Eventually it will always catch up to you. I feel bad for all the younger magicians that lost faith in the magic community due to H.L. lack of ethics. I've had the pleasure of bringing a few back into the fold with practicing the opposite. Giving my older outdated magic effects to the younger generations affected by H.L. and others.

If I remember correctly Max Maven did all of the original artwork for HL's Magic Factory Catalog as well...

I remember when he worked there. His name was Phil Goldstein. Wow. Different world now...

Doug

I remember the "store" was originally in the cellar of a house, with Hank and Phil behind the counter. Phil would always recommend a great book for me.

The thing is, in the magic community, many of us will be aware about his past actions and crimes. However, there are still thousands of people or potential buyers who might not even know his past or incidents. So yes, he might not have a 'comeback' in the magician community, but as in the business world, he might run another shop and earn profits once again..

If he wants to start up another magic business again, he first needs to make things right to the customers he has cheated in the past. The customers who never received their item, he needs to send it to them. Only then would I do business with him.

Hope Hank restart his business to pay me back almost usd 4K that he owed me. Yes really almost usd.4K.

He was responsible for dozens and dozens of great packet tricks. The 1970's was the decade of packet tricks - and Elmsley counts.
;)

OMG Lou Is, I remember just getting into magic then, and every frickin' new trick I liked involved the Elmsley count. Not a difficult count now, but when you're a teen wanting instant gratification and a way to impress the girls the next day...it's not the easiest road to follow. Oh, the frustrations of youth.

Wow, been out of the game for quite sometime. Can't believe what I'm reading. Anyone who knows more about this case, can you shed some light? I read an article on how he charged over $500k to an Amex from one customer. I take it, this is probably a wealthy customer? Someone who he knew wouldn't check his statements? I mean I don't get how you would have the audacity to rip one person off for that amount of money in a 2 year span. You don't think the victim would catch on? What a dope. He's a criminal and not too bright.

Any latest news about Hank?
What he do for living now?

I believe Trick Supply magic shop took over the stock.

In the early 2000's (maybe 05 or 06...I don't recall) I took a trip to Boston (it was my first ever visit there) and I made it a point to visit Hank's because I had been a customer since the early 80s. He had already closed his public shop but I managed to find his warehouse and wandered in. He had a nice lobby with some effects on display but nothing that resembled a shop. I was a little disappointed because I was hoping to browse and buy a few items. Hank came out and we talked a bit and then he looked me up on his computer. He then went into the back and brought out some items he thought I might like and we went through them together. I ended up buying five or six items that day. I heard that he did eventually turn the lobby into a shop, but I don't know for sure. Anyways...it really shocked and saddened me to hear what happened a few years later. I have good memories of receiving his flyers in the mail (pre-email days of course) and going through them. Good times I will always remember.

Aside from the jail term he is also supposed to make restitution to the customer he bilked...how the hell do you pay back $500k?

Hank sold an effect called "Polaroid Money Outdone", by Mike Bent. You can use it to make cash multiply in your bare hands. Same with "The Osaka Bills". If only our effects were real.

But on the serious side, you are correct. How in the WORLD is the guy ever going to pay back all that jack??? I don't see it happening!

One dollar at a time......

Or one license plate at a time...

Maybe he could pay with those gift certificates that he was still selling a week before they closed down......because they would be back.

And he still owe me almost $4K

Really! Always give promise and promise to pay me back and nothing happen

I am surprised he would even think he could make a come back using his name. And where is that 500K going to magically come from. Only chance he might have is become a very silent partner with someone else that wants to launch a magic site. But who would be foolish enough to partner with him not many I would think. I would never buy from him again he still owes me and I know I will never see it.