■ UNITED STATES
Ivy Leaguer admits fraud
An Ivy League graduate admitted in court on Monday that he and a girlfriend stole the identities of friends, co-workers and neighbors to finance their luxury lifestyle. As his grim-faced parents looked on, Edward Anderton, 25, of Everett, Washington, admitted to federal identity theft charges that likely carry a five-year prison sentence. His ex-girlfriend, 22-year-old Jocelyn Kirsch, is expected to enter a similar plea today. A prosecutor called the pair “the poster children for identity fraud” after police released their travel photos, which show them enjoying lavish trips to the Caribbean, Paris and Hawaii. Anderton pleaded guilty to six counts, including bank fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft. The pair obtained more than US$116,000 in goods and services and tried to obtain at least another US$122,000 more, Assistant US Attorney Louis Lappen said.
■ UNITED STATES
Grammer has heart attack
A spokesman for Kelsey Grammer said the Frasier star was recovering in a Hawaii hospital after a mild heart attack this weekend. Stan Rosenfield said Grammer was “resting comfortably” in an undisclosed hospital after being stricken on Saturday. Rosenfield says the 53-year-old actor will be released early this week. Rosenfield says Grammer was paddle-boarding with his wife, Camille, when he experienced symptoms. The couple lives in Kona, on Hawaii’s big island. Rosenfield says Grammer was immediately taken to an area hospital where it was determined that he had suffered a “mild heart attack.”
■ UNITED STATES
Cops bust alleged smugglers
A couple ran a cocaine smuggling ring from their fortress-like multimillion-dollar suburban home, and amassed so many luxury goods that the wife needed photos to keep track of her 100 pairs of Prada shoes, authorities said on Monday. Vicente Esteves, 35, and his wife, Chantal, 30, were arrested on conspiracy and money laundering charges after a 14-month investigation, officials said. The US$1 million-a-week operation flew drugs from Mexico and Colombia into the US, investigators said. The couple “attempted to hide behind the beauty of suburbia,” said Gerard McAleer, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey office. “It’s like something out of the movie Scarface … There were also 100 Rolex watches. I’m not sure Donald Trump has 100 Rolex watches. That’s the kind of money that was being made.” The investigation began when the DEA got a tip that a large-scale drug ring was operating out of Manalapan, an enclave of wealthy homeowners, many of whom fled the urban ills of New York.
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