He was an east orange cop and was fired. He did run to the aid of Andy Gerard as some black was trying to rob him. That is how he met andy gerard.
I truly believe Russell initiated the investigation by calling the state police and asking if he can be a CI with the hopes of the convictions getting him his job back.
He was a CI.
His book is filled with inaccuracies. Example, he mentions "kings court " in newark which was in Lyndhurst NJ.