Bonelli hired journalist Leo Katcher to ghost-write "Billion Dollar Blackjack: The Story of Corruption and the Los Angeles Times" (1954), in which Bonelli, as the ostensible author, defended himself and attacked the Chandlers. He also sued the "Mirror" for $1.15. million for libel; it had run front-page stories calling him the Liquor Czar. Facing an impending grand jury indictment, Bonelli found exile in Mexico where he spent the rest of his life. He tried numerous times to have the court case moved from Los Angeles County to San Diego County because he said he could never get a fair trial in Los Angeles County because it was under the control of the "Times".