Pinball testifies in fraud case
Alleged con man gained ex-argo’s trust by paying for family’s medical bills
Michael “Pinball” Clemons is a trusting person.
He admitted as much Thursday during his testimony in the trial of alleged fraudster Walter Garrick, who Clemons said helped out his family in times of need with extravagant donations in order to gain that trust.
In the opening day of evidence in the case against Garrick, 43, the Crown called the former Toronto Argonauts CFL coach to detail how he had given the Oakville man $57,000 of his own money for what he believed to be investments made on his behalf.
But when no profits materialized, Clemons, 47, said he grew skeptical he would ever see his money again.
“You take someone . . . at their word,” Clemons said on the stand. “He was a gentleman.”
The two first met at an Oakville grocery store in 2003. Clemons said he was approached by Garrick, who said he had been “looking forward to try to connect” with him.
Clemons said a “very well-spoken” Garrick told him about how he had become a multi-millionaire using his company, Garcorp, to make investments while studying at Columbia University. He dropped big names including members of the wealthy Rothschild banking family, Clemons testified.
Following their first encounter, Clemons said it was Garrick that pursued him.
“He was persistent in calling,” Clemons said.
As their relationship grew, Clemons said he came to believe Garrick had a “very high financial liter- acy,” was willing to make large charitable donations and was interested in purchasing naming rights to a new football stadium that had been proposed at York University.
Eventually, Garrick told Clemons there may be opportunities to invest money through him to help grow his savings.
Clemons testified that between February and June 2004, he wrote cheques made out to Garrick for a total of $57,000, starting at $5,000 and gradually increasing over several months. During that time, Damon Allen, then quarterback for the Argos and close friend of Clemons, became aware of Garrick and his offer to invest. Allen wanted in, Clemons said. Crown attorney John Scutt, in his opening statements, indicated his case would show Allen eventually invested a total of $45,000. In the spring of 2004, Clemons said Garrick offered him a private jet to fly family members to his father’s funeral, also donating $2,500 to pay for funeral costs. Clemons said Garrick also paid for cancer treatments for his sister-inlaw at a clinic in Alabama. “I think that was part of the confidence and trust that I was building into Walter,” Clemons said. But whenever he inquired about the money, believing he would see returns within a year, Clemons said Garrick always had an excuse. “The stories became less palatable and less believable over time,” Clemons said. Soon it was Clemons pursuing Garrick. Clemons said he has still not recovered a significant portion of his initial investment. But the football star turned public speaker and philanthropist, who stopped to pose for photos and wave at fans as he left the courthouse, said he never wanted revenge, only to put the past behind him. “I made the choice,” Clemons said of his decision to invest. “I wouldn’t be bringing him to court myself.” The trial resumes next Tuesday, with co-complainants Allen and former child star Kenny Vadas expected to testify.