Behind Every Successful Don, There's A Donna - And She's Ready To Talk! Investigation Discovery Premieres The Second Season Of I MARRIED A MOBSTER On August 15 At 10 PM (E/P)

SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- They say when you marry a man, you're marrying his family too, but these ladies didn't realize they were signing up for a family. Investigation Discovery's hit series I MARRIED A MOBSTER returns this August to reveal true stories of being a Mrs. in the mafia, from the riches of the rise to the ferocity of the fall. Each half-hour episode sits down with one woman as she recounts the fast-paced and dangerous lifestyle of being a first lady in the mob, whether she knew what she was signing up for or got the surprise of a lifetime when the feds came knocking. The second season of I MARRIED A MOBSTER premieres on Wednesday, August 15 at 10 and 10:30 PM (E/P) on Investigation Discovery, with the premiere episode featuring the story of Lindsey Cyr, Whitey Bulger's ex who reveals how the "love of her life" transformed into the FBI's most wanted man.

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"The women in I MARRIED A MOBSTER literally dance with the devil: they are strong, resilient and fierce. Indeed, their stories will leave viewers wondering what gets mobsters into more hot water: crossing their Dons, or their Donnas!" said Henry Schleiff, president and general manager of Investigation Discovery. "In a world where death before dishonor is a vow, we realize that by appearing in this series on ID, these women must now live in real danger, so we are particularly grateful to them for sharing their stories with our viewers."

Expanding beyond the New York mafia, the new season of I MARRIED A MOBSTER tells of mob families across the country, from Boston, Philadelphia and even Las Vegas. Episodes profile women such as a wife who transformed from goomah to boss' consigliere, another who became a Kodak Girl turned skilled getaway driver, and one who had to choose between testifying against her husband... or John Gotti, Jr. Full episodes this season include:

Breaking Bulger  
Lindsey Cyr's Story Premieres Wednesday, August 15 at 10 PM  
When 21-year-old Lindsey Cyr falls in love with 36-year-old James "Whitey" Bulger, she has no idea the man she has fallen for will soon become one of Boston's most infamous criminals. Madly in love, Cyr finds herself not only pregnant, but also caught in the middle of a Boston mob war. Regardless of the danger, the birth of the couple's son brings happiness for them both, and Bulger is an adoring father from the moment he lays eyes on him. But when the boy suddenly dies of an allergic reaction at 6-and-a-half years old, the grief is too much. With a vow to "never hurt like this again," Bulger begins his final transformation into a cold-hearted killer that will soon make him the FBI's most wanted man. For the first time since his arrest, Cyr reveals what life was like with her "Jimmy," the man she calls brilliant, a fabulous lover, a wonderful father, and the love of her life.

Scarred for Life 
Toni Marie Fappiano's Story Premieres Wednesday, August 15 at 10:30 PM  
Toni Marie Fappiano grew up in a big, loud, and loving Italian family surrounded by macho Neapolitan men, including her loving father. So it's no surprise when she falls for the handsome and charming Michael "Mikey Scars" DiLeonardo. But Fappiano gets a wakeup call when her cousin is murdered in a mob-related bombing, and it isn't long before she realizes that not all the men in her life are as dependable as her father. After her husband rats out fellow mobster John Gotti, Jr., Fappiano is left to choose between taking the stand against Gotti or her husband. But after discovering that her husband had a child with his mistress, the decision isn't too difficult for Fappiano in the end.

The Rule Breaker  
Sharon McDonnell's Story Premieres Wednesday, August 22 at 10 PM  
Sharon McDonnell is beautiful, feisty, and independent, but her life takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself knocked up and mobbed up. A shotgun wedding to her boyfriend brings McDonnell into the family of mobster Carmine Fiore, but it isn't long before a battle rages between this headstrong Irish girl and her godfather-in-law and she flees. Continuing on her mobster streak, McDonnell falls into the arms of yet another wise guy, the notorious Ronnie One Arm. After their differences, and despite Ronnie's warnings, McDonnell thinks third time's a charm when she starts dating mobster Joe Cali. But when the danger and abuse become too much, she flees New York to start a new life in a secret location. Just when McDonnell thinks she's safe and escaped her dance with the devil, the phone rings and it's a number she knows all too well.

It's Me or the Mob 
Nancy Esposito's Story Premieres Wednesday, August 22 at 10:30 PM  
When Nancy Esposito meets restaurant owner Michael Delucia, she thinks he's funny and charming. After they get married, Esposito is sure she has it all… until she comes home to find the FBI searching her house. It's a wake-up call that forces her to take a hard look at her husband and the life he's leading. As she comes to terms with who her husband really is, she delivers him an ultimatum: choose between their family or the mafia family.

Stunt Lady  
Georgia Durante's Story Premieres Wednesday, August 29 at 10 PM  
Modeling just wasn't enough for the beautiful Georgia Durante, who had a taste for speed and was a frequent competitor in local drag races. When her mob friends discover her skill, they put her to work driving getaway cars for notorious mob boss Carlo Gambino. Now a part of the mob's inner circle, Durante meets club owner Joe Lamendola. He sweeps her off her feet, but as soon as they say I do, her prince charming turns into the prince of darkness. Durante finds herself thrust down a road of constant violence that won't end until one of them is dead.

No Way Out  
Lynda Milito's Story Premieres Wednesday, August 29 at 10:30 PM  
As childhood sweethearts, Lynda was a Jewish Juliet to Louie Milito's Italian Romeo. But Lynda had no idea when they got married that she was setting herself up for heartache, with Louie's ties to the Gambino mob going deeper than she could ever have imagined. When he's caught in a power struggle with the mob's "Prince of Darkness," Sammy Gravano, Lynda forces Louie to make the ultimate decision: it's her or the mob. The choice has unintended consequences and sends Lynda on a lifelong quest to uncover the truth behind her husband's mysterious disappearance.

Street Smart 
Ruthann Seccio's Story Premieres Wednesday, September 5 at 10 PM  
Ruthann Seccio didn't have an ideal childhood. At the age of 12, "less than ideal turns" to "nightmare" when she's raped and arrested for a crime she didn't commit. By the time justice is served and Seccio is released, she survives on the streets of Philadelphia using her street smarts to get her through. At 23, Seccio sets out to find a better life, catching the attention of Philly's mob boss, Ralph Natale. Despite their 35-year age difference, his status as a married man and her friendship with his daughter, Seccio gives into Natale's advances. But after she becomes his most trusted confidant and after he becomes a rat, the love affair not only puts her life on the line but also threatens to destroy the Philly mob all together.

Jekyll and Hyde  
Maryann Walker's Story Premieres Wednesday, September 12 at 10 PM  
Maryann Walker has a promising career as a paralegal, yet when it comes to men she's losing case after case. When she meets handsome Frank Annunziata, Maryann's sure her luck has changed. He wines and dines her, charming the girl with flowers and gifts for her parents and, within weeks, she's moved in. But as soon as she's hooked, Frank changes his tune. Maryann soon finds herself living a nightmare, trapped in an abusive relationship and afraid of what Frank might do to her friends and family. A surprising discovery gives Maryann the strength she needs to fight back, but will it be enough?

Vegas Rag Doll  
Wendy Mazaros's Story Premieres Wednesday, September 19 at 10 PM 
When teenager Wendy Mazaros runs away from her Vegas home, she sets a series of tragic events in motion. Wendy's boyfriend, Teddy Binion, hides her at his father's casino until he hands her over to a friend, where she soon finds herself imprisoned in a brothel in Texas. After weeks as a sex slave, she risks her life and escapes only to wind up back in Vegas with Binion passing her over like a trophy to Tom Hanley, the most notorious hit man in Vegas. Trapped in her new life, terrified, and acting as a "silent witness" to Hanley, Wendy struggles to survive within the circle of terror. Wendy's story paints a vivid portrait of the final years of organized crime in Las Vegas from her front-row seat to tragedy, and profiles a woman with a knack for survival.

Locked Up Love  
Gina Lynch's Story Premieres Wednesday, September 26 at 10 PM 
When Gina meets Vinny Lynch, she sacrifices everything for love. Even after the FBI moves in on Vinny for racketeering, Gina stands by her man. Despite being behind bars at a maximum security prison, the two have a child together. In a cruel twist of fate, his twenty year RICO sentence turns into a death sentence. Even after Gina stands by her man through it all, after nine and a half years, Vinny comes home in a box to his loyal wife.

The Outsiders 
Christine Mazza's Story Premieres Wednesday, October 3 at 10 PM 
When Christine meets Larry Mazza, it's love at first sight. But little did Christine know that as they build their lives together – getting married, having a child, and starting their own business – Mazza holds onto a secret. It's one so dangerous that it will not only threaten their marriage, but ultimately put the lives of their entire family on the line. When the truth hits the papers, Christine must face the facts about the man she thought she knew so well.

Forgive & Forget
Dawn Trentacosta's Story Premieres Wednesday, October 10 at 10 PM 
Dawn Trentacosta learns the mafia ropes in mob-heavy Howard Beach. At a mob hangout where her mother works as a hostess, Dawn meets Anthony Trentacosta, a rising star in the Gambino family. He's a charmer and showers Dawn with luxuries she's never known. Like every neighborhood girl, she doesn't ask where the dough is coming from. She just keeps quiet and enjoys the ride. But when Dawn suspects that Anthony is not only running an escort service but that he's using it too, this obedient girl unleashes fury. Her thirst for revenge, however, is cut short when Anthony is hauled off to prison.

Each episode also features insider commentary from Richard Stratton, author of "Godfather and Son." This Playboy article focused on the relationship between John Gotti, Jr., and his notorious father, boss of the Gambino crime family, and won the 2011 New York Press Club Award for crime reporting. Stratton's fiction and journalism have appeared in numerous magazines including GQ, Esquire, Details, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Spin, Penthouse, Playboy, and Story Magazine. Nation Books published his latest book, Altered States of America: Outlaws and Icons, Hitmakers and Hitmen, in October 2005. Prior to publishing, Stratton spent more than eight years in prison, convicted for conspiracy to import with intent to distribute marijuana and hashish. After he was released in 1990, Stratton went on to become the publisher of Prison Life Magazine before taking on various roles in the entertainment industry as a writer, director, publisher, and editor-in-chief. Stratton is now the owner of Big House, Inc., a film and television production company.

I MARRIED A MOBSTER is produced by Kaufman Films for Investigation Discovery. At Kaufman Films, Kevin Kaufman, Dan Pearson, Beth Fraikorn and Andrea Eisen are executive producers. For Investigation Discovery, Pamela Deutsch is executive producer, Sara Kozak is senior vice president of production and Henry Schleiff is president and general manager.

About Investigation Discovery  
Investigation Discovery (ID) is America's leading investigation network and the fastest-growing network in television. As the source for fact-based analytical content and compelling human stories, ID probes factors that challenge our everyday understanding of culture, society and the human condition. ID delivers the highest-quality programming to nearly 79 million U.S. households with viewer favorites that include On the Case with Paula Zahn, Disappeared, Unusual Suspects and Stolen Voices, Buried Secrets. For more information, please visit InvestigationDiscovery.com, facebook.com/InvestigationDiscovery, or twitter.com/DiscoveryID.  Investigation Discovery is part of Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world's #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in 210 countries and territories.

Please visit the Press Website at http://press.discovery.com/us/id/programs/i-married-mobster/ for additional press materials, online screeners, and photography.

SOURCE Investigation Discovery