Man free to make a mint taking coins from the fountain

Ananova ^ | July 29 2002

[2Trievers]

Authorities in Rome say they can't stop a disabled man from taking thousands of pounds a week in coins tourists throw into a fountain.

Roberto Cercelletta is fined the equivalent of £325 a day for wading into the Trevi fountain and picking up the coins.

Police told The Daily Telegraph they can't force him to pay because he has a disability certificate.

It's thought he makes £100,000 a year from taking the cash superstitious tourists throw in to ensure their return to Rome.

The Supreme Court has also ruled the money thrown into the fountain belongs to no-one.

A police spokesman told the paper: "Officially he is unemployed. His case has been assigned to a social worker and he has a disability certificate. He is untouchable."

Police say the only way they could stop him is to catch him damaging the fountain, but he never does. He's described as a huge man with a bellowing voice who always carries a knife and works with two assistants.

Legend says if a visitor to Rome throws a coin in the fountain his return is guaranteed.

[2Trievers]

[2Trievers]

"He's described as a huge man with a bellowing voice who always carries a knife and works with two assistants."

He might think about opening up franchises. &;-)

[jimtorr]

It's estimated that he makes 100,000 Pounds Sterling per year. Police can't keep him or his assistants (?!) out of the fountain and can't make him pay the fines because he has a disability certificate?

How do I get me one of those things?

[2Trievers]

This has potential ...

Two quick questions:

1) Can you get your diving eqipment back?
2) Come il suo italiano è? &;-)

[2Trievers]

What? A disability or a fountain? &;-)

[Catspaw]

Thanks for this article--it's given me ideas for a second career :-))

[2Trievers]

Seems easy enough ... just roll up your pants. In the winter, you can do the malls. LOL &;-)

[KarlInOhio]

Police say the only way they could stop him is to catch him damaging the fountain, but he never does. He's described as a huge man with a bellowing voice who always carries a knife and works with two assistants.

Huge man with a knife and two assistants? Wouldn't it be easier to take the money directly from the tourists instead of messing aound with the fountain? Or would that be stepping in someone else's family business?

[general_re]

He's described as a huge man with a bellowing voice who always carries a knife and works with two assistants.

[Bella_Bru]

That's what I was thinking. :-)

[Guillermo]

What an absolutely beautiful fountain that is.

Take out the sirens and horns, Rome is a great city.

[2Trievers]

LOL ... Wonder if Roberto has the loincloth thang going on? &;-)

[2Trievers]

[Orual]

At first I doubted that Tarzan was Italian, but then I saw this.

Good catch, G-r.

[2Trievers]

Bel Roma... come meraviglioso! &;-)

[general_re]

And he speaks Italian, too...

[general_re]

Crossed posts ;)

[dighton]

He's described as a huge man with a bellowing voice who always carries a knife and works with two assistants.

That explains a recent ad in La Repubblica: "Wanted, extremely huge man with two knives and three assistants. Apply in person at the Municipality office."

[Catspaw]

Seems easy enough ... just roll up your pants. In the winter, you can do the malls. LOL &;-)

It does sound so much easier than collecting aluminum cans or digging in other's couch cushions for spare change, or (God forbid) becoming a Walmart greeter. And I do like the water...I'll discuss this option with my hubby. He can be the one holding the knife (or other armament) while I swim in the fountains.

[2Trievers]

Rotolare sul pavimento, ridere fuori forte. &;-)