Curtis Sliwa
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Curtis Sliwa (born March 26, 1954 in Canarsie, Brooklyn, New York) founded the Guardian Angels in 1979, a volunteer anti-crime organization with which he has remained closely identified.
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[edit] Career
Sliwa originally created the organization to combat widespread violence and crime on the New York City subways. At the time, New York City was suffering a double burden as the crime capital of the nation and broad cutbacks in municipal services to reduce huge debt.
The Guardian Angels' perceived vigilantism drew strong reactions, both positive and negative, from the public and the media. Sliwa later admitted that, in order to attract favorable media attention the Guardian Angels, he had fabricated a series of criminal incidents "that clearly had not taken place" in the late 1970's and early 1980s. Throughout the early 1980’s the group's distinctive uniform, a red beret and white insignia t-shirt, became instantly recognizable as the group grew.
In the early 1980's, he was also active in Buffalo, New York and was often critical of local police policies and practices.[1]
Sliwa later became a populist conservative radio talk show host, although his political views are less noticeable than his "gift of gab" rapid-fire speaking style. In the early 1990's, Sliwa was co-host with his then-wife Lisa Evers on WABC-AM in New York City.
[edit] Assassination Attempt on Sliwa
On June 19, 1992 Sliwa was ambushed by two gunmen after getting in the back of a taxi in New York City. Sliwa was shot multiple times and underwent surgery for internal injuries and leg wounds. John A. "Junior" Gotti, son of the late crime boss John Gotti, and two members of the Gambino crime family were charged with conspiring to murder Sliwa in retaliation for comments about the elder Gotti that Sliwa made during his radio program.
On September 20, 2005, the case against Gotti was declared a mistrial after the jury became hopelessly deadlocked. A retrial on the same charges was declared a mistrial on March 10, 2006, again due to a deadlocked jury. The third trial was declared a mistrial on September 27, 2006, once again due to a deadlocked jury.[2] On October 20, 2006, prosecutors announced that they will not re-try Gotti, and dismissed the charges against him. Sliwa was outraged by the decision and announced that he will sue Gotti for the kidnapping attempt.
According to a November 13, 2006 New York Post article[3], Michael Yannotti was convicted by a jury of racketeering and loan sharking. Yannotti was apparently ordered by "Junior" Gotti to intimidate Sliwa, however Yanotti shot Sliwa instead of beating him. The injuries resulted in a life of debilitating pain for Sliwa.
[edit] Current media presence
After his attempted murder, his WABC program was cancelled. Through his friendship with Mayor Rudy Giuliani Sliwa landed a radio program on the then city-owned and operated WNYC.
Sliwa is now the co-host, with Ron Kuby, of the "Curtis and Kuby in the Morning" program aired weekdays from 5 A.M. to 10 A.M. on WABC. Sliwa and Kuby also co-hosted a television version of "Curtis & Kuby" on MSNBC in the afternoons for a time in 2002-2003. The "Curtis and Kuby" radio show has won many broadcasting awards and is produced by Frank Morano.
[edit] Family
In 2004 Sliwa married for a third time and became a father.
[edit] Trivia
Sliwa is known for his connection to the New York City local community and frequently participates in local events. He is an active proponent of the game of stickball and sometimes refers to himself as the "Stickball Commissioner" of New York City. He is also a former host and participant in competitive eating events.
[edit] Notes
- ^ JamesCunningham,68,Dies; Buffalo Police Commissioner
- ^ Gotti Jurors Hear Closing Arguments
- ^ Avenging Angel
