The Fixer
The Notorious Life of a Front-Page Bail Bondsman
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
From New York’s foremost bail bondsman with “over $30 million on the street” comes the story of a modern-day “fixer” who walks a fine line between hustler and humanitarian with clients ranging from the rich and famous to the mafia and gangs of New York.
With from-the-gut prose, Ira Judelson sheds light on the highs and lows of the bondsman life. But Judelson is no process server. He sees himself as a sort of modern day “macher”—using his juice as a bail bondsman to help friends old and new out of jams wherever he can. He is also a keenly observant and wildly charismatic insider who’s seen it all.
Prepare to be shocked and informed as Judelson reveals the unwritten laws of the courtroom and even prison—not to mention the shameless activities of his unbelievable list of clients, including former New York Giants Plaxico Burress and Lawrence Taylor; rappers Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Ja Rule, Lil’ Wayne, and DMX; comedian Katt Williams; notorious Manhattan madam Kristin Davis; and former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn. You’ll see why the New York Times describes Judelson as “an inevitable entry in the BlackBerrys of New York defense lawyers, an ATM for desperate rappers, actors, athletes, executives, and madams with pocketbooks much fatter than his.”
The Fixer is a rollicking narrative that follows Judelson as he learns the ins and outs of the down-and-dirty world of bonds: which judge might let you slide, which ones have zero tolerance, which lawyers do pro bono for the right case, and the cops and DAs who believe in second chances. Judelson illuminates a world almost entirely opaque to the general public, but also entertains and informs with the inside scoop on the underbelly of the justice system.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Avid crime-show enthusiasts are likely familiar with the figure of the bail bondsman a third party who helps clients get out of jail while ensuring they make all their appointed court dates. Judelson, one of New York's most prominent bondsmen, pulls back the curtain to reveal the backroom machinations, last-minute deals, and occasional manhunts that go along with the job in this page-turner. After he discovered a distant relative was one of New York's premier bondsmen, Judelson was able to establish a foothold in the close-knit industry and found himself working with clients ranging from mobsters to rappers. Tales of close calls and paranoia, as well as tips on surviving prison ("don't trust a prison phone," "hire a prison coach") carry the book, but Judelson's anecdotes of how his career has impacted his family ("all three of my kids would be born during a major organized crime case") add another layer of depth. As he closes with a lamentation on how the trade is losing the long-held brotherhood and camaraderie among bondsmen, attorneys, and judges due to technology and spreadsheets, it becomes clear that this may be a last glimpse at one of the country's most unique professions.
Customer Reviews
The Fixer
This is a great read. The Fixer takes you into places hopefully none of us will experience first hand but if you do, and you're in New York City you can only hope Ira Judelson will take you on a a Client!
Hard working, no nonsense and a straight shooter he allows us to peek in at the constant balance of his life - family, kids and work.
I'm an avid reader and this is one of the few books in a while I simply couldn't put down...
DMX at the Danbury Mall Build A Bear?
Table at Rao's?
Tune up a biker at McDonald's?
All great stuff and I'm hoping there's a second, third and fourth book!
Not much content
I thought there might be more inside conversations and actions of the rich and famous.
A Bail Bondsman with "Chutzpah"!!!
Ira Judelson, Bail Bondsman to the Stars, takes a no holds barred approach in sharing his life's story...and those of the many colorful characters he has met along the way.