Every transformative moment in American policing history is anchored by an individual ready to stake everything on the line. In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum engages with retired FBI Special Agent Joe Pistone, renowned for his undercover identity as Donnie Brasco.

Pistone’s six-year immersion into the Mafia radically altered the approach to undercover operations, leading to the exposure of significant figures within the Bonanno and Colombo crime families. He shares insights on the peril, solitude, and ethical dilemmas faced while living a double life in the mob, along with the enduring personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of justice.

About the Guest:

Joe Pistone, a former FBI Special Agent, gained fame for his extensive undercover mission infiltrating the Bonanno and Colombo Mafia families under the pseudonym Donnie Brasco. His groundbreaking work resulted in over 200 convictions and stands as one of the most pivotal undercover endeavors in FBI history. Pistone authored Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia and continues to share his expertise globally on topics such as organized crime, covert operations, and the ethics of law enforcement.

His work led to more than 200 convictions and remains one of the FBI’s most significant undercover operations. Pistone is the author of Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia and continues to lecture worldwide on organized crime, covert operations, and law-enforcement ethics.