Steve Comisar

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Steve Comisar
Steve Comisar in-hollywood.jpg
Comisar in 2020
Born
Steven Robert Comisar

(1961-12-30) December 30, 1961 (age 63)
Other namesBrett Champion
OccupationCon man

Steven Robert Comisar (born December 30, 1961) is an American con artist [1] who was arrested multiple times and convicted of a variety of frauds. [2] [3] [4] [5] This includes convictions in 1983, 1990, and 1994 in Los Angeles Federal Court. [5] In 1999, he was arrested for swindling investors in a fake television quiz show project he promoted as involving Joe Namath. For this, he was sentenced to thirty-three months in prison. [3] Earlier in his life, as a young man, Comisar marketed a "solar powered clothes dryer" in national magazines for $49.95. Buyers received a length of clothesline. [6]

After release from prison on April 27, 2018, [2] Comisar claimed to be reformed, used the alias Brett Champion, and promoted himself as a fraud prevention expert and consultant. He used this name on Dateline NBC , [1] [7] and in other television appearances. He also wrote the book America's Guide to Fraud Prevention under this name. [7] [8] [9]

As a result of subsequent convictions, Comisar is now legally prohibited from using this alias, and from referring to himself as a consumer fraud expert. His book is considered a "piece of fraud history" by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and is on display in their fraud museum. [10] [11]

References

  1. 1 2 "Prisoner Admits Trying to Extort Money From Two Local Lawyers". Metropolitan News-Enterprise Online. November 20, 2008. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Federal Bureau of Prisons". Bop.gov. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  3. 1 2 "Purported 'Former' Con Man Is Sentenced Anew - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times . December 7, 1999. Archived from the original on January 7, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Release No. 07-066 Career Con Man Sentenced To Five Years For Attempting To Extort Money From Attorney Representing Murderer". justice.gov (Press release). May 15, 2007. Archived from the original on May 19, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  5. 1 2 Rosenzweig, David (December 24, 2002). "'Former' Con Artist Accused of Bilking 84-Year-Old Man". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  6. ↑ Sandbeck, E. (2007). Organic Housekeeping: In Which the Non-Toxic Avenger Shows You How to Improve Your Health and That of Your Family, While You Save Time, Money, and, Perhaps, Your Sanity. Scribner. p. 221. ISBN   978-1-4165-9570-0 . Retrieved February 11, 2018. Awhile back the brilliant scam artist, Steve Comisar, cleverly exploited the efficiency of line drying laundry by advertising a "Solar Powered Clothes Dryer" for only $49.95. When the suckers, er, customers, opened the eagerly awaited packages, they discovered that the "Scientifically proven, space-age clothes dryer" was a piece of clothesline. I'm sure quite a few of them were amused. The equipment necessary for line drying clothes is usually inexpensive, ...
  7. 1 2 "Schwarzenegger Names Federal Prosecutor To Court". Main Justice. July 2, 2010. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  8. ↑ Independent Newspapers Online (July 24, 1999). "The man who can't stop conning". Independent Online . Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Author of Consumer Fraud Guide Arrested". Los Angeles Times. November 7, 1999. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  10. ↑ Barry Minkow Added to the List of Repeat Offenders Archived June 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , from Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Scott Patterson, ACFE Media Relations Specialist
  11. ↑ "ACFE's Fraud Museum". Accounting Today. June 29, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
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