In 1999, Semion Mogilevich appears on American mainstream media to deny allegations that he is still in business. (Yes, he is a transnational crime ring leader, but he claims the U.S. ruined it.)
On September 23, he appears on ABC News to say the U.S. has destroyed his business since putting charges against him in 1995.
He also threatens to kill journalist Robert I. Friedman, then says he is only joking.
Robert I. Friedman is responsible for the most extensive research of Russian mafias in history. In 2000, he released the book Red Mafiya which gave insight into Mogilevich’s operations.
In 2002, Friedman died unexpectedly at age 51.
Sources
https://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/broadcasts/188452
Red Mafiya by Robert I. Friedman, page 266
Hiding In Plain Sight by Sarah Kendzior, pages 98-99
Photograph: Unknown
