The family story is that Max grew up in the Bronx, was a professor of history at NYU, and met Lepke Buchalter who liked him, and asked Max to leave the university and work for him to do his 'books.' Lepke was the money guy for "Murder Inc.' the Jewish Mafia in NY. He worked for Lepke for 25-30 years. Lepke was arrested by the feds and Max was given a subpoena. Lepke was jailed, Max turned state's evidence and turned government witness to stay out of jail. Before the trail, coming out of the subway and was attached by machine guns. He was hit, but recovered and gave evidence sending Lepke to jail. His identity was changed.214

Possibly died in the Bronx in 1981.