History's First African American Drug Kingpin, Frank Matthews, is Uncovered in "Black Caesar: The Rise and Disappearance of Frank Matthews" by Crime Expert and Author Ron Chepesiuk

On July 2, 1973, Frank Matthews, history's first African American drug kingpin, jumped bail in New York City with $15 to $20 million - the equivalent of $80 million to $90 million in today's money.  It is believed he took his beautiful mistress, Cheryl Brown with him.  Though Matthews is undisputedly the longest missing fugitive in DEA history, another figure from the '70's, Assata Shakur, was just recently placed on the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists list.  A 66-year old Black woman, Shakur's reward is set for two million dollars. The reward for 69-year old Frank Matthews, the target of one of the largest manhunts in U.S. law enforcement history, is a mere $20,000.  He remains at large and his disappearance is a complete mystery.  He has never made any "Most Wanted" list.

Many believe Shakur was erroneously convicted for the murder of a state trooper. But there is no mistaking the fact that the narcotics Matthews helped funnel into Black communities across America continues to leave a trail of devastation, betrayal, death and despair. In each case it has been forty years.  And so goes the continued urban legend of Frank Matthews, perhaps the most authentic American Gangster of them all.

Award-winning crime author Ron Chepesiuk goes into depth to investigate the unsolved disappearance of Matthews with his new book, "Black Caesar: The Rise and Disappearance of Frank Matthews, Kingpin" from Strategic Media Books.  With an undercover reporting style that leaves no stone unturned, Chepesiuk's determined crack at unraveling one of the crime world's biggest unsolved mysteries makes for a fascinating and intriguing read.

Matthews' literally dominated the heroin market in the '70's.  A country boy from North Carolina, Matthew operated out of New York with a drug empire that spanned 21 states with overseas contacts for heroin and cocaine. A boss of bosses, the DEA ranks him as one of the Top Ten drug traffickers in United States history.  A young man in his twenties at the time, Matthews was one of the first major independents who challenged the La Cosa Nostra for supremacy in the criminal underworld.  The streets deemed him, "Black Caesar" as he was the first black man bold, astute and confident enough to control an interstate organization of its size, independent of the Mob that ruled all.

Chepesiuk follows the trail left cold, retracing Matthew's criminal path with the nose of a bloodhound.  His interviews with DEA agents, Federal Marshals, aging ex-drug kingpins, friends, families and associates are perhaps the most in-depth gathering of details about this nefariously historic figure ever compiled.  The book explores a host of nagging questions.  How was Matthews able to operate for several years without being detected? What was his relationship with La Cosa Nostra? Why did the CIA get involved in the Matthews investigation? What happened to Cheryl Brown? Why has the mystery of his disappearance been so difficult to solve? And while the questions are explored and answered, "Black Caesar: The Rise and Disappearance of Frank Matthews, Kingpin" colorfully captures the vivid imagery, drama and intrigue of the era, entangling the reader in a real life thriller.

"Ron Chepesiuk is to true crime books what Nas is to the hip-hop world," offers Seth Ferranti author of "Gorilla Convict: The Prison Writings of Seth Ferranti," who provides the gripping foreword for the book. "He writes like a lyrical poet examining issues in popular culture in both a historical and scholastic context."

A two-time Fulbright Scholar, film producer and author of several true crime books, including "Drug Lords," "Sergeant Smack" and "Queenpins," Ron Chepesiuk is also a consultant to the History Channel's "Gangland" documentary series and the executive producer and co-host of popular radio show "Crime  Beat".  An authoritative crime historian, Chepesiuk is  a native of Thunder Bay, Canada currently based in South Carolina.   He brings a wealth of insight and observation to the account of the missing Frank Matthews. He has also written a screenplay based on the Frank Matthews story.

Dead or alive, we may never know the ultimate truth about Matthews, but thanks to Chepesiuk, every speculation in between is resolved in "Black Caesar: The Rise and Disappearance of Frank Matthews, Kingpin."  The FBI may be targeting Assata Shakur, but Frank Matthews is the true gangster Most Wanted!

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Billy Panzera and Bobby Fiorello Enter Not Guilty Pleas to Federal Loan-Sharking Charges

A Passaic County man, reputed to be an associate of the Genovese organized crime family, entered a not guilty plea Thursday at his arraignment on federal loan-sharking charges.

Lawyers for William “Billy” Panzera, 40, of North Haledon, and a co-defendant, Robert “Bobby” Fiorello, 63, of Jackson, formally denied the charges during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares in Newark.

Panzera and Fiorello were among 11 defendants, including a reputed captain, two alleged soldiers and several alleged associates of the Genovese family, who were indicted in Brooklyn in April 2012 on 18 counts ranging from racketeering conspiracy to extortion, illegal gambling, union embezzlement and obstruction of justice.

Because the crimes that Panzera and Fiorello are alleged to have committed occurred in New Jersey and they declined to waive their right to be tried here, prosecutors from the Eastern District of New York re-indicted them in Newark last week on the same charges, setting the stage for a trial that Linares scheduled for Aug. 28.

The three-count indictment identifies Panzera as a Genovese crime family associate and alleges that from February to May of 2008 he, Fiorello and others conspired “to participate in the use of extortionate means” to collect one or more loans from an unnamed victim.

Panzera was also charged with conspiring to collect an unlawful debt under New Jersey law, defined as a loan given at a usurious interest rate of greater than 50 percent per year.

During the hearing, Linares set bail for Panzera, who was dressed in a dark suit, at $500,000, secured by property. Bail of $700,000 was set for Fiorello, who wore a black short-sleeve shirt and slacks.

As a condition of bail, both men were directed not to have any contact with witnesses or members and associates of organized crime.

After the hearing, veteran Hackensack attorney Frank P. Luciana, who is representing Panzera, declined to discuss the case, other than to say, “I’m very, very convinced that in this case justice is going to prevail.”

Thanks to Peter J. Sampson.

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Get All 3 Seasons Mob Wives on DVD! #MobWives

Get all 3 Seasons of Mob Wives on DVD

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Top Ten Signs You Have A Bad Summer Job

Top Ten Signs You Have A Bad Summer Job by David Letterman

10. Each day begins with the North Korean pledge of allegiance

9. You spend ten hours a day digging for Jimmy Hoffa

8. They make you share a whistle

7. Sign in restroom reads "Employees Must Wash Each Other"

6. Your parents lie and tell people you're a stripper

5. A big part of your day involves dodging Federales

4. Even the interns address you with "Out of the way, loser!"

3. To go home at the end of the day you have to escape

2. You work alongside this guy (VT: Chinese baggage handler)

1. You greet people with, "Welcome aboard Carnival Cruise Lines"

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Deal with the Devil, FBI's Secret Relationship with Mafia Killer Gregory Scarpa Sr on Crime Beat Radio

On June 27th, Peter Lance discusses his book, Deal with the Devil: The FBI’s Secret 30-year Relationship with a Mafia Killer. Margaret McClain, Special Correspondent, reports on the Bulger trial.

Crime Beat is a weekly hour-long radio program that airs every Thursday at 8 p.m. EST. Crime Beat presents fascinating topics that bring listeners closer to the dynamic underbelly of the world of crime. Guests have included ex-mobsters, undercover law enforcement agents, sports officials, informants, prisoners, drug dealers and investigative journalists, who have provided insights and fresh information about the world’s most fascinating subject: crime.

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