A local man was identified this week as a victim of identity theft: Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York.
The mayor, as many people know, is thought to be worth at least $5 billion after a very successful career building Bloomberg LP, the parent company of ventures such as the financial news giant that bares his name.
If that wasn’t enough, pundits have speculated that Bloomberg would consider a run at the White House next year, after carrying high approval ratings throughout most of his five-plus-year term as mayor of New York City.
Back to the point, two men were charged this week with stealing, or attempting to steal, from Bloomberg’s personal Bank of America accounts.
Odalis Bostic was indicted for trying to steal $420,000. But first, he allegedly created the Laderman Development Company in Elizabeth, N.J., and deposited checks drawn from Bloomberg’s account.
Charles Nelson wasn’t quite as ambitious. He allegedly only tried to steal $10,000 from one of the mayor’s accounts, transferring it to an E*Trade account.
I wouldn’t wish identity theft on anyone. But there may be a silver lining to this crime story.
Bloomberg has often said he’ll retire from politics at the end of his term to focus on philanthropy. Maybe now, he’ll be more likely to spend some money, or his considerable capital in the worlds of politics and finance, on organizations that defend victims from identity theft.
The mayor, as many people know, is thought to be worth at least $5 billion after a very successful career building Bloomberg LP, the parent company of ventures such as the financial news giant that bares his name.
If that wasn’t enough, pundits have speculated that Bloomberg would consider a run at the White House next year, after carrying high approval ratings throughout most of his five-plus-year term as mayor of New York City.
Back to the point, two men were charged this week with stealing, or attempting to steal, from Bloomberg’s personal Bank of America accounts.
Odalis Bostic was indicted for trying to steal $420,000. But first, he allegedly created the Laderman Development Company in Elizabeth, N.J., and deposited checks drawn from Bloomberg’s account.
Charles Nelson wasn’t quite as ambitious. He allegedly only tried to steal $10,000 from one of the mayor’s accounts, transferring it to an E*Trade account.
I wouldn’t wish identity theft on anyone. But there may be a silver lining to this crime story.
Bloomberg has often said he’ll retire from politics at the end of his term to focus on philanthropy. Maybe now, he’ll be more likely to spend some money, or his considerable capital in the worlds of politics and finance, on organizations that defend victims from identity theft.
