We know Charles Ponzi struck it rich
And made more than plenty
Of hustled money back in the day ---
This peaked around 1920.
But two decades earlier, this other guy
Was making all of these killer
Profits which later would inspire Ponzi:
His name was William F. Miller.
Miller had big plans, however, along the way,
He seems to have had perhaps a little bit
Of doubts about using his name, so he grandly
Called his office the “Franklin Syndicate.”
A 520 percent rate of return? That’s the
Promise which he used to bedevil
Potential suckers too excited to suspect
That this claim wasn’t on the level.
Based in Brooklyn, Miller very soon
Conned countless schmucks
And defrauded many investors out
Of around a million bucks.
Miller went to jail for ten years --- no
Longer did customers file in
To his office. He later wound up with
A new gig out on Long Island
Where I’d bet he often and politely
Said, “Yes Ma’am, no Sir”
As he adjusted to his career change
Of being a full-time grocer.
Reporters asked Miller about Ponzi ---
Miller said he had to wonder
How he made so much money. Shortly
Thereafter, Ponzi went under.
