I made my pitch to Metro and they accepted my proposal . A lieutenant from the department ’ s Public Information Office was assigned to work with me to assure I had access to personnel and records . The book was published in 2005 . The contacts I developed through Policing opened a whole new world to me and served as my introduction to the infamous Chicago and Las Vegas mobster , Tony Spilotro . Prior to that I had seen the hit 1995 movie Casino several times , but never realized the character Joe Pesci played was based on Spilotro . I became very interested in Spilotro ’ s criminal career and his Las Vegas reign in particular .
So the movie Casino played a part in your becoming a prolific true crime author . How did you go about that with your first true crime book ?
I had to see if I could secure the cooperation of enough current and former lawmen , both FBI and Metro , to put together a comprehensive book about what was really going on in Vegas during the time dramatized in the film . It turned out that many of them were actually eager to talk . The movie was primarily from the Mob perspective and they welcomed the opportunity to get their side of the story out . The result was The Battle for Las Vegas — The Law vs . The Mob .
In retrospect , is there anything you wished you could have done different for that book ?
My one regret was that I didn ’ t have any input from an involved mobster . They were either deceased , in witness protection or couldn ’ t be located . Just before the book went to the printer that changed , though . A retired FBI agent introduced me to Spilotro ’ s former street lieutenant in Vegas , Frank Cullotta . I was able to add a comment from Frank to the manuscript , but that was only the beginning of my dealings with Frank and we have since written four books together .
Denny , you are regarded as an organized crime author and Mob historian . Did that evolve from your relationship with Frank Cullotta ?
Yes . That ’ s exactly right . As a result of that relationship and my law enforcement background and other sources , I am now established as a credible organized crime author and Mob historian . Unlike with my fiction-writing days , I have name recognition now and a fan base . I am routinely contacted by other former mobsters asking me to write books for them . Like I said , my switch to nonfiction was the turning point in my career . I thank God I went to that conference and met that speaker . I am now experiencing successes I never imagined prior to that and have to turn away book proposals . It was a long time coming , but now that it ’ s here I ’ m really enjoying myself .
What is happening in the life of Dennis N . Griffin now ?
Earlier this year I received some good news regarding my most recent book , The Rise And Fall Of A ‘ Casino ’ Mobster . The book was co-authored with Frank Cullotta and tells the story of Chicago Outfit enforcer Tony Spilotro ’ s life through Frank ’ s eyes . My publisher , WildBlue Press , was contacted by the United Kingdom documentary
WRITERS ’ TRICKS OF THE TRADE
PAGE
15
FALL 2018