Hey cops and writers, thanks for being here with us today for another episode of the Cops and Writers podcast! I’m Patrick O’Donnell, and I will be your host for today’s show.

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Welcome everyone, for my interview with attorney, author, former California State Assemblyman, and son of a murdered father, Mike Gatto.

Mike Gatto served four terms in the California Legislature, representing Los Angeles. He chaired the Appropriations Committee, served as Assistant Speaker, and authored several pieces of landmark legislation.

On November 13, 2013, his father, Joseph Gatto, was brutally murdered in a home-invasion robbery, which remains unsolved.

Mike wrote the book, Noir by Necessity: How My Father's Unsolved Murder Took Me to Dark Places, which documents his father’s brutal murder and the investigation that took place. Mike takes the reader along with him, witnessing Mike’s frustration, anger, and grief.

It was indeed an honor to talk with Mike. He was honest and sincere, taking me to places during the interview I didn’t expect. I hope and pray that someday soon the killer in this case is brought to justice and the Gatto family can get some much-deserved answers.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      Why Mike went into politics and what his wife thought.

·      The governors Mike worked for?

·      What and who were his biggest influences? 

·      His father working 3 jobs and the impact he had on others, discipline, including white glove inspections.

·      On November 12, 2013, Joseph Gatto was murdered in an apparent home-invasion robbery. This case is still unsolved to this day!

·      How did you explain what happened to your father to your kids?

·      His first contact with the police regarding his father’s murder. 

·      LAPD’s Robbery/Homicide taking the lead in this investigation.

·      Mike hiring a private detective. Was it worth his time and money and the pushback from the LAPD? Would you entertain a psychic or other non-traditional avenues?

·      The pressure he received from his own party to become the face of gun control.

·      The idea of closure is a fairy tale. Most families of murder victims never achieve this.

·      His book Noir by Necessity: How My Father's Unsolved Murder Took Me to Dark Places.

All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Please visit Mike's website to learn more about him and his book. 

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!

Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.

Please visit the Cops and Writers website.