Ponzi Man Stanford's Lovers Unite To Support Him
Wife and girlfriends of past and present act like best buds
By EMILY FELDMAN
Updated 12:15 PM EDT, Wed, Jul 22, 2009
The country's No.2 most hated Ponzi schemer gets nothing but love from the ladies in his life, who are standing by their man -- and leaning on each other.
In spite of the criminal charges facing Texas financier Allen Stanford for allegedly cheating investors out of $7 billion, his lovers of past, girlfriend of present, and ex-wife of future are showing up in court to support him, Reuters reported. The women -- two of whom share the name Susan Stanford -- sit together in court passing notes, sharing mints and gum, and whispering to each other, Reuters reported.
"I've got people that love me and care about me," Stanford, 58, said. "I'm better off than I have been in my whole life right now."
Stanford's lawyer, Dick DeGuerin, said the women are committed to "fighting Mr. Sanford's battle together."
Their support for Stanford goes beyond courtroom camaraderie.
Andrea Stoelker, his 31-year-old former employee and current girlfriend allowed him to hole up in her mom's Virginia basement after his assets were seized.
The petite brunette now lives in a luxury high rise in South Florida, and will soon be joined by Louise Sage, the mother of two of Stanford's six kids, who recently signed a $7,000-per-month lease for an apartment in the same building.
They sit in court with two Susan Stanford's--the wife who is divorcing him, and the ex-girlfriend--both of whom had a kid with him and received hefty child support payments from him until his assets were frozen.
The only woman who hasn't been seen cheering Sanford from the sidelines is Rebecca Reeves Stanford, the mother of two of his children.
All the women lived luxurious lifestyles, during and after their time with Stanford, enjoying flights aboard his private jet, multi-million dollar mansions and exotic vacations.
Stanford, who was knighted by Prince Edward Earl of Wessex and a Queen Elizabeth representative, ran a bank in Antigua, promising depositors unheard of interest rates on certificates of deposit. But the depositors, including New York Yankees Johnny Damon and Xavier Nady, Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey, and ordinary, middle-income investors spanning 6 continents, later found their money not only missing, but uninsured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
Still, Stanford's alleged racket only took in a fraction of the $65 billion Ponzi king Bernie Madoff stole with his sheme.
Stanford denies any wrongdoing and remains behind bars awaiting trial on 21 felony counts of fraud, conspiracy and obstruction.
First Published: Jul 22, 2009 10:18 AM EDT
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