Local Press Articles

2026
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Local Author Resurrects Mafia Past
A Batavia and Western New York story that just won't die is back in the spotlight, thanks to a new book by author David Kinney."Mobbed Up Batavia" the story of how a series of killings "shattered a small American town," made its debut this month on Amazon. It is Kinney's third book."It's the 89th anniversary of the key murder that everybody talks about - Alfred Panepinto is the key," he told The Batavian this week. He will be part of the Local Author Book Fair from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia."Mobbed Up Batavia" is about a series of killings, though - not just Panepinto's. The Panepinto killing happened on Aug. 15, 1937 - 89 years ago Saturday - in LoTiempo's Poolroom at Ellicott and Liberty streets."The funny thing about this is that, once you start exploring one thing, it raises a million questions," he said. "The more answers you get, the more questions you get."Kinney, retired and living on Horseshoe Lake in Stafford, said he began writing this book about a year and a half ago, thanks to the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out). The ROMEOs meet each Thursday morning at Sport of Kings restaurant in Batavia."I got invited to that a couple of years ago and I'm the youngest one there," Kinney said. "All of these guys, they grew up in Batavia. They knew each other since they were kids. They've got stories coming out of their ears."One of the stories that comes up often enough, Kinney said, is the story of how Alfred Panepinto was gunned down."They told it enough times that I finally said, 'That's a great story. I'm going to look into it,'" Kinney said. "It turned out that it didn't happen the way the lore presented itself. They heard that somebody burst into the room with a Tommy gun (Thompson repeater) and opened up, filled the place with hot lead, and then made their escape. That's not how it happened at all. It was far more calculated, far more cold, far more complex than they thought."Even in the news, the Panepinto killing was presented as a one-time incident."People remember it as a one-off. It was the last killing in a series of killings," Kinney said. "I've been researching it for over a year. It was just a great story. The more I got into it, the bigger it got. It exploded into this huge Mafia vendetta story."The coolest thing about the 1920s and 1930s locally was how amazing life was in Batavia, the author said."People in Batavia, they benefitted from the Roaring '20s, they suffered through the '30s as much or more than anybody," Kinney said. "The richness of the area here and the culture in Batavia is fascinating. It really takes a hold of you."The book delves into how the Mafia got here, Kinney said."The Mafia was really run out of Buffalo and Niagara Falls," he said. "By the time this happened, it was really run out of Niagara Falls. Stefano Magaddino, one of the original members of the commission, was in charge of the organized crime in all of Western New York and parts of Canada, and parts of Ohio."While working on "Mobbed Up Batavia," Kinney talked to Genesee County Historian Dr. Michael Eula and Holland Land Office Museum Executive Director Ryan Duffy.The county History Department is fantastic, Kinney said."It's well-organized for what it is and there's just a wealth of information there. It's amazing," he said.While writing, Kinney said, he worked with Duffy and staff at the Holland Land Office Museum all the time."This has a lot to do with the Holland Land Purchase," he said. "Whenever I have a question about something local, I always go to Ryan."Kinney said he finished the final draft of the book in late June. It's been self-published through Amazon. Kinney's son, Phillip Kinney, did the cover design and graphics, and Jennifer Meller."He works in the movie business down there in Raleigh, N.C., in the Raleigh-Durham area. He took on this project for me. It came out great," David Kinney said. "Jennifer, she's someone I hired online ... She's very talented, very knowledgeable. She did the interior formatting - where you see a picture and the margins ... and all the subtitles and the fonts."The book has available for purchase, through Amazon, for a little over a week."I've had some friends say they bought it. Some have come to me and bought it from me. It's $20. Amazon is $19.60," he said. "I've had some friends give me some feedback, saying they're loving it. They're halfway through, 'I'm on page 120 and I'm really liking it.'""Mobbed Up Batavia" is a local history book."It has a certain amount of appeal locally. Hopefully, it's got some broader appeal, but nobody's getting rich writing local history books," Kinney said. "This is a great story. That's what I'm into."By Brian Quinn Aug 13, 2026, 8:47am
https://www.thebatavian.com/brianquinn/local-author-resurrects-mafia-past-with-mobbed-up-batavia/648633
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Amazon Reviews
5 out of 5 stars Captivating Historical Story Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2026 I just finished reading this book. I enjoyed it thoroughly. If you have any interest in organized crime as it existed in America in the early 1900's or simply like a good read, I'd recommend this book to you. I have some knowledge of the history of the Italian mob in the 1900's, and this book seems to be exactly on point as it describes the background behind the events in Niagara, Erie, and Genesee counties that are the subject of the story. Through simple and straightforward sentences, it reveals not only the violence committed and suffered by the men but also its effect on their families and communities.
5 out of 5 starsResearch Pays Off.Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2026
Bought this book for my hubby because he grew up in Elba not far from Batavia. He has really enjoyed it and some of the things written have brought back memories for him. Mostly things his Dad would say as he was growing up. We have a few others who are interested in reading it too. The author did so much research to write this and it certainly helped my husband understand so much.
5 out of 5 starsGreat book about the mob in Batavia, NY in the 1930's.Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2026
Really enjoyed this book. I grew up in Batavia and knew some of the people in this book. Knew many of the stories but the book explained a lot more of the backgrounds of the story. Amazing what happened in a city of 17,000 people in the 1930's.
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Amazon Reviews
5 out of 5 starsGreat Read. Interesting interpretation of events.Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2026
This book is a valuable addition to the history of Batavia, NY. It is a well-written and carefully researched narrative of my family’s tragedy in the 1930s. Although carefully examined, it is only one theory of my grandfather’s murder. There are other theories. But Kinney’s book is a valuable interpretation of the events. I recommend it!
5 out of 5 starsGreat book about the mob in Batavia, NY in the 1930's.Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2026
Really enjoyed this book. I grew up in Batavia and knew some of the people in this book. Knew many of the stories but the book explained a lot more of the backgrounds of the story. Amazing what happened in a city of 17,000 people in the 1930's.
5 out of 5 starsThe names really stand out to me, and what happened in Buffalo & BataviaReviewed in the United States on September 2, 2026 That I’m originally from Batavia, NY! The names in this book are very familiar to me! I actually waited on some of these people whom were related to them I worked at The Pok-A-Dot restaurant that was, and still is running to this very day! The restaurant is very well known to many people, and has been in operation for 73 yrs now! I worked there with my family growing up! We use to wait on people whom were bookies, with those same names! Never thought that much about it, because we were young! To read this book is unreal! I was born in 1952!!
5 out of 5 starsPre-dates The SopranosReviewed in the United States on August 25, 2026
Great capture of the Southside of Batavia. I would tell you more But...

2025

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THE BATAVIANLocal MattersAuthor delves into life of Batavia's notorious brothel owner, Edna GruberBy Howard B. OwensMay 14, 2025, 7:50amAuthor David Kinney with his new book.Edna Gruber, Batavia's notorious madam who operated a brothel at 101 Jackson St., Batavia, in the middle of the 20th century, is finally the subject of a book about her life.With a dab of local scandal and a dash of historical intrigue, David Kinney's new book, "Batavia’s Disorderly House," shines a fresh light on Gruber.Kinney recounted how a story about Gruber getting roughed up at Horseshoe Lake first piqued his curiosity, setting him on a year-long journey to untangle the real story behind Batavia’s so-called “most famous madam.”Kinney, whose previous work explored the history of Horseshoe Lake, explained that much of what was known about Gruber came from a 1996 "Genesee Country Magazine" article. That account, he said, he found riddled with errors and gaps, especially regarding Gruber’s early years and family background.“Many of the things in that article were incorrect,” Kinney said, noting that even Gruber’s grandfather had been shielded from the true nature of Edna’s business, and family lore was often just plain wrong.Born Edna Geyer in Buffalo in 1882, Gruber’s early life was marked by hardship. By 13, she was scrubbing floors in barrooms, and she married twice first to Joseph Gruber at just 15.How she transitioned from these humble beginnings to become the proprietor of Batavia’s most infamous brothel was, until now, a mystery even to her descendants.Kinney’s research, however, has resolved the question of how Edna entered the business and uncovered a significant family secret.“Most of even the family didn’t know she had a brother, and her brother played a significant role (in her entering the business),” he said.Gruber’s establishment, regularly raided during Prohibition, was notorious for its clientele and Edna’s ability to retain top legal counsel and pay handsomely for it. Despite her reputation, she was also known for acts of local charity, complicating her legacy in the community.Kinney said his book will provide new insights into a woman who defied the conventions and the censure of her time.
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Video News ServiceGENESEE COUNTY/Batavia Author and Historian David Kinney is at Eli Fish in Batavia tonight until 8:00p.m., promoting his new book Batavia’s Disorderly House, the True Story of Batavia’s most notorious Madam, Edna Gruber. "It's a true story," says Kinney."I did a lot of research (a little over a year) and started with the Genesee Country Magazine article and there was a lot of gaps and misinformation in it, and that information has been perpetuated through historians and the history books of the town. A lot of it was incorrect. This book is to correct the record and solve the mystery of how she got into the business of prostitution." The book sells for $19.99 and is available at Eli Fish until 8:00pm.It's also available on Amazon, the Holland Land Office and Harringtons.Link to purchase book online: kinneyhistory.com
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David Kinney, Author/History Researcher
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