Crossword Genius

Villains well-connected in this working group? (5,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chain gang

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'villains well-connected in this working group?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both groups as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'working group?' is the wordplay.
'working' becomes 'chain' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'group?' becomes 'gang' (a gang is a group of people).
'chain'+'gang'='CHAIN-GANG'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for chain gang that I've seen before include "penal group" , "Linked prisoners" , "Manacled workers" , "Convicts forced to work" , "Shackled workers?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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