Ponzi's Scheme (41 page)

290

“Sic transit gloria mundi”: “Ponzi Sentenced to 5 Years in Jail,”
New York Times,
December 1, 1920, p. 9.

293

new home: “Ponzi in Cell 126 Looking Out to Sea,”
Boston Globe,
December 12, 1920, p. 1.

293

jailhouse routine: “No Chauffeur's Job for Ponzi,”
Boston Sunday Globe,
December 5, 1920, p. 1.

293

a remarkably balanced epitaph: “His Victims Much Like Himself,”
New York Times,
editorial, December 2, 1920, p. 10.

294

two unexpected write-in candidates: “End Election Canvass in Manhattan-Bronx,”
New York Times,
December 29, 1920, p. 14.

294

authorities confiscated the Locomobile: “Mrs. Ponzi, Shorn of Money, Finds Joy in Simple Household Tasks,”
Boston Globe,
October 17, 1920.

294

“The house was never as clean”: Ibid.

294

John Collins: “Crowd Too Big to Be Allowed in House,”
Boston Globe,
October 26, 1921.

294

his top agents: “Ponzi Agents Surrendering,”
Boston Herald,
September 15, 1920.

294

All but Cassullo: “Two Witnesses Sought in Ponzi Case Disappear,”
Boston Herald,
September 12, 1920, p. 1.

295

renew their search for Antonio Salviati: “Grill Ponzi on Assets,”
Boston Traveler,
August 21, 1920, p. 1; “Ex-Partner of Ponzi Taken,”
Boston Daily Globe,
August 20, 1920, p. 1.

295

forced to disgorge the money: “Settlement Made by Joseph Daniels,”
Boston Globe,
October 28, 1920.

295

copycats from the Old Colony Foreign Exchange Company: “Ponzi Indicted by Grand Jury; Charles M. Brightwell, Head of Rival Get-Rich-Quick Scheme, Also Under Indictment,”
Boston Post,
September 12, 1920.

295

banks where Ponzi did business: “Allen Declares the Banking Situation in Boston Is Now Clearer,”
Boston Globe,
September 28, 1920, p. 1; “Tremont Trust Company Closed,”
Boston Globe,
February 18, 1921, p. 1.

295

“fairness, skill and courage”: “Extols Bank Commissioner,”
Boston Herald,
September 19, 1920.

296

his choice of Allen: “Joseph C. Allen Resigns as Bank Commissioner,”
Boston Transcript,
May 11, 1925.

296

he won both suits: “McMasters Loses Both the Ponzi Suits,”
Boston Globe,
February 11, 1921.

296

a career writing fiction: “William H. McMasters Rites Set; Journalist, 94,”
Boston Globe,
March 1, 1968, obituary.

296

Clarence Barron: “Clarence W. Barron Could Dictate Four Letters at the Same Time,”
Boston Post,
October 7, 1928;
They Told Barron: Conversations and Revelations of an American Pepys in Wall Street,
Harper & Brothers, 1930, pp. xv–xxxiii.

296

their long-running sexual extortion scheme: “Unanimous Decision of 5 Justices for Pelletier's Removal,”
Boston Sunday Post,
November 5, 1922, p. 58.

296

suicide triggered by his humiliation: Beatty, p. 247.

297

the irrepressible Coakley: “Daniel H. Coakley Dead at 87; Long Political Figure,”
Boston Herald,
September 19, 1952.

297

J. Weston Allen: “J. Weston Allen Dies at Age of 69,”
Boston Post,
January 1, 1942, p. 1; “J. Weston Allen Funeral Today at Mt. Auburn,”
Boston Globe,
January 2, 1942.

297

Albert Hurwitz: “Albert Hurwitz,”
Jewish Advocate,
August 8, 1985, obituary, p. 19.

297

people who had lost money: Katharine Bartlett, “Holders of Ponzi Notes Flock to State House as Last Hope,”
Boston Globe,
August 14, 1920, p. 3.

298

Joseph Pearlstein: “Pearlstein Made $500—Now He Sets Good Example,”
Boston Globe,
August 14, 1920, p. 2.

298

refunds equal to 37.5 percent: “Estate of Ponzi Now Cleared Up,”
Boston Post,
December 17, 1930.

298

Joseph “Sport” Sullivan: “Gambler Indicted for Bribery of White Sox Players,”
Boston Herald,
September 30, 1920, p. 1.

298

Herb Baldwin was distracted: Kenny, p. 161; “Store Cat Challenges Hindy to Catnip Meet,”
Boston Sunday Post,
October 5, 1920.

299

a brief encounter with Ponzi: “More Arrests Are Coming in Ponzi Case,”
Boston Post,
August 20, 1920, p. 1.

299

public relations job: “Herbert L. Baldwin, 79, Former Boston Newsman,”
Boston Herald,
January 23, 1973.

299

Eddie Dunn: Caption under a photograph printed in the
Boston Herald,
March 20, 1953.

299

Twice during his
Post
tenure: “Post Executive E. J. Dunn Dies,”
Boston Herald,
May 6, 1961, p. 1.

299

P. A. Santosuosso: Edward T. Martin, “Retiring Editor of Italian Newspaper Proud of 30-Year Record of Service to North End Folk,”
Boston Post,
June 22, 1952; “Pay Tribute to Santosuosso,”
Boston Post,
March 11, 1931.

300

Post
's investigation of Ponzi was awarded the Pulitzer Prize: “Bursting Golden Bubble Wins Gold Medal,”
Editor & Publisher,
June 4, 1921, p. 1.

300

The
Post
made news of the prize: “Pulitzer Prize Is Awarded to Post,”
Boston Post,
May 30, 1921, p. 1.

300

Edwin Grozier set the record straight: Edwin A. Grozier, “The Ponzi Award of Merit,”
Boston Post,
editorial page, p. 14, June 1, 1921.

301

“public spirit, courage, and persistence”: Photo caption in the
Boston Post,
October 20, 1921, upon presentation of the Pulitzer gold medal.

301

final fatherly words of advice: “Edwin A. Grozier's Will Is Filed,”
Boston Post,
June 14, 1924.

301

Margaret “Peggy” Murphy: “Richard Grozier Weds in New York,”
Boston Globe,
October 29, 1929.

301

died giving birth: Interview with Mary Grozier, March 7, 2003; “Mrs. Richard Grozier Passes Away Suddenly,”
Boston Post,
June 28, 1933.

301

Helen Doherty: “Richard Grozier Marries Nurse,”
Boston Traveler,
January 19, 1934.

302

committed to McLean Hospital: Interview with Mary Grozier, March 7, 2003.

302

Inscribed on the plaque: “Tribute Paid to Post Publisher,”
Boston Post,
September 23, 1946.

302

struggling to survive: The decline of the
Post
is best told by Kenny, pp. 218–29.

302

In October 1922 he was back in court: “Jury Is Ready to Try Ponzi,”
Boston Globe,
October 24, 1922, p. 1.

303

a dozen of the indictments against him: “Ponzi Own Lawyer in Trial for Larceny,”
Boston Globe,
October 23, 1920, p. 1.

303

Lucy Meli: “Questions Ex-Secretary,”
Boston Globe,
October 25, 1922, p. 1.

303

regaling the jury with his life story: “Coakley on Stand,”
Boston Globe,
November 28, 1922, p. 1.

303

Carmela Ottavi: “Ponzi Wins Avowal of Confidence,”
Boston Post,
November 1, 1922, p. 9.

304

all found innocent: “Find Ponzi Not Guilty,”
Boston Post,
December 2, 1920, p. 1; “Ponzi Is Acquitted of Larceny Charge,”
New York Times,
December 2, 1922, p. 9; “Ponzi Verdict Arouses Allen,”
Boston Globe,
December 3, 1922, p. 1; “Ponzi Is Freed; Goes to Jail All Smiles,”
Boston Traveler,
December 2, 1922, p. 1.

304

the painful ulcers: “Ponzi Will Be Brought to This City for Operation,”
Boston Globe,
January 14, 1923; “Ponzi Doing Well After Operation,”
Boston Globe,
undated clip, marked “1923.”

304

“I do hope that I may live”: Letter from Ponzi to Rose, postmarked January 1, 1923; generously provided by the Gnecco family.

304

back on trial: “Ponzi Goes on Trial,”
Boston Globe,
November 5, 1924.

304

Ponzi's luck ran out: “Guilty on 14 Counts,”
Boston Globe,
February 26, 1925, p. 1; “Charles Ponzi Is Sentenced,”
Boston Globe,
July 11, 1925, p. 1.

306

Charpon Land Syndicate: “Florida Lot Plan Opens,”
Boston Traveler,
January 12, 1926, p. 1; Robert Norton, “U.S. Keeping One Eye on Mr. Ponzi,”
Boston Post,
December 8, 1925, p. 1; “Faithful Rose Squeezes Pennies in Florida to Aid Ponzi in ‘Come-Back.' ”
Boston Traveler,
December 18, 1925, p. 15; “Ponzi's Friends Declare Wizard Will Give Self Up,”
Boston Globe,
February 9, 1926; “Find Water over Ponzi's $10 Lots,”
Boston Post,
February 10, 1926, p. 1.

306

violating Florida's securities laws: “Charles Ponzi Sentenced to Year in Prison,”
Boston Globe,
April 21, 1926.

306

Sic Vos Non Vobis:
Charles Ponzi, “Lay Off and I'll Get Out,”
Boston Post,
June 30, 1926, p. 1; “Inspector Mitchell Tells Inside of Ponzi's Capture,”
Boston Herald,
February 27, 1927, p. 1; Alfred Shrigley, “The Extradition of Charles Ponzi,”
City Club Life,
February 17, 1931, p. 3.

307

selling an account of his capture: “Ponzi Appeals to Mussolini for Aid,”
Boston Globe,
July 2, 1926.

307

appealed to Calvin Coolidge: “Ponzi Asks Help from President,”
Boston Globe,
July 4, 1920, p. 1. A copy of the telegram was found on the Web site www.mark-knutsen.com.

307

Benito Mussolini: “Ponzi Appeals to Mussolini for Aid,”
Boston Globe,
July 2, 1926.

307

Rose accompanied Imelde Ponzi: “Ponzi Begins 7 to 9 Years Prison Term,”
Boston Globe,
February 16, 1927, p. 1.

307

sewing underwear: “Ponzi Given Prison Work,”
Boston Globe,
February 21, 1927.

307

mother was on her deathbed: “Ponzi's Parent Dies in Italy,”
Boston Post,
April 18, 1930.

308

the item began: “Ponzi Payment,”
Time
magazine, January 5, 1931, p. 42; Ponzi's reply was printed January 26, 1931, under the headline “Ponzi from Prison.”

308

“It's great to see you boys”: “Ponzi Unable to Raise $1,000 Bail,”
Boston Globe,
February 15, 1934, p. 1.

308

Ponzi's old nemesis: “Decided Soon After Hearing,”
Boston Globe,
July 10, 1934, p. 1.

308

Ponzi went to the
Post:
Kenny, p. 202.

308

“I am not bitter”: “Ponzi Leaves Boston in Brig of Liner
Vulcania,
”
Boston Herald,
October 8, 1934, p. 1; “Ponzi Deported, Leaves in Tears,”
Boston Globe,
October 8, 1934, p. 1.

310

she could no longer remain Mrs. Ponzi: “Wife of Ponzi Seeks Divorce,”
Boston Globe,
June 27, 1936; “Wife's Divorce Suit ‘Tragic,' Says Ponzi,”
Boston Globe,
June 27, 1936.

310

“When he was down”: “Mrs. Ponzi Files for Divorce,”
Boston Post,
June 27, 1936.

310

tried to bluff Rose into jealousy: Letter from Ponzi to Rose, dated July 29, 1941.

310

his cousin Attilio Biseo: James Alan Coogan, “Spy Plot Shown Up by Ponzi,”
Boston Post,
April 27, 1942, p. 1; Also, Ponzi wrote frequently about Biseo in his letters to Rose. Ponzi often called Biseo his nephew, but it appears more likely they were cousins; Ponzi's references to him as a nephew might have been because of the difference in their ages.

310

efforts to expose a smuggling ring: “Spy Plot Shown Up by Ponzi,”
Boston Post,
April 27, 1942, p. 1.