‘Cornbread Mafia’ author to speak at Corbin Public Library

A freelance journalist famous for his book about one of the largest marijuana syndicates in American history is coming to the Corbin Public Library next Monday to kickoff a speaking tour in eastern Kentucky and elsewhere.

James Higdon, author of the non-fiction book “Cornbread Mafia” will be at the Corbin Public Library June 29 at 5:30 p.m. to speak, meet the public and sign copies of his book. The event is being sponsored by the Friends of the Corbin Library — a non-profit group that supports the library.

“Cornbread Mafia,” released in 2013, tells the story of Marion County, Kentucky and one of the largest outdoor marijuana growing operations in history. In 1989, federal authorities created a task force to bust up the syndicate. Seventy people were arrested across 10 states and 200 tons of marijuana was seized. Johnny Boone, the colorful ringleader of the criminal enterprise, remains a federal fugitive to this day.

Of all the people arrested “zero talked.”

“It’s all the history of what happened near Lebanon Kentucky and it is really interesting,” said Diane Mitchell, President of Friends of the Corbin Library. “I had no idea all of this had happened in our state. It’s fascinating.”

Mitchell said Higdon has never done a book signing in eastern Kentucky. She said Corbin would be his first stop this time around.

“As far as I know, this is the first place he is going so we feel like this is a really special event that people won’t want to miss.”
Higdon had a close relationship with Boone and was the first person to be subpoenaed by a federal grand jury under the Obama administration for his work as a journalist.

Higdon is a is a graduate of Centre College, Brown University’s creative writing program, and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, and is a former web producer for the New York Times. He’s written for High Times Magazine, Fortune and Esquire.  He is currently the President of the Brown Alumni Club of Kentucky, a Bingham Fellow for the Leadership Louisville Center, and has contributed to The Prairie Home Companion and was editor with PBS Frontline’s Tehran Bureau.
Mitchell said refreshments would be provided for the event. It is free and open to the public.