Table of Contents
WEVE ALL HEARD OF THE MAFIA AND READ ABOUT MOBSTERS, BUT GEORGIA DURANTE SAW THEM UP CLOSE. She lived with them. She experienced their violence. She survived their wars. InThe Company She Keeps, she tells her fascinating story.
Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and bestselling author Jimmy Breslin
Georgia Durantes life exemplifies many of the strengths Ive written about. She refused to surrender to abuse, and moved from being a victim to being a victor. She is an inspiration for any woman who feels her situation is hopeless.
Susan Forward, Ph.D., bestselling author of Emotional Blackmail and Men Who Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them
This wonderful story of courage offers an exciting and unique look at how organized crime in this country can destroy much more than the usual victims of its activities. Georgia Durante rose above it. I salute her.
James D. Henderson, former chief of the Los Angeles Strike Force on Organized Crime, United States Department of Justice
A truly unique and insightful dimension to the underworld, written with bone-chilling detail.
Henry Hill, author of Gangsters and Goodfellas: The Mob, Witness Protection Program, and Life on the Run
Georgia Durante had quite a life, and the courage it takes to live it. I would never have imagined all [shes] been through. [She] hides a lot behind that lovely smile.
Hugh OBrian, actor
Quite unreal, really. What a life.Graham Nash, musician Georgia Durante has great skill as an author. Her warmth, her daring, and her intelligence make this book a great adventure. I couldnt put it down. Read this book! Youll be amazed; youll be excited. Youll be grateful I made you do it.Buddy Hackett
Once you start reading this book, you cannot put it down. Theres a surprise on every page and a twist and turn in every chapter.Dick Van Patten
Georgia Durante has an adventurous spirit and has led a glamorous life. She honestly shares painful experiences in this fascinating and entertaining book.Stella Stevens
[A] quick-paced account of life in the fast lane. At the heart is the love of danger and excitement which is, for [Georgia], almost a fatal flaw. Fortunately, a love of autos and an uncanny ability to control high-horsepower cars led to an unexpected escape route... a story well worth reading. Samuel Hallock DuPont, Jr.
A story of today. Women will relate to [Georgias] inner strength that enabled her to overcome obstacles, and men will relate to [her] courage and admire her perseverance.
Marty Allen
A superbly written autobiography about a lovely young womans struggle and victory. What a struggle; what a victory; what a woman! Georgia is one of a kind, and so is her book.Alan Young
Its one of those stories that makes you want to write a better critique than anyone elses. But Georgia has written the best one of all. Youll agree with me tomorrow morning when you still havent put [it] to bed.
Morton Downey, Jr.
To my daughter, Toni, whose struggle with life has set this book in motion. And my son, Dustin, who has been a constant source of joy in my life.
To my parents, Tony and Angela Durante. Without your unconditional love and support, I probably wouldnt be here to be dedicating this book to anyone.
And lastly to my sister, Sharon, my best friend and greatest supporter.
Acknowledgments
I would like to acknowledge:
Scott Deal, who listened to my life story over several glasses of wine in my backyard and urged me to put it down on paper. Without his encouragement, this book would not have been written.
Gail Stewart, my early copy editor, whose Radcliff education could in no way prepare her for the editing of this book. Yes, Gail, I took out all the profanity that made you cringe. Wish you were still with us to finally see the fruits of our labor. I miss you.
Buddy Hackett, whose opinion I value. You were right, Buddy, I made the changes you suggested. Sherry Hackett, my dearest of friends. Thanks for the positive attitude and for standing behind me. Your belief in this book has helped it come to be.
Barry Lund, with Lintas Cambell Ewald Advertising Agency, and Barry Meier, with Avalon Films, who put up with me writing this book between takes on our annual fifty-day summer shoots for Chevrolet.
Sidney Sheldon, who took time out from writing his own book to critique mine. Your kindness will not be forgotten.
Ralph Cossey, a true friend, who unselfishly gave of his time for three years, freeing me from my daily drudgery, allowing me to write without interruption. More books could be written if everyone with a book in them had a Ralph in their life.
Jimmy Breslin, whose helpful suggestions were invaluable. Im honored by the interest you have taken and by the guidance you have provided. It is very much appreciated.
Frank Aloi, whose book, The Hammer Conspiracies, was helpful in jogging my memory and placing my lifes events in the correct chronology.
Marty Allen and his beautiful wife, Katie, thank you for your friendship and belief in me when I needed encouragement. Your unrelenting effort in helping me to bring this book together has given the word friendship a new meaning.
Quincy Jones, who used to think of me as church people until he read my book. Thanks, Q, for urging me to press forward with my dream.
A special thanks to all of my friends who took the time to read my rough drafts and point out where I fell short. There are too many of you to mention by name. You know who you are. Without you, and your encouraging faith in me, these pages would never have been turned.
Id like to thank all of the people at Hambleton-Hill Publishing who have worked long and hard to get this book out in seven months. What a team! Thank you, Van Hillyoure one heck of a businessman. Thank you, Bethany Snyder, my copy editor, for all those weekends you forfeited to make our deadline. You did a superb job. And a special thanks to Sandra Laughlin, who received this manuscript on a Monday and stayed up all night reading it. (Has your husband forgiven me yet?) Tuesday we made a deal to publish. Thanks for your receptiveness and insight. Your inspiration over this project has made it come to life. I will always be indebted to you.
And finally, Chuck Woolery, who lovingly led me back to my spiritual side.
Authors Note
This book has been written from my memory of events in my life. Although Im amazed at my recall, there were times when I could not remember exact conversations and times of events. In these instances, I have improvised to move the story along. I have strong opinions of some of the people in this book which I do not hesitate to state. They are my own personal convictions which I believe I have a right to express.
There are few, but some of the names in this book have been changed to protect the innocent... as well as the guilty.
Prologue
Excuse me, are those Bugle Boy jeans youre wearing?
If you watched television anytime during the early 1990s, you saw the commercial. There was the good-looking hunk in a Jeep, heading north along the rugged Pacific Coast Highway. The raven-haired beauty in a red vintage Dino Ferrari convertible accelerates to eighty-five miles an hour, pulls up even with the Jeep on a spectacular hairpin turn, and inquires about the maker of the hunks pants.
