Organized crime formed part of the political, economic, and social fabric of Kansas City for much of the 20th century; and the mob’s power was never greater than in the three decades it was ruled by Nick Civella.

Longtime FBI agent William Ouseley discusses his new book The Civella Crime Family of Kansas City and explains how the Kansas City mob burst into the public eye in the 1970s. Bodies wound up in car trunks, foes opened fire on each other in restaurants, and buildings were blown up.

This presentation is part of the Missouri Valley Speakers Series.