Story Behind PBS Station WVIA-TV (non) Appearance

Near the end of The Quiet Don I relay a story about my secret meeting with a businessman in 2010. The story details how the meeting was facilitated by another individual, who forwarded the request to meet with me to discuss Bufalino, DeNaples and D'Elia. We had the meeting, I met the businessman (this was the fellow who told me about the "sleepers"), and we spoke a couple of times after that. 

This past summer I was invited by Bill Kelly, who recently stepped down as CEO of PBS station WVIA, to appear live on WVIA to discuss the book. Bill and I exchanged several emails in which Bill was eager to have me on as a guest, or so he said, after which I received  a subsequent email from a producer there (see below) confirming my Oct. 3 appearance. Following that Sept. 10 email, WVIA (specifically Kelly) received a copy the book, after which i my appearance was cancelled, no reason given.

Going back to that "secret" meeting I had in 2010? It was at WVIA. The person who invited me was then-CEO Bill Kelly. I won't disclose who I met with other than he is someone with ties to the station. 

I relayed that story during a radio interview with Corbet on WILK, after which WVIA's current CEO, Tom Curra, went on the air to dispute my account.  Listen to my interview with Corbet, then Corbet's interview with Curra, and then read the email below. Also take a look at a recent photo with Kelly pictured with some local people of interest, including Pat Solano and Dominick DeNaples. You can make up your own mind as to what happened with WVIA. 


Matt's interview with Corbet:
http://media.wilknewsradio.com/a/81546184/matt-birkbeck-author-of-the-quiet-don-and-corbett.htm
Tom Curra's interview with Corbet:
http://media.wilknewsradio.com/a/81546650/tom-curra-wvia-president-ceo-talks-to-corbett.htm


----- Original Message -----
From: "Kathryn Davies" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]
 Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 1:07 PM
Subject: Your Interview on WVIA
> 
    Hi Mr. Birkbeck,
>
> I am the Senior Producer here at WVIA and the one that will be setting up
> your show on October 3rd.
> If you would, please supply me with Jessica's email address. Once I have
> it I will send you both an email requesting your bio and information on
> your book. If possible, I would also like to have a copy of it here at the
> studios so we can take a shot of the front cover, etc. to be used during
> the show.
>
> My information is below and if you would like our FedEx number to get the
> book here, I can give that to you.
>
> Thank you, and I am looking forward to meeting you.  K
>>
>>
 > Sincerely,
>
> Kathryn K. Davies, Senior Producer
> WVIA-TV
> 100 WVIA Way
> Pittston PA  18640-6197
> WVIA:   570-602-1150
> Cell:       570-905-4984
> Fax:      570-655-1180
> Email:    [email protected]
>