Ponzi's Scheme_ The True Story of a Financial Legend - Mitchell Zuckoff [147]
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Ponzi returned to Uncle Ned’s: “Ponzi Pawned Watch, Rings to Get Start,” Boston Sunday Herald, August 15, 1920, p. 1.
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He died on February 13, 1920: Interview with his great-grandson John Gnecco, April 22, 2003.
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On March 9 he wired ten thousand lire: “Receipts Produced by Ponzi,” Boston Post, August 3, 1920, page 2.
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He assigned John A. Dondero: “Ponzi Liberal with Bonuses,” Boston Herald, September 23, 1920.
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To further satisfy Daniels: In re Ponzi, 268 F. 997 (District Court, Massachusetts, November 12, 1920).
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afraid that the Fidelity Trust Company: In re Ponzi, 268 F. 997 (District Court, Massachusetts, November 12, 1920). Also “Ponzi Named Dead Man as Partner,” Boston Globe, September 30, 1920.
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Fidelity Trust brought a lawsuit: In re Ponzi, 268 F. 997 (District Court, Massachusetts, November 12, 1920).
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“Does anyone accept funds”: “Police Relief Ass’n May Return Ponzi’s $250 Gift,” Boston Daily Globe, August 27, 1920, p. 5.
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five Boston police inspectors and a lieutenant: “Five Police Inspectors and One Lieutenant Caught in Ponzi Net,” Boston Herald, August 29, 1920, p. 1; “Ponzi’s Records in Girl’s Home,” Boston Post, August 15, 1920, p. 1; “Four Inspectors Are Named,” Boston American, August 28, 1920, p. 1; “Creditors to Grill Ponzi,” Boston Herald, September 8, 1920, p. 3.; “Ponzi Evidence Laid Before Grand Jury,” Boston Globe, September 30, 1920.
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Acid was drilling: “Charles Ponzi Now Patient ‘De Luxe,’ ” Boston Globe, November 10, 1921; “Ponzi in Surgeons’ Care,” New York Times, November 12, 1921, p. 23.
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On March 24, three months: “Ponzi Was Warned in April Not to Speculate,” Boston Globe, August 11, 1920, p. 8. See also “Closing of Bank Ruffles Ponzi’s Accustomed Calm,” Boston Herald, August 12, 1920, p. 1, and “Post Office Authorities, Fearing Ponzi’s Escape, Chafed at Inaction Here,” Boston Herald, August 13, 1920, p. 14. In his autobiography, Ponzi recounts a visit by a postal inspector accompanied by police. In it, he describes how he spun an elaborate, fanciful financial story about how he could take $1 million and buy coupons in France, sell them in the United States, and turn profits for himself, his agents, the United States, France, French bond buyers, and the Universal Postal Union. He concluded the story by claiming to have told his supposedly awestruck visitors, “If you can show me where the entire transaction results in a loss to anyone, I’ll buy each one of you a Stetson hat.” Ponzi, pp. 82–88.
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Clementi Viscarello ran into cook: “Clash over Woman at Ponzi Trial,” Boston Traveler, October 21, 1922, p. 1.
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Canal Street butcher Amarco Cataldo: “Ponzi on Trial in State Court,” Boston Globe, January 19, 1925.
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South End bricklayer Ricardo Bogni: “Sub-Agent Is Sure State Ruined Ponzi,” Boston Traveler, November 2, 1922, p. 2; “Defence to View Ponzi Documents,” Boston Post, November 2, 1922.
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Rose came by . . . Abe Rhodes . . . Antonio D’Avanzo: “Ponzi Winners Include Coupon Wizard’s Wife,” Boston Traveler, August 24, 1920, p. 1.
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More than ten thousand dollars a week: “Says Ponzi Kept No Record of Receipts,” Boston Globe, September 21, 1920, p. 1.
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The agency sent him a doe-eyed eighteen-year-old: “Well-Known Men Got Big Hauls from Ponzi,” Boston Post, August 25, 1920, p. 1; “Ponzi Clerk Still Hopeful,” Boston Traveler, August 16, 1920, p. 4. Lucy Meli’s feelings toward Ponzi were never expressed publicly, but they can be gleaned from her extensive testimony at his trials, where she consistently supported him and expressed her belief in his honesty.
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April receipts would exceed $140,000: Monthly investment totals come from the federal audit that led to the closure of the Securities Exchange Company and were evidence at Ponzi’s 1922 trial. “How the Bubble Grew,” Boston Evening Transcript, November 6, 1922, p. 24.
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Lamb, a thirty-three-year-old English immigrant: “Lawrence Man Backs Ponzi,” Boston Sunday American, August