#13: Ballplayer to Mafia Hitman: The True Story of Maurice "Pro" Lerner

#13: Ballplayer to Mafia Hitman: The True Story of Maurice "Pro" Lerner

In this episode, we tell the story of a man who once had a blossoming career as a professional ballplayer, and how he became a vicious and respected hitman for the Patriarca Crime Family.

Maurice "Pro" Lerner grew up in Massachusetts and at just 18 years old, he signed his first professional baseball contract with the Washington Senators. He would go on to spend 10 years in the minor leagues, compiling a career batting average of .308 while playing for 21 different minor league ball clubs.

Unfortunately, when his baseball career fizzled out, his penchant for getting into trouble and a violent streak led him to become involved in the criminal underworld in New England. He would ultimately become an enforcer and hitman for the Patriarca Crime Family and would be involved in a number of gangland slayings, including his role as the primary shooter in the infamous double homicide of Rudolph "Rudy" Marfeo and Anthony Melei in 1968.

Ultimately, Lerner would stand trial with several confederates including the Don of the underworld in New England, Raymond Patriarca himself. Lerner and the others would be convicted and sentenced to prison, with Lerner receiving two life sentences.

Maurice "Pro" Lerner would serve 18 years of his life sentence, but would be released in 1988 after his conviction was overturned due to a revelation of significant perjury on the part of the main witness in his case along with corruption from the primary FBI agent on the case.

After release, Lerner would live out the rest of his life in Las Vegas, Nevada, passing away in 2013 at the age of 78. Primary source for this story: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/30/sports/baseball/maurice-lerner-prospect-turned-mob-hitman.html

Avsnitt(49)

#40: Interview with Xavier Eboli, Son of Thomas "Tommy Ryan" Eboli

#40: Interview with Xavier Eboli, Son of Thomas "Tommy Ryan" Eboli

We’re diving deep into the life and legacy of one of the most notorious figures in the history of the Genovese Crime Family—Thomas “Tommy Ryan” Eboli. And who better to tell that story than his own so...

11 Feb 20252h 9min

#39: Interview with Nick Parisi: Author of 'City of Betrayal' and Springfield Mafia Expert

#39: Interview with Nick Parisi: Author of 'City of Betrayal' and Springfield Mafia Expert

We talk with Nicholas "Nick" Parisi, award-winning author and Springfield, Massachusetts mob expert. Nick has written two books on the Springfield mob including: City of Betrayal: The Genovese Famil...

10 Jan 20251h 47min

#38: Interview with Ray Franze, Author of ‘The Heights,’ A Historical-Fiction Mob Novel About the Chicago Heights Crew

#38: Interview with Ray Franze, Author of ‘The Heights,’ A Historical-Fiction Mob Novel About the Chicago Heights Crew

In this episode, we talk with Ray Franze author of ‘The Heights.’ The Heights is a historical mob fiction novel based upon the early days a very real and powerful crew of Italians in Chicago Heights, ...

14 Nov 20241h 6min

#37: The State of the Mafia: A 1967 FBI Report (Part Two)

#37: The State of the Mafia: A 1967 FBI Report (Part Two)

In this episode, we continue the “State of the Mafia (1967)” series. If you haven’t already, I highly encourage you to go back and watch ‘The State of the Mafia: Part One’ “The rules that hold us toge...

24 Okt 202452min

#36: Interview with Giovanni Rocco, the Deep-Cover Agent Who Infiltrated the DeCavalcante Crime Family

#36: Interview with Giovanni Rocco, the Deep-Cover Agent Who Infiltrated the DeCavalcante Crime Family

We talk with Giovanni Rocco, a former deep cover agent for the FBI, is responsible for taking down the American Mob organization commonly referred to by the media as “The Real Sopranos.” During Operat...

2 Okt 20241h 41min

#35: Robert "Bobby" Simone: The Man Who Dared to Defend the Mob

#35: Robert "Bobby" Simone: The Man Who Dared to Defend the Mob

In this episode, special guest Tony Taouk and myself discuss the career of infamous Philadelphia mob lawyer, Robert "Bobby" Simone (1933 - 2007). Robert F. Simone was known for winning a string of di...

21 Aug 202440min

#34: Paul "The Waiter" Ricca (Part One)

#34: Paul "The Waiter" Ricca (Part One)

In this episode, the first of a two-part series, we discuss the life and times of Paul "The Waiter" Ricca, who was born Felice De Lucia in Apricena, Italy in 1898. Paul Ricca was one of the most power...

19 Juli 20241h 15min

#33: The State of the Mafia: A 1967 FBI Report (Part One)

#33: The State of the Mafia: A 1967 FBI Report (Part One)

"To the rules that hold us together" In this episode, we discuss a comprehensive 1967 FBI Intelligence Report distributed across all FBI field offices within the United States. This report provided an...

27 Juni 20241h 26min

Populärt inom True Crime

podme-dokumentar
rattegangspodden
infor-ratta
fangelsepodden
svenska-mordhistorier
podme-crime
mordpodden
en-mork-historia
fallen-jag-aldrig-glommer
aftonbladet-krim
p3-krim
forhorsrummet
rss-svenska-fall-podcast
svenska-fall
bakom-galler
krimrummet
rss-krimstad
seriemordarpodden
rss-valdet-krim
alskade-psykopat