O'Reilly Doing Devastating Expose on Cantor Fitzgerald Tonight

The O'Reilly Factor/Fox News | truthkeeper

[truthkeeper]

Did anyone watch O'Reilly's opening segment? He's exposing an awful story concerning the shabby treatment of surviving family members of Cantor Fitzgerald, the firm that lost 700 of the 1,000 employees in the attack on the towers.

His guests were one of the widows, Linda Fiori, and a writer named MacDonald of Forbes Magazine. The firm CEO, Howard Luttman (not sure about the pronunciation/spelling, maybe someone can correct), has been all over the airwaves crying and carrying on the past couple of weeks about how he is desperately trying to help the stricken families. (I personally saw him on Larry King a couple of weeks ago sobbing away.) The man has been begging for business and donations, saying he's pledging 25% of future business for the families. He presented them as a close-knit, devoted, and caring group; "we're like a family here."

Mrs. Fiore, however, revealed that she has never been contacted by Luttman, even after she called his house and spoke to his wife (or possibly the maid; in any event she was told "I'll have him call you back."). She hasn't received a dime of money from Cantor Fitzgerald, and not one person from the firm came to her husband's funeral, even after she sent the obituary to them. Furthermore, O'Reilly revealed that all paychecks had been stopped four days after the attack. It doesn't look like any money is forthcoming, not even the bonuses these people already earned. Mrs. Fiore was desperate, and said she's been entirely dependent upon her family and neighbors who have been giving her money. She stated, "I don't want a handout from Cantor Fitzgerald...I just want a pamphlet or information stating what they will be doing about the money." (My paraphrasing.)

O'Reilly was plainly disgusted. He asked the writer what kind of man this Luttman was, and her response was not very flattering. She said he took control of the company while the previous owner, Bernie Cantor, was dying. She added that, as a result, he was banned from his funeral. O'Reilly: "Okay, I'm getting the picture about this guy."

I can't tell you how bad this story made this Cantor Fitzgerald CEO look. You'd have to see it for yourself...it's quite an eye-opener. (Watch the rerun.)

[habs4ever]

Is that the lawyers doing the dirty work? It could be a very complex partnership with some sticky tax angles, so who knows?

[poweqi]

O'Reilly also pointed out that Lutnick has MILLIONS at his disposal.

[jackbill]

On the other hand, Luttnick just lost 700 employees, including his own brother. I don't think he has time to attend 700 funerals. There is no money coming in,

First, I don't think anyone is complaining that he isn't going to 700 funerals.

Second, money is coming in. The company has not shut down. It is one of the largest traders of US bonds.

I've seen him several times on TV begging for business and I heard him say that 25% of company profits (or something) was going to go to the families. I'm curious to see what the 25% is and when.

O'Reilly mentioned that his annual salary is about $7 million and that his net worth was in the high tens of millions. Does he really need more? Do these 700 families - and even his own brother - mean anything to him? I've seen absolutely no evidence so far.

I would love to be found wrong.

[truthkeeper]

Sigh, how can people become desperately broke so quickly?

She said they had "a huge mortgage, no savings, and lived from paycheck to paycheck." (I agree, not very wise.)

[Aedammair]

I don't know if you got a chance to view a lot of daytime television during the days immediately following the attack, but this guy was all over the air waves really, really weeping. And referred to his 700 employees as his "700 families". If this guy is doing what O'Reilly and his guest(s) are purporting in this article, I have to say that his performance was academy award winning.

[fred flinch]

Send money to Cantor Fitsgerald Relief Fund, 101 Park Ave,45 th Floor,NY.NY 10178-0060, ATtn Dr Phillip Ginsberg or go to www.cantorrelief.org

[jackbill]

I don't know where the "theme" that Luttnick hasn't attended 700 funerals came from. The only reference to funerals in O'Reilly's interview was the fact that Mrs. Fiori sent notification of the funeral to Cantor-Fitzgerald and nobody from there attended. Nobody.

Wouldn't it appear appropriate that the company would send at least one person as a representative?

[poweqi]

I hope you forgot the sarscasm tag. Fioni said she had a big mortgage and no savings JUST LIKE 90% of Americans.Besides BUTTNICK is keeping their bonuses. I'm sure they were NOT in the bldg. but in a BANK somewhere!

[truthkeeper]

How do we know that this lady isn't a total fraud? Think of the Survior show and how that greedy sore-loser lady is trying to sue the show for losing. Maybe she is no different, maybe not.
Come on - this guy has just suffered through the WORST ever destruction of any company in US History! Give the guy some damn slack!

Hey, I'm just the reporter...don't shoot the messenger. Secondly, O'Reilly mentioned in the later segment that his producer contacted the woman "at random"...she did NOT contact him. (Sounds like he was tipped off by someone to a brewing controversy, IMHO.)

[l33t]

Howard Lutnick, having waged a nasy fight with the widow of Bernie Cantor, the firm's founder, in court for control of the company is definitely not a nice person. Having said that most Wall Street firms are not very nice to their employees especially those no longer working for them.

[hole_n_one]

but now it's time to look at "OK, now what are they DOING" (rather than saying).

I agree, 100 %

[truthkeeper]

The only reference to funerals in O'Reilly's interview was the fact that Mrs. Fiori sent notification of the funeral to Cantor-Fitzgerald and nobody from there attended. Nobody.

Yes, you are correct (and that's what I said). It's the other FReepers who are running with that 700 funerals line. (I'd better get those asbestos undies on pronto...)

[bootless]

Sigh, how can people become desperately broke so quickly?

Unfortunately, it's not difficult.

("there now" mode)

[habs4ever]

Didn' they have a memorial service in central Park a few days ago for Cantor?

[crz]

His personal net worth is 50 million. He makes 7 million a year. I dont feel one bit sorry for this asshole after he said ON a street interview with FOX that he would do everything possible for those families...all the while making like a big joe and crying his eyes out. YET he had the money to HIRE a public relations firm to get him on Larry King et al.

[NativeNewYorker]

Assuming his backup tapes had the home addresses of all his employees, a one page letter saying the firm's finances are in a legal limbo, and that he's working to set things right, would've done the trick.

I don't doubt the shop is in a legal/financial mess, but the eerie private silence is an awful contrast to the public keening.

[habs4ever]

Hey, that's the way bond traders live.Most of the compensation is tied to bonuses, and its been a very common practice in the brokerage biz for generations.Its not prudent.