Business Bureau Torch Awards Ceremony To Feature Abagnale As Guest Speaker
Frank W. Abagnale, was known 30 years ago as one of the world's most famous confidence men. His best-selling book, "Catch Me If You Can," depicted his exploits.
Abagnale will be the guest speaker at the Central East Texas Better Business Bureau's 2008 Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics, 6:30 p.m. April 29 at Villa Di Felicita.
The life of deception turned into one of cooperation with authorities, after Abagnale cashed $2.5 million in fraudulent checks in every state and 26 foreign countries over a five-year period, as indicated in BBB information. Between the ages of 16 and 21, Abagnale posed as an attorney, a college professor, a pediatrician and an airline pilot.
The French police caught him at age 21 and for five years he served time in French, Swedish and U.S. prison systems. He was released on the condition that he would help the government, without pay, by teaching and helping federal law enforcement agencies.
Now one of the world's most respected authorities on the subjects of forgery, embezzlement and secure documents, for the past 25 years he has lectured to and consulted with hundreds of financial institutions, corporations and government agencies worldwide.
Kay Robinson, BBB president, said the bureau had heard good things about Abagnale, based on his presentations to other BBB districts and to other organizations
"The bureau in West Texas had used him, and they had really good feedback from his presentation," Ms. Robinson said.
Abagnale lectures at the FBI Academy and its field offices. More than 14,000 financial institutions, companies and law enforcement agencies use his fraud prevention programs. His latest book, available through Random House/Broadway Books, is titled "The Art of the Steal."
"Mr. Abagnale believes that punishment for fraud and recovery of stolen funds are so rare, prevention is the only viable course of action," according to information from the BBB.
Previous Torch Awards speakers have included Enron whistleblower Sherron Watkins and comedian Steve Bridges, who in 2006 performed a parody of President Bush.
The last Torch Awards ceremony was in 2006, and Ms. Robinson said the 2006 recipients will present the awards to the 2008 honorees.
The awards are for four categories of business size: one to nine employees, 10-20 employees, 21-55 employees and 56-200 or more employees.
Ms. Robinson said reservations have closed and 275 people are anticipated to attend.
Southside Bank is the gold sponsor for the event. Diamond sponsor is Combined Agency Inc. Silver sponsors are Edward Jones Investments/Randall Childress, Austin Bank, Trinity Mother Frances Health System, East Texas Truck Systems, Hibbs-Hallmark & Co. and Brookshire Grocery Co. In-kind sponsor is Vincent Graphics & Supply.
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