Bob Delaney, a New Jersey state trooper that infiltrated the mafia in the 70s and refereed NBA games in the 80s, shared his colorful life story with the Garden State's current crop of troopers.

Delaney, known as Bobby "Covert" for his undercover police work, addressed the troopers as part of the state police lecture series. During the 70s, Delaney helped arrest more than 30 members of the Genovese and Bruno crime families by spending three years undercover.

Following his retirement from police work, Delaney began enforcing the law and keeping the peace in professional basketball games across the country. "Basketball was therapy for me in getting back to all that's good in society and getting away from the bad," said Delaney.

Former colleagues said the force can learn a lot from Bobby "Covert." Lt. George Malast, of the New Jersey State Police, said Delaney is an example of what officers can accomplish.

Delaney has recorded his life experiences in a biography called "Covert - My Years Infiltrating the Mob." A portion of the book's profits are being donated to the Former New Jersey State Troopers Association, a group that offers help to retired officers.