iHeartPodcasts and Tenderfoot TV Unveil ''Crook County''

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | 4:35pm CT

''Crook County''

iHeartPodcasts, in collaboration with Tenderfoot TV, is set to launch "Crook County" on February 11. This true crime podcast series offers an look into the double life of Ken "The Kid" Tekiela, a reputed Chicago firefighter who also served as a mafia hitman. The eight-part series is hosted by Ken's real-life son, Kyle Tekiela, an award-winning filmmaker.

Ken Tekiela, who was affectionately known in crime circles as "the Kid," managed to conceal his involvement with the Chicago mafia from his family and friends for over twenty years. His dual life unraveled in 2013 when he confided his past to his son, Kyle. This podcast traces Ken's journey from his beginnings as a brothel doorman to becoming a ruthless hitman and later a firefighter and paramedic, dealing with the mafia's messes alongside corrupt police officers.

"Shocking doesn't begin to cover the reaction I had when my father finally told me the truth about his past," Kyle Tekiela expressed. He described the discovery of his father's secret life as a painful yet healing journey for their family, mending decades-old wounds.

Kyle Tekiela, besides hosting "Crook County," is a five-time Emmy Award winner and co-founder of Common Enemy. He has been recognized for his role in producing critically acclaimed films such as "Mudbound," which premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for several Academy Awards.

"Crook County" will premiere its first two episodes on February 11, with subsequent episodes released weekly. The series is available on the iHeartRadio app and other podcast platforms. The co-production by iHeartPodcasts and Tenderfoot TV seeks to provide an in-depth look at the impact of crime on one man's family and community.