Michael Franzese

And from 80 until about 95, when I consider myself formally removed from that life, I operated as a captain.

And from 80 until about 95, when I consider myself formally removed from that life, I operated as a captain.

Well, throughout my time, I had a bullseye on my back from day one because of my dad. So I was arrested 18 times. Did you ever get him out? He got out. He did 40 years on the 50. But I got him out on parole after 10 years, but he kept going back. He went back five times, each time parole violation.

Well, throughout my time, I had a bullseye on my back from day one because of my dad. So I was arrested 18 times. Did you ever get him out? He got out. He did 40 years on the 50. But I got him out on parole after 10 years, but he kept going back. He went back five times, each time parole violation.

And most every time for associating with another felon, somebody alleged to be an organized crime, you can't do that when you're on parole. And he just couldn't stay out. Wow. So he did 40 years on that. He was actually released at the age of 100. Oh, my goodness. Dr. Drew, he was the oldest inmate in the federal system at the time of his release in 2017.

And most every time for associating with another felon, somebody alleged to be an organized crime, you can't do that when you're on parole. And he just couldn't stay out. Wow. So he did 40 years on that. He was actually released at the age of 100. Oh, my goodness. Dr. Drew, he was the oldest inmate in the federal system at the time of his release in 2017.

And he passed away during COVID at the age of 103. Okay. So he lived probably longer than anybody else in that life. It's not a life conducive to a long lifestyle. So he went pretty far. Yeah. And, you know, so, you know, I had moved up in the ranks. But like I said, I had a big bullseye on my back. I was indicted seven times. I had two federal racketeering cases, one brought on by Rudy Giuliani.

And he passed away during COVID at the age of 103. Okay. So he lived probably longer than anybody else in that life. It's not a life conducive to a long lifestyle. So he went pretty far. Yeah. And, you know, so, you know, I had moved up in the ranks. But like I said, I had a big bullseye on my back. I was indicted seven times. I had two federal racketeering cases, one brought on by Rudy Giuliani.

Yeah, you know, I sat down with Rudy, and after 30 years, you know, it was funny because on my arraignment in the courtroom, he said to me, if I convict you on this case, Francis, you're going to get double what your father got. I'm giving you 100 years. And that's the kind of time they were giving us guys back then. And I said, all right, Rudy, bring it on.

Yeah, you know, I sat down with Rudy, and after 30 years, you know, it was funny because on my arraignment in the courtroom, he said to me, if I convict you on this case, Francis, you're going to get double what your father got. I'm giving you 100 years. And that's the kind of time they were giving us guys back then. And I said, all right, Rudy, bring it on.

Yeah.

Yeah.

You know, he was really the one that used the RICO statute effectively, and that's what really dismantled that lie.

You know, he was really the one that used the RICO statute effectively, and that's what really dismantled that lie.

And after a several-month trial, I was acquitted in that case. Some of my co-defendants got convicted. They got 30 years, so I would have gotten at least 50. But, yeah, I sat with him not too long ago, and he said, you know, I've been watching you for 30 years, and I think this whole transformation is legitimate. I would consider him a friend now.

And after a several-month trial, I was acquitted in that case. Some of my co-defendants got convicted. They got 30 years, so I would have gotten at least 50. But, yeah, I sat with him not too long ago, and he said, you know, I've been watching you for 30 years, and I think this whole transformation is legitimate. I would consider him a friend now.

Isn't that something?

Isn't that something?

Well, I can tell you this, Dr. Drew, and I don't know how political you want to get, but I have watched very closely—I'm very into the politics lately— For the past several years, and I've watched the whole GOP matter against Biden and Hunter Biden and his family. And I can tell you this without going into detail, but I can if you like.

Well, I can tell you this, Dr. Drew, and I don't know how political you want to get, but I have watched very closely—I'm very into the politics lately— For the past several years, and I've watched the whole GOP matter against Biden and Hunter Biden and his family. And I can tell you this without going into detail, but I can if you like.