Comments on: The Russian Mafia http://www.thefoxblog.com/2005/10/11/the-russian-mafia/ Home of the Greatest Predator Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:45:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.1 by: Denis Yemashev http://www.thefoxblog.com/2005/10/11/the-russian-mafia/#comment-63890 Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:05:52 +0000 http://www.thefoxblog.com/2005/10/11/the-russian-mafia/#comment-63890 I never knew Sam Karaman was such a respected member of the Republican Party. I've always known him as a regarded car dealer within higher circles. I bought 12 Infiniti FX35's from him when he was a General Sales Manager at Infiniti of Nashville in 2006. But when I called the dealership last week I was told that he was no longer there. Does anyone have any idea where he is at now? He is the only person I know that has been able to get MSO's for the cars so that they can be shipped to Europe. Denis Marlboro, NJ I never knew Sam Karaman was such a respected member of the Republican Party. I’ve always known him as a regarded car dealer within higher circles. I bought 12 Infiniti FX35’s from him when he was a General Sales Manager at Infiniti of Nashville in 2006. But when I called the dealership last week I was told that he was no longer there. Does anyone have any idea where he is at now? He is the only person I know that has been able to get MSO’s for the cars so that they can be shipped to Europe.

Denis
Marlboro, NJ

]]> by: Thomas Griffin http://www.thefoxblog.com/2005/10/11/the-russian-mafia/#comment-51390 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:49:10 +0000 http://www.thefoxblog.com/2005/10/11/the-russian-mafia/#comment-51390 I went to see We Own The Night a few days ago and the movie was not bad. The movie my wife and I saw a week prior was Eastern Promises. And 2 weeks prior to that I had rented Training Day with Denzel Washington. I also am a big fan of Law and Order and CSI and it seems as if everytime I turn on TV or go to a movie, I sure can expect to see something about Russian Mafia. Obviously based on what I'm reading in this blog, now there are books written on the subject. If this indeed is such a problem, shouldn't we do something about it such as possibly making it more difficult for russian citizens to get into our country? Thomas Griffin Los Angeles, CA I went to see We Own The Night a few days ago and the movie was not bad. The movie my wife and I saw a week prior was Eastern Promises. And 2 weeks prior to that I had rented Training Day with Denzel Washington. I also am a big fan of Law and Order and CSI and it seems as if everytime I turn on TV or go to a movie, I sure can expect to see something about Russian Mafia. Obviously based on what I’m reading in this blog, now there are books written on the subject. If this indeed is such a problem, shouldn’t we do something about it such as possibly making it more difficult for russian citizens to get into our country?

Thomas Griffin
Los Angeles, CA

]]> by: Vladik Nikitin http://www.thefoxblog.com/2005/10/11/the-russian-mafia/#comment-50600 Sun, 07 Oct 2007 03:11:10 +0000 http://www.thefoxblog.com/2005/10/11/the-russian-mafia/#comment-50600 I've read the book a few times and I find it mind-blowing accurate. However, it hardly covers what Russian mafia does here in the States. It doesn't really matter what it is, but if it's a scheme of significant size and executed to perfection, you can count on Russian mafia being behind it. The primary reason I believe Russians succeed is because they stay one step ahead of authorities and whoever that is they are dealing with. The other reason is because most of big Russian criminal figures are exteremely well educated people unlike other somewhat street smart criminal organizations. Criminologists that are familiar with the history of Russia know that there's no comparison between russian prisons and what Russians perceive to be resort like incarceration Institutes here in the US. And the last, but not be any means, the least factor to the equation is the brutality, which Russians are not hesitant to show to anyone standing in their way. Many criminologists have said that only Russians go as far as executing the families of the Law Enforcement members and families of disloyal members within their own organized empire, both of which have always been considered an off limits thing to do by any other mafia in the history of this country. Again, if you hear of a drive by shooting and someone getting arrested, very rarely if ever, are you going to hear a Russian name associated with that type of crime. On the other hand, should you read in the paper of a perfect crime with no evidence, you may want to start looking for the Russian element to the story. I’ve read the book a few times and I find it mind-blowing accurate. However, it hardly covers what Russian mafia does here in the States. It doesn’t really matter what it is, but if it’s a scheme of significant size and executed to perfection, you can count on Russian mafia being behind it. The primary reason I believe Russians succeed is because they stay one step ahead of authorities and whoever that is they are dealing with. The other reason is because most of big Russian criminal figures are exteremely well educated people unlike other somewhat street smart criminal organizations. Criminologists that are familiar with the history of Russia know that there’s no comparison between russian prisons and what Russians perceive to be resort like incarceration Institutes here in the US. And the last, but not be any means, the least factor to the equation is the brutality, which Russians are not hesitant to show to anyone standing in their way. Many criminologists have said that only Russians go as far as executing the families of the Law Enforcement members and families of disloyal members within their own organized empire, both of which have always been considered an off limits thing to do by any other mafia in the history of this country.
Again, if you hear of a drive by shooting and someone getting arrested, very rarely if ever, are you going to hear a Russian name associated with that type of crime. On the other hand, should you read in the paper of a perfect crime with no evidence, you may want to start looking for the Russian element to the story.

]]> by: James Middleton http://www.thefoxblog.com/2005/10/11/the-russian-mafia/#comment-44224 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 15:17:14 +0000 http://www.thefoxblog.com/2005/10/11/the-russian-mafia/#comment-44224 Chairman of the Business Advisory Council connected to the Russin Mafia ??? Sam Karaman serves on the National Republican Congressional Committee as the Chairman of the Business Advisory Council for the State of Tennessee. I met Mr. Karaman back in 2005 during one of the fundraisers featuring Senate Majority Leader at the time and the State Senator Bill Frist. When we were introduced to each other Mr. Karaman was referred to as a well-connected young man representing the interests of many major donors to the Republican party. I was also told that he had played a big part in Mayor Gulianni's mayoral campaign and has been a big asset to the Republican party across the board. And although I though then that Mr.Karaman was a bit too young to be a fish of his size in the pond that he was swimming, I have hard time believing that a man of Mr. Karaman's reputation would have anything to do with the world he's being tied to. I guess I might be prematurely defending someone I hardly know and pledge to leave a feedback, once I've read the book. James Middleton, Memphis, TN Chairman of the Business Advisory Council connected to the Russin Mafia ???
Sam Karaman serves on the National Republican Congressional Committee as the Chairman of the Business Advisory Council for the State of Tennessee. I met Mr. Karaman back in 2005 during one of the fundraisers featuring Senate Majority Leader at the time and the State Senator Bill Frist. When we were introduced to each other Mr. Karaman was referred to as a well-connected young man representing the interests of many major donors to the Republican party. I was also told that he had played a big part in Mayor Gulianni’s mayoral campaign and has been a big asset to the Republican party across the board. And although I though then that Mr.Karaman was a bit too young to be a fish of his size in the pond that he was swimming, I have hard time believing that a man of Mr. Karaman’s reputation would have anything to do with the world he’s being tied to.
I guess I might be prematurely defending someone I hardly know and pledge to leave a feedback, once I’ve read the book.

James Middleton,
Memphis, TN

]]> by: George S Pires http://www.thefoxblog.com/2005/10/11/the-russian-mafia/#comment-40168 Sun, 15 Jul 2007 04:30:16 +0000 http://www.thefoxblog.com/2005/10/11/the-russian-mafia/#comment-40168 Is Nashville den for Russian mafia ? It's to no surprise of mine to find out that Sam Karaman is believed to be connected to "The Russians". After all, those that are familiar with the history of Gotti's know that Sam used to and still is part of Catholic Holy Family Church. He used to belong to the Holy Family Catholic Church John Gotti and his family belonged to back in New York and belongs to the same church here in Nashville. His name is also well known on the streets of Brighton Beach as well as the streets of Bay Ridge. Russians have always had close ties to Italians and it's no different with Sam. Sam Karaman aka Sammy or Sanjar also ironically happens to like Italian cuisine, but none other than at a Sicilian restaurant located in the suburbs of Nashville. The "Uncle Gio's" restaurant for some reason also seems to attract a lot of high-end cars that do have tinted windows and out of state license plates ! Please note that I am NOT saying that Sam IS connected to the Russian mafia in any shape or form, but one cannot help but wonder why the more you know about him, the more you wonder .? Is Nashville den for Russian mafia ? It’s to no surprise of mine to find out that Sam Karaman is believed to be connected to “The Russians”. After all, those that are familiar with the history of Gotti’s know that Sam used to and still is part of Catholic Holy Family Church. He used to belong to the Holy Family Catholic Church John Gotti and his family belonged to back in New York and belongs to the same church here in Nashville. His name is also well known on the streets of Brighton Beach as well as the streets of Bay Ridge. Russians have always had close ties to Italians and it’s no different with Sam. Sam Karaman aka Sammy or Sanjar also ironically happens to like Italian cuisine, but none other than at a Sicilian restaurant located in the suburbs of Nashville.
The “Uncle Gio’s” restaurant for some reason also seems to attract a lot of high-end cars that do have tinted windows and out of state license plates ! Please note that I am NOT saying that Sam IS connected to the Russian mafia in any shape or form, but one cannot help but wonder why the more you know about him, the more you wonder .?

]]> by: Olivia Haley http://www.thefoxblog.com/2005/10/11/the-russian-mafia/#comment-36556 Wed, 27 Jun 2007 01:55:59 +0000 http://www.thefoxblog.com/2005/10/11/the-russian-mafia/#comment-36556 I think although Sam Karaman and his wife Amy are well known among affluent russian New Yorkers, it doesn't necessarily affiliate them to the russian mafia. For years Sam has been the guy to go to if you needed a luxury car anywhere in New York City area. I don't think that prominent politicians as well as professional athletes would be using Sam for there automotive needs, had he been known to have affiliation to the russian mob. As a matter of fact I was very surprised to come across his name being brought up under the book on russian mafia. I've known Amy for a few years now and even though she never talks about her husband, I'm fairly sure she'd know if she was married to a mobster. I personally think that books are written to sell and not always to portray the truth ! Olivia H. Gonzalez Brooklyn, NY I think although Sam Karaman and his wife Amy are well known among affluent russian New Yorkers, it doesn’t necessarily affiliate them to the russian mafia. For years Sam has been the guy to go to if you needed a luxury car anywhere in New York City area.
I don’t think that prominent politicians as well as professional athletes would be using Sam for there automotive needs, had he been known to have affiliation to the russian mob. As a matter of fact I was very surprised to come across his name being brought up under the book on russian mafia. I’ve known Amy for a few years now and even though she never talks about her husband, I’m fairly sure she’d know if she was married to a mobster. I personally think that books are written to sell and not always to portray the truth !
Olivia H. Gonzalez
Brooklyn, NY

]]> by: Linette S. http://www.thefoxblog.com/2005/10/11/the-russian-mafia/#comment-36034 Sun, 24 Jun 2007 05:05:43 +0000 http://www.thefoxblog.com/2005/10/11/the-russian-mafia/#comment-36034 The book is truly is amazing ! What prompted me to purchase this book about Russian Mafia was to see what exactly russians did to live the life that I saw them living. When I first met this guy Sam Karaman all I could think was how cute and funny he was. Then I started seeing fleets of $100,000+ cars parked in his driveway. It wasn't unusual to see a S-class Mercedes or a few 7 series BMW's parked in his driveway one day and Maseratti the next. Nor was it unusual to see over half a million dollars worth of cars parked all around his house, should there ever be a party. Even the fact that almost each and every car had always had the windows tinted didn't bother me as much as the fact that the very Sam Karaman was in his mid to upper 20's and was living the life that we (the nashvillians) weren't used to seeing. Was Sam Karaman just an exotic car dealer or was this very Brooklyn born russian a part of THE RUSSIAN MAFIA - was the question that I wanted answered. Although the book did not answer that particular question, I did learn a great deal about the culture of my newly found neighboor as well as what to be looking out for. I would certainly recommend the book to those of curious mind ! Linette. The book is truly is amazing ! What prompted me to purchase this book about Russian Mafia was to see what exactly russians did to live the life that I saw them living. When I first met this guy Sam Karaman all I could think was how cute and funny he was. Then I started seeing fleets of $100,000+ cars parked in his driveway. It wasn’t unusual to see a S-class Mercedes or a few 7 series BMW’s parked in his driveway one day and Maseratti the next. Nor was it unusual to see over half a million dollars worth of cars parked all around his house, should there ever be a party. Even the fact that almost each and every car had always had the windows tinted didn’t bother me as much as the fact that the very Sam Karaman was in his mid to upper 20’s and was living the life that we (the nashvillians) weren’t used to seeing. Was Sam Karaman just an exotic car dealer or was this very Brooklyn born russian a part of THE RUSSIAN MAFIA - was the question that I wanted answered. Although the book did not answer that particular question, I did learn a great deal about the culture of my newly found neighboor as well as what to be looking out for. I would certainly recommend the book to those of curious mind !
Linette.

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