Stuart Pearson is a billionaire, according to Wikipedia. If an Internet site that anyone can edit says so, it must be true.
That would explain how Stuart Pearson came to be identified, in the mainstream media, as a man with extensive land holdings, inherited wealth, and an interest in acquiring the failing SR Technics firm.
As it turns out, Stuart Pearson runs a small shop in Graiguenamanagh in County Kilkenny. Not the stuff of which millionaires are made. Unless he's the shy, retiring or secretive type.
He was living in a rented house, but inquiries by the Irish Times leave more questions as to his whereabouts. According to Mrs. Pearson, the couple separated some time ago and she doesn't know where he is.
As far as Wikipedia is concerned, Mr. Pearson inherited money and invested it well. So well, in fact, that he's the proud owner of an enormous portfolio of properties both in Ireland and England, and he dabbled in New York real estate while he was at it. Made money hand over fist.
Is it all pure fiction? Did Stuart Pearson put up his own page on Wikipedia and make up some whopping great tale of financial success? Or is the entry true, and Mr. Pearson is Ireland's version of Warren Buffett? Billionaires are not required to live in splendor.
Barry O'Halloran of the Irish Times and John Mulligan of the Independent have both quoted Mr. Pearson in regard to various business deals, none of which ever came about, but you'd have to wonder if it was Mr. Pearson who contacted the newspapers and acted the part. He never did buy into Taggart Holdings or make an offer for Aer Lingus.
More digging will be done to get to the bottom of the Stuart Pearson mystery, if one of the Irish newspapers can afford to assign a reporter to the slow and arduous task. Following a paper trail does not come cheap.
If your mother says she loves you, check it out. But not on Wikipedia.
No comments:
Post a Comment