Stanford’s Star Turn: Act I, Scene II

Two weeks after his first public appearance — a sidewalk interview with ABC News’ Brian Ross — "Sir" Allen Stanford sits for an on-the-record tete-a-tete with the New York Times. Highlights: – Threatens violence (offered to pose for a picture strangling the NYT reporter) – Cites victimization at the hands of Justice Department’s "Gestapo tactics" – Subtly drops estimated value of his company from the $8 billion cited by the SEC to "about $3.5 to $5 billion" – Largely blames his former right-hand man, James Davis, for any problems with the company’s books (Davis is now cooperating with federal prosecutors — telling them Stanford is implicated "up to his eyeballs in fraud," according to Davis’ lawyer.) The SEC did not comment to the Times on Stanford’s accusations.