Vanilla Ice gets punked(No not the programme)

[AspirinE]

Rapper Vanilla Ice's $1,442,743 million investment in a tax-exempt bond fund got iced -- in a major fraud committed by Coral Gables accountant Ronald Stern, who killed himself in July '99 as investigators closed in. Vanilla Ice, whose real name is Robert

VanWinkle, will soon recoup $72,137.22. That's five cents on the dollar, no interest.

VanWinkle, 38, a former Miami Beach resident who now lives in Lake Worth, is among 30 investors who sank their dollars into Stern's Florida Fund. Stern was VanWinkle's accountant. ''I went to his office. He came to my house. Seemed like a pretty trustworthy guy.'' Stern boasted an 8 percent return, no risk, VanWinkle says. VanWinkle even recommended the fund to his mom, Beth Bryant, of Dallas. She invested $95,000. ''We totally got scammed,'' he says.

Attorney Paul J. McMahon, who represents VanWinkle and his mother, forced the fund into bankruptcy court. Bryant gets back $4,750. ''But for the bankruptcy, they would have received nothing,'' McMahon says.

For six years, the Florida Fund case -- with $8.3 million in investor claims -- has percolated through various proceedings. Joel Tabas, the court-appointed bankruptcy trustee, has recovered $1.6 million. The creditors' first distribution is $417,393.

Others who will get checks include: Holocaust survivor David Mermelstein ($17,500.02 of $350,000 ); philanthropist Donald Carlin ($5,000 of $100,000); McGlannan Learning Systems, which operates the private McGlannan School for dyslexic and learning disabled students ($32,816.78 of $656,335); Frances K. McGlannan, the school's founder, owner and director ($3,750 of $75,000); retired Redland general contractor Harry Matza and his three children ($61,776.75 of $1,235,533.67); the Miami Police Relief & Pension Fund ($48,215.19 of $964,303); the Homestead Jewish Center ($13,928.24 of $278,564.50), and Stern's estate ($25,000.02 of $500,000).

Professional fees must be paid from the remaining $1.2 million. The Stearns Weaver law firm, whose attorneys Hal Moorefield Jr. and Drew Dillworth represent trustee Tabas in the court proceedings, wants $725,000. Forensic accountant Lewis B. Freeman will ask for $300,000. Tabas, who led the effort to recover the monies, estimates his fees at $50,000 but will bill less.

''A lot of the investors were little old ladies who gave their life savings, and I feel bad about these people,'' he said.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert A. Mark will decide who gets what. Money left goes to creditors.

As for Vanilla Ice, he released a new album, Platinum Underground, and is about to go on tour, with more than 100 concert dates booked. ''Financially, I'm fine,'' he says. ``I basically bounced back.''

He builds spec houses and owns a real estate brokerage firm and mortgage company.

He and wife Laura have two daughters, Dusti, 8, and Keelee, 5.

Says Dad: 'I've got my new tattoo on my left ankle. It says `Family.' ''

[Cartman]

Serves him right the little bitch - fuckin up rap for white folks like he did - they should give him the chair!

[SNaKe]

Serves him right the little bitch - fuckin up rap for white folks like he did - they should give him the chair!

haha youre right give him the fuckin chair!!

[AspirinE]

Serves him right the little bitch - fuckin up rap for white folks like he did - they should give him the chair!

Dont be so critical ... yes he is wack and the world would be a greater place without him

but without him the white folk might have been buying rap albums in future

[555555]

What a little punk.He should be given the chair . Ice, Ice, is dead.

[50_Cent]

That's funny when they little bitches got punked

[library2847]

8D Thats the way it is done do you not think so.