Alleged con man starts his own website

Kim Smith

Wednesday, April 17, 2002 | 11:25 a.m.

A Las Vegas man accused of bilking more than 1,100 people out of millions of dollars now has his own website.

Although Franklyn Perry is still behind bars at the Clark County Detention Center, he is getting his voice heard through www.FranklynPerry-notguilty.com.

In addition to proclaiming his innocence, Perry lambasts his attorneys, prosecutors and law enforcement officers and offers advice to his alleged victims.

He also provides visitors pages upon pages of court documents and a letter from a prosecutor outlining details of a potential plea agreement.

On his home page, Perry promises the website will provide "Factual Information To All LENDERS That Reveals how Franklyn Perry has always protected 'YOUR MONEY,' and Is Still Safe In A Vault. Read The Truth About How Frank's Main Goal Is To Return Your Money, and Keep The State For SPENDING It!"

Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Laurent said he has been aware of the website's existence for about a week. He did not know who ran the website.

"To me, the website's consistent with his scheme of fraud," Laurent said. "He only gives people what he wants them to hear. He's trying to paint himself as innocent when the facts will show otherwise."

Laurent noted that the website doesn't divulge the fact that Perry already has served a federal prison sentence on similar charges.

Perry is awaiting trial on more than 500 securities fraud charges and 40 unrelated sex crime charges.

Police allege Perry was able to bilk more than $40 million from people by telling them he was loaning money to high-roller gamblers who had hit their credit limits at area casinos.

Authorities seized between $22 million and $23 million in cash, in addition to real property, such as cars and boats, from Perry.

On his web page, Perry claims that all of the loans would have been paid back had Metro not "illegally" seized the funds from him.

Defense attorney Peter Christiansen said that although he has nothing to do with the website, he is not surprised his client would arrange for its creation.

"He is definitely an intelligent and sophisticated client, which is atypical in the criminal justice system," Christiansen said. "Look at the site. It's obvious to see he has strong feelings on the falsity of the charges against him."

Christiansen declined to comment on the wisdom of the website or Perry's criticism of him and fellow defense attorney Michael Cristalli.

"I routinely advise my clients not to say anything publicly until the time of trial, however in high-profile cases such as this, the vast majority of the coverage is negative," Christiansen said. "This may be an effort to neutralize the negative press."

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