#confidence men

[matt0044]

Anyone else actually liked the ending to Great Pretender? I just don‘t see the hate. Maybe it was more convoluted in the end but child traffickers getting their long due comeuppance was well worth it. I just had the biggest grin the whole time.

I guess Ozaki got off too easily so… :/

[j-august]

Confidence men are not thieves, at least not in the conventional meaning of the word. The true con man practices an art, a mixture of improvisational theater, mind control, and mimetic misrepresentation. His most basic insight into the human condition is that it is impossible to con an honest man. It is the larceny lurking in the soul of his victim that he must prey upon.

Guy Lawrence, Octopus

[madao-desu]

Worthwhile Frames from Great Pretender (2020)

[case 1: Los Angeles Connection]

[awoogaseven]

This dude is so sexy but god I hate him 😤😤

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"GETS THREE-YEAR SENTENCE IN 'GOLD-BRICK' FRAUD CASE," Toronto Star. September 29, 1933. Page 1. --- Mussolino Goes to Penitentiary - Pat Bruno 18 Mos., Emmanuel Three ---- THEY GOT $1,500 ---- The three men found guilty of conspiracy and false pretence in the "gold-brick" case received sentences in general sessions to-day.

The charges were conspiracy and defrauding a young man of $1,500.

Antonio Mussolino was sentenced to three years in Kingston penitentiary on each of three counts, concurrent.

Patrick Bruno, found guilty on two counts, was given eighteen months in Ontario reformatory on each, concurrent.

Emmanuel Bruno, found guilty of conspiracy and strongly recommended to mercy by the jury, was sentenced to three months at the jail farm.

Judge Parker imposed the sentences in place of Judge Widdifield, who sustained an accident subsequent to the trial. His honor told Mussolino he was taking into consideration the intimation restitution of $1,133 was to be made.

"Otherwise," said his honor, "you were fiable to be sentenced to seven years."

During the trial three "gold- bricks" used by the accused to deceive were sawn apart, and experts found an alloy of copper, brass and other metals. semblance striking. to They said the re- genuine gold was

[Mussolini appealed his term but lost out and had his conviction confirmed. He was 49, single, born in Calabria, and had served terms at Burwash Industrial Farm and the Toronto Jail Farm. He was convict #3220 at Kingston Penitentiary and worked in the tin and paint shop. He was released in November 1935, having earned his full 'good time.']

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"CONSPIRACY VERDICT IN GOLD-BRICK CASE," Toronto Star. September 22, 1933. Page 3. --- Mercy Is Recommended for Emmanuel Bruno ---- Antonio Mussolino, Patrick Bruno and Emmanuel Bruno were found guilty of conspiring to defraud in connection with the sale of three alleged "gold bricks" for $1,500, by a jury in general session before Judge Widdifield yesterday. The jury's verdict, returned after an hour's deliberation, brought a six-day trial to a close.

Coupled with their verdict was a strong recommendation for mercy toward Emmanuel Bruno.

On a second count of obtaining $1,500 by false pretences with intent to defraud, Antonio Mussolino and Patrick Bruno were found guilty. Mussolino was also convicted on a third count of fraud.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

""BRICK IS TOO TOUGH TO BE GOLD"---JUDGE," Toronto Star. September 19, 1933. Page 1. --- Takes Half Hour to Saw Through One During Fraud Trial ---- The usual tenseness of general sessions court was relieved to-day when a sheriff's officer and the complainant, taking turns, occupied nearly 45 minutes cutting through an alleged "gold brick" with a hacksaw. Two other bricks were to be "dismembered" during the noon recess.

The bricks figure in the trial of Antonio Mussolino, Patrick and Emmanuel Eruno, charged with conspiracy to defraud.

"If a plug is found in this one, I suggest the other bricks also be sawn through," said Frank Regan, defence counsel.

"You are surely not suggesting it is gold." remarked Judge Widdi-field. "Gold is soft metal. It required more than half an hour to saw through this brick."