NYPD Blue Lies: The Shocking True Story of Racism, Corruption, Cover-Ups and Murder in the NYPD [Paperback]

Charles Castro (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 14, 2009

MURDER, CORRUPTION, RACISM AND SCANDAL: GIULIANI'S NYPD.

When a New York senator was issued a traffic ticket by a New York City cop, his call to a top-ranking member of the NYPD for a favor started a chain of events that resulted in the horrific murder of an innocent young woman, Bliss Verdon.

Police sergeant Charles Castro was singled out to be the scapegoat in a cover-up of the NYPD's role in the events that led to the murder. But, as a tough-as-nails cop, he had other ideas and was not about to roll over for the police brass.

Though it seems more like a Hollywood movie, this real-life story of Castro's efforts to prove his innocence is an unprecedented look at wanton acts of police misconduct and rampant corruption.

NYPD Blue Lies has it all: Castro's controversial ex-wife (also a cop) who posed for Playboy magazine; police executions ; gunfights; hostage-taking; backstabbing; gossip; brawling; group sex; racism... It's a darker side of New York's Finest, as well as a scathing look at America's Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Having served under three New York City mayors and a parade of police commissioners, Castro has come to recognize one common thread connecting them all: their utter lack of leadership for both the city they served and the heroes in blue they were sworn to command.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A first-hand view of the dark secrets in the NYPD. A sledgehammer that shatters the blue wall of silence. --Eric Adams, New York State Senator

A revealing look at what it is like to be let down and victimized by a hypocritical and corrupt bureaucracy in order to protect its own image. --Frank Serpico, legendary NYPD officer, subject to the Academy Award-winning movie Serpico

The shocking story of a heroic Latino cop's personal battle against corruption and racism inside the NYPD. --Juan Gonzalez, New York Daily News

From the Author

A very personal account about my life experiences as a member of the NYPD. A story of Racism in the 21st Century within the NYPD. The disturbing darker side of Rudolf Giuliani's acceptance of corruption and rogue police officer within the NYPD.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Arbor Books; first edition (April 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0980058260
• ISBN-13: 978-0980058260
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,058,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The only truth in this book is FIRED FORMER NYPD Sergeant Castro's LIES!!!, September 6, 2010

By 

A REAL cop - See all my reviews

This review is from: NYPD Blue Lies: The Shocking True Story of Racism, Corruption, Cover-Ups and Murder in the NYPD (Paperback)

The title of this book should have been "Former Fired Sergeant Castro's Lies". In Castro's own words, (see for yourself) he starts the book with this quote "I have recreated events based on my experience where the thoughts and actions of the participants are disputed or can not be known with certainty. In those incidents the descriptions are presented in italics and represent no more then my opinions as to what hypothetically may have occurred." That spells out nothing more then a POOR opinion from a disgruntled "FIRED" former NYPD Sergeant, (or a fairy tale)! The writer backs NOTHING up with facts! It is sad to read some of the reviews that state this was "good reading" and a "true account of the NYPD". This book does NOT represent the truth of the New York City Police Department! Fact: Castro was fired for violating department policy. Fact: Castro's ex wife was fired for violation of department policy. Fact: Promotion within the NYPD is based on a civil service exam and has NOTHING to do with race, creed, color, religion and/or sexual orientation, (1st four ranks: Police Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain). Fact: When Mayor David Dinkins was in office, (1989 to 1993) there was an average TWO THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED murders in New York City, (2,400) and AFTER Mayor Rudolph Giuliani came to office, (1993 to 2001) the NYC murder rate was lowered to an average of NINE HUNDRED and FIFTY, (950) murders. Do the math on that one and how anyone can find fault in that is beyond me. Castro's book makes the NYPD out to be a hit squad who shoots everyone, but fact of the matter is 99.99% of the time where deadly physical force can be used its NOT! ESPECIALLY in hostage situations.

I could go on and on about how poorly written and untrue this book is, but its honestly not worth my time or yours.

I am not saying the NYPD is flawless, but what organization is?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Angry One, January 27, 2011

By 

XiNo - See all my reviews

This review is from: NYPD Blue Lies: The Shocking True Story of Racism, Corruption, Cover-Ups and Murder in the NYPD (Paperback)

As a retired detective with over twenty years in one of the most prestigious units in the NYPD I can say that I conducted hundreds of investigations. Proudly, my investigative training and expertise always resulted in me catching the bad guy. Criminals are caught many times because they leave behind signatures. These signatures can range from phrases, to marks on a wall or particular method of handwriting just to name a few. Interestingly enough when I read the review by Greg NYC, his words jumped off the page and hit me in the face. The old familiar abusive language and condescending statements reminded me of an old friend of mine from the NYPD. The review by Greg NYC who sounds eerily like J. Brandt, the gadfly of his unit is nothing more than a diatribe. Brandt who is a close friend of the author chose to write about the author's relationship with disgraced NYS Senator Hiram Monserrate and that the author used bad judgment for speaking highly about Monserrate, twelve years before Monserrate was convicted of misdemeanor assault. How is that a review? Furthermore, the author doesn't write extensively about his relationship with Monserrate, however, J.Brandt writes about their friendship because he knows how close they were as he too is close with both of them. For whatever reason in his sick mind J. Brandt decided to write such a ridicules and idiotic review about NYPD Blue Lies only he knows. J. Brandt claims that this book is highly speculative. That is a crock of manure, every single act of misconduct written about in NYPD Blue Lies that was committed by corrupt police officers can be verified by going to Charles Castro's website. In fact many of the incidents that J. Brandt claims were "speculative" were highly publicized cases. Castro's biggest point is that even as heinous and highly publicized as these cases were, many cops were given menial punishments. J.Brandt even goes on to call his close friend a racist. Maybe J. Brandt has Alzheimer's or dementia did you forget the fact that Castro helped to organize a $27 million dollar lawsuit against the NYPD for racial discrimination and won. NYPD Blue Lies is a book that I read in four days, it captivated me from beginning to end. I don't know Charlie Castro well but I do know that he is a funny individual and some of the stories in this book had me peeing in my pants. Overall the book is very well written yet it can be offensive to some readers who may differ with Charlie Castro's point of view.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ for CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEYS, April 3, 2011

By 

ELMHURSTesq - See all my reviews

This review is from: NYPD Blue Lies: The Shocking True Story of Racism, Corruption, Cover-Ups and Murder in the NYPD (Paperback)

Any NY lawyer thinking about taking on the NYPD better have this book! I have purchased it for all my interns and associates, and even for my family and friends. It reads like a block-buster movie, and this book epitomizes the very reason I stopped reading fiction. Why waste precious time reading fantasy when the truth is even more exciting?

I would not trust the negative reviews here, because if you read closely enough you will see that they seem to be written by people that may have some sort of personal beef with the author. Might even be his nemesis back on the force for all we know!

This is Castro's first book and he didn't have an editor catch the glitches -- big deal! No need to nitpick because the story will blow you away from start to finish. Can't wait for part two!!! Also can't wait for the big screen version!