The pizza connection : lawyers, money, drugs, mafia /

In this well-written, lively, and provocative book, Alexander provides an in-depth narrative account of the so-called Pizza Connection trial. The author does an admirable job of sorting through and presenting clearly the complex issues, facts, major participants, and legal strategies involved in this recent "megatrial" of 22 defendants accused of a $1.65 billion heroin-smuggling and money-laundering conspiracy. Alexander makes good use of her access to several of the major defense lawyers, who discussed the trial with her as it proceeded through 17 long months. Unfortunately, government prosecutors refused to cooperate in the research. Perhaps as a result, Alexander seems to tell this interesting story from the perspective of the defense; her implicit criticisms of megatrials and the imposition of the RICO (Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) statute to prosecute conspiracies sounds at times like a defense lawyer's brief. Although this case study of a highly visible criminal trial is more journalistic than scholarly, it does provide many insights into the actual operations of the criminal justice system on the federal level. For general readers. -M. Kessler, University of Kentucky

An exhaustive--and ultimately exhausting--recap of the 1986-87 trial that pitted federal prosecutors against 22 mainly Sicilian members of the Mafia who had been indicted for international drug trafficking and allied crimes. Alexander (Anyone's Daughter, Very Much a Lady, Nutcracker) offers a complex log in which flashbacks are interspersed with high-point reportage of the 18-month proceedings in a Manhattan court. It's not a pretty story. Nor is it a very interesting one. The heroin-smuggling/money-laundering conspiracy, which ranged from Europe through South America, the mean streets of Brooklyn, and a small chain of Midwestern pizzerias, was proved largely through wiretap evidence that requires a lot of explanation. On balance, unfortunately, the author's summations of background detail and data are more diligent than dramatic. The sizable cast of characters features precious few good guys, let alone heroes, so there's no real focus to the narrative. By Alexander's account the US attorneys were an overzealous crew more concerned with convictions than abstract notions of justice. Along similar lines, the transnational racketeers in the dock may not have got a completely fair shake; but, on the basis of the author's anecdotal testimony, it's hard to doubt that the 19 who were eventually convicted received other than their just deserts. (The enervated jury freed one defendant; another was murdered and a lesser light copped a plea before verdicts were rendered.) Scarcely more appealing are the defense lawyers, a self-centered lot whose interests quickly diverged, inducing them to break ranks and in some instances aid the prosecution's cause. An altogether dreary business that Alexander is unable to imbue with any particular point. The tedious text has illustrations, which apparently include Justice Department mug shots (not seen). Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.