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The Mob Museum Announces Fall “Inside Stories” Speaker Series

An undercover agent, a legendary crime-fighting lawyer, and an expert on the global evolution of organized crime comprise the highly respected experts assembled for The Mob Museum’s inaugural “Inside Stories” speaker series. Known as foremost authorities in their fields, Jack Garcia, Dr. Mark Galeotti and G. Robert Blakey will provide true stories and one-of-a-kind insight into these fascinating topics on Sept. 19, Oct. 17, and Nov. 13, 2012 respectively.

These special evening events will be held in The Mob Museum’s historic courtroom that once housed trials of Mobsters Tony Spilotro and Meyer Lansky and include a pre-event reception with hors d’oeuvres and a complimentary cocktail, intimate presentation and Q and A session. Tickets are very limited and priced at $35 per speaker.

“These individuals all have remarkable stories, expertise and influence in understanding and combating organized crime. Along with the powerful insight they’ll provide, this will be a unique way for us to delve deeper into the exhibition content within the Museum and share it with guests,” said Jonathan Ullman, executive director of The Mob Museum.

Considered by his peers and FBI experts to be one of the most successful Undercover Agents in the history of the FBI, Joaquin “Jack” Garcia will be the first speaker in the series on September 19th. Garcia spent 24 of his 26 years in the FBI as an undercover agent with more than 100 such assignments. He is best known for his undercover role as “Jack Falcone,” a self-described Sicilian jewel thief and drug dealer from Miami, Florida, who infiltrated the Gambino crime family of La Cosa Nostra in New York for nearly three years.  The case resulted in the arrests and convictions of 39 Mobsters, including the top members of the post John Gotti Gambino crime family. Garcia is the author of the book “Making Jack Falcone,” a detailed account of some of his undercover cases and experiences with the FBI.

On October 17th, Dr. Mark Galeotti will lend his expertise on the rise of organized crime in Russia, how it spread in the U.S. and globally, and how it affects international security. Galeotti serves as Academic Chair for New York University’s Center for Global Affairs and is the author of more than twelve books. He is a specialist in transnational organized crime, security affairs and modern Russia. In his fieldwork, Galeotti encountered the rising of a new generation of gangsters filling up pockets of the decaying Soviet Union and was one of the first Western academics to recognize this as an emerging security concern. He also founded the Organized Russian & Eurasian Crime Research Unit at Keele University in England; the only such unit in Europe specializing in organized crime.

Rounding out the speaker series on November 13th is Notre Dame Law professor G. Robert Blakey. Blakey is a recognized expert on organized crime and an authority on the JFK assassination. In the late 1960s he campaigned for and helped draft much of the anti-racketeering legislation (RICO Act) that had a major impact on organized crime. He will address organized crime’s rise and fall in America and the role it played in the JFK’s assassination.

All three “Inside Stories” events run from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at The Mob Museum. Tickets for Jack Garcia will be available for purchase starting August 22, by phone (702-724-8641), online www.themobmuseum.org/tickets or at the box office. Seating is limited and tickets will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. Ticket purchase dates for the October and November lectures will be announced soon.

The 41,000-square-foot Mob Museum includes approximately 17,000 square feet of exhibition space on three floors in addition to a specialty retail store, special event areas, educational areas and office space.  Admission is $18 for adults ages 18 and over; $12 for children ages 5 to 17 and students ages 18 to 23 with ID; $14 for seniors, military, law enforcement and teachers; and $10 for Nevada residents of all ages. Museum hours will be Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

The Mob Museum is a world-class destination in downtown Las Vegas dedicated to the thrilling story of organized crime and law enforcement. It presents an exciting and authentic view of the Mob’s impact on Las Vegas history and its unique imprint on the world. True stories of Mob history are brought to life in a bold and contemporary style via engaging exhibits, high-tech theater presentations and iconic artifact displays. Admission is $18 for adults ages 18 and over with special pricing for children, seniors, military, law enforcement and teachers; and $10 for Nevada residents of all ages. Museum hours are Sundays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. For more information, call 702-229-2734 or visit www.themobmuseum.org. Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/themobmuseum and on Twitter:@TheMobMuseum. Awards include “Best Museum” in Nevada Magazine’s 2012 Best of Nevada Readers’ Survey, “Best Place to Take Tourists” in Las Vegas Weekly’s 2012 Weekly Awards, and a 2012 “Best of City” Award from Vegas Seven.