Organized crime continues to operate despite the efforts of law enforcement to stop it. But what if corrupt police officers were bribed to assist criminals, or even to commit murder on their behalf?

This scenario unfolded in New York City during the mid-1980s when two NYPD detectives, Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, provided crucial information to mafia leaders from the Lucchese and Gambino families. They didn’t just tip them off about investigations; they also carried out hits for the mob. These shocking and far-reaching events are the focus of Michael Cannell’s “Blood and the Badge: The Mafia, Two Killer Cops, and a Scandal That Shocked the Nation,” which has recently been published by Minotaur Books.

Cannell, whose diverse body of nonfiction works includes a biography of architect I.M. Pei (“I.M. Pei: Mandarin of Modernism”) and the story of racing driver Phil Hill’s 1961 championship (“The Limit”), revisits crime in “Blood and the Badge.” This new book follows the gripping narrative of “A Brotherhood Betrayed,” which detailed the rise of the criminal organization known as Murder, Inc.

YSL News conducted an engaging interview with Cannell, where he shared insights on his reasons for revisiting Mafia stories, any fears he had while researching his book, and whether a similar police betrayal could occur in 2025. The conversation has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Question: Why are you writing about the Mafia again?

Cannell: “A Brotherhood Betrayed” looked at a time when organized crime became well-organized. “Blood” serves as a counterpoint, showcasing when organized crime began to fall apart. The Mafia was truly established in the 1930s but started to unravel in the 1990s for various reasons, including Rudy Giuliani’s (then U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York) use of previously overlooked RICO laws, which led to racketeering convictions for high-profile mobsters.

So, does the Mafia as described in your book still exist?

I rode around Bensonhurst with a former hitman from the Colombo family and asked him this. I expected him to say “No,” but to my surprise, he confirmed that the Mafia still operates, particularly in loan sharking and gambling. However, their methods are less violent than in the past, primarily due to the ubiquity of security cameras. A retired detective explained that cameras and RICO laws effectively dismantled the Mafia. Essentially, you can’t abduct someone in public without leaving a trail of video evidence.

Did you ever feel unsafe while researching, even though this story is about events that occurred around 20 years ago?

No, I didn’t feel threatened. I did agree to alter the names of a few informants at the suggestion of retired law enforcement officials for their safety. While this went against my journalistic instincts, their well-being was a priority. Personally, I felt no danger. The Mafia follows certain rules; they typically don’t harm outsiders. They mainly target their own. However, there are some former mobsters recently released from prison who are violent and unpredictable, which is concerning.

The story contains a lot of violence and brutality. How did you cope with that? Did it trouble you at night?

I have a low tolerance for violence in real life, and I find it unappealing on TV and in films. However, when it comes to writing, I don’t mind the violence on the page. In writing a book, you need to keep the reader engaged, especially in today’s fast-paced world. For instance, if someone is strangled in a florist’s basement in Staten Island, that provides a compelling hook that captures attention. It also serves as a vivid depiction of the violent lifestyle that was routine back then.

Could the kind of corruption seen in the NYPD or other major city police departments happen today?

Corruption within the NYPD appears to be cyclical; it comes and goes. This narrative takes place during a peak corruption era. The case of Eppolito and Caracappa—detectives working for and murdering for the Mafia—is unprecedented, shocking even for those in law enforcement. Many detectives I spoke with were in disbelief when these allegations surfaced.

What motivated them to commit these crimes?

Louis Eppolito came from a distinguished Mafia family; his father, Fat the Gangster, and uncle, Jimmy the Clam, were influential capos. Eppolito rebelled against his father’s abusive behavior by joining the police force, but eventually, he was drawn back into the Mafia’s orbit—it’s a common theme where individuals feel an irresistible pull toward their family. For Caracappa, his motivations are more complex—he lacked a Mafia background but had a criminal disposition. Some sources suggested he was primarily driven by money, but I believe he also relished outsmarting the police.

Will you write a third book about the Mafia or consider this the last?

I’m ambivalent about returning to this topic. On one hand, I’m unsure how many times I can explore the Mafia. On the other hand, writing about the Mafia encompasses themes of life, family, love, betrayal, and camaraderie. It’s reminiscent of “The Godfather” and all of Shakespeare’s narratives. So, who knows what might come next?