When you hear the words "organized crime" you probably think of the Italian Mob or the Russian Mafia, gangs with intricate networks of murderous and bank robbing men with thick New York accents and a gun hidden in their belt. You think of the Godfather or John Gotti or Al Capone. You've probably never once thought of the woman who came before them all - Fredericka "Marm" Mandelbaum, the mother of organized crime in America, whose criminal network spanned the country and even ran a school for burgeoning criminals, thus ensuring she would always have women and children at her beck and call to handle her criminal business. Marm was arguably the most successful organized criminal you've never heard of.

Producer’s note: This episode is numbered 85 in keeping with our numbering from the 2 episodes we’ve lost (83 and 84), should those be recovered or re-recorded, they will be numbered based on their original placement in our podcast’s order.

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