The Racketeer by John Grisham is Released Today

Given the importance of what they do, and the controversies that often surround them, and the violent people they sometimes confront, it is remarkable that in the history of this country only four active federal judges have been murdered.

Judge Raymond Fawcett has just become number five.

Who is The Racketeer? And what does he have to do with the judge’s untimely demise? His name, for the moment, is Malcolm Bannister. Job status? Former attorney. Current residence? The Federal Prison Camp near Frostburg, Maryland.

On paper, Malcolm’s situation isn’t looking too good these days, but he’s got an ace up his sleeve. He knows who killed Judge Fawcett, and he knows why. The judge’s body was found in his remote lakeside cabin. There was no forced entry, no struggle, just two dead bodies: Judge Fawcett and his young secretary. And one large, state-of-the-art, extremely secure safe, opened and emptied.

What was in the safe? The FBI would love to know. And Malcolm Bannister would love to tell them. But everything has a price—especially information as explosive as the sequence of events that led to Judge Fawcett’s death. And the Racketeer wasn’t born yesterday . . .

Nothing is as it seems and everything’s fair game in this wickedly clever new novel from John Grisham, the undisputed master of the legal thriller.

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Skinny Joey Merlino, Former Philly Mob Boss, Calls "Jersey Shore" Guys a Disgrace to Italians

Ex-Philadelphia mafia boss "Skinny Joey" Merlino -- who served 12 years in federal prison for racketeering -- says the guys from "Jersey Shore" are a big, fat "disgrace to the Italians" ... seriously.

Merlino -- who was released from the slammer last year -- was at LAX yesterday, where he was picked up from the airport by Howard Stern's favorite mob family member Johnny Fratto.

It's unclear why Joey is in L.A. -- but as Johnny drove off with Merlino riding shotgun, he picked an interesting song choice to bump in his car ... Elton John's "Philadelphia Freedom."

FYI -- Merlino was rumored to have been a heavy gambler before he got locked up ... and when we asked if he had any advice for Harvey (who's been getting killed with his NFL picks) ... "Skinny Joey" had one solid piece of advice ... and it involves one Thomas Edward Patrick Brady.

Thanks to TMZ.

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NCTC Praises Service of IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman

As expected, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced last week that commissioner Doug Shulman would be stepping down when his term expires next month.

On Thursday, the National Community Tax Coalition (NCTC) -- the nation’s largest membership organization of groups offering free tax preparation and asset-building services for low-income families -- praised the dedication to diversity and inclusion that Shulman showed in his administration of the federal government’s tax-collection and -enforcement agency.

“The community tax preparation field has long been able to count on Commissioner Shulman’s commitment to quality and efficiency in the IRS’ operations,” said Jackie Lynn Coleman, executive director of NCTC. “Commissioner Shulman was dedicated to inclusion – inviting individuals from all across the spectrum to discuss the impact of any policy changes and offering ideas on how best to serve American taxpayers. Low- and moderate-income families, in particular, could count on the commissioner’s consideration while moving the IRS forward.”

Commissioners are nominated by the President, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Shulman, who was confirmed in 2008, will officially leave the IRS on Nov. 9. Steven Miller – who currently is deputy commissioner for services and enforcement – was named acting commissioner.

“NCTC wishes to congratulate Mr. Shulman on his effective years as IRS commissioner and wish him good luck in future endeavors. We look forward to continuing our work with acting Commissioner Miller to further serve low- and moderate-income taxpayers.”

The National Community Tax Coalition is the nation's largest, most comprehensive membership organization for community-based organizations offering free tax and financial services to low-income working families. The coalition and its national network of members are dedicated to strengthening economies, building communities, and improving lives through tax assistance and asset building activities that produce financial security, protect families and promote economic justice.

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Sons of Anarchy New Season

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Mob Hit Site "Purple Hotel" to Get Extreme Makeover

There are plans for a major makeover at the site of one of the most infamous mob hits in Chicago history. A development company recently purchased Lincolnwood's famous "Purple Hotel", and plans to make it the anchor of a new restaurant and retail complex. The building has sat empty for five years.

"It'll be attractive, and because it has such great heritage with having this iconic structure behind it, it should do pretty well," Mayor Gerald Turry said.

Part of that heritage is rooted in Chicago Outfit history. Teamsters lawyer Allen Dorfman was gunned down by two men in the Purple Hotel's parking lot in January of 1983. The month before, Dorfman was convicted along with Chicago Outfit leader Joey "The Clown" Lombardo of trying to bribe a Nevada U.S. Senator, as part of the mob's takeover of several Las Vegas casinos.

Art Bilek of the Chicago Crime Commission was a detective who worked dozens of mob cases. He says Dorfman was assassinated because the Outfit feared he'd talk to get a lighter sentence. "Of course he was going to talk. There was no question about it, so he had to go," Bilek said.

Now, nearly 30 years later, the Purple Hotel may soon be back in business. But, it may have one more mob story to tell, first. The new owners say they've been contacted by location scouts for the FOX series "The Mob Doctor" about possibly using the hotel in an upcoming episode.

Thanks to Dane Placko.

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