Allen Stanford: founded a fiefdom on deception and dodgy deals

Allen Stanford may be a Texan, but his behaviour hails straight from the British school of colourful rogues.

R. Allen Stanford might have been born American, but his behaviour hails directly from the British school of colourful rogues. Consider the evidence, says The Daily Telegraph: the blagged knighthood; the hunting scenes and vintage books in his banks; the Antiguan restaurant he cheekily named The Sticky Wicket; the groping of the English Wags. It's pure Wodehouse.

In an interview with Forbes last year, Stanford offered his advice on how to spot a liar. That's pretty rich, since the urge to deceive seemed to extend to everything he did, says The Observer. Even the helicopter, bearing his name and crest, in which he touched down at Lord's last summer, was hired for the day and the logos were stuck on with paste. Stanford claimed false family links with the founder of Stanford University, exaggerated his royal connections, and purported to be a "world-renowned former cricketer".

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up
MoneyWeek

MoneyWeek is written by a team of experienced and award-winning journalists, plus expert columnists. As well as daily digital news and features, MoneyWeek also publishes a weekly magazine, covering investing and personal finance. From share tips, pensions, gold to practical investment tips - we provide a round-up to help you make money and keep it.