Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts, whose improbable real-life story was the subject of the blockbuster 2007 film, “American Gangster,” will speak Tuesday, Feb. 24, in the Nott Memorial.
The 5:30 p.m. talk is free and open to the public.
In the 1970s, Lucas was a ruthless drug dealer who ruled the streets of Newark and Harlem. He and his gang made millions by smuggling pure heroin inside the coffins of American soldiers returning home from Vietnam.
Roberts was a tough-guy cop-turned prosecutor from New Jersey determined to bring Lucas to justice. He pursued Lucas relentlessly, and Lucas was finally arrested in 1975. A year later, he was convicted on federal drug charges.
Lucas, who once put a hit out on Roberts, faced a sentence of 70 years to life, but served only seven years after his main nemesis convinced him to become a government informant. The cooperation by Lucas helped lead to the conviction of other criminals and corrupt police officers.
Roberts eventually became a defense attorney; his first client was Lucas. The two developed a close friendship, visiting with each other and talking weekly. Roberts is also the godfather to Lucas’s son, Ray, 12, and helps pay his private school tuition.
Roberts and Lucas frequently appear together to discuss their story and to de-glamorize the criminal life that drew the interest of Hollywood.
In the movie, which has grossed more than $265 million worldwide, Denzel Washington played the part of Lucas, with Russell Crowe as the Roberts character.
A free screening of the movie will be shown at 7 p.m. in the Reamer Campus Center auditorium the night before the talk by Lucas and Roberts. Both events are sponsored by the Speakers Forum.