MichaelFranzese
FB: Michael Franzese
In this interview:
00:02:14 Michael Franzese introduction
00:07:06 Oath of silence
00:08:28 Walking into a room without knowing if he will walkout
00:12:33 Educating people on gambling
00:16:35 Be careful who you associate it
00:20:09 How the mob exploits people's weaknesses
00:22:29 Doing business with the mafia
00:23:48 Monday night business ideas
00:24:23 Taking a Chevrolet dealership from a degenerate gambler
00:25:18 You have to weigh your options very carefully
00:26:09 Michael Jordan gambling (competition) problem
00:27:40 Michael Jordan was asked to step away from NBA because of gambling debt
00:29:08 You will get caught eventually
00:33:29 Is Michael Franzese happier now?
00:34:59 The fours things that can take you down in life really fast
00:35:45 We're making too much money… how to walk away from this?
00:38:34 Don't be a fool, don't compromise your own career
00:40:59 When people have a competitive spirit, they might be an easy target
00:42:17 Henry Kilbane story
00:43:38 The mob life
00:45:46 Walking away alive
00:48:03 The best way to not have a problem… Avoid it
00:49:59 Play your game
00:51:39 I'm good at this, that else I'm going to do?
00:52:35 Joe Pistone (Donnie Brasco) - Undercover FBI agent
00:53:30 Cat and mouse game
00:55:15 Michael Franzese past podcasts, his book, and YouTube channel
00:57:42 Wrapping up
00:58:15 A Mob Story, Michael Franzese's show in Las Vegas
