Elementary, My Dear Investors: The Curious Case of the $100 Million Deli and a Thai Prison Tussle

A Sandwich Short of a Scheme

The game you see is afoot! Or rather a pastrami sandwich short of a scheme if you will. News reaches my Baker Street abode of a most curious case in Camden New Jersey. A certain Peter Coker Jr. entangled in the $100 million deli debacle found himself in a rather unsavory pickle – not of the deli variety mind you – within the confines of a Thai prison. Apparently justice has a sense of irony serving him a dish of rough treatment while awaiting extradition. As I've always said 'Data! Data! Data! I can't make bricks without clay!' And the data here suggests a web of deceit as tangled as a plate of spaghetti.

Bangkok Brawl: A Prison's Pungent Punishment

Ten against one you say? A rather unsportsmanlike conduct even for criminals. Coker Jr.'s lawyer paints a vivid picture of his client's trials a far cry from the cozy confines of a New Jersey deli. Held in Thailand our Mr. Coker Jr. apparently discovered that prison cuisine is the least of one's worries. One can almost hear the echoes of his plea: 'It was the lowest point in my life.' A sentiment I suspect shared by those whose investments turned to moldy bread.

A Father's Folly a Son's Sorry State

Elementary my dear Watson the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Coker Sr. gets a lighter sentence but the judge made a point 'This was a fraudulent scheme from the inception'. One might say he's been served a slice of humble pie or perhaps a stale bagel considering the circumstances. The defense's plea for leniency referencing a 61 year marriage tugs at the heartstrings – though my own remain suspiciously unmoved. Love is an emotional thing and whatever is emotional is opposed to that true cold reason which I place above all things.

The Einhorn Revelation: A Hedge Fund's Hunch

Ah Mr. Einhorn a man after my own heart! His astute observation regarding the deli's paltry revenue and exorbitant valuation is a stroke of genius. 'The pastrami must be amazing,' indeed! It seems even the most seasoned investors can be lured by the siren song of a well stuffed sandwich – or in this case a cleverly inflated stock price. It's a reminder that even in the complex world of finance sometimes the simplest explanations are the most damning.

A Tangled Web of Deceit and Deli Meats

From a high school principal to shell companies and manipulated stock prices the scheme is a veritable smorgasbord of skulduggery. The Hometown International a company that had a market capitalization of more than $100 million despite owning just a small money losing deli in South Jersey. It's as if they attempted to create gold out of thin air – or perhaps more accurately out of thinly sliced ham. The audacity is almost admirable if not for the utter lack of moral compass.

Justice Served with a Side of Regret

In the end justice albeit delayed is served. Prison sentences fines and the sting of regret linger in the air. As I've often observed 'There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.' And the fact here is clear: greed like a poorly prepared sandwich leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth. One can only hope that Messrs. Coker Jr. and Sr. find a way to repay their debt to society – perhaps by opening a truly exceptional deli one that actually warrants a $100 million valuation.