The Ultimate Philly Criminal? An Alleged Ponzi Schemer with Explosives

Real story: The FBI found (and disposed of) 60 pipe bombs in a Malvern storage space that belonged to a guy facing federal charges for running a massive Ponzi scheme. The alleged schemer, one Istvan Merchenthaler, of Downington, was was charged last year with pretending to be the C.E.O. of PhoneCard USA, which according to the feds, hasn’t been providing cell phones or pre-paid cards to anybody. Instead, he was apparently buying jewlery, firearms, and cars. For what it’s worth, Merchenthaler hasn’t been charged with a crime for the pipes, though two others relating to the Ponzi scheme were tacked on yesterday. [Philly.com]