Alleged Ponzi schemer gives it to God

Posted by Al Lewis on April 25, 2009
Mr. Ponzi

If your income comes from an alleged Ponzi scheme, do you still have to tithe?

For Shawn Merriman, a former Mormon bishop, the answer was likely yes. The Denver Post reports that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may have to return some of Merriman’s donations to his investors because Merriman is accused of bilking his clients out of $20 million.

sam-antarReminds me of what Sam Antar, former CFO of the infamous “Crazie Eddie” scheme of the 1980s, told me this week about white collar criminals.

“We build walls of false integrity around ourselves,” he said. “We have to appear to be well-bred Americans. We have to be involved in social causes. We have to walk old ladies across the street. We have to do all the wonderful things to deflect criticism.”

Click here to read my column on Antar. (PHOTO: Sam Antar)