Car Bomber Secret Revealed
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In this Patreon-exclusive bonus episode of Milwaukee Mafia, hosts Eric and Gavin reveal behind-the-scenes details about a major investigative podcast project led by Mary Spacuzza, a respected journalist from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Spacuzza, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, is working on a deep-dive series exploring the 1978 car bomb murder of Augie Palmisano, a mob-connected figure, while also investigating her own familial connection to the case. She secured unprecedented access to police files on unsolved mob homicides—including those of Louis Fazio, August Maniaci, and Palmisano—thanks to her reputation and backing from USA Today. Gavin shares that he was interviewed for two hours as a background source, though his contributions may not appear in the final cut. The project, still under wraps, is expected to be released in early 2023 and could be one of the most significant true crime investigations into Milwaukee’s mafia history in decades. The hosts express excitement and gratitude to their Patreon supporters, crediting them as the driving force behind the podcast’s longevity and influence.
Mary Spacuzza, a Pulitzer-nominated journalist, is leading a major investigative podcast and newspaper series on the 1978 car bomb murder of Augie Palmisano.
She secured rare access to unsolved mob homicide files from the Milwaukee Police Department, including cases of Louis Fazio and August Maniaci.
The project is backed by USA Today and will be released in early 2023, with no public announcement yet.
Gavin was interviewed for two hours but may not appear in the final product—highlighting how news segments often use only a fraction of recorded material.
The Milwaukee Mafia podcast’s Patreon supporters are directly responsible for enabling this kind of high-impact investigative work.
Patreon Bonus Intro & Equipment Hype
The hosts kick off the episode with a lighthearted update on new podcasting gear and a brief reconnection after a month-long break, setting a casual tone for the behind-the-scenes reveal.
The Mary Spacuzza Connection
Gavin reveals he received a surprise message from Mary Spacuzza, a highly respected Milwaukee Journal Sentinel journalist known for her Pulitzer-nominated work and deep dive into Wisconsin’s Silk strip clubs.
Inside the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Newsroom
Gavin recounts visiting the modernized, single-floor office of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, describing the nostalgic newsroom atmosphere and meeting audio engineer Bill Schultz.
Uncovering the Palmisano Case
“She had apparently grown up and she was significantly younger, but she had grown up. And that was always kind of like the thing in the back, in the background that like her family would use be like, always be good. Don't do anything wrong. You don't want to end up like your cousin.”
Access to Forbidden Files & Hidden Archives
“In his garage, he just had like boxes and boxes of his case files. He's retired at this point, but he had kept a lot of his case files. So just a garage full of all these old court papers and everything else.”
“I mean, this seems like it's going to be the end of the story. So I'm really glad that somebody picked this up.”
“In his garage, he just had like boxes and boxes of his case files. He's retired at this point, but he had kept a lot of his case files. So just a garage full of all these old court papers and everything else.”
“She had apparently grown up and she was significantly younger, but she had grown up. And that was always kind of like the thing in the back, in the background that like her family would use be like, always be good. Don't do anything wrong. You don't want to end up like your cousin.”
Hosts
Guest
Gavin
person
Eric
person
Milwaukee Mafia
media
Mary Spacuzza
person
Patreon
organization
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
organization
Augie Palmisano
person
Milwaukee Police Department
organization
USA Today
organization
Louis Fazio
person
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