Local Author Pietro La Greca, Jr. Discusses His Book "Pesos"

Dubbed “Mexico’s real-life Don Corleone,” Pietro La Greca, Sr. ran the biggest money- laundering scheme in Mexican history. But his crimes soon caught up with him — and made an enemy of his son, Pietro La Greca, Jr.

Set in a world of fast cars, sprawling mansions (including one here on Coronado) and VIP treatment, Pesos: The Rise and Fall of a Border Family is an all-American tale of greed, ambition, and family betrayal.

Author La Greca, Jr. tells the story of how his father built himself from the ground up through lies, scams, and sheer belligerence. After sweet-talking his way from Napoli to Tijuana, La Greca, Sr. married into one of Mexico’s most powerful families. During the worst period in Mexico’s economic history, he proceeded to make millions laundering money on behalf of some of the country’s most powerful politicians, businessmen, and celebrities. But his greed soon led to his downfall, earning him the enmity of presidents and drug cartels alike and twice forcing his entire family — including the young La Greca, Jr. — to go on the run.

Pesos is the deeply personal, heartfelt story of how a son came to reject the sins of his violent, domineering father — and how he learned to forgive.

About the author: Pietro la Greca, Jr. served as a senior executive in the financial software services industry for more than 19 years. A veteran of the wealth and financial technology industry who earned his BA and MBA from the University of San Diego, he lives in La Jolla with his wife and daughter. When he isn’t entertaining clients with salty stories of his colorful family’s criminal past, Pietro volunteers for local charities throughout San Diego, and serves on the board of trustees at an independent school in La Jolla.