Merrill used Stevenson's stock pledge to issue a type of convertible security it calls Strypes, which other firms market with acronyms such as Decs and Traces.

FORBES: The Lauders did it. So did Craig McCaw and Ronald Perelman.

In December, Roberto Sajol, an employee of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, sought the help of family friend dela Serna for someone "who was being given a hard time at the DECS." Sajol was referred to Fulgencio.

CNN: CASH GOING BEGGING