Crime Beat Radio Show Schedule

Berl Barer

• July 17—Catherine Pelonero, author of  A True Account of a Public Murder and Its Private Consequences. Read more..
• July 24—Chris Cippolini, author of Lucky Luciano: Mysterious Tales of a Gangster Legend. Read more..
• July 31—Burl Barer*, author of Body Count, Fatal Beauty and other true crime books. Read more..
• August 7—Wendy Ruderman and Barbara Laker, authors of Busted: A Tale of Corruption and Betrayal in the City of Brotherly Love. Read more..
• August 14—Joseph Sales, author of Joey The Needle: The Man Who Would Be King of Steroids. Read more..
• August 21—Bob Deasy, author of Uncle Charlie: A Life Undercover with Killers, Kingpins, Bikers and Drug Lords, Command Appearance. Read more.. 

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On the air since January 28, 2011, 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.

Crime Beat is currently averaging 160,000 listeners plus, from over 120 countries world-wide each week, and the figure is growing. All shows are archived for 24-7 listening. Crime Beat is hosted by award-winning crime writer and documentary producer Ron Chepesiuk (www.ronchepesiuk.com) and broadcast journalist and freelance writer Will Hryb.

Ronald Herd I1, the popular Internet radio host and regular listener of Crime Beat, said: "Crime Beat sounds like an organized crime greatest hits collection...I am loving it!" Tom Hart of Atlanta, Georgia, writes: “I am a BIG fan of your show and enjoy the variety of guests you have on your show. “Keep up the good work.”  Carolyn Yarema of Toronto, Canada writes, "fabulous program guys' ... my husband Chi Chi and I never miss the show."

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* Here's more info on Berl Barer, co-host of Crime Beat Radio. (Mobwriter was a feathured speaker several years ago)

Profile Information

Hometown:

Born in Walla Walla, WA. Lived in Seattle, Las Vegas, and currently, L.A.

About Me:

Edgar Award winner and two-time Anthony Award nominee, I write mystery fiction, true crime, Tie-Ins for movies/TV, and make myself a general media nuisance. I currently live in the Greater Los Angeles area...in other words, the valley (Van Nuys) but LOVE Santa Monica and wish I could move back to the other side of the hill.

I Am A:

Writer

Website:

http://www.burlbarer.net

Books And Authors I Like:

My nephews Lee and Tod Goldberg also write books, so they must be on the list.
Leslie Charteris, creator of THE SAINT -- anything he wrote is fine with me.
Jack Olsen -- good friend and mentor -- his "Last Man Standing" is one of the best books I've ever read.

Movies And TV Shows I Like:

I love movies

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Crime Beat airs weekly every Thursday at 8 P.M. EST on the Artist First World Radio Network at artistfirst.com/crimebeat. To contact the Crime Beat radio program for interviews, e-mail crimebeat123@yahoo.com or call 803-366-5440.



June 2014

Strategic Media Books, LLC
contact@strategicmediabooks.com
803-366-5440


strategicmediabooks.com

New Book Investigates Mysteries Surrounding Gangster Legend Charles "Lucky" Luciano

Charles “Lucky” Luciano is one of the most researched, discussed and dissected American mobsters of all time. His name has become synonymous with New York City’s high drama gangland days of prohibition bootlegging, the formation of the infamous five families, and controversy over his alleged ‘Last Testament’.

Yet, there exist many fascinating and lurid tales and theories regarding Lucky’s rise and fall from the mob’s top spot.  Now in his new book, Lucky Luciano: Mysterious Tales of a Gangland Legend, journalist Christian Cipollini, for first time ever, focuses exclusively on some of the mysteries major surrounding Charles "Lucky" Luciano, one of the biggest organized crime figures in history.

Some of these stories are known, but still incite debate, such as the origins of his nickname and menacing facial scars. Other legends are not so well known to the general public. Luciano's involvement with the shadowy Seven Group and Murder Incorporated. Did he ever actually ever murder anyone? Then there are incidents such as the alleged carving of his initials into a witness’s thighs and the wild theories that abound following his death in 1962. These are just a few of the unusual tales that surfaced over and beyond Lucky Luciano’s lifetime.

With information culled from rare news articles, government documents and numerous books written on the subject, this book will give readers a chance to discover Luciano in a way that engages the mystery of his pop culture status, while encouraging further debate over the facts and fallacies that exist about his true role in the history of the American Mafia structure.

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"Christian Cipollini has become an authority on the dark, criminal underworld that thrives in the shadows of the cities in the United States. His understanding of how that side of society "works" is unrivaled and his writings show that quite clearly. Having battled violent crime in big city streets for nearly 30 years, I can say with authority that Christian tells the story right. His works are a must read for anyone who wants to see the dark side of our culture."
– Pete Forcelli, Former NYPD, Bronx Homicide Task Force

“Christian Cipollini is one of those authors that deserve more recognition. I was considered by the FBI as an expert in Italian organized crime and I recognize someone that knows and well researched his writings.”
– Ronald Fino, former FBI Undercover Operative and author of The Triangle Exit.

"The sorts of characters he writes about couldn't spell "Cipollini" but it's a name that'll be on the reading lists of true crime aficionados for years into the future.”
– Arthur Nash, author of New York City Gangland

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About the Author
Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Christian Cipollini has been a freelance writer and journalist in the realms of entertainment, human interest and true crime history for over a decade. A graduate of Seton Hill University, he holds a BA in Corporate Communications. He is the author of Diary of a Motor City Hit Man: The Chester Wheeler Campbell Story (Strategic Media Books, 2013). As a contributor to diverse types of publications, his works have appeared in the Tribune-Review, Asylum.com, Urban Ink Magazine and Mob Candy magazine.

Cipollini has also appeared as a guest 'expert' on episodes of Biography Channel Series "Gangsters: America's Most Evil,” The History Channel Series "Hunt for History." & Consulted on National Geographic Channel’s critically-acclaimed series “DRUGS, INC.” 

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For further information about the publisher: strategicmediabooks.com
For interviews or to request copy of the book e-mail:
contact@strategicmediabooks.com or phone: 803-366-5440

New Book Chronicles Gang Life, Violence, Poverty and Race Relations in San Antonio, Texas

Strategic Media Books is pleased to announce the publication of The White Boy Confessions,  the powerful autobiography of San Antonio native Marcus Valdespino. White Boy Confessions deals with gang life and violence in San Antonio and such controversial subjects as race relations, poverty, and interracial crime . The first twenty-nine years of Valdespino’s life  were compelling and tragic. Valdespino witnessed his father’s drug dealing to high profile people and he, unfortunately, followed in his footsteps. Valdespino’s story shows the worst of humanity and is chilling in its depiction of sex and violence and heartfelt, poignant and sad in its betrayal of the rite of passage of a young person growing up in this world.  

The White Boys Confessions is also extremely powerful in its social and political commentary. There are several layers of the story contained within it that are both frightening and humorous. As white boy operated primarily in an African American environment, Valdespino had to prove his worth beyond a reasonable doubt. Yet, he went from a know nothing white kid of the streets in 1989 to second in command to a drug dealer in charge of a crack cocaine empire. The FEDS were after him and his crew from 1998 to 2000. There were many shoot outs, home invasions, beat downs, violent rapes, police raids, graphic explicit sex, human trafficking and even a murder.

Today, all of Valdespino’s friends are in the penitentiary, dead or their whereabouts are unknown. Yet, by some miracle he went unscathed and experienced no penitentiary time.. All of Valdespino’s story—the bad and the ugly-- is in The White Boy Confessions, a story of not just survival but also redemption.

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Marcus Valdespino speaks with the authority of an insider about San Antonio's gangster underworld, tempered by the hard-earned wisdom of someone who barely escaped it with his life. - Paul Hodgins, cultural critic, Orange County Register

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About the Author
Marcus Valdespino is a native of San Antonio, Texas, and a former sports radio personality on 760 KTKR-The Ticket, covering the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Cowboys, as well as the national sports scene.  He has interviewed dozens of professional athletes and sports figures, including former NFL quarterback and sports analyst Boomer Esiason, Olympian Michael Johnson, Dallas Cowboys former General Manager Tex Schramm, the Cowboys’ current owner and General Manager Jerry Jones, and four-time NBA Champion coach Gregg Popovich, among others.

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For further information about the publisher: strategicmediabooks.com
For interviews or to request copy of the book e-mail:
contact@strategicmediabooks.com or phone: 803-366-5440

*** 

Charles Manson: r. 40 years later

Crime Beat: Issues, Controversies and

Personalities from the darkside

on Artist First Radio Network

June 12 — Gerald Posner, author of Mengele: The Complete Story. See posner.com

June 19 — Jeff Guinn, author of Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson. See barnesandnoble.com/w/manson-jeff-guinn/1113741718

On the air since January 28, 2011, 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.

Crime Beat is currently averaging 160,000 listeners plus, from over 120 countries world-wide each week, and the figure is growing. All shows are archived for 24-7 listening. Crime Beat is hosted by award-winning crime writer and documentary producer Ron Chepesiuk (www.ronchepesiuk.com) and broadcast journalist and freelance writer Will Hryb.
 

Ronald Herd I1, the popular Internet radio host and regular listener of Crime Beat, said: "Crime Beat sounds like an organized crime greatest hits collection...I am loving it!" Tom Hart of Atlanta, Georgia, writes: “I am a BIG fan of your show and enjoy the variety of guests you have on your show. “Keep up the good work.”  Carolyn Yarema of Toronto, Canada writes, "fabulous program guys' ... my husband Chi Chi and I never miss the show."
 
Crime Beat airs weekly every Thursday at 8 P.M. EST on the Artist First World Radio Network at artistfirst.com/crimebeat To contact the Crime Beat radio program for interviews, e-mail crimebeat123@yahoo.com or call 803-366-5440.

Women in Gaming: A Challenging Proposition

Wanna know more about the ever-changing gambling world from 3 of the industry's top experts? Check out the "once-in-a-lifetime" event featured below. If you happen to be in La Vegas on February 19, you won't want to miss "Courtroom Conversations of Women in Gaming."

Patricia Becker, Jan Jones Blackhurst, and Elaine Wynn, three of the most significant and best-known women in the gaming industry, will provide a rare perspective on the challenges and successes faced by women in this important aspect of the Las Vegas economy as part of The Mob Museum’s third Courtroom Conversation set for Wednesday, February 19, in the Museum at 7 p.m. Seating for this once-in-a-lifetime event is extremely limited.

Patricia Becker: President of Patricia Becker & Associates, former Executive Director of UNLV International Gaming Institute, and the first and only woman to be appointed to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

Jan Jones Blackhurst: currently serves as Executive VP of Communications and Government Relations for Caesars Entertainment Corporation, served as first female Mayor of Las Vegas serving two terms, and was the first woman to be honored with Lifetime Achievement Award in Gaming Communications by the American Gaming Association.

Elaine Wynn: currently serves as Director of Wynn Resorts, is president of the Nevada State Board of Education, is a Trustee of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and is a founding and current chairman of Communities in Schools of Nevada.

Seating for this once-in-a-lifetime event is extremely limited. The panel discussion will also be streamed live on the website. It will also be shown at the UNLV Student Union starting at 6:30 p.m., courtesy of the UNLV Womens’ Research Institute. (Tickets are free but you must reserve one of the 150 seats by calling 702-895-4931.)There is also an invitation-only event hosted at the Mob Bar for Global Gaming Women, a subgroup of the American Gaming Association.
VIP tickets are $250 and Preferred tickets are $125.
Both include a private reception prior to the event.
General admission tickets are $40.
Dessert and refreshments will be available following the event for all attendees.
To make reservations, please call (702) 229-2734.

New Book Chronicles the Gangland Mystery of Legendary Labor Leader Jimmy Hoffa’s Disappearance

 

 

At his zenith as a Teamsters union leader, Jimmy Hoffa was reputed to be more powerful than the President of the United States.  But on July 30, 1975, nearly 40 years ago, Hoffa vanished from the face of  the Earth, Today, his disappearance remains one of the most mysterious, fascinating and intriguing cold cases in crime history.

​Now in his book, Vanished: The Life and Disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa, William Hryb chronicles the story of one of Gangland's biggest mysteries. The author painstakingly takes the  reader behind the scenes of the man who dominated the American labor movement and made the Teamsters the most formidable labor union in America. Hoffa was alleged to have close ties with organized crime, becoming the target of sensational congressional hearings into labor racketeering, spearheaded by Robert Kennedy.  Hoffa and Kennedy were bitter enemies who engaged in a boiling turf battle, until the blood feud ended with Robert Kennedy's assassination in 1968.

​James Hoffa's story comes alive in this one-of-a-kind narrative, making William Hryb's book a must read for unsolved crime aficionados.

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Based in Thunder Bay Canada, William Hryb is a contributing writer to various publications, including Canadian Sailings/Transportation & Trade Logistics, Bayview, Thunder Bay Experience, Cruise Ship North America, On the Level and the Ukrainian Weekly. He has also contributed to the anthology, Movers and Mavericks. Since January 2010, he has been the co-producer and co-host of Crime Beat, the popular weekly

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For further information about the publisher: strategicmediabooks.com
For interviews or to request copy of the book e-mail:
contact@strategicmediabooks.com or phone: 803-366-5440

New Book Chronicles Epic Struggle Between Pablo Escobar And Cali Cartel in History’s Biggest Gang War

Escobar versus Cali: The War of the Cartels chronicles the fascinating story of history’s biggest gang war. The setting: Colombia, South America; the time: the 1980s and early 1990s. The participants were known as cartels, and they were responsible for flooding the world with billions of dollars worth of cocaine. The epic death struggle pitted Pablo Escobar, the so called “World’s Greatest Outlaw” and leader of the Medellin cartel, against the brothers Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela, “The Chess Player,” and Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela, “The Boss”. the leaders of the powerful Cali cartel. The war left thousands of Colombians dead, spawned the term “narcoterrorism” and almost turned Colombia into a narcodemocracy. The gang war, moreover, had major implications for the U.S.’s War on Drug. 

When the momentous battle ended, Escobar was dead and the Cali Cartel stood tall as the world’s most powerful drug trafficking organization. So who were the major players in the gangland war? How did it play out? Who took out Pablo Escobar? What role did the U.S. play?   Author Ron Chepesiuk takes the reader behind the scenes of the war to the death and investigates a gangland mystery. Escobar versus Cali: The War of the Cartels is must read for anyone who enjoys true crime and a good story.  D4 Entertainment has optioned the film rights to the book.

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What they say:
“Forget the Mexican Cartels. Ron Chepesiuk brings you the unbelievable but true story about the biggest gang war in history between two of the richest and most powerful drug cartels the world has ever seen. – David Amoruso of Gangsters Inc. 

"We have all read the news headlines now read the real story of the war of the cartels. Only Ron Chepesiuk could write this book and get the real story. With his experience, meticulous research and ability to talk to those in the know Ron has written a great and thorough investigative book that gives up the inside info on the war for supremacy in the cocaine trade. This is an entertaining and informative read that must be on your shelf if you enjoy true crime tales." – Seth Ferranti, author of Gorilla Convict and Rayful Edmond

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Rock Hill, SC based Ron Chepesiuk is an award-winning author, screenwriter and documentary producer and director.  He's a two-time Fulbright Scholar to Bangladesh and Indonesia and a consultant to the History Channel’s Gangland TV series. As an expert interviewee, he has appeared on the A and E, History Channel, Biography Channel and Black Entertainment Television.  His books include Sergeant Smack, Gangsters of Harlem, Gangsters of Miami, among others. He is also Executive Producer and co-host of the popular radio show Crime Beat (www.artistfirst.com/crimebeat.htm). For other books by Ron Chepesiuk go to www.strategicmediabooks.com. 

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For further information about the publisher: strategicmediabooks.com
For interviews or to request copy of the book e-mail:
contact@strategicmediabooks.com or phone: 803-366-5440

Jimmy Hoffa disappearance, JFK Murder and more

Strategic Media Books


Jimmy Hoffa

803-366-5440

strategicmediabooks@gmail.com

www.strategicmediabooks.com

Crime Beat Radio Show
www.artistfirst.com
crimebeat123@yahoo.com  

The Lance Armstrong Scandal, Rogue CIA Agents, JFK Assassination, Jimmy Hoffa Disappearance, The Sicilian Mafia and More

Crime Beat: Issues, Controversies and Personalities from the dark side on Artist First World Radio Network is pleased to announce its forthcoming schedule for November 21, 2013, through February 6, 2014. Topics covered include Lance Armstrong Scandal, Rogue CIA agents, JFK Assassination, Sammy “The Bull” Gravano, Jimmy Hoffa and More.

Here is the lineup:

November 21—Anthony Summers, author of Not in Your Lifetime: The Defining Book on the JFK Assassination. See www.anthonysummers.com

• November 28—James W. Douglass, author of JFK and the Unthinkable (command appearance)
• December 5—Matt Birkbeck, author of The Quiet Don: The Untold Story of Mafia Kingpin Russell Bufalino. See www.mattbirkbeck.com
• December 12—Reed Albergotti and Vanessa O’Connell, authors of Wheelmen: Lance Armstrong, the Tour de France and the Greatest Sports Conspiracy Ever. See http://wheelmenthebook.com/
• December 19—Patrick Nolan author of CIA Rogues and the Killing of the Kennedys: How and Why U.S. Agents Conspired to Assassinate JFK and RFK by Patrick Nolan. See http://www.patricknolan.org/author/admin.
• December 26—Karen Gravano, author of  Mob Daughter: The Mafia, Sammy “the Bull and Me (command appearance) See https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Gravano/117157988365142
• January 2—Noam Chomsky, world renowned activist and thinker (command appearance). See www.chomsky.info
• January 9—Dan Moldea , author of Confessions of a Guerrilla Writer. See www.moldea.com
• January 16—Advocates for the case, “Free the IRP6,” regarding corruption and large corporations. See http://freetheirp6.wix.com/freetheirp6#!
• January 23—Al Profit and Willie Hryb, director and author respectively of the documentary and book on Jimmy Hoffa. See http://www.youtube.com/user/alprofit and www.artistfirst.com/crimebeat/htm
• January 30—Carl Russo, author of The Sicilian Mafia: A True Crime Travel Guide. See www.mafiexposed.com
• February 6—Frank Calabrese, former gangster and author of Operation Family Secrets (command appearance)

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On the air since January 28, 2011, 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.

Crime Beat is currently averaging 160,000 listeners plus, from over 120 countries world-wide each week, and the figure is growing. All shows are archived for 24-7 listening. Crime Beat is hosted by award-winning crime writer and documentary producer Ron Chepesiuk (www.ronchepesiuk.com) and broadcast journalist and freelance writer Will Hryb.

Ronald Herd I1, the popular Internet radio host and regular listener of Crime Beat, said: "Crime Beat sounds like an organized crime greatest hits collection...I am loving it!" Tom Hart of Atlanta, Georgia, writes: “I am a BIG fan of your show and enjoy the variety of guests you have on your show. “Keep up the good work.”  Carolyn Yarema of Toronto, Canada writes, "fabulous program guys' ... my husband Chi Chi and I never miss the show."
 

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Crime Beat airs weekly every Thursday at 8 P.M. EST on the Artist First World Radio Network at artistfirst.com/crimebeat

To contact the Crime Beat radio program for interviews, e-mail crimebeat123@yahoo.com or call 803-366-5440.