While browsing through a large interstate bookshop, Little Darwin recently unearthed a swag of interesting volumes, some out of print . Of particular note is one that would make a riveting TV series , better than Underbelly , and has Northern Territory content .
It is THE ACCIDENTAL GANGSTER The Life And Times of Bela Csidei , as told to Norm Lipson and Adam Walters , Park Street Press, 2006,a great read with sensational revelations. The blurb, in part, reads - Frank Sinatra, Sir Peter Abeles, Jimmy “ The Weasel” Fratianno…big celebrities, big business, big mobsters and big politicians, from the famous to the infamous, the cast of characters almost defies the imagination .
It sure does . In 1978 , Csidei was hot news in Darwin when he appeared in court on charges connected with the growing of a marijuana crop at isolated Wollogorang Station and the alleged bribing of a police officer. This writer was in Darwin at the time and can report that he was the talk of the town and had the media rushing about with excitement . During hearings, the case being aborted on one occasion because of a newspaper comment, it was claimed Csidei wanted the crop grown to pay off a loan to American Mafia hitman , Jimmy Fratianno, who had threatened to kill him. During the hearings, Csidei stayed in the Hotel Darwin and was regarded as something of a celebrity , even attending a party held by an ABC reporter
In sentencing Csidei to 15 months’ gaol, with a non-parole period of nine months, Mr Justice Foster said the accused had been painted as a Godfather of crime and a criminal mastermind. There was ,however, not the slightest evidence to support this. Furthermore , he said if Csidei was a mastermind, he must be the most inept one in history. The NT Crown Prosecutor in the case , Ian Barker QC, would later , in private practice in Sydney, defend Csidei in his battles with Corporate Affairs over matters involving many high flyers .
Csidei’s account of the Territory court hearings and his time in the slammer here often makes amusing reading. Beg, borrow or steal this book for its startling content and claims .
.
It is THE ACCIDENTAL GANGSTER The Life And Times of Bela Csidei , as told to Norm Lipson and Adam Walters , Park Street Press, 2006,a great read with sensational revelations. The blurb, in part, reads - Frank Sinatra, Sir Peter Abeles, Jimmy “ The Weasel” Fratianno…big celebrities, big business, big mobsters and big politicians, from the famous to the infamous, the cast of characters almost defies the imagination .
It sure does . In 1978 , Csidei was hot news in Darwin when he appeared in court on charges connected with the growing of a marijuana crop at isolated Wollogorang Station and the alleged bribing of a police officer. This writer was in Darwin at the time and can report that he was the talk of the town and had the media rushing about with excitement . During hearings, the case being aborted on one occasion because of a newspaper comment, it was claimed Csidei wanted the crop grown to pay off a loan to American Mafia hitman , Jimmy Fratianno, who had threatened to kill him. During the hearings, Csidei stayed in the Hotel Darwin and was regarded as something of a celebrity , even attending a party held by an ABC reporter
In sentencing Csidei to 15 months’ gaol, with a non-parole period of nine months, Mr Justice Foster said the accused had been painted as a Godfather of crime and a criminal mastermind. There was ,however, not the slightest evidence to support this. Furthermore , he said if Csidei was a mastermind, he must be the most inept one in history. The NT Crown Prosecutor in the case , Ian Barker QC, would later , in private practice in Sydney, defend Csidei in his battles with Corporate Affairs over matters involving many high flyers .
Csidei’s account of the Territory court hearings and his time in the slammer here often makes amusing reading. Beg, borrow or steal this book for its startling content and claims .
.
