The Unstoppable Con Man

I worked for Steven Charles Peterson when he was known as "Steve Romano." In 1997, "Romano" defrauded Ralph Gilbert out of control of his company, Texas Gilbert Corporation. Hired in April, 1998, I was to handle contract work and negotiations on projects that several subsidiary corporations were putting together in an attempt to create legitimate businesses. During my employment, Peterson/Romano embarked on a course of scams that ranged the world and involved chartered limos, 757s, and the ownership of an exclusive Padre Island condo and a private yacht, the "Paine Killer."

(This article is based on personal knowledge and original Peterson documents, including forged identification, stock certificates, Letters of Credit and other credentials. They were recovered by a former Peterson associate and I (from a case in the trunk of the white Cadillac Steve had obtained title to in one of the cons described in this article) following Peterson's blown cover and arrest on the way to his stolen yacht in Port Aransas, Texas. I have copies as well as originals in my possession, including the original vehicle title assigned to "Steve DePietro," one of Peterson's many aliases.).

Court records reveal that Stephen Charles Peterson, Jr. has gotten away with millions of dollars from scams and frauds across the country. (In Bexar County, Texas alone, there are reams of court filings describing in detail his semi-successful frauds.) Although he was jailed in 1998 for violation of probation, he continued and continues to conduct "business" and defraud innocent people of thousands, if not millions of dollars to this day.

Public records reveal that Peterson began his life of crime with an attempt to defraud a Texas bank and real estate investors in the 80's. After a brief stint in a federal prison camp, he was released and resumed the nefarious career path that had up to that point, paid him very well.