Chicago Options Associates, What’s the story? Options

[Peter Damian]

In 1994 Wales left the university of Alabama and took a job at Chicago Options Associates, as Research Director. He left in 1996. I am still puzzled how he made enough money so as not to work again, having worked there less than two years, in a research capacity (rather than a trader).

What happened to Chicago Options Associates? The CEO was Michael Davis, who in that period was the subject of a lawsuit referenced here

http://www.state.il.us/court/opinions/appe...tml/1041110.htm
http://www.state.il.us/court/opinions/supr.../may/102578.pdf

I haven’t time to follow the details of the case yet, but it seems Davis was successfully sued for a large sum of money (then), nearly $1m, and tried by various means to avoid payment. Does anyone know the full story? I see Greg has followed this one in the past.

[Kelly Martin]

Note that the impetus to form a foundation for Wikipedia started about the same time as Dowling's collection efforts ramped up. Comparing the timelines between Wikipedia's and Wikimedia's early development ought to be interesting.

And, yeah, Eric's right. Jimmy and company have definitely made a huge living off of soaking the gullible. It's fairly obvious that Jimmy moved to Florida to be near Michael, and Michael moved to Florida because he had no choice. I've not heard that Jimmy was ever named as a defendant in any of the lawsuits, but it's possible that he moved there to protect himself as well. As I've mentioned Jimmy is exceedingly risk-adverse.