Sandi Lansky has the "Right Stuff" when it comes to Daddy Meyer taking the fifth

Sandi Lansky, the only daughter of mob kingpin Meyer Lansky, has finally been writing her memoirs with the encouragement and help of famous novelist Nicolas Pileggi (American Gangster, Goodfellas).

There were many, many secrets in Meyers’ life. In the later part of his life Meyer became very close with Vince Lombardo, who had been a Mafioso and was courting his daughter Sandi. When Lombardo asked for Sandy’s hand in marriage, Meyer told him, “you gotta get out of the business, you gotta get out of the business.” Vince was not impressed with money, power and the mob. He was much more of a romantic then he was a gangster.

The three of them, Sandi, Vince and Meyer, became inseparable toward the end of Meyers’ life. Sandi and Vince stood by Meyer and supported him during his most trying times; the government witch hunts, the Bobby Kennedy investigation and numerous gangster clan popping up and trying to force Meyer into retirement.

“I just got sick and tired of reading all these books, articles and newspapers stories by these so called ’prolific authors’ and all their nonsense they wrote about my Father, that I decided I’m going to set the record straight.” ~Sandi Lansky.

Sandy is close to completing her tell all book and has optioned story rights to Bob DeBrino of BDE Entertainment. DeBrino’s most recent film, Find me Guilty, starred Vin Diesel and was directed by Sidney Lumet. Find me Guilty was well received by the critics.

This isn’t the first time that DeBrino has delved into the personal lives of notorious crime figures. DeBrino has held the option on the book The Last Testament of Lucky Luciano by Martin A. Gosch and Richard Hammer and published by Little Brown. Although Luciano’s life is in the public domain, this book was the only publication that Lucky Luciano authorized and collaborated along with the authors.

“When I was a New York Times reporter handling organized crime, Martin Gosch was in the presence of Lucky Luciano and was sending boxes upon boxes containing hand written notes of actual facts straight from Luciano. The only tape recording available were given to me by Martin Gosch and the extent of Lucky’s voice on those tapes was ’shut that fucking thing off before I brain ya, guys have gotten bumped off for doin a lot less.’” ~ Richard Hammer


Except for the Cubinaro surveillance and phone taps of Luciano there are no other documents available. This book, The Last Testament of Lucky Luciano, contains Lucky’s contract and his signature has been authenticated and certified with several major publishing houses.

The contract specifies Lucky’s wishes. First, that nothing would be public on his life until 10 years after his death. Secondly, any information or proof of Luciano and the Mafia’s aid to the government especially involving “Operation Underworld” would not be printed until 30 years after his death.

The Justice Department and Herland report was released confirming that Luciano indeed was responsible for the capture of 8 German saboteurs with plans to blow up the Alcoa aluminum plants, roads, the Empire State Building and to also poison the water supply.

He also helped with the invasion of Sicily (Operation Underworld), by sending members from his organization to support the allied troops and get the local Mafia clans to help the allies against the Nazis. The Herland report and Justice dept confirm “that Luciano, his associates were helpful when ’the outcome of the war appeared extremely grave,’ and were responsible for a wide range of services which were considered ’useful to the Navy.’”

There were over 450 ships sunk off the US coastline during the war, but none after Luciano’s assistance on the waterfront and any further acts of sabotage were prevented.

With four or five Luciano projects floating around, DeBrino wishes there were ten, “the more competition, the better the projects will be.” Besides interest from a studio and some major stars, DeBrino has been in talks with James Gray and Mark Wahlberg and hopes the combination will survive.

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Matt Canham

Development

BDE Entertainment

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