MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota businessman accused of running a Ponzi scheme that authorities say was overtaken at the time only by Bernard Madoff's is going on trial this week.
Tom Petters built a small merchandise liquidation company into a diversified empire that owned well-known businesses such as Polaroid. But prosecutors allege the core of his business was a $3.65 billion fraud.
Petters is charged with 20 counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering and conspiracy, that could imprison him for life.
He pleaded not guilty Dec. 2, just a week before Madoff began confessing to a scheme authorities say cost investors at least $13 billion.
Petters' trial is expected to take about six weeks, with jury selection starting Wednesday in federal court in St. Paul.
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