Crook County

Tenderfoot TV
Crook County

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Ken Tekiela was a celebrated Chicago firefighter and a loving father of two who led a secret double life as a hitman for the Chicago mafia. Is it even possible to keep a life of crime hidden from your wife and kids for two decades? Yes, it is. I know because Ken is my father. In 2013, after a lifetime of deception, he broke down and told me everything, and our whole world changed… CROOK COUNTY is the shocking true-crime podcast about my father's rise through the ranks of the legendary organized crime syndicate, the Chicago Outfit. From whorehouse doorman at the age of 17, to ruthless assassin in his 20's, and the many years that followed covering up crimes for the mafia and crooked cops alike while working as a firefighter/paramedic for the Chicago Fire Department. To finally, moving to the suburbs with his new wife and kids and trying desperately to put it all behind him, until it all came crashing down. We explore in great depth and detail my father’s life of crime and its profound and lasting impact on my family to this very day. From Tenderfoot TV and iHeartPodcasts, I’m Kyle Tekiela, welcome to CROOK COUNTY.

  1. 1 | Give Me Your F**kin Money

    EPISODE 1

    1 | Give Me Your F**kin Money

    Meet Kenny “The Kid”, a Chicago mafia soldier and hitman for nearly 25 years. After hearing a brutal firsthand account of a mafia hit, we learn how and why Kenny was recruited as 17 year old kid, explore the history of the legendary Chicago Outfit, and reveal a devastating truth that reverberates to this very day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 min
  2. 2 | The Ties That Bind Us

    EPISODE 2

    2 | The Ties That Bind Us

    With the help of some old home videos, Kyle embarks on a journey to the past to uncover the family secret and try to pick up the pieces of a broken home. Kyle's mom, Holly, tells the harrowing story of an idyllic family destined to fall apart, and the exact moment where everything changed. Kyle's brother, Kory, reveals the violent relationship he had with Ken. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    37 min
  3. 3 | Coming Clean

    EPISODE 3

    3 | Coming Clean

    Ken walks us through his current day-to-day as he attempts to atone for his life of crime. Then we dive back into the past to his first years inside the mob -- dealing drugs and helping with collections. We meet to a few key mafia characters like “Old Man” Genarro, the Chop Shop King. Kenny gets his first big promotion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min
  4. 4 | Keeper Of A House Of Prostitution

    EPISODE 4

    4 | Keeper Of A House Of Prostitution

    Ken settles into his new life in The Outfit. We meet the working girls and some more mafia goons, and learn the ins and outs of how a house of prostitution is run. A robbery at the club puts Kenny in The Outfit’s crosshairs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    31 min
  5. 5 | Bully

    EPISODE 5

    5 | Bully

    We meet a new mafia boss who gives Ken orders for his first hit. Ken's twin brother Rich shares stories of their troubled youth. Ken discovers a new hobby that helps him cope with his demons. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min
  6. 6 | Fire In The Sky

    EPISODE 6

    6 | Fire In The Sky

    Kenny witnesses American Airlines Flight 191 crashing out of O’Hare Airport killing everyone on board and reveals a newfound purpose. Things take a dark turn when a girl disappears and Ken takes matters into his own hands. The Turf Wars rage in the streets of Chicago. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min
  7. 7 | The Devil Won't Leave Me Alone

    EPISODE 7

    7 | The Devil Won't Leave Me Alone

    Like the old saying goes, “Just when I think I’m out, they pull me back in!”, Ken achieves his goal of becoming a firefighter and paramedic and negotiates his way out of the outfit, but he soon realizes that life as a civilian isn’t as clean as he hoped it would be. Ken and Holly restart their relationship and settle down in the quiet suburbs to try and start a new life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    31 min
  8. 8 | The Rear View Mirror

    EPISODE 8

    8 | The Rear View Mirror

    Ken's new civilian life has a fiery collision with the underworld resulting in death and destruction. A life full of secrets takes its toll on the family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 min

  9. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Welcome to Crook County (Official Trailer)

    Welcome to Crook County, a den of thieves, where a celebrated firefighter, husband and loving father led a secret double life as a hitman for the legendary organized crime syndicate, the Chicago Outfit. A secret that shattered his family. From Tenderfoot TV and iHeart Podcasts, Crook County is coming February 11th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    2 min

  10. BONUS

    Inside Crook County: Behind the Mic with Kyle Tekiela

    Your backstage pass to Crook County. In this candid interview, host & producer Kyle Tekiela shares some honest details that were too raw for the show, and talks music, family, burnout, and the making of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    44 min
See All Season 1 (10)

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Hosts & Guests

About

Ken Tekiela was a celebrated Chicago firefighter and a loving father of two who led a secret double life as a hitman for the Chicago mafia. Is it even possible to keep a life of crime hidden from your wife and kids for two decades? Yes, it is. I know because Ken is my father. In 2013, after a lifetime of deception, he broke down and told me everything, and our whole world changed… CROOK COUNTY is the shocking true-crime podcast about my father's rise through the ranks of the legendary organized crime syndicate, the Chicago Outfit. From whorehouse doorman at the age of 17, to ruthless assassin in his 20's, and the many years that followed covering up crimes for the mafia and crooked cops alike while working as a firefighter/paramedic for the Chicago Fire Department. To finally, moving to the suburbs with his new wife and kids and trying desperately to put it all behind him, until it all came crashing down. We explore in great depth and detail my father’s life of crime and its profound and lasting impact on my family to this very day. From Tenderfoot TV and iHeartPodcasts, I’m Kyle Tekiela, welcome to CROOK COUNTY.

Information

  • Channel
    Tenderfoot TV
  • Creator
    Tenderfoot TV and iHeartPodcasts
  • Episodes
    11
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    2025 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Crook County
  • Provider
    Tenderfoot TV

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