406:, a federal judge who served as a special narcotics prosecutor and assisted in the arrest and trial of Lucas, described the film as "one percent reality and ninety-nine percent Hollywood." In addition, Johnson described the real life Lucas as "illiterate, vicious, violent, and everything Denzel Washington was not." In 2008, former
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portraying
Roberts. The film grossed more than US$ 127 million and was met with generally positive reviews. However, several people involved with the actual events regarding the investigation and prosecution (including Lucas and Roberts) have criticized the film as a largely fictional and exaggerated
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and detectives from New York Police
Department's Organized Crime Control Bureau (OCCB). In 1976, Lucas was convicted of drug trafficking and distribution offenses and sentenced to 70 years in prison (a consecutive 40-year federal prison sentence and 30-year New Jersey state prison sentence). After
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and resulted in a final product that was only 10 percent pure when it hit the streets. However, this was much better than the rival "brands," which were lucky to be at 5 percent purity and likely less. By bypassing the trafficking middlemen, using innovative shipping, and providing a higher quality
301:
in 2007; however, crime historian Ron
Chepesiuk states that Roberts "was a minor figure in the Lucas investigation; the idea that Roberts was the key official in bringing Lucas down is Hollywood's imagination." Even Roberts has stated that his character in the film is more of a composite of several
159:
and distribution ring in the New York City metro area. He was assisted by the hard work and dedication of three detectives: Eddie Jones, Al
Spearman and Benny Abruzzo (called the Z-TEAM). In addition to destroying Lucas's drug operation, the Z-TEAM'S investigation also uncovered
369:, and in 1981 after 5 years in prison custody, his sentence was reduced to "time served" with lifetime parole supervision. After violating parole with a minor drug distribution offense, Lucas (who was defended by Roberts) was returned to prison and was released in 1991.
325:(who was nicknamed "Sergeant Smack" by the Drug Enforcement Administration investigators). Atkinson claimed that the drugs were transported in furniture as well as the coffins. However, not within the bodies, but in holed out portions on the bottom.
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After working as a prosecutor for over 10 years, Roberts became a criminal defense attorney in 1981. He was briefly affiliated with the firm
Harkavy, Goldman & Caprio, but soon established his own firm. The first person he defended was
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battle and suggests that this aspect of his personal life was compromised by his dogged investigation of Lucas. This was entirely fabricated, as
Roberts never had a child. Roberts also criticized the portrayal of Lucas as "almost noble".
260:
in New Jersey in August 1971. After being licensed as an attorney, Roberts was made an
Assistant Prosecutor in the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. Shortly after, he was tapped to head a special Narcotics Task Force overseen by the
277:(RICO) case. He has also been a guest speaker to conferences held by several police and private groups. He was a co-managing partner of Roberts-Saluti, LLC, a criminal and civil litigation firm with offices in Newark, New Jersey.
297:(1930-2019), an African-American drug kingpin who operated a heroin smuggling and distribution ring from Harlem in New York City in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This legacy is bolstered by the film
341:
product, Lucas was able to dominate the market through the sale of heroin at inexpensive prices. Lucas claimed that he earned $ 1 million a day selling heroin from his base of operations on
181:
In April 2017, Roberts pleaded guilty to tax crimes after an investigation against him by the
Internal Revenue Service's criminal division and investigators from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
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and utilizing military personnel to transport narcotics. Lucas frequently boasted that he smuggled heroin back to the United States using the coffins of
American servicemen killed in the
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309:(1905-1968). After Johnson's death, Lucas sought advancement by bypassing the Italian Mafia's control of the New York City heroin trade and obtained his heroin direct from Asia's
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178:(as Roberts). After Lucas was incarcerated, Roberts entered private practice as an attorney specializing in criminal defense and was retained by Lucas as defense counsel.
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Lucas, and his associates (largely drawn from family and close friends), sold heroin under the name "Blue Magic", and claimed that it was 98-100% pure when shipped from
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where for several years he was involved in undercover organized crime investigations. Attending night classes, he received a Juris Doctor degree from
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As the head of a
Federal Bureau of Narcotics task force, Roberts is best known for his role in the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of
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that heroin dealers in New York area were claiming their drugs were "Blue Magic," hoping to take advantage of the publicity generated by
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connected with the drug trade. Lucas's criminal enterprise and the investigation by the Z-TEAM was the subject of the 2007 film
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in Manhattan, although this was later believed to be an exaggeration. Roberts disclosed on the WBGO 88.3 public radio program
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cooperation in the prosecution of over 100 other drug-related cases, Lucas was offered placement in the federal
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113:(born November 28, 1937) is an American attorney. Roberts was a former law enforcement officer who worked as a
273:. During private practice, Roberts has defended many homicide cases and was involved in New Jersey's first
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661:"New Criminologist Special - Frank Lucas, 'American Gangster,' and the Truth Behind the Asian Connection"
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Interview by Charlie Rose of the stars, the director, and the producer of the movie American Gangster
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http://drblookupportal.judiciary.state.nj.us/SearchResults.aspx?type=docket_no&docket_no=14-345
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The story of Roberts' investigation and prosecution of Frank Lucas was adapted into the 2007 film
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on November 28, 1937. Roberts was raised by his grandparents in the Bronx until he moved to
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Former Essex County assistant prosecutor of 'American Gangster' fame sentenced to probation
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Former Head of Narcotics Task Force, Former Federal Bureau of Narcotics (1973–1975)
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Lucas was a petty criminal until he became associated with Harlem crime lord
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Ex-prosecutor portrayed in 'American Gangster' is sentenced for client theft
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467:"'American Gangster' prosecutor Richie Roberts pleads guilty to tax crimes"
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The 1975 mugshot for convicted heroin smuggler and drug kingpin Frank Lucas
720:"Richie Roberts Describes His Life That Is Portrayed In American Gangster"
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with his parents when he was eight years old. He graduated from Newark's
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and Essex County Bureau of Narcotics. After completing law school at
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American Gangster True Story - The real Frank Lucas, Richie Roberts
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Superfly: The True, Untold Story of Frank Lucas, American Gangster
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before being discharged from the service in 1961. He attended
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265:. Roberts remained with the prosecutor's office until 1975.
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investigators' work and not an accurate portrayal of him.
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The film portrays Roberts as being mired in a personal
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portrayal that contained inaccuracies and fabrication.
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After high school, Roberts served for six years in the
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and passing the bar examination, Roberts served as an
684:"A Conversation Between Frank Lucas and Nicky Barnes"
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873:"Is 'American Gangster' really all that 'true'?"
640:"Is 'American Gangster' really all that 'true'?"
414:, alleging that the events depicted in the film
642:22 January 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2008. (
927:Unlikely friendship piques Hollywood interest
527:(1 November 2007). Retrieved 4 December 2012.
521:"A New Jersey Crime Story’s Hollywood Ending"
8:
862:(4 November 2007). Retrieved 7 October 2008.
596:. Chasingthefrog.com. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
96:Former Criminal Defense Attorney (1975–2015)
19:For other people named Richard Roberts, see
104:The prosecution of drug kingpin Frank Lucas
992:Seton Hall University School of Law alumni
540:Roberts-Saluti Attorneys at Law - Our Team
281:Investigating Frank Lucas and "Blue Magic"
25:
890:"DEA agents sue over 'American Gangster'"
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129:in the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.
383:, starring Academy Award-winning actors
722:16 November 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2014
690:25 October 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
560:From Foes to Friends and Now on to Fame
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92:Former Assistant Prosecutor (1971–1975)
356:In January 1975, Lucas's residence in
809:"American Gangster lawsuit dismissed"
752:"U.S. Jury Convicts Heroin Informant"
731:Chepesiuk, Ron and Gonzalez, Anthony.
132:Roberts is known for his role in the
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418:them and hundreds of other agents.
254:Seton Hall University School of Law
240:In 1963, Roberts was employed as a
967:American municipal police officers
962:Jewish American military personnel
768:"Drug Dealer Gets New Prison Term"
465:Moriarty, Thomas (11 April 2017).
455:. Northjersey.com, 11 January 2018
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972:American criminal defense lawyers
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440:. ABA Journal, 20 September 2019
246:Essex County Prosecutor's Office
119:Essex County Prosecutor’s Office
21:Richard Roberts (disambiguation)
982:Lawyers from Newark, New Jersey
701:Conversations With Allan Wolper
410:agents filed a lawsuit against
408:Drug Enforcement Administration
362:Drug Enforcement Administration
347:Conversations With Allan Wolper
856:"Ganging Up on Movie's 'Lies'"
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1027:21st-century American lawyers
1017:20th-century American lawyers
549:. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
16:American attorney (born 1937)
1007:Weequahic High School alumni
785:"The Real American Gangster"
510:. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
90:Former Detective (1963–1971)
332:. However, it was cut with
263:Federal Bureau of Narcotics
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1012:20th-century American Jews
932:A New Jersey Crime Story’s
638:Cable News Network (CNN).
367:witness protection program
219:United States Marine Corps
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987:Rutgers University alumni
307:Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson
221:and attained the rank of
617:"The Return of Superfly"
504:"American Hero: Richard
250:Essex County, New Jersey
231:East Orange, New Jersey
313:, often travelling to
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1002:Upsala College alumni
997:United States Marines
733:"The Raid in Teaneck"
558:William Kleinknecht,
434:Debra Cassens Weiss:
404:Sterling Johnson, Jr.
387:portraying Lucas and
323:Leslie "Ike" Atkinson
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212:Weequahic High School
123:Seton Hall University
81:Seton Hall University
879:. (17 January 2008).
774:. 11 September 1984.
646:3 March 2008 at the
194:Roberts was born in
127:Assistant Prosecutor
822:"American Gangster"
807:ABC News, Reuters.
373:Depictions in media
358:Teaneck, New Jersey
57:The Bronx, New York
977:New Jersey lawyers
892:. 8 February 2008.
790:2011-05-15 at the
772:The New York Times
756:The New York Times
707:2014-10-10 at the
670:. 17 January 2008.
666:2013-08-22 at the
622:2006-05-25 at the
568:, October 5, 2006.
545:2013-10-17 at the
525:The New York Times
519:Jones, Richard G.
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235:Rutgers University
111:Richard M. Roberts
77:Rutgers University
40:Richard M. Roberts
860:The New York Post
828:. 2 November 2007
811:18 February 2008.
783:Oswald, Janelle.
758:. 25 August 1984.
688:New York Magazine
629:, 14 August 2000.
627:New York Magazine
412:Universal Studios
385:Denzel Washington
380:American Gangster
351:American Gangster
315:Bangkok, Thailand
299:American Gangster
229:(now defunct) in
172:Denzel Washington
167:American Gangster
162:police corruption
152:, who operated a
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65:Nationality
946:Categories
796:The Voice.
476:2017-04-11
422:References
208:New Jersey
46:1937-11-28
242:Detective
196:the Bronx
185:Biography
157:smuggling
115:detective
73:Education
788:Archived
705:Archived
664:Archived
644:Archived
620:Archived
543:Archived
508:Roberts"
330:Thailand
223:Sergeant
68:American
739:(2007).
416:defamed
338:quinine
334:mannite
244:by the
117:in the
888:WPRI.
506:Richie
471:NJ.com
204:Newark
154:heroin
146:Harlem
140:, and
138:arrest
59:, U.S.
198:, in
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