Big Money, Hot Rods and Hit Men

It’s a quirky combination of fraud and thuggery. So goes the trial of accused Ponzi schemer Jeffery Mowen. As charges of fraud are argued, Mr. Mowen’s enormous car collection is prepared for auction in case proceeds can be used to pay back the investors it’s said that Mowen bilked. Car collector experts expect the auction to bring in up to $3 million, but they consider Mowen’s private collection to be more trashy than classy. Think razor blade adornments, Marilyn Monroe decals and a 1995 Chevy Impala with 80K miles. Mowen thought the collection would impress potential investors, but FC doubts it. Get more details in The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/us/08auction.html