Skip to comments.
Man free to make a mint taking coins from the fountain
Ananova ^
| July 29 2002
Posted on 07/29/2002 4:46:15 AM PDT by 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.
TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-44 next last
1
posted on
07/29/2002 4:46:15 AM PDT
by
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. &;-)
2
posted on
07/29/2002 4:47:41 AM PDT
by
2Trievers
To: 2Trievers
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?
3
posted on
07/29/2002 5:04:05 AM PDT
by
jimtorr
To: sleavelessinseattle
This has potential ...
Two quick questions:
1) Can you get your diving eqipment back?
2) Come il suo italiano è? &;-)
4
posted on
07/29/2002 5:20:14 AM PDT
by
2Trievers
To: jimtorr
What? A disability or a fountain? &;-)
5
posted on
07/29/2002 5:21:11 AM PDT
by
2Trievers
To: 2Trievers
Thanks for this article--it's given me ideas for a second career :-))
6
posted on
07/29/2002 5:35:12 AM PDT
by
Catspaw
To: Catspaw
Seems easy enough ... just roll up your pants. In the winter, you can do the malls. LOL &;-)
7
posted on
07/29/2002 5:42:32 AM PDT
by
2Trievers
To: 2Trievers
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?
To: 2Trievers; Orual; aculeus; dighton
To: Catspaw
That's what I was thinking. :-)
To: 2Trievers
What an absolutely beautiful fountain that is.
Take out the sirens and horns, Rome is a great city.
To: general_re
LOL ... Wonder if Roberto has the loincloth thang going on? &;-)
To: KarlInOhio
To: general_re; dighton; aculeus
At first I doubted that Tarzan was Italian, but
then I saw this. Good catch, G-r.
14
posted on
07/29/2002 6:47:47 AM PDT
by
Orual
To: Guillermo
Bel Roma... come meraviglioso! &;-)
To: 2Trievers
To: Orual
Crossed posts ;)
To: Orual; general_re; aculeus
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."
18
posted on
07/29/2002 6:59:12 AM PDT
by
dighton
To: 2Trievers; Bella_Bru
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.
19
posted on
07/29/2002 7:01:31 AM PDT
by
Catspaw
To: general_re
Rotolare sul pavimento, ridere fuori forte. &;-)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-44 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson