West Melbourne, FL, January 3, 2013 – Gangster Redemption (LL Research & Consulting) is the life story of Larry Lawton, one of America’s most notorious jewel robbers. Growing up in the Bronx and Brooklyn, New York, Larry was an altar boy until the day he was sexually molested by a priest. As a teen needing to prove his manhood, he began a criminal career that included ‘enforcer’ for the Gambino crime family and six years up and down the East Coast pulling off jewelry heists worth over 15 million dollars – to the frustration of both the police and the FBI!
Co-written by 8-time New York Times bestselling author Peter Golenbock, Gangster Redemption truly is the life story of a ‘Goodfella’ turned ‘good guy’ who gets his life back on track to help and inspire others. His riveting story has it all; the millions he made from robberies, prison torture, the New York mafia, and much more. A blockbuster movie waiting to happen, Gangster Redemption takes readers on a white-knuckle, roller-coaster ride to hell and back!
Lawton understands first-hand the fine line between making good and bad choices; he spent six years in the Coast Guard before making bad choices that led to associations with organized crime. In prison he saw inmates stabbed and friends die. He saw young men raped and pimped out as prostitutes for other inmates. He studied to become a paralegal while in prison and acted as a gang mediator. Larry fought prison abuses and for doing so, spent three years in the “hole” being tortured by guards – and somehow kept his sanity by helping other inmates.
After his release in 2007, Larry developed the Reality Check Program as a way to instill hope and inspire kids to stay out of prison – a program so successful it’s being used by the courts, law enforcement, the federal government, and parents all over the country. A leader in the field, Larry’s program reinforces that when people make good choices their life can change. An independent quantitative analysis was done showing the Reality Check Program to have one of the highest success rates in the nation. 90% of the teens did not get re-arrested, 70% had better attitudes, 43% had better school grades and 31% had better school attendance.
Currently working on a new TV show called Lawton’s Law to advance this program, Larry is realizing major triumphs in turning kids’ lives around. They recognize that Larry ‘walks the talk’ and when he shares how prison cost him lost time, family, friends and his freedom – they listen and they learn that a life of crime is no life at all.
Larry Lawton has appeared on TV and radio, and been featured in numerous newspaper articles. His recent TV appearances include The Trisha Show on NBC, The Daily Buzz, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Huckabee on FOX, and many others. Larry’s inimitable style connects easily with people and he unquestionably brings the most entertaining, motivating and inspirational stories to audiences around the country.
For more information on Larry, his book Gangster Redemption, or the Reality Check Program and its remarkable successes, please visit: www.lawton911.com.
Jeff Kottkamp, Florida’s 17th Lt. Governor: “As the first-ever Chairman of Florida’s Children and Youth Cabinet I have worked with hundreds of children who have made bad choices in life—but have so much good to offer the world…Is inspirational and authentic. He opens his heart and soul to the reader. I highly recommend this “must read” book.”
Billy Cassara, 60 Minutes and 20/20 Cameraman and the late Don Hewitt’s son-in-law: “Your book is amazing…It’s so honest…scary…real… and you don’t apologize for being a bad guy in a former life. It was your life…and you paid dearly. Your description of the loneliness (and torture) of prison life is a must read for any kid who might think that prison is what you see in those Discovery Channel TV shows.”
Dominic M. Calabro, President & CEO of Florida TaxWatch: “There is no more important asset to the state of Florida than our children, and their paths through life are defined by the choices they make, and the guidance they receive along the way. Experience is often the best guide…Story is genuine and stirring, and this book can be a fantastic tool for anyone looking to change his or her life for the better.”
Carol Kalet, Teacher: “Your book was very inspiring… abuses…you withstood were very difficult to read, [but] I couldn’t put it down… impressed with how you turned your life around & your dedication to helping teens do the same… is well written and awe inspiring. A must read… especially [for] anyone with teens.”
Brett Mills: “… When we hear of people having their rights infringed in the U.S. we are supposed to do something about it. That is where Larry Lawton, in [his book] makes his case. While I am filled with disdain for criminals and [their crimes], they are, in fact, still human beings. [He] has seen, and felt, what it is to be treated worse than any animal. Fortunately, he found ways around that, and gives that credit to God…and asked Him for His forgiveness. He has done his time…and now… has also charted his redemption – a noble plan to attempt saving the lives of some of America’s misguided young people.”