Last Gangster in Austin: Frank Smith, Ronnie Earle, and the End of a Junkyard Mafia

Ronnie Earle, a Texas legend, prosecuted corrupt corporate executives and state officials, including Tom DeLay. His biggest case was Frank Hughey Smith, an ex-convict millionaire, alleged criminal mastermind, and Dixie Mafia figure. Smith spent the 1970s building a criminal empire in auto salvage and bail bonds, but a rival threatened his dominance. Smith hired arsonists to destroy the rival, but the robbery was a bloody fiasco. Earle was skeptical that he could get a conviction, but the book describes the Texas capital as wild, wonderful, and crooked.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2022
Publisher: University of Texas Press

Ronnie Earle, a Texas legend, served as the district attorney for Austin and surrounding Travis County for three decades. During his tenure, he relentlessly pursued corrupt corporate executives and state officials, including the notorious US congressman Tom DeLay. However, Earle believed that his most significant case was the one involving Frank Hughey Smith, an ex-convict millionaire, alleged criminal mastermind, and Dixie Mafia figure.

Smith, with the assistance of corrupt local authorities, built a criminal empire in auto salvage and bail bonds during the 1970s. However, his dominance was threatened by a rival in the salvage business. In a desperate attempt to maintain control, Smith hired arsonists to destroy the rival's business. However, the botched job resulted in a tragic fire that claimed the lives of two innocent people.

Despite overwhelming evidence against Smith, many doubted Earle's ability to secure a conviction. The case garnered immense media attention, with Willie Nelson making a cameo appearance. Private eyes, hired guns, and madams also played significant roles in the unfolding drama, adding a layer of intrigue to the story.

Last Gangster in Austin presents an extraordinary and true account of Austin, portraying it as a vibrant and captivating city, yet also deeply flawed and corrupt. The book vividly depicts the city's wild and wonderful aspects, as well as its seedy underbelly, reflecting the dichotomy that characterized Austin during this period. It serves as a reminder of the complex and often controversial history of the Texas capital.

Dimension: 216 x 140 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781477323984