The Westies ~ Billy Beattie - The Early Years

Later Days

From an introduction made by his long time friend Tom Sheer, Joe Poletto was introduced to Art Ruffles, special agent in charge of the FBI’s organized crime unit in charge of the Gambino, DeMeo and Westies cases. Through his work in the Westies, Art secured Billy Beattie and another Westies member Mickey Featherstone into the witness protection program. Through Art, Joe was able to meet Billy.

This podcast series explores Joe’s conversations with Art and Billy. Sadly, both passed earlier this year.

The Westies were the most notorious and final generation of Irish American gangsters to rule Hells Kitchen during the 70s and 80s. Unlike the deeply entrenched and invulnerable Omertà of the Italian Mafia, the Westies followed no rules. Their’s was an era of disorganized crime, a chaotic and violent reign of terror on Manhattan’s west side. Hells Kitchen had long been dominated by Irish hooligans, but the Westies fearless brand of terrorism gained them widespread notoriety that spread far beyond the neighborhood, eventually catching the attention of the media, the Italian Mafia and all levels of law enforcement, from the local police precinct to the FBI.

Under the direction of Jimmy Coonan, the gang’s ambitious and ruthless leader, the Westies branched out from normal rackets to become serious players in the crime underworld of New York City.

Produced by Joe Poletto & Karl Derfler

Engineered by Karl Derfler

Production Director: David Gross

Production Managers: Michelle Garramone & Kelsey Kirpich

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