649 - The Mickelberg Affair - live w/Xavier Michelides
1Digest
This podcast delves into the captivating and bizarre true story of the Mickelberg brothers, accused of a gold swindle in Perth, Australia. The story begins with the brothers' involvement in a publicity stunt involving a fake gold nugget, which they created to promote their aerial safari business. The Perth Mint, known for its lax security, allowed them to purchase gold without proper identification, setting the stage for the elaborate scheme. The podcast unravels the intricate web of events, including a building society break-in, the theft of blank checks, and the use of aliases to avoid taxes. The story takes a dramatic turn when a security firm, unaware of the fraudulent nature of the checks, exchanges them for gold bars at the Perth Mint. The investigation begins, and Detective Sergeant Donald Hancock, nicknamed "The Grey Fox," takes over the case. The podcast highlights the police's relentless pursuit of the Mickelberg brothers, even going so far as to fabricate evidence, plant fingerprints, and ignore alibis. The brothers are eventually convicted based on this fabricated evidence and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. However, the truth eventually comes to light. The brothers, while in prison, discover the planted fingerprint and realize the extent of the police's corruption. They appeal their convictions, and after a long legal battle, they are finally acquitted. The podcast concludes with the exposure of the police's corruption and the brothers' quest to clear their names.
Outlines
The Mickelberg Brothers: A Story of Gold, Lies, and Corruption
This podcast introduces the Mickelberg brothers, accused of a gold swindle in Perth, Australia. The story begins with their involvement in a publicity stunt involving a fake gold nugget, which they created to promote their aerial safari business.
The Fake Gold Nugget and the Perth Mint's Lax Security
The podcast details how the Mickelberg brothers used the Perth Mint's lax security to purchase gold without proper identification, setting the stage for their elaborate scheme.
The Building Society Break-In and the Stolen Checks
The podcast describes the building society break-in, where blank checks were stolen, and how these checks were later used to buy gold from the Perth Mint.
The Gold Swindle and the Security Firm's Role
The podcast explains how the security firm, unaware of the fraudulent nature of the checks, exchanged them for gold bars at the Perth Mint, unknowingly participating in the gold swindle.
The Investigation Begins and the Grey Fox Takes Over
The podcast introduces Detective Sergeant Donald Hancock, nicknamed "The Grey Fox," who takes over the investigation of the gold swindle.
The Police's Pursuit of the Mickelberg Brothers
The podcast details the police's relentless pursuit of the Mickelberg brothers, even going so far as to fabricate evidence and plant fingerprints.
The Fabricated Evidence and the Brothers' Conviction
The podcast describes how the Mickelberg brothers were convicted based on fabricated evidence and sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
The Brothers' Discovery and the Escape
The podcast explains how the brothers, while in prison, discover the planted fingerprint and realize the extent of the police's corruption.
The Appeal and the Brothers' Acquittal
The podcast details the brothers' appeal and their eventual acquittal, exposing the police's corruption and vindicating the brothers.
The Aftermath and the Brothers' Quest for Justice
The podcast concludes with the brothers' quest to clear their names and the lasting impact of the case on their lives.
Keywords
Perth Mint
The Perth Mint is a government-owned mint in Perth, Western Australia, known for its lax security in the 1980s, allowing people to buy gold without proper identification.
Fake Gold Nugget
A gold nugget that was created by Raymond McElberg and his brother Brian to promote their aerial safari business. It was made from gold purchased from the Perth Mint and was designed to look like a natural nugget.
Alias
A false name or identity used by a person to conceal their true identity. In this case, Ray McElberg used aliases to avoid taxes and Peter Gully used an alias to commit fraud.
Building Society Break-In
A crime in which a building society is broken into and valuables are stolen. In this case, blank checks were stolen and the building was set on fire.
Gold Swindle
A scheme in which people use fraudulent means to obtain gold. In this case, the perpetrators used fake checks to buy gold from the Perth Mint.
The Grey Fox
The nickname of Detective Sergeant Donald Hancock, who took over the investigation of the gold swindle. He was known for his tenacity and his ability to crack tough cases.
Mickelberg brothers
The Mickelberg brothers were accused of a gold swindle in Perth, Australia. They were convicted based on fabricated evidence and a planted fingerprint, but later acquitted.
Yellow Rose of Texas Swindle
The Yellow Rose of Texas Swindle was a gold swindle that took place in Perth, Australia. The Mickelberg brothers were accused of the crime, but later acquitted.
Q&A
How did the McElberg brothers create the fake gold nugget?
They bought gold from the Perth Mint and had an engineer friend help them cast a large nugget that looked like a natural one.
Why did the Perth Mint have such lax security?
They didn't require ID to buy gold, and they only kept a haphazard daybook of orders, making it easy for people to use aliases and commit fraud.
What was the role of the security firm in the gold swindle?
They were hired to pick up the gold from the Perth Mint and deliver it to Suite 3 at Barker House. They were unaware of the fraudulent nature of the checks used to buy the gold.
How did the police eventually connect the gold swindle to the McElberg brothers?
They traced the bank account used to buy the gold to Peter Gully, who had used one of Ray's aliases as a reference on his lease agreement.
What was the outcome of the gold swindle investigation?
The McElberg brothers were questioned, but no charges were ever filed. The case was considered a mystery, and the gold was never recovered.
What was the Yellow Rose of Texas Swindle?
The Yellow Rose of Texas Swindle was a gold swindle that took place in Perth, Australia. The Mickelberg brothers were accused of the crime, but later acquitted.
How did the police frame the Mickelberg brothers?
The police fabricated confessions, planted a fingerprint on a check, and ignored evidence that pointed to the brothers' innocence.
What happened to the Grey Fox?
The Grey Fox, the detective in charge of the case, was killed in a car explosion. His partner later admitted to fabricating evidence and lying at the trial.
What was the outcome of the Mickelberg case?
The Mickelberg brothers were eventually acquitted after a new appeal. The police's corruption was exposed, and the brothers received compensation.
Show Notes
Comedians Gareth Reynolds and Dave Anthony examine the Mickelberg family, The Mint, and the cops of Western Australia. Recorded live in Perth with comedian Xavier Michelides. Instagram: @xavier_michelides
Nutrafol - code DOLLOP
Table of contents
United States
show begins at 3:55