Kick 'em when they're up, kick 'em when they're down

One of many recent articles on the auction held last weekend, where belongings of former Conseco CEO Stephen Hilbert were auctioned to help pay his debts. Two area kids who put summer job money into Conseco stock lost their $250 investment, and want to pick up a souvenir as recompense.

Both boys had mostly forgotten their ill-fated investments until recently. A business class at Tipton High School required Adam, a freshman, to read a newspaper business section every day.
There he saw publicity about the Hilbert auction, recalled his mom, Theresa Landers.
"He can hardly wait. He feels cheated. He worked hard for that money," Theresa Landers said.
Adam and his mother have spent time poring over the Web site of Hilbert's auctioneer, Norman J. Gallivan Inc. Adam says he would like to go home with Hilbert's French dueling pistols or one of his decorative pens.

Hilbert's saga brings up that line from Don Henley's Dirty Laundry. The auction is getting so much attention only because he was such a larger-than-life personality. I had no interest in attending, although I would like a tour of the estate. But don't worry about Mr. Hilbert. Even if he has to give up everything, there are certainly enough assets in his wife's name to allow them to live comfortably for the rest of their lives.