THE BANKER’S DAUGHTER
Based on a True Story
When Brooklyn’s most feared Black numbers man flees to Acapulco to escape the FBI and Italian mob, his youngest daughter is kidnapped in broad daylight — sparking a 24-day ordeal of survival, betrayal, and unimaginable resilience.
Pete Mooney once called “the biggest numbers man in Brooklyn”, built a multi-million-dollar street empire among mob legends like Joe Gallo and Paulie Vario.
In 1971, The New York Times reported Pete’s empire earned $27,000 a day.
When the FBI closed in, he fled to Acapulco — a glittering haven for celebrities, criminals, and the American dream gone rogue.
The son of an Irish immigrant and a Black woman from Virginia, Pete lived between two worlds — love and loyalty, power and survival.
May 24, 1976. Acapulco, Mexico.
Eight-year-old Gaylie Mooney was abducted on her way to school.
Bound to a tree deep in the mountains of Guerrero, she endured hunger, fear, and unthinkable abuse while her family faced ransom calls, corrupt officials, and fatal betrayals.
After 24 days, Gaylie survived the impossible — her return marked the end of innocence, but the beginning of truth.
The Mooney Legacy
Pete
From street hustler to independent crime boss, Pete Mooney ruled through loyalty and silence. His refusal to testify against the mob sealed his code — and his fate.
Lois
Granddaughter of Brooklyn’s first Black judge, Lois was the reluctant queenpin’s wife. Her fall into depression after the kidnapping revealed a woman torn between love and loss.
Gaylie
The youngest daughter, whose childhood was stolen — but whose voice now carries the truth.
Bringing the Story to Screen
DOCUMENTARY
(3–4 Parts)
Gritty, emotional, investigative. Archival footage, survivor interviews, and cinematic re-enactments.
FEATURE FILM
(2 Hours)
Stylish and emotionally charged — a classic 3-act story of crime, love, and survival.
LIMITED SERIES
(6–8 Episodes)
Sweeping and character-driven — three arcs: Pete’s rise, Lois’s fall, and Gaylie’s survival.
A Story That Demands to Be Told
Is there a more American story than a white immigrant who marries a Black woman, builds a family of nine children, and whose son becomes one of Brooklyn’s most powerful — and feared — crime bosses?
The Banker’s Daughter is more than a mob story. It’s Black history, survivor’s truth, and a cross-border legacy buried in silence for decades — now reclaiming its voice.
About The Creator
Created by Gaylie Mooney-Walker
Survivor, educator, and storyteller.
Her life inspired The Banker’s Daughter — a true story of faith, resilience, and the unbreakable power of family.Through this project, she reclaims her narrative and honors those who lived it.
About The Creator
Created by Gaylie Mooney-Walker
Survivor, educator, and storyteller.
Her life inspired The Banker’s Daughter — a true story of faith, resilience, and the unbreakable power of family.Through this project, she reclaims her narrative and honors those who lived it.