The Brass Wall: The Betrayal of Undercover Detective #4126

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Macmillan, Oct 2, 2003 - Biography & Autobiography - 300 pages
In the tradition of Serpico and Prince of the City, a brilliantly reported true story of power and betrayal in the NYPD set against the worlds of the Mafia and big-city politics

In 1993, Vincent Armanti, Undercover Detective #4126, agreed to infiltrate the branch of the Lucchese family responsible for the homicide of a beloved fireman. Already a legend for successfully posing as a hit man and arms smuggler, Armanti transformed himself into Vinnie "Blue Eyes" Penisi-a veteran hood with an icy stare. Yet, once under cover, Armanti found that the wise guys he was chasing had access to classified police information. Stakes accelerated when the informant was revealed to be the son of the commander of NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau. Again and again, IAB's detectives compromised Armanti to protect the powerful man's son, but even the police commissioner ignored the situation. Like the fireman who took an oath to serve, Armanti stayed on the job, even when it was clear his life was in danger.

David Kocieniewski, former New York Times police bureau chief, reveals every moment of Armanti's effort to break through the wall enforced by the cops' top brass. Here, with all its compromises, is the city of New York. Here, in all his humanity, is an unforgettable hero, battling for his honor and survival. Here is a remarkable story that ranks with the great police classics.
 

Contents

DEADLY ECHO
1
No Accident
7
One Last Case
27
Both Ends
40
སྤྲ8ཟ
147
Guys Wholl Take Care of This
193
Head on a Silver Platter
239
What Kind of World Would It Be?
261
IN THE ARENA
277
The Hunter Hunted
291
Acknowledgments
299
Copyright

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About the author (2003)

David Kocieniewski currently reports for "The New York Times," where his stories frequently appear on the front page. He lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

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