American scandal uses dramatizations that are based on true events.

Some elements, including dialogue, might be invented, but everything is based on historical research.

It's a sweltering summer's day in 1986, outside the 19th Hall Bar in Brooklyn.

Anthony Gaspipe Casso stands on the sidewalk in the shadow of the bar, deep in conversation with three associates from the Lucchese crime family.

Short but powerfully built, 44-year-old Caso is a made man, and one of the Lucchese crime family. Short but powerfully built,

44-year-old Casso is a made man and one of the Lucchese's top enforcers.

He and the other men have serious business to discuss.

The boss of the family has been arrested by the police,

and it looks like he might be going away for a long time.

But their conversation falls silent when the owner of a nearby Chinese restaurant rushes up.

He's agitated and tells the mobsters that a few drunk guys have brought a Doberman into his place

and the dog is terrorizing his customers.

The mobsters send one of their men from the bar to take care of it, and a few minutes

later, he emerges from the restaurant

with the two troublemakers and their dog. But the Doberman is still barking and snarling,

jumping up at the Lucchasey man. Casso recognizes the kid holding the leash. He's a tall, red-headed

guy named Jimmy Hydele. He's worked tall, red-headed guy named Jimmy Heidel.

He's worked for Casso before on a few jobs.

So Casso turns to his associate.

All right, excuse me, fellas.

I've got to take care of this.

Casso walks over.

...