Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D.

Decorated FBI Special Agent, Bestselling Author, Private Investigator, and Counterterrorism Expert

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Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. Biography

Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, PhD is a New York Times bestselling author, U.S. Attorney General’s Award recipient, and one of the most decorated agents in FBI history. Best known as the lead investigator in the case against Paul Castellano, the notorious head of the Gambino crime family, Dr. O’Brien played a pivotal role in the 1985 Mafia Commission Trial, which led to the historic convictions of New York’s Five Families under the RICO statute. His groundbreaking work is chronicled in "Boss of Bosses: The Fall of the Godfather," considered one of the definitive accounts of the American Mafia takedown.

After retiring from the Bureau, Dr. O’Brien earned his doctorate in criminal justice, with a dissertation focused on the roots and reach of Islamic terrorism. He has since worked globally as a licensed private investigator and independent counterterrorism specialist, investigating high-stakes international cases and intelligence failures. His work has taken him from the front lines of mob warfare to the shadowy realm of rogue state actors and jihadist operatives.

Dr. O’Brien is the founder of the Iran Accountability Initiative (IAI), a nonprofit dedicated to exposing and countering terrorism and state-sponsored violence. He is currently writing his second book—a revelatory non-fiction exposé co-authored with American jihadist Dawud Salahuddin, recorded before the terrorist’s death in 2025. The book reveals chilling details of a decades-long U.S. government cover-up surrounding Iran’s assassination of a dissident on American soil and implicates top officials in one of the most egregious national security failures in modern history.

Today, Dr. O’Brien is a sought-after public speaker and expert commentator on organized crime, terrorism, national security, and FBI history. His voice carries the rare weight of lived experience, and his story offers a sobering and timely perspective on the intersection of justice, politics, and power in America.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 08/10/2025.

Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. Speaking Topics

  • A Rare Firsthand Account

    From mafia takedowns to global terror threats, Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien’s presentation offers students a thrilling, real-world education on America’s criminal underworld—from inside the FBI’s war room to the streets of New York and the deserts of Iran. As one of the five elite agents assigned to dismantle New York’s Five Families in the 1980s, he played a crucial role in the takedown of Paul Castellano, the “Boss of Bosses.” His work helped trigger the historic 1985 Mafia Commission Trial, which broke the back of the U.S. Mafia under the RICO Act.

    The Fate of the Five Agents

    Dr. O’Brien shares a sobering reflection on his legendary peers:

    • Joe Pistone (Donnie Brasco): Now retired, living under an alias.
    • Robert Levinson: Vanished in Iran on a rogue CIA mission.
    • John Connolly: Convicted of corruption tied to informants like Whitey Bulger.
    • Lynn Devecchio: Acquitted after controversial mob-related charges.
    • O’Brien: Continues to lead investigations into international terrorism and U.S. intelligence failures.

    The War on Terror & the Road Ahead

    After 9/11, Dr. O’Brien pivoted to counterterrorism, founding the Iran Accountability Initiative and independently investigating state-sponsored terror cases, including the chilling assassination carried out on U.S. soil by American jihadist David Belfield a.k.a. Dawud Salahuddin.

    Inspiring the Next Generation

    Dr. O’Brien’s keynote concludes by inviting students to consider careers in:

    • Counterterrorism & Homeland Security
    • Criminal Justice
    • Intelligence Analysis
    • International Relations
    • Cybersecurity
    • Public Service & Policy

    His presentation serves as a powerful introduction to the expanding world of counterterrorism studies and the urgent need for a new generation of informed leaders.

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Boss of Bosses
Boss of Bosses

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  • What topics does Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. speak about?

    Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Bestselling Authors, Government, Law, Security & Defense

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Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as A Rare Firsthand Account. The estimated speaking fee range to book Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. for your event is $20,000 - $30,000. Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Christopher Strom, Angelica Robles, Mary Louise Kelly, Brigitte Gabriel and William Inboden. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Dr. Joseph F. O’Brien, Ph.D. for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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