How has the demise of Lou Pearlman's empire affected you?

Monday will be the one-year anniversary of the Times' publication of my first story about Lou Pearlman's investment scam. It was the first time anything had been published about investors having difficulty getting their money out; in fact some investors defended the EISA program in comments posted on the Times Web site. But as we know now, it was just the beginning of a long nightmare for investors. I'm working on a story to recap the case and bring readers up to date with what's gone on and would like to publish some comments from investors. You can, of course, post anonymously on the blog, but I would like some comments that I can consider for publication in the newspaper. That means I need your real name and the city where you live. If you like, you can email comments to me rather than posting them here.

I have written so many posts and readers have written so many comments that the "Trans Continental News" category now has difficulty loading on people's computers. In recognition of that problem and the one-year anniversary of this case, I am moving the discussion to a new category: Lou Pearlman 2008. The posts in the Trans Continental category will continue to be open for comment, but no new posts will be placed in this category. If you have bookmarked the Trans Continental page, please change it to the main Money Talk page. Thanks!

Comments

And how does today's ruling affect EISA investors?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/15/AR2008011501329.html?hpid=topnews

St Petersburg Times.."The woman who asked Charlie Crist that question."..Published by CHRIS TISCH. Times staff writer, published 1/17/2005.
Charlie are you GAY?....the room was silenced as for reasons you may have known or guessed. Let's connect that to Lou's inexplicitly not being charged by the AG's office or any office as far as that goes for his "Crimes of persuasion"....Lou was a genius at conning people and I wonder just what he has on you know who...Its a sick world filled with SICK people.

Lou, on this special day that is the worst Christmas my family has ever spent together we will pray that you get the present that keeps on giving...That Every day of your miserable life such a pathetic excuse of a man like you Lou will be spent behind bars knowing we all feel even that is to good for you..Happy Holidays FAT MAN.

I'm wondering if there were adult children of elderly/retired who were scammed....who were possibly counting on this money as an inheritance....have they helped their parents, have they stepped up to the plate? I hope so.

[Jim]

Friends and family members can't speak up for Lou - can't you see they are too busy working to make money to eat now that Lou has stolen all their money.

"Have there been any old friends or family who have spoken public on his behalf. Those who belief his innocense etc? Any who feel they will be able to forgive him and keep a relationship?"

Just curious...Has anyone heard from loyal Mandy? What is she up to these days? Is she working and has she moved on with her life?

Have there been any old friends or family who have spoken public on his behalf. Those who belief his innocense etc? Any who feel they will be able to forgive him and keep a relationship?

[norris]

11:01 if he is released he could go back to the mansion less all the furniture, cars, boats, etc.

Helen, what is the update on people who have visited Lou in jail? Anyone new????

Helen you are absolutely correct that I have over estimated the reality of what the Florida's AG office does, but not what they can do. Please, I am only trying to make a point that the powers of the AG and its subordinates have not used the capacity of their reach in any way ,shape or form that could have prevented much of the misery caused by Pearlman. Why? that's for reasons that probably will never will see the light of day.Just as a reference please visit the following web sites and read its entirety or you may miss what I am talking about.

floridaattorneygeneral-economic crime

charliecrist-wikipedia

[Helen Huntley]

To 11:50 a.m.--I think that you have overestimated the reality of what the Florida AG's office does. At the bottom of your post you mention the U.S. Attorney General and the U.S. District Attorney. These are, of course, federal positions and have nothing to do with the Florida attorney general.

... Yo DumbArse, This is my last attempt to inform one DumbArse about what the AG's office powers consist of.Yes it is a joint effort but the sole responsibility of powers of prosecution for certain crimes as in the case of Trans Con. It seems you feel that the AG's office was some how not aware of any investigation of Trans Con, nor if it were had no reason to get involved. Read the attachment and even a DumArse such as you may gain some knowledge...But I doubt it
United States Attorney General Office - US District Attorney Office

[Helen Huntley]

No, Lou will not get out of jail Jan. 1--or any other time without a hearing before a judge.
Helen

Quit harping on the AG! It's also the DOJ in Florida. The AG begged the DOJ to do a criminal investigation of Pearlman, but it wouldn't do it.

Is it true the order to keep Lou in jail expires December 31st? Could he be free on January 1st???

[Yo DumberArse]

Florida AG has no criminal powers--the State Wide Prosecutor does, but is not really with AGs office--very independent. Econcomic Crimes is civil with no criminal power whatsoever. Later Dummie.

Hello Sir Jim, I am glad I could provide you the apparent self gratification of commenting on ones spelling error. Too bad you could not understand what this blog is all about...No one has to agree with what each other says, but I would think a deep thinker such as you would have graded my comment on the message and not a spelling error.

[Jim]

Do you know how to spell Google?

Dept of Financial service, the Financial commission, Whatever they are now called the point is that AG's office has the responsibility to provide policing power. The AG is the TOP COP. Goggle the powers of the AG and learn what they do...as it appears you do not know

The attorney general's office does not do financial/securities investigations. Previously these were under the Department of Financial Services. Now they are under the Office of Financial Regulation, which is supervised by the Financial Services Commission/aka the Florida Cabinet.

Yes you are a DumbUrse, as the Dept of Financial Services conducts the investigation under the office and supervision of the Attorney Generals office. The reason is the Dept. of Financial Services have no powers of arrest and enforcement. That is what the AG does DumbArse.

Christmas Card to Lou Pearlman:

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." (Matthew 5:7).

Lou, be merciful and tell the investors where their money is. Otherwise your legal punishment will be severe and relentless. You will receive no mercy.

He has silenced nobody. His fiercest critics had and still have their own web sites to expose him. Google his name--it's all there. And that wicked youtube report is going to the top of the SERPs. They just used this forum as whipping post which was completely redundant. It's about Pearlman, anyway, not him.

How has the demise of Pearlman affected me? Hahaha! It's brought more joy than you can imagine. Hehehe. It's the gift that keeps on giving. A Christmas gift every day of the year knowing he was busted, will go to prison, and never get out. Hahahaha!

Live by the scam, die in jail.

Merry Chri$tmas, Lou.

[jo]

Thank you Helen for
getting information out to us.
You helped put lou in jail.
My elderly mom lost all her savings, the cpa that did her taxes talked her into to investing, in this
safe, insured investment. She was also
told that the state of florida checked this out and found nothing wrong. She was given paper work stating this was insured and her money would be safe and was sent regular statements.

We had no idea that she was investing more and more of her money in this
plan. I hope that along with lou that
the people that pushed this investment
plan are punished and should make pmt
back to investors on the money they
made on this. I don't know if we will
ever see anything back from lou but I
do feel he must have alot of money stashed somewhere because he never paid
for anything.
I hope this case comes to trial soon along with all the people including
us attorney general's office who helped
lou.

[Jim]

That is the point.

Pearlman, Tolner et al used the "clean bill of health" on the FR/Options Talent business by the FAG to convince potential investors that all is clear and clean in the Pearlman empire, when, in fact even the FR/Options Talent business was fraudulent.

"The AG never investigated the EISA--that is not under it's provence. Look to Dept of Financial Services head by the CFO--another elected office holder. Nice try, FT."

[Yo DumbArse]

The AG never investigated the EISA--that is not under it's provence. Look to Dept of Financial Services head by the CFO--another elected office holder. Nice try, FT.

1:01 pm

This completely underscores the tragic importance of how the Florida Attorney General's cover-up of the Fashion Rock/Options Talent frauds was used by Pearlman to give him credibility for his other frauds.

This is why the FBI has to thoroughly investigate the cover-up.

Almost two years ago I was going to withdraw my monies from the EISA program, but a meeting with Lou who put on a dog and pony show that would have made Ringling Brothers proud did I make the fatal mistake of staying in the program. All the documents were presented and he played video of his grand successes and growing empire, but what made me take note and literally make the decision to stay in the EISA was Lou's smiling comment that "Hey, the AG's office gave EISA a clean bill of health" That statement and that alone secured my fate.

I confirmed the importance of listening to my instincts, seeing things as they are-not just believing what I am told, or what I hope them to be. I am grateful for being able to quit while I was ahead,and pulling out my relatively small investment because I needed to use it elsewhere. When I had much more money available to invest years later, I considered re-investing with Lou, based on all the other friends and family I knew that stuck with him for many years. However,fortunately for me (not for them) I felt that the "interest" they were getting was going to be it, that they'd never really see their capital returned. My opinion was based on watching everyone "wait" for years for bigger things to come to fruition (his false promises)and my actual impression upon meeting and observing him briefly in a social setting. I felt like he was very much 'on' with his investor friends,but caught a side of him-glimpse of someone who seemed very ill at ease and sullen,not charming. Easy to say in hindsight,after all that has come to light. All that combined, just made me too scared to reinvest, although it was a temptation. I just didn't have a good feeling about him as time went on.I am sorry for the others who knew and invested with him, a change of heart and I would be in the same situation and devastated.

10:57

your comments have been verified by the actions taken by Crist's US Attorneys Office a few years back regarding Pearlman's criminal actions.

They declared him "clean as a whistle" and allowed him to file a nasty frivolous lawsuit against the very people that were assisting the US Attorneys Office to investigate Pearlman and his scamster buddies.

It's been an education in deceit and greed, and good folks natural inclination to want to trust others. Unfortunately, evil exploits anything good. This saga is not over, I will reserve judgement for those that are supposed to protect the public and bring criminals to justice. Time diffuses everything, and unfortunately, it is the game Pearlman, the prosecutor, and all the cronies are left playing. Each seems to be in it for
themselves at this point. What have we heard that says differently?

[TANKER]

CAN THE VICTIMS AT LEAST GET THE COMMISION FROM THE PEOPLE WHO LEAD US INTO THIS? ITS STILL HARD TO ACCEPT THAT PEARLMANS HENCHMEN ARE STILL OUT WALKING AROUND USING UP STOLEN MONIES FROM THE VICTIMS....THE STATE OR THE FEDS FOR THAT MATTER HAVE NOT MADE CHARGES AGAINST THOSE WHO PROFITED FROM OUR LOSSES, ITS AN OUTRAGE. I'M GLAD AT LEAST ONE OF THOSE RESPONSABLE IS IN JAIL, L.P., LETS HOPE THIS NEW YEAR BRINGS IN THE REST OF THE CROOKS!

Don't worry.

The balance of the Pearlman charges are coming.

It is taking a little longer because the government is adding additional defendants.

Where are the state fraud charges, where are the federal charges, where are the I.R.S. charges?
Why are no indictments filed on behalf of all the criminal acts of this ponzi scheme?
It's been long enough for all those involved to file charges.
The victims need a voice,Helen you have been a great source of information, but we are still standing on sand. Until charges are filed on our behalf, we are not recongized legaly, or publicly.
This has been a life altering experience for all of us.
Our life savings gone,most of us have had to get a job ,to survive.
This scam was allowed to operate for over fifteen years and no state office questioned licences,registrations or legal complaints.
You ask how it changed our lives, we ask how has it not changed our lives, definitly not for the better!!!
Barbara

The affect of this sad ordeal on me has been an awakening towards all those that would protect us not being who we thought they were, the knowledge gained that we truly are on our own in all our dealings, regardless of the appearance of laws and regulations. They exist for the sake of commerce, not regular folks that run into crooks. In fact, the crooks get more consideration than their victims. This has been the affect of all things Pearlman on myself, and countless others, I am sure.

[GiGi]

Helen,Thank you for all the reporting you did on this case this past year. I really appreciated all your reports since I am an investor, they were real helpful! Keep up the good work in 2008!

Now he can regale us with tales of his greatness unimpeded by either truth or reason.

But once that grows thin, whatever will the self-aggrandized Doctor do to occupy his late-night,online vigils?

I envision him as that albino on the Da Vinci Code, whipping himself over his shoulder with his computer mouse.

It was the year AD silenced his online critics

Thank you Helen for full year of good work on this important case.