In this episode, retired agent Séamus McElearney reviews his investigation of the DeCavalcante crime family—infamously known as “the real Sopranos”—and how he convinced Anthony Capo, a violent soldier in the DeCavalcante family to become the first made member in the family’s century-long history to cooperate with law enforcement.
Capo’s unprecedented move triggered a domino effect of cooperation that ultimately led to the dismantling of the DeCavalcante family.
In all, 71 defendants were convicted, 11 murders were solved, and seven trials transpired. As a result, Séamus and the team received the U.S. Attorney’s Office Director’s Award.
Séamus is the author of Flipping Capo: How the FBI Dismantled the Real Sopranos, in which he shares the behind-the-scenes details about the relationship he built with Anthony Capo over many debriefing and numerous trials.
“When I was debriefing him, he’s just telling me stories of all the crimes that he’s committed over the years like it’s nothing. Here I am sitting there, thinking to myself, this is absolutely nuts. He’s talking about stabbing someone in the eye with a fork. Like all the fights that he was in, so matter of fact. His emotions just didn’t kick in at all.”—Séamus McElearney
Special Agent (retired)
Séamus McElearney
02/1998 – 04/2019
Séamus McElearney served in the FBI for 21 years. His first assignment was to the New York Division’s Organized Crime Squad C-10. Following the six-year investigation of the DeCavalcante family, Séamus was promoted to lead Squad C-38, overseeing the case against the Colombo crime family. Under his leadership, the squad dismantled the Colombos through a series of operations—including spearheading the largest Mafia takedown in FBI history. The Bonanno squad was later merged into C-38 under his command.
As supervisor, Séamus oversaw investigations that led to the conviction of over 200 defendants, resolving 20 murders, and nine successful trials—driven by relentless teamwork.
Throughout his career as an agent and supervisor, Séamus helped convict ten Mafia bosses, recover five bodies, and solve the murder of an NYPD officer. He was part of a historic FBI team that dismantled three organized crime families—an achievement no one else can claim.
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the fight against organized crime, Séamus was invited to the White House in 2013, where he was commended by the President.
His work has earned many honors, including:
- Service to America Medal Finalist
- Federal Executive Board Outstanding Supervisor Award
- NYPD Chief of Detectives Achievement Award
- Federal Law Enforcement Foundation Investigator of the Year
- FBI Medal of Excellence
- Irish Echo Top 50 Leader in Law Enforcement
- Commendations from the Italian National Police and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices of the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
After completing his term as supervisor in 2013, Séamus returned to casework, shifting to violent crime. He led the first-ever RICO indictment against a Mount Vernon street gang, resulting in its dismantlement. In 2016, he transitioned to white-collar, leading numerous fraud investigations until retiring from the FBI in 2019.
Currently, Séamus is the Global Head of Corporate Security for a major financial institution.
The following are links to articles about the dismantlement of the DeCavalcante crime family and the cooperation of Anthony Capo:
New York Times – December 3, 1999: Indictments Describe Reach of New Jersey Crime Family – The New York Times
Ny Daily News – October 20, 2000: N.J. CRIME FAMILY INDICTED Boss, 11 others charged with murder and racketeering – New York Daily News
NY Times – April 20, 2001: New Charges for Mob Family As U.S. Indictment Names 20 – The New York Times
Ny Daily News – August 2, 2001: NAB WISEGUY IN PROBE OF FED LEAKS TO MOB – New York Daily News
NY Daily News – July 26, 2002: Hit man’s confessions Mob turncoat tells court of his blood-soaked life – New York Daily News
New York Post – 1/25/2012: Mob rat squeals no more
NY Post – May 1, 2003: MOB HIT A GAY SLAY – N.J. MAFIA BOSS KILLED OVER HOMOSEXUAL CLUB ROMPS
NY Post – May 1, 2003: MOBSTER SLEEPS WITH THE SWISHES
NY Post – May 17, 2003: DIRTY COP IN FOR 12
NY Post – October 7, 2003: BURY CLEVER MOBSTERS – TWO-DECK COFFINS HIDE DEAD
The Daily Telegraph (London) – October 8, 2003: Mobsters ‘used two-tier coffins’
To learn more about the DeCavalcante crime family, listen to FBI Case File Review episode 236: Giovanni Rocco and Anthony Zampogna – Taking Down the Real Sopranos, DeCavalcante Mob Family.
.
