In 1977, things were going well for Lou Peters—he was living the American dream with his wife and three daughters, running a successful Cadillac dealership in Lodi, California. And in June of that year, he got an offer he couldn’t refuse.
A man approached Peters expressing interest in buying the dealership. When told it wasn’t for sale, the man was insistent, telling Peters to “name any price.” Finally, Peters said he would sell it for $2 million—nearly twice what the business was worth. The man accepted—then told Peters that the buyer was none other than Joseph Bonnano, Sr., head of the Bonnano organized crime family, who wanted the dealership to launder the family’s illegal funds.
Initially taken aback upon learning of mafia involvement, Peters eventually agreed to the sale, recounting, “I didn’t understand why these people wanted to come into our county. And I wanted to find out.” He then went to a local police chief and told him what had happened. When the chief asked what he was going to do next, Peters replied, “Well, I’m going to the FBI.”
And to the FBI he went, telling all. The FBI saw an opportunity to take down Bonnano and asked Peters for help. He was on board. “I felt it was the right thing to do, and I just did it,” he said.
Over the next nearly two years, Peters played the part of a corrupt businessman, gaining remarkable access to the Bonnano family and even becoming a close companion of Joseph Bonnano, Sr. To gain his confidence, Peters recalled saying something to “the old man” along the lines of, “Well, this should really bring me into the family”—to which Bonnano replied, “Lou, you’re already in the family.”
Through it all, Peters never took his eye off the ball—gathering evidence, secretly recording conversations, and debriefing agents on what he had learned. And his efforts weren’t without personal sacrifice…besides the risk to his life, he had to obtain a (temporary) legal separation from his wife not only to protect his family but also to have a credible reason to move out of his house—and into an apartment that was being monitored by the FBI.
In the end, Peters got what we needed. When he told Bonnano—during a recorded call—that he had been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury regarding his dealings with the family, the old man directed him to destroy any records that could be linked back to him and his associates. Peters took the tape to the FBI agent on the case. While listening to it, the agent jumped up and said, “You got him!”
Thanks to Lou Peters, Joseph Bonnano, Sr. was found guilty of obstructing justice and sentenced to five years in prison—the first felony conviction in the mob boss’ long life of crime.
To show its appreciation, in October 1980 the FBI presented Peters with an award for his selfless and valiant actions…an award that has been granted annually for the past 30 years as the Louis E. Peters Memorial Service Award, bestowed upon the citizen who best exemplifies the standards set by Peters in providing service to the FBI and the nation.
Shortly before his death in 1981, Peters said, “I was very proud of what I did for my country.” The country is very proud of him, too. Thanks, Lou Peters.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
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.
, 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.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, October 15, 2012
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.
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.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
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