Scott Deitche, a St. Petersburg author who has spent two decades documenting Tampa Bay's organized crime history, will give a free presentation at the Dunedin Public Library on Wednesday, July 15, at 7 p.m.

The presentation, "Cigar City Mafia: A Complete History of the Tampa Underworld," will explore the region's mob history, from Prohibition-era bootleggers and the violent Bolita gambling wars to the rise of the Trafficante crime family. According to the library, the 45-minute program is for adults and will be held in the Community Meeting Room at 223 Douglas Ave.

Author has written extensively on organized crime

Deitche has written nine books on organized crime. His best-known title, Cigar City Mafia, was first published in 2004 and has remained in print for more than 20 years. His other works include The Silent Don: The Criminal Underworld of Santo Trafficante Jr. and Hitmen: The Mafia, Drugs, and the East Harlem Purple Gang.

Deitche has estimated that between 1930 and 1940, more than 50 gangland killings, attempted assassinations and other violent incidents occurred in Tampa during conflicts tied to Bolita, an illegal lottery that fueled turf wars among rival crime bosses.

His research also examines how Santo Trafficante Jr., whom Deitche has described as the Tampa Mafia's most prominent boss, became linked to CIA-backed plots to assassinate Fidel Castro.

Tours and television appearances

In addition to his books, Deitche has appeared on Discovery Channel, History, A&E, C-SPAN and Oxygen. He serves on the Mob Museum Advisory Council and has led Tampa Mafia walking tours through Ybor City for about 13 years.

"I did a couple of tours just for friends, people I knew around Ybor, just to show them where gangsters hung out," Deitche told FOX 13. "Thirteen years later, it's been a big success."

The library's event listing does not require registration. Residents can confirm details by calling the Reference Desk at 727-298-3080 or emailing [email protected].

Upcoming events at the Dunedin Public Library

  • Friday, July 17: Discover Cyanotype Prints, 2-3:30 p.m. (registration required)
  • Monday, July 20: Monday Showcase: Didgeridoo Down Under, 2-3 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 25: Celebrating Florida State & Dunedin Heritage with historian Tomás Lautaro Monzón, 2-3 p.m.

All events will be held in the Community Meeting Room at 223 Douglas Ave.