He had a phony client list that included the likes of Samuel L. Jackson and Gary Sheffield, but scamming stockbroker Calvin Darden had a very real taste for the high life, racking up over $160,000 in credit-card charges in a single month, court papers show.
The spending spree on Darden’s American Express black card included $49,889.25 at a Florida aquarium store, $79,728.51 at a New York art gallery and thousands more at posh hotels in Beverly Hills, Miami Beach and Las Vegas, court filings show.
The details on Darden’s high-flying lifestyle emerged as prosecutors revealed they’re discussing a plea deal with the alleged scam artist that could cost him up to $5 million and 12 years in prison.
Darden, 30, surrendered to prosecutors last week after he was indicted on grand larceny, fraud and other charges stemming from his allegedly bilking millions of dollars out of Smith Barney, Wachovia, Canadian mutual-fund company AIC Ltd., and an elderly investor.
Prosecutors say he duped the companies into giving him massive loans by claiming he managed $1.2 billion worth of money for celebrity clients including Jackson, Sheffield, Latrell Sprewell, Nelly and Star Jones.
He also said he represented 21 senior executives at UPS – a claim that AIC readily believed because Darden’s father, Calvin Darden Sr., is a senior vice president at the company.
Prosecutors said the younger Darden spent his ill-gotten gains on living well – including putting a down payment on his multimillion dollar Glen Cove, L.I., home, and necessities like an indoor movie theater and 20-foot indoor aquarium.
In court yesterday, prosecutor Elson Ho told Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Renee White that his office has unearthed an additional $750,000 in thefts by Darden, but is considering a plea deal in which he would serve four to 12 years behind bars and repay the almost $5 million he’s allegedly swindled.
Darden’s lawyer, Judd Burstein, acknowledged the plea talks and said his client “never disputed the allegations.” “He has gone to the district attorney’s office and made full disclosure,” Burstein said. “He is intent on making things right.”
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Darden of Eden
Between Feb. 26 and March 29, Calvin Darden Jr. (left) rang up $166,266.38 in charges, including:
* $79,728.51 Pop International Gallery, New York
* $49,889.25 at the Living Color aquarium store, Ft. Lauderdale
* $2,738.81 Mandalay Bay Hotel, Las Vegas