CROOK COUNTY is a gripping true-crime podcast that unravels the shocking double life of Ken Tekiela—a respected Chicago firefighter and devoted father who secretly worked as a hitman for the Chicago Outfit. For over two decades, he concealed his dark past from his family, until a fateful confession in 2013 shattered the illusion and changed everything.
Through firsthand accounts and in-depth investigation, the podcast chronicles Ken’s rise from a teenage whorehouse doorman to a ruthless assassin, detailing his years of covering up crimes for both the mafia and corrupt law enforcement—all while serving as a firefighter and paramedic. It also explores his desperate attempt to leave it all behind, building a life in the suburbs with his wife and children, only to have the past come crashing back. CROOK COUNTY is a deeply personal and chilling exploration of crime, deception, and its lasting impact on one family.
