"Donnie Brasco" to Speak At UB On March 27

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Joseph D. Pistone, the FBI agent who infiltrated the Bonanno crime family in New York City as jewel thief "Donnie Brasco," will speak at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 27, in the Center for the Arts on the University at Buffalo North (Amherst) Campus.

The lecture will be presented by the University Union Activities Board at UB in conjunction with the Criminal Law Society in the UB School of Law.

Posing as "Donnie Brasco," Pistone carried out the most audacious sting operation ever, working undercover for six years to infiltrate the flamboyant and deadly community of organized crime soldiers, "connected guys," captains and "godfathers."

Pistone's testimony led to more than 200 federal indictments and more than 100 convictions of mob figures. So thorough was Pistone's cover that the New York City Police Department actually listed him as a member of the Bonanno crime family.

In his lecture at UB, Pistone will reveal the jealously guarded world he penetrated, bringing to life the world of the "wiseguys" -- their code of honor, lavish spending and dirty dealings -- and drawing a chilling picture of what the Mafia is, does and means in America today.

Pistone is the author of the best-selling autobiography, "Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia." His story was made into a major motion picture starring Johnny Depp.

The cost of tickets for the lecture, which will go on sale on March 3, will be $3 and $5 for students and $8 and $10 for the general public. Student tickets are available at the Center for the Arts box office and at the Student Union ticket office. Tickets for the general public are available at the Center for the Arts box office, the Student Union ticket office and all Ticketmaster locations.