The Griselda Files

It was an interesting experience watching the #Netflix series, "Griselda", which chronicles the rise and fall of cocaine "godmother" Griselda Blanco. As entertaining as it was, I couldn't help but note some glaring inaccuracies. It's #Hollywood, I know, and we have to give them a break or two, but I had to laugh at how attractive they made #Griselda. She was not the stunner that actress #SofiaVergara is by a longshot, nor was she the compassionate soul who cried and wretched over the many murders she ordered. From all accounts, especially those of Jorge Ayala (Rivi, a guy I worked with when he became our witness) she was cold to the bone, and actually relished the fact that she could click her fingers and have people snuffed out. Rivi, by the way, is not the skinny, addict-looking dude that played him in the show. Al Singleton and I spent lots of time with him, interviewing him, taking him to the dentist and to the State Attorney's Office--yes, the State Attorney--not the "D.A." Now, the way they portrayed June Hawkins, who I've known for years--and is married to Al Singleton, by the way--was spot on. Great job there, right down to the way she always wore her sunglasses on her head. Rivi and Griselda did not meet through Amilcar; not even close. If you want to know how that happened, watch Cocaine Cowboys. Rivi explains it all in great detail. Well, like I've always said when I teach my classes, there is education, and there is entertainment. They both have vastly different goals.