TOKYO JOE: THE MOBSTER WHO SURVIVED A HIT AND TURNED FBI INFORMANT

Cinemavixion Review

This episode of "The New Chicago Mob" plunges into the shadowy world of organized crime, focusing on the compelling, true-life saga of "Tokyo Joe." The narrative skillfully unpacks the rise of Ken Ito within the Chicago Outfit during the tumultuous 1980s, detailing his extensive illegal gambling enterprises and his surprising, yet crucial, alliances with black street gangs. The story takes a dramatic turn with the attempted assassination of Tokyo Joe, a moment that pivots his journey towards becoming an informant. The series effectively illustrates the high-stakes betrayals and power struggles inherent in the mob world, culminating in Joe's pivotal cooperation with federal authorities. His testimony proved instrumental in dismantling networks of corrupt police officers and fellow mobsters, leaving an indelible mark on Chicago's criminal underworld. This is a fascinating, albeit grim, look at survival, justice, and the complex consequences of turning informant.