On today’s episode I take a close look at the Reverend Al Sharpton’s work as a confidential informant for the FBI. I discuss his time as CI-7 and how this formed the man that Sharpton would become later in life. I begin with his early years working at Spring Records and how this initiated Sharpton into the world of organized crime. I look at his connections with the Gambino and Genovese crime families, and how an FBI cocaine sting led him to become one of the Bureau most protected and valuable informants. I discuss Sharpton’s relationships with mafioso luminaries such as Joseph “Joe Bananas” Bonanno, Daniel Pagano, Matthew “Matty the Horse” Ianniello, and many others. I also discuss Sharpton’s relationship with heroin trafficker and record producer Robert Curington, who was integral to Sharpton’s fame and power. I also break down how Sharpton’s work informing on the Mafia led to some of the biggest cases in FBI history, including some aimed at Genovese family boss, Vincent “Chin” Gigante. Later I look at allegations that Sharpton was also informing on black revolutionaries and activists during the 1980’s. I explore the allegation that Sharpton was working with the FBI to locate legendary Black Panther Assata Shakur.
Later I discuss Sharpton’s ever evolving public persona and how he may still be working with the government today. I break down how Sharpton has publicly spoken out against ripping off black musicians and the problem of drugs in the black community while simultaneously working with the very people responsible for these crimes. I also point out how several mafia figures and Sharpton himself have been mirrored in the television show The Sopranos. I finish off by ranting about Anthony Wiener, how disgusted I am at the election, and link it to figures like Al Sharpton.
https://porkinspolicyreview.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/ppr-episode-66-al-sharpton-fbi-informant.mp3
Download PPR episode 66
Show Notes:
Al Sharpton’s Secret Work as an FBI Informant: Untold story of how activist once aided Mafia probes
Ahmed Obefemi recalls 1983 meeting with Rev. Al Sharpton and his bugged briefcase
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