The Set

Audacy Studios

It’s the crack era. The most violent time in New York City history. The NYPD is fighting a losing battle and instead of protecting the city from drug dealers, some police officers have become them. The Set is a 10 episode, never-before told, first-person documentary of the biggest police corruption scandal in NYPD history and the investigation that uncovered it all. From Zak Levitt, the Emmy, Peabody, and NY Press Club Investigative Journalism Award winning creator of Root of Evil, Gangster Capitalism, and Relative Unknown. read less

Our Editor's Take

The Set podcast tells the story of a dark time in New York City. During the 1980s and early 1990s, New York had a bad reputation for drugs. The situation was so awful that the streets almost became an open market for drug deals. Crime in general was at an all-time high, and the city experienced the most violent year in its history.

Drug dealers weren't the only people residents had to fear. The police, whose job was to protect neighborhoods, became a part of the problem. Some officers devised a plan to benefit from these heinous crimes. Instead of making arrests and getting drugs off the streets, they began robbing the criminals. The Set podcast focuses on Harlem's 30th precinct. Law enforcement arrested 33 officers in that neighborhood and charged them with corruption. The precinct later received the nickname "The Dirty 30." Until now, the details of that story weren't that clear.

Journalist Zak Levitt goes on a mission to expose the full narrative of this corruption. Over the course of ten episodes, he interviews people who were a part of this shameful period in history. These include inside sources who reported on crimes and investigators. Levitt even manages to talk to the corrupt officers themselves on the podcast. He learns about their motivations and reasoning for betraying the law. It is a testament to how peer pressure can make even the most honest person doubt their beliefs.

Levitt's masterful storytelling creates an engaging and thrilling narrative. It is no surprise, as the producer has ample experience with investigative podcasts. Before his current role, he worked with NBA Entertainment and produced long-form content. Levitt has earned numerous accolades for his work. His expert reporting and stellar production skills lead to a captivating piece here. The Set is a podcast that keeps listeners engaged. They may find it hard to switch off from the suspenseful history of this famous city.

read less
Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes