I was in the witness protection from 1973 to 1981 AMA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone interested in this should listen to the two recent episodes about this in the Criminal podcast. I’d lean towards not a troll because most of her answers are very consistent with that.

I am curious about what sort of crime “family” this was that literally and figuratively died out and didn’t go after women and children. A non-Italian criminal organization?Like Armenian or Russian?

Just came on here to mention the Criminal Podcast episodes, so good!

[Anonymous]

I live in Fargo, ND. In the late 80s there was an obit for a guy who had died 6 months before and had been in witness protection. Got the impression the 6 month delay in publishing the obit was for that reason. He was from Chicago and involved in mob crime. He and his wife divorced, one son (idk if there were more kids) went into the program with him. Ten years or so later I saw a self-published "book" -- written kind of zine-like--on the counter at a local coffee house, that book was by the son describing his life in the program (starting when he was about 10-11). At one point there was a custody battle which made headlines in Chicago, I don't remember how that was handled because the dad and the kid were already in the program, I think the mom wanted custody.

[Anonymous]

Did they provide you with all new fake documents? Birth certificate, passports, immunization records, etc.? Do you have a point of contact who checks up on you to see how things are going?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was it a big adjustment financially? Were you parents loaded and then they had to be frugal?

Op here. It was hard at first because we couldn't take anything but our clothes. No furniture, no sports equipment, no decor, nothing. They gave us a furnished apartment at first and a flat lump sum for towels and sheets and hair dryers and household things like that. My mom was so much happier bc whatever dad and her earned was clean and safe. She didn't mind any downsizing and welcomed the fresh start. My dad missed his cars and his golf clubs and all of that stuff.

What happened to your old house and all your old stuff?

[Anonymous]

Did your family have to sign some sort of contract outlining the terms of the WP agreement? Other than committing a crime, were there other terms that could get you kicked out of the program if you violated?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hasidic?

+1. This is what I was wondering. Or MO?

For those of us who are not in the know can you explain why people are guessing Hasidic?

[Anonymous]

And what is MO?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone interested in this should listen to the two recent episodes about this in the Criminal podcast. I’d lean towards not a troll because most of her answers are very consistent with that.

I am curious about what sort of crime “family” this was that literally and figuratively died out and didn’t go after women and children. A non-Italian criminal organization?Like Armenian or Russian?

Just came on here to mention the Criminal Podcast episodes, so good!

I love the Criminal podcast so much!

I also don't think OP is a troll because her answers line up with a friend who grew up in WP. He was just 18 months when they went in so from then to age 10, his WP identity and life was all he knew. I'm not sure if his dad committed any crime directly or did and then got a conscious about it and informed on his boss. It was white collar and financial based, I know that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And what is MO?

MO=Modern Orthodox Judaism

[Anonymous]

What is your relationship with grandparents and other relatives now?

[Anonymous]

Come back OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hasidic?

+1. This is what I was wondering. Or MO?

For those of us who are not in the know can you explain why people are guessing Hasidic?

I was wondering the same!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was it a big adjustment financially? Were you parents loaded and then they had to be frugal?

Op here. It was hard at first because we couldn't take anything but our clothes. No furniture, no sports equipment, no decor, nothing. They gave us a furnished apartment at first and a flat lump sum for towels and sheets and hair dryers and household things like that. My mom was so much happier bc whatever dad and her earned was clean and safe. She didn't mind any downsizing and welcomed the fresh start. My dad missed his cars and his golf clubs and all of that stuff.

What happened to your sentimental items (e.g. baby photos, great-great-grandma's wedding ring, etc.)?

[Anonymous]

There are practically no Jews in ND at all. I'm guessing if you want to blend in you certainly don't become Jewish at all, let alone Hasidic or MO.

[Anonymous]

Ops dad could’ve been part of a car theft ring type of crime.