Comments on: Finnin goes to jail … more on Johnston http://www.gerardryle.com/blog/?p=133 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:51:23 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Colin Jacobs http://www.gerardryle.com/blog/?p=133&cpage=1#comment-225 Colin Jacobs Sun, 30 Aug 2009 08:35:40 +0000 http://www.gerardryle.com/blog/?p=133#comment-225 The insurance angle is an interesting one. But if that's enough to get them off the hook, surely their attorneys are already all over that one. As a connoisseur of scams, I have to say TJ has come pretty close to the holy grail of a scam "too big to fail" - everybody seems to be suing the tailor without acknowledging the emperor's nakedness. Somebody should give this guy an investment bank to run. The insurance angle is an interesting one. But if that’s enough to get them off the hook, surely their attorneys are already all over that one. As a connoisseur of scams, I have to say TJ has come pretty close to the holy grail of a scam “too big to fail” – everybody seems to be suing the tailor without acknowledging the emperor’s nakedness. Somebody should give this guy an investment bank to run.

]]> By: Gerard http://www.gerardryle.com/blog/?p=133&cpage=1#comment-224 Gerard Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:25:28 +0000 http://www.gerardryle.com/blog/?p=133#comment-224 I agree with you that the money is long gone, Colin. The authorities face an interesting scenario here - an almost comical one. Nobody has complained of fraud because to suggest fraud might allow the various insurance agencies off the hook. Most of the $40 million or so worth of private civil actions now being taken are being taken against the insurers of the financial advisers who sold the shares, or the lawyers who handled the money etc. If someone screams "fraud", and the police get involved, it might allow the insurers an escape. Because all of the charges brought so far are civil charges - as opposed to criminal charges - Johnston simply has to stay out of the country. The question is: why was he allowed to leave in the first place? And only weeks before ASIC moved. I agree with you that the money is long gone, Colin. The authorities face an interesting scenario here – an almost comical one. Nobody has complained of fraud because to suggest fraud might allow the various insurance agencies off the hook. Most of the $40 million or so worth of private civil actions now being taken are being taken against the insurers of the financial advisers who sold the shares, or the lawyers who handled the money etc. If someone screams “fraud”, and the police get involved, it might allow the insurers an escape. Because all of the charges brought so far are civil charges – as opposed to criminal charges – Johnston simply has to stay out of the country. The question is: why was he allowed to leave in the first place? And only weeks before ASIC moved.

]]> By: Colin Jacobs http://www.gerardryle.com/blog/?p=133&cpage=1#comment-223 Colin Jacobs Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:35:16 +0000 http://www.gerardryle.com/blog/?p=133#comment-223 Interesting, but good luck seeing any of the money. When can we expect charges against Johnston? I'm still amazed that even though he obtained so much money by deception, he's free to galavant around Europe still. Even if Firepower pills were more than just placebos, so many embezzled millions must count for something. Liked the book, but I'm waiting for the sequel where TJ is brought back and locked up. Interesting, but good luck seeing any of the money.

When can we expect charges against Johnston? I’m still amazed that even though he obtained so much money by deception, he’s free to galavant around Europe still. Even if Firepower pills were more than just placebos, so many embezzled millions must count for something.

Liked the book, but I’m waiting for the sequel where TJ is brought back and locked up.

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