Page 231. Herman Tarnow: Interview with author, 1988.
Page 231. David Lawrence: Interview with author, 1989.
Page 231. Tarnow thought that Lawrence might be interested: Herman Tarnow, interview with author, 1988.
Page 231. Giuliani was interested in more: Rudolph Giuliani, interview with author, 1988.
Page 232. secret tape recording: United States of America v. Carl A. Capasso, U.S. attorney’s presentencing report, March 24, 1987.
Page 232. Tony Lombardi: Interview with author, 1989.
Page 232. Kevin Ford: Interview with author, 1989.
Page 232. Andy heard about her subpoena: Confidential source, interview with author, 1989.
Page 233. Andy retained lawyers: U.S. v. Carl A. Capasso, U.S. attorney’s presentencing report.
Page 233. he got what appeared to be a warning: U.S. v. Carl A. Capasso, U.S. attorney’s presentencing report.
Page 233. “Now tell me this is not an organized crime case.”: Confidential source, interview with author, 1989.
Page 233. Jay Goldberg: Interviews with author, 1988 and 1989.
Page 233. “low blow”: U.S. v. Carl A. Capasso, sentencing hearing, March 30, 1987.
Page 234. She described in detail how Andy would direct her: Former Nanco employee, federal grand jury testimony, April 20, 1986.
Page 234. “I could not go over fifteen hundred dollars.…”: Former Nanco employee, federal grand jury testimony, April 20, 1986.
Page 234. Bess called Rickman: Herb Rickman, interview with author, 1988.
Page 234. Rickman was terrified: Herb Rickman, interview with author, 1988.
Page 235. “From that point on, I no longer took up invitations.…”: Herb Rickman, interview with author, 1988.
Page 235. the mayor’s City Hall press conference: Author attended the press conference as a reporter for New York Newsday, May 2, 1986.
Page 235. “absurd…”: Joanne Wasserman, “Bess Denies Helping Beau Win City Contracts,” New York Post, May 3, 1986.
Page 235. Koch immediately called Bess: Mayor Edward I. Koch, deposition submitted to the federal grand jury, September 23, 1987.
Page 236. “I believed it to be true at the time”: Mayor Edward I. Koch, deposition submitted to the federal grand jury.
Page 236. Marcia Kramer: Interview with author, 1988.
Page 236. “The chances are dollars to donuts.…”: Marcia Kramer, “Bess’ Role: All in the Family, Myerson Hired Daughter of Judge Who Cut Beau’s Alimony,” New York Daily News, May 7, 1986.
Page 236. “mild stroke.”: Hortense W. Gabel, sworn testimony, Commission on Judicial Conduct, May 26, 1987.
Page 237. Gwen Hatcher: Testimony, United States of America v. Bess Myerson, Carl A. Capasso, and Hortense W. Gabel.
Page 237. “witch hunt”: Gwen Hatcher, testimony, U.S. v. Bess Myerson et al.
Page 238. Bess called Sukhreet: Sukhreet Gabel, interview with author, 1987.
Page 238. Sukhreet was surprised: Sukhreet Gabel, interview with author, 1987.
Page 238. state Commission on Judicial Conduct: Witnesses began testifying on July 24, 1986.
Page 240. Judge Gabel agreed to testify: Hortense W. Gabel, sworn testimony, Commission on Judicial Conduct, July 24, 1986.
Page 240. she did not want to leave the bench in disgrace: Hortense W. Gabel, interview with author, 1989.
Page 240. “It’s very hard to.…”: Hortense W. Gabel, sworn testimony, Commission on Judicial Conduct, May 26, 1987.
Page 240. Sukhreet testified: Sukhreet Gabel, sworn testimony, Commission on Judicial Conduct, July 23, 1986.
Page 240. “power of an ant”: Nancy Capasso, interview with author, 1987.
Page 240. Myrna Felder: Interview with author, 1987.
Page 240. “We also find an error of law.…”: Appellate Division, Capasso v. Capasso, October 2, 1986.
Page 241. Andy had evaded $774,000: Indictment, U.S. v. Carl A. Capasso, January 14, 1987.
Page 242. Fred Hafetz: Interviews with author, 1988 and 1989.
Page 242. Bess had decided not to tell Koch: Cindy Adams, “I’m Like a Leashed Tiger,” New York Post, January 15, 1987.
Page 243. Bess looked nervous: Confidential source, interview with author, 1989.
Chapter 29: “The Bess Mess”
Among the people interviewed for this chapter were George Arzt, Wayne Barrett, Nancy Capasso, Ken Conboy, Michael Feldberg, Myrna Felder, Kevin Ford, former mayor Edward I. Koch, Marcia Kramer, Hortense W. Gabel, Sukhreet Gabel, Rudolph Giuliani, Jay Goldberg, Fred Hafetz, Leland T. Jones, David Lawrence, Tony Lombardi, Patricia Morrisroe, Jack Newfield, Larry Simonberg, and Mike Taibbi. The author also consulted the Tyler report, investigative reports, grand jury testimony, transcripts from the state Commission on Judicial Conduct’s investigation, and court records from the federal tax evasion case against Andy Capasso and the federal bribery case against Bess Myerson, Andy Capasso, and Judge Gabel. The author also drew from articles published in the New York Daily News, New York Post, New York Times, and Village Voice, as well as articles reported and written by the author in New York Newsday.
Page 244. “She said her lawyer didn’t think it necessary.…”: Mayor Edward I. Koch, deposition for federal investigation, September 23, 1987.
Page 244. A “great deal of confidence and respect”: Marcia Kramer and Stuart Marques, “‘Distressed’ Koch Wants Answers, Ed Orders Bess to Talk,” New York Daily News, January 11, 1987.
Page 244. “a negative inference.…”: Joyce Purnick, “Myerson, at Grand Jury, Invoked 5th Amendment,” New York Times, January 11, 1987.
Page 244. “I didn’t hear the state of mind of a duplicitous person.…”: Joyce Purnick, “Myerson Is Stepping Aside as Koch’s Culture Chief,” New York Times, January 14, 1987.
Page 245. “He was kind enough on a pro-bono basis.…”: Mayor Edward I. Koch, deposition for federal investigation, September 23, 1987.
Page 245. “I will return as commissioner.…”: Bess Myerson, statement released to press, January 13, 1987.
Page 246. “We view the present indictment.…”: Marvin Smilon and Marsha Kranes, “Bess’ Beau Is Busted,” New York Post, January 15, 1987.
Page 246. But Giuliani warned that the federal grand jury: “Bess’ Beau Is Busted.”
Page 246. But Andy told friends: Confidential source, interview with author, 1988.
Page 246. Richard Bruno: Sworn testimony, United States of America v. Bess Myerson, Carl A. Capasso, and Hortense W. Gabel, November 1988.
Page 247. “I categorically deny that any improper influence.…”: Andy Capasso, statement released to press, March 30, 1987.
Page 247. Jay Goldberg: Interview with author, 1988.
Page 247. “He said to me, and this is a quote.…”: Jay Goldberg, sentencing hearing, United States of America v. Carl A. Capasso, March 30, 1987.
Page 247. David Lawrence: Interview with author, 1989.
Page 247. “rat”: David Lawrence, sentencing hearing, U.S. v. Carl A. Capasso, March 30, 1987.
Page 247. Samuel Peabody: Letter contained in Andy Capasso’s presentence memorandum, March 24, 1987.
Page 248. Andy’s stepson: Letter contained in Andy Capasso’s presentence memorandum.
Page 248. Jerome Becker: Letter contained in Andy Capasso’s presentence memorandum.
Page 248. Dr. Ted Rubin: Letter contained in Andy Capasso’s presentence memorandum.
Page 248. The prosecutor portrayed Andy as a greedy and corrupt man: Andy Capasso’s presentence memorandum, March 30, 1987.
Page 249. “Your honor, he had no information.…”: Jay Goldberg, transcript, sentencing hearing, U.S. v. Carl A. Capasso, March 30, 1987.
Page 249. “Well, I have never had any information.…”: Andy Capasso, transcript, sentencing hearing, U.S. v. Carl A. Capasso.
Page 249. “All right.…”: Judge Stewart, transcript, sentencing hearing, U.S. v. Carl A. Capasso.
Page 249. “I
’m like a leashed tiger.…”: Cindy Adams, “I’m like a leashed tiger,” New York Post, January 15, 1987.
Page 250. Bess became increasingly obsessed: Three confidential sources, interview with author, 1988.
Page 250. Mike Taibbi: Interview with author, 1989.
Page 251. Marcia Kramer: Interview with author, 1987.
Page 251. Patricia Morrisroe: Interview with author, 1988.
Page 251. “there is no story here.…”: Patricia Morrisroe, “Bess and the Mess,” New York, March 30, 1987.
Page 252. she changed her mind: Tyler report, April 8, 1987.
Page 252. During the three-month probe they examined: Tyler report.
Page 252. “I was a very good Girl Scout.…”: Sukhreet Gabel, interview with author, 1987.
Page 254. “evasive and unconvincing”: Tyler report.
Page 255. “I hope that this won’t stop us.…”: Mayor Edward I. Koch, deposition for federal investigation, September 23, 1987.
Page 255. “Dear Ed: I will always be proud.…”: Bess Myerson, letter to Mayor Edward I. Koch, April 9, 1987.
Page 255. “I don’t think that she knew why she was there.…”: Confidential source, interview with author, 1988.
Page 256. “She wasn’t professional.…”: Confidential source, interview with author, 1988.
Page 256. “She could be very tough.…”: Confidential source, interview with author, 1988.
Page 256. City Hall news conference: Author attended news conference, April 9, 1987.
Page 257. “Although, in retrospect and with hindsight.…”: Bess Myerson, statement released to press, April 9, 1987.
Page 257. “absolute fact”: Charles Lachman, “Capasso Judge ‘Didn’t Know They Were Lovers,’” New York Post, April 10, 1987.
Page 257. Nancy Capasso: Interview with author, April 9, 1987.
Page 257. Robert Morgenthau: Interview with author, 1989.
Page 258. Jack Newfield: Interview with author, 1988.
Page 259. “I’m aghast at what she did.…”: Mayor Edward I. Koch, press conference attended by author, June 12, 1987.
Page 259. Daily News: “The Myerson Report: Time to Prosecute,” New York Daily News, June 11, 1987.
Page 259. New York Times: “Ms. Myerson, the Judge, and the Mayor,” New York Times, June 12, 1987.
Page 259. “Bess is locked in her room.…”: Ann Bollinger and Jim Nolan, “Farewell, My Lovely,” New York Post, June 13, 1987.
Page 260. “It has to be done.…”: Bess Myerson, interview with author, 1987.
Page 260. Description of weekend at Westhampton: Details were drawn from articles published in the New York Post, New York Daily News, and New York Newsday.
Page 261. $6.4 million divorce settlement: Capasso v. Capasso divorce records, July 2, 1987.
Page 261. “Oooh … that’s where Bess …”: Marcia Kramer, “Three Sea Belles By Seashore,” New York Daily News, July 4, 1987.
Page 262. she was furious: Sukhreet Gabel, interview with author, 1987.
Page 262. David Lawrence: Interview with author, 1989.
Page 263. transcripts of the telephone conversations: Evidence, U.S. v. Bess Myerson et al.
Page 264. “Can’t we get rid of some of this clutter?”: Sukhreet Gabel, interview with author, 1987.
Page 264. October 7, 1987: Author attended press conference.
Page 265. “unequivocally asserts.…”: Fred Hafetz, statement released to press, October 7, 1987.
Page 266. “I am totally convinced of the propriety.…”: Hortense W. Gabel, press conference, October 7, 1987.
Page 267. “If she’s taking little things like that.…”: Marcia Kramer, “Bess Fails to Get Delay,” New York Daily News, October 4, 1987.
Chapter 30: “Oh, No, Bess!”
Among the people interviewed for this chapter were Nancy Capasso, Michael Feldberg, Myrna Felder, Raoul Lionel Felder, Kevin Ford, Sukhreet Gabel, Rudolph Giuliani, Jay Goldberg, Fred Hafetz, Marcia Kramer, David Lawrence, Tony Lombardi, John McDermott, Paul Moses, Bill Smith, and Rick Walker. The author also consulted court transcripts and records from the federal government’s case against Bess and Andy and Nancy Capasso’s divorce case. In addition, the author examined police records from Bess’s May 27, 1988, arrest on shoplifting charges in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and reviewed articles published in Life magazine, the New York Daily News, New York Post, and New York Newsday.
Page 268. “It’s as though it started as a little snowball.…”: Bess Myerson to CBS correspondent Steve Kroft, “West 57th Street,” broadcast November 1987.
Page 268. Esther Margolis: Interview with author, 1987.
Page 269. “I couldn’t be happier about the juxtaposition.…”: Bess Myerson, interview with author, October 15, 1987.
Page 269. “Excuse me. Are you Bess Myerson? …”: Bess Myerson, interview with author, October 15, 1987.
Page 269. Nancy Capasso: Interviews with author, 1987 and 1988.
Page 270. Myrna Felder: Interviews with author, 1987 and 1988.
Page 271. Bo Dietl: Interview with author, 1988.
Page 271. the first face-to-face encounter between Nancy and Bess: Author attended the court proceedings, February 24, 1988.
Page 272. “The queen has arrived.”: Raoul Lionel Felder, interview with author, February 24, 1988.
Page 274. Marcia Kramer: Interview with author, 1988.
Page 274. Bess was arrested for shoplifting again: South Williamsport police chief William Smith, district justice John McDermott, and Williamsport Sun-Gazette reporter Rick Walker, interviews with author, May 27 and May 28, 1987. The author also reviewed a copy of the police report, which contained transcripts of interviews with the people who were involved in Bess’s arrest.
Page 275. Nancy Hill: Police investigative report, May 27, 1988.
Page 276. Linda Wolfe: Police investigative report.
Page 276. Rick Walker: Interview with author, May 27, 1988.
Page 276. John McDermott: Interview with author, May 27, 1988.
Page 277. “It was a cry for help.”: Confidential source, interview with author, June 1988.
Page 277. “Even though she’s rich.…”: Confidential source, interview with author, June 1988.
Page 277. “If you don’t give it to me.…”: Life, August 1988.
Page 278. federal investigators started checking with security directors: Confidential source, interview with author, February 1989.
Page 278. Bess had come to believe: Bess Myerson, interview with author, 1988.
Page 278. Rudolph Giuliani: Interview with author and court records from United States of America v. Bess Myerson, Carl A. Capasso, and Hortense W. Gabel.
Page 278. Kevin Thomas Duffy: Court records and transcripts from U.S. v. Bess Myerson et al.
Page 279. Sukhreet Gabel: Interviews with author, 1987–89.
Page 280. Michael Feldberg: Interviews with author, 1988–89.
Page 282. At the hearing in Keenan’s chambers: Court records and transcripts from U.S. v. Bess Myerson et al.
Page 282. Monday, October 3: Court records and transcripts from U.S. v. Bess Myerson et al.
Chapter 31: The Trial
This and the following chapter are based on the author’s observations from attending the trial and interviews with dozens of people on both sides of the case, including Tony Bailey, Walter Canter, Michael Feldberg, Kevin Ford, Hortense W. Gabel, Dr. Milton Gabel, Sukhreet Gabel, Jay Goldberg, Rema Goldberg, Fred Hafetz, former mayor Edward I. Koch, David Lawrence, Tony Lombardi, and Herb Rickman. The author also interviewed the jurors in the case and examined hundreds of pages of court records, grand jury testimony, FBI investigative reports, and other documents that were introduced as evidence.
Page 284. Bess was hoping to slip into the courthouse: Bess Myerson, interview with author, 1988.
Page 284. Bess summoned up all of her strength: Bess Myerson, interview with author, 1988.
Page 284. saw the
trial as one more tribulation: Cindy Adams, “Toughening Up for the Test,” New York Post, October 5, 1989.
Page 284. Fred Hafetz: Interviews with author, 1988 and 1989.
Page 284. Bess no longer trusted chauffeurs: Ann V. Bollinger, “Easy Rider: Subways Tell No Lies,” New York Post, October 5, 1988.
Page 286. Sukhreet Gabel: Interviews with author, 1988 and 1989.
Page 286. The prosecutors were looking for older, conservative, middle-class jurors: David Lawrence, interview with author, 1989.
Page 287. The defense team felt it needed an entirely different jury: Jay Goldberg, interview with author, 1988.
Page 287. Rema Goldberg: Interviews with author, 1988 and 1989.
Page 287. Andy called it “jury patrol.”: Confidential source, interview with author, 1989.
Page 290. “You can’t just tell people to go away”: “Easy Rider: Subways Tell No Lies.”
Page 292. Goldberg had seated the elderly judge: Jay Goldberg, interview with author, 1988.
Page 293. “My role is neither to prosecute.…”: Sukhreet Gabel, interview with author, 1988.
Page 295. “I’ve never seen blood.…”: Court marshal to author, October 13, 1988.
Page 304. Jay Goldberg: Interview with author, 1988.
Chapter 32: The Verdict
Page 308. Bess was completely relaxed: Bess Myerson, interview with author, October 28, 1988.
Page 308. She was feeling so upbeat: Bess Myerson, interview with author, October 28, 1988.
Page 308. On most nights Bess made sure: Bess Myerson, interview with author, October 18, 1988.
Page 309. “go to waste”: Confidential source, interview with author, 1988.
Page 309. “Can’t she get a year and a day?”: Confidential source, interview with author, 1988.
Page 309. “We are very supportive of each other.…”: Marie Brenner, “Bess Myerson and Her World,” Vanity Fair, December 1988.
Page 310. Bess did not want to spend the rest of the trial: Bess Myerson, interview with author, November 1, 1988.
Page 312. Marilyn Funt told reporters: Confidential sources, interviews with author, 1988.
Page 316. “We were like brother and sister.…”: Bess Myerson, interview with author, November 1988.
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