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Chicago Crime Chronicles Podcast

The Cooley Account

17 Episodes · Season 1 · Complete Series · Hosted by Neal Edelstein

What started as research for a movie resulted in these recordings. This is the life story of Bob Cooley, a man who accomplished the impossible by decapitating Al Capone's criminal operation.

In the 1970s, Bob Cooley was a young cop who decided to become a lawyer and quickly became an insider for the Chicago mob, which controlled the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois.

This multipart conversation details the inner workings of the notorious Chicago crime syndicate. From politicians on the take to a corrupt court system and cold-case murders. There are also never-before-revealed details about cult icon Count Dante and mob fixture Pat Marcy. If you’re intrigued by organized crime, political corruption, and other matters of deceit, this story is for you.

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All Episodes

  1. 01Chicago PoorHow did Bob Cooley become the insider who destroyed the Chicago mob and the 1st Ward? We start at Bob’s youth on the South Side of Chicago, as he details his childhood…November 2, 2022
    40 min
  2. 02The Police TestBob’s scholarship at Marquette ends abruptly because of his fighting and money-making schemes. He moves back home and bounces between odd jobs before he takes the…November 14, 2022
    68 min
  3. 03Left For DeadBob becomes a Chicago cop and applies his street smarts to rise rapidly through the ranks. His encounters at the criminal courts inspire him to go to law school, but his…November 22, 2022
    61 min
  4. 04Chicago’s CourtsThe malfeasance in the Chicago courts inspires Bob to go to law school. Mob-connected cop Rick Borelli introduces him to the web of illegal gambling operations that…November 28, 2022
    39 min
  5. 05Count Dante And The Purolator HeistA strange character named Count Dante enlists Bob for legal help. The Count is being charged with murder for an attack on an opposing dojo whose owner is siphoning his…December 5, 2022
    64 min
  6. 06Beating Murder(s)Bob takes on two high-profile murder cases and mounts the "jagoff defense" in the Joey Airdo trial. Early success catapults him on a trajectory toward becoming known as…December 13, 2022
    50 min
  7. 07D'Arco, Marcy & AlemanThis conversation propels us into the inner sanctum of Chicago’s 1st Ward. A shadow government within a government that controlled the state of Illinois. Two men operate…December 22, 2022
    67 min
  8. 08Harry Aleman's Double Jeopardy?We continue our conversation about the Harry Aleman murder trial and detail how Bob fixed the case. The stakes are life and death for Bob as Judge Wilson wavers about…December 29, 2022
    45 min
  9. 09Fixing Murder & Marcy PowerCarol Jean DiPasalegne was murdered by her husband, but the 1st Ward fixed the case so her husband would walk free so the machine could steal the insurance money on a…January 5, 2023
    38 min
  10. 10The Strange Death Of Karen Lee KoppelThere's a hit on Bob’s life for refusing to expose a witness in a trial. We also discuss the disappearance of Karen Lee Koppel. Koppel goes missing after her…January 13, 2023
    40 min
  11. 11The Chinese Mob (Chicago Style)Bob is introduced to members of Chinese organized crime by Chicago Alderman Fred Roti. A few members of the Ghost Shadows are pinned for a murder and need Bob's help.…January 19, 2023
    39 min
  12. 12A Crisis Of ConscienceAt the behest of Pat Marcy, Bob defends a man accused of assaulting a female cop. Bob's encounter with Marcy after the trial is the spark that sends him to visit the…January 31, 2023
    39 min
  13. 13The AftermathAfter departing the Crime Task Force office, Bob carries with him the weight of a life-altering moment. In the days that follow, the FBI unexpectedly arrives at his…February 7, 2023
    44 min
  14. 14The Beginning Of The EndGrowing frustrated, Bob begins to build his own cases against the 1st Ward and the Chicago Outfit. He wears a wire on Pat Marcy and hatches a plan to bring down Johnny…February 14, 2023
    30 min
  15. 15The WireBob has to leave Chicago for good as the FBI fans across the city with subpoenas and indict a cadre of politicians and organized crime members. Also in this…February 22, 2023
    40 min
  16. 16The End Of Pat MarcyPat Marcy is indicted on corruption charges; his co-defendant is Alderman Roti. Bob is the first witness to testify, but things go sideways immediately. This…March 1, 2023
    46 min
  17. 17In ConclusionThe final chapter and conclusion of the Bob Cooley journey. Thank you all for listening, and stay connected as the conversation continues on X and other social media…March 6, 2023
    10 min

Who & What's In This Series