Written by :
Published on :
Legendary performers Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdinck lost millions as a result of their manager, music mogul Gordon Mills, siphoning off the cash to pay gambling debts to the Mob, according to reports that surfaced this week.
Mills, who passed away from cancer in 1986, is reported to have owed $320 million in gambling debts.
The monies disappeared from Las Vegas shows that were on a retainer of $8,000 (£5,000) per week.
Mills' former business partner Tony Cartwright, who is penning his memoirs, revealed the scandal to The Sun newspaper, telling the publication, "It was the biggest heist in showbiz history. Tom is still looking for his millions he thinks Gordon hid in offshore accounts.
"(The Mafia) were more than happy to give him credit. It meant they tied the singers in for life without them even knowing it. And Gordon had no choice but to let them do it because he owed so much money... When we were doing sell-out stadiums the Mob would say, 'We're taking 50 per cent of the box office' and Gordon would agree. He had no choice. He owed them millions... Forget the Hollywood films about gangsters and Vegas. Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck were in the middle of it. And they didn't even know it."
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
