The Plumber: The True Story of How One Good Man Helped Destroy the Entire Philadelphia Mafia
Drawn into a friendship with Nicky Scarfo, a violent Mafia boss in Atlantic City, New Jersey, plumber Salerno witnessed a murder in 1979. For the next ten years, Salerno lived anonymously and was treated badly by the Witness Protection Program. His marriage dissolved, and his father was shot in retaliation. In 1988, Salerno's testimony helped convict Scarfo and 15 associates of some 200 criminal counts. Writer Rivele spent only one week with Salerno at a motel; the rather cursory result is a bit lifeless, given the explosive subject matter. However, Salerno's heroics will appeal to Mafia buffs, and publicity might generate wider interest.- Gregor A. Preston, Univ. of California Lib., DavisCopyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.