In Black Caesar: The Rise and Disappearance of Frank Matthews, Kingpin, journalist Ron Chepesiuk investigates one of organized crime’s most intriguing mysteries. The book explores several intriguing questions: how was Matthews’ been 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?
Born in 1944 in Durham, North Carolina, Matthews left his hometown when he was a teenager, going first to Philadelphia and then to New York City. By the early 1970’s, Frank Matthews had become America's biggest drug kingpin. His organization, headquartered in Brooklyn, stretched across 21 states, and he became the only Black gangster to establish direct ties to the French Connection heroin pipeline. To quote William Callahan, a federal prosecutor assigned to the Matthews’ case, “Matthews was a pioneering giant of drug distribution."
The $15 to 20 million Matthews is believed to have disappeared with is roughly equivalent to the $90 to $100 in today's cash. The book explores various theories about the fate of Frank Matthews, and the author offers his own conclusion about the mystery.
The book will be published on June 3rd, 2013. Pre-order now by clicking the button below.
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Ron Chepesiuk is a Rock Hill, SC-based award-winning author of more than 33 books, is a Fulbright Scholar, the radio host of the Crime Beat radio show, a consultant to the History Channel’s Gangland TV series and a regular interviewee on U.S. cable TV crime shows.
I would like people to read the book to find out what I think. I spent a lot of time researching Matthews story. I do give my opinion on what I think happened to Frank Matthews, but I don’t claim to have the definitive answer.
They sure did. Both the DEA and the U.S. Marshals spent a lot of money and devoted a lot of manpower to trying to get him. The DEA set up a special taskforce—Centac 2—to go after him. The agents assigned to the case became obsessed with Matthews.
Yes, he does. His aunt Marzellla who played a key role in his life is in her 80s but very much alive. Durham has not forgotten Black Caesar.
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