Sean Scott Hicks, the author of “The Devil To Pay: A Mobster’s Road to Perdition,” expresses indifference toward the reader’s reception of his memoir. He describes completing the book as a burden he needed to unload, comparing it to returning the weight back to Atlas or going through the steps of recovery. Hicks has spent over 20 years in various prisons for crimes such as conspiracy, racketeering, counterfeiting, money laundering, and assault. His childhood exposed him to the Winter Hill Gang, and he quickly became enamored with the lifestyle of power and respect that came with being part of the mob.
Hicks began working for mobster Toby Rust at a young age, engaging in activities such as stealing cars and collecting loan repayments. He transitioned into more violent criminal endeavors, such as operating a covert contraband transportation system using a lobster boat. He eventually expanded his operation and got involved in garbage disposal for criminals, including researching methods of disposing of bodies. Despite his criminal activities, Hicks managed to reduce his prison sentence through good behavior and participation in various courses.
Even in prison, Hicks continued to engage in illegal activities by receiving packages of drugs and alcohol, passing them onto associates for storage. Upon his release, he was quickly drawn back into criminal activities, leading to his involvement in a stolen traveler’s check scam and the incident where NBA star Paul Pierce was stabbed in Boston in 2000. Hicks admits that alcohol played a significant role in his actions, overriding his conscience and leading him down a destructive path. However, after his final release in 2020, Hicks found sobriety and a sense of freedom, leaving his criminal past behind.
After his last release, Hicks did not have his old criminal associates waiting for him, which brought him a sense of relief. He embraced his newfound freedom and sobriety, focusing on his career as an actor, producer, and rapper under the stage name “Ghost.” Hicks acknowledges that his life has been tumultuous from childhood through adulthood, noting the chaotic nature of his experiences. Despite the challenges and difficult circumstances he faced, he reflects on his journey with a sense of clarity and newfound perspective on his past actions.
