Redlands Author's Book Catches the Eye of a Reformed Mob Boss at Los Angeles Wine Event

Carlos Samaniego has called Redlands home for years.

He is an Enrolled Agent, a tax professional, and the author of How to Make the IRS an Offer They Can't Refuse. He is also the founder of RedlandsNow.

Last Saturday he drove to Los Angeles for a wine signing event hosted by Michael Franzese and his Franzese Wine brand.

If the name is unfamiliar, here is the short version. Franzese was once listed by Fortune Magazine as one of the fifty most powerful figures in organized crime in America.
He survived dozens of grand jury appearances, three major racketeering indictments, five criminal trials, and seven years in federal prison, including 29 months in solitary confinement.

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It was there that everything changed.

A prison guard handed him a Bible. Alone in solitary, Franzese began reading it.

The experience was transformative. He walked out of prison a different man, publicly quit organized crime, refused witness protection, and survived a death sentence that by every measure should have ended his life.

Today Franzese is a sought-after Christian speaker and author. He speaks at church weekend services, men's retreats, community outreach events, youth conferences, and prison ministries across the country.

As recently as April 2025 he joined Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside to share his story of faith and redemption. He has appeared on NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, 48 Hours, and the 700 Club. His YouTube channel has nearly 2 million subscribers.

He also makes wine.

Franzese Wine is sourced from Armenia, one of the oldest winemaking regions on earth, a tradition stretching back over 6,000 years.

The Los Angeles event last Saturday was a meet and greet, book signing, and showcase for his exclusive 50 Year Reserve collector's edition. Franzese has described his winemaking philosophy simply: grapes have to be crushed, they sit in the dark, they age, and if you give them enough time, something beautiful comes out of that process.

That is where Carlos walked in carrying a copy of his own book.

Franzese picked it up, read the title, and asked if he could have a copy. Carlos said yes. He also told Franzese that the second edition of the book would contain a preface inspired by Franzese's own story of walking away from a life that was killing him and the role his wife Camille played in inspiring that decision.

Franzese was genuinely moved. Then he signed the book.

Carlos also purchased a bottle of the 50 Year Reserve. Franzese signed it on the spot. The label reads:

For a guy from Redlands, it was not a bad Saturday.