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.

[Orual]

Crossed posts ;)

Once again. Better than this, though.

[Rebelbase]

Tourists should start using slingshots to launch their coins into the pool, preferably when Mr. Cercelletta is bending over.

[aruanan]

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

"Ridere fino a che le mie natiche cadano sui pavimenti"?

[general_re]

Fun with Babelfish - "Rotolando sul pavimento che ride il mio asino fuori."

[2Trievers]

Il suo italiano liscio me spazza via dai miei piedi. Sono affascinato. Possiamo incontrare per alcuno caffè? &;-)

[2Trievers]

Why I don't believe you have ever grown up! LOL &;-)

[Temple Owl]

I threw coins ( I forget what they were) in the fountain back in 1950. What I wished for must have happened because I have been one lucky guy.

I saw a movie once that featured a couple who were broke, scrounging in the fountain for coins. I forget who they were too. Maybe I should have wished for a better memory.

[2Trievers]

Those were lucky coins all right. Roberto used them to buy Olivetti stock, which he parlayed one year later into a new Ferrari and a nice place on the Via Venito. WTG TO &;-)

[Temple Owl]

I am happy for Roberto

[2Trievers]

[Temple Owl]

Now that's a real sports car. And a really handsome little boy.

[aruanan]

Possiamo incontrare per alcuno caffè? &;-)

If you're in Chicago. I'm having a 20oz Starbucks Americano right now. I want to see if it has more punch than the Venti regular stuff.

[sleavelessinseattle]

This just in...A Copy Cat Fountain Purloinment occurred in California...the unrepentent culprits Brazenly posed for a photo...do not approach them as they WILL shout at you and if they Sit on you...No ER in the world will be able to reassemble your shattered Ribcage!

Stay tuned as Geraldo tracks...The Fountaina "Family Business", Capisce?

[2Trievers]

Yeah .. daddy's TESTArosa is pretty sweet too! &;-)

[2Trievers]

I worry about their folding knives most! &;-)

[sleavelessinseattle]

First Rule...Respect the Fighter Not the Weapon...although...

I USED to be a distributer for the guy that hand grinds these down to split hairs...This one is certainly your christmas present when I win the lotto...your namesake 2T...Hellcat!
It maketh the Lion lie down with the lambchops, no? I know of races held with these knives against the jaws of life in extracting a person from a car wreck...guess who won? and NO they didn't just puree the victim and suck them out the window...HA HA....They peeled the roof steel off with the knife blade, like opening a tin of tuna.

[Junior]

Suwheet!

[2Trievers]

Yeah ... thanks ... but how will that fit in my purse? A scabbard maybe?

[operation clinton cleanup]

Can tourists also "withdraw" from the fountain without penalty?