King of Cons: Exposing the Dirty, Rotten Secrets of the Washington Elite and Hollywood Celebrities

By Aaron Tonken

Book Overview

"In a LAND of MORAL IMBECILES,I knew I could be KING." He was one of the most prominent producers of fundraising events in the country, throwing monumental charity bashes, securing millions of dollars in donations for the sick and needy. The trouble was, some of the people profiting were greedy politicians, and many of the "charity cases" were really only pampered Hollywood stars.? It's a true-life spectacular that only Hollywood could produce. Now, the story that shook the industry will finally shatter the fa?ade of Hollywood's philanthropy and Washington's populism, once and for all exposing how empty are the real lifestyles of many of the rich and famous, and what really happens to charity money meant for the poor. When Aaron Tonken arrived in Los Angeles in the early nineties, he had nothing, not even a high-school education. Yet within just a few years, he was a friend and business associate of the leading lights of Hollywood and the most powerful people in Washington. Tonken produced many of the biggest charitable and political functions ever seen on either coast, honoring former presidents Ford and Clinton, and raising money for the preferred charities of some of the biggest names in showbiz. But hidden behind the glamour of these galas was a sordid tale, as Tonken became the central character in a tragicomedy featuring demanding stars and politicians grasping for big-dollar campaign donations. In King of Cons, you'll read how Aaron Tonken: Helped Hollywood darlings use money from their own charities Was mentored by Peter Paul-ex con, Fabio manager, and business partner of Spider-Man creator Stan Lee Got sucked into the criminal underworld of Los Angeles-the con artists, grifters, and porn kings. Was bullied by the diva behavior of Roseanne, Paula Abdul, Natalie Cole, and members of the cast of Friends Was approached for payments for appearances or performances at charity events by Cher, Sylvester Stallone, Lance Bass of *NSYNC, and the Democratic National Committee Got involved with Denise Rich, ex-wife of fugitive financier Marc Rich, the subject of a controversial last-minute pardon by President Bill Clinton From his bizarre days as a virtual prisoner in the decrepit mansion of Zsa Zsa Gabor to his entanglements with hustlers, con artists, and the Clintons, Aaron tracks the whole sordid story of how he squandered millions of dollars from charities in the world of celebrity politicians and politicking celebrities.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1595550003
• ISBN13: 9781595550002
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 1.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.6" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

A page turning blast! A beach read or one nighter

There is something perverse about forgiving Aaron Tonken his stupidity because he dishes out honesty; after being pimped for so long by so many all cut from the same cloth.Birds of a feather do flock together pal! You just have to be sympathethic to the author because he really wasn't in it for the money- he wanted the approval of the glitteratti.Chapter after chapter he does the same thing, starting small and moving up the ladder.No matter the rung the story is always the same, ego driven behavior fuels monkey see monkey do greed and a sense of entitlement.This book is a riot, and so badly needed now that the last bastion of tabloids- the National Enquirer- has joined the star-pucker bandwagon and chooses to befriend the celebrities in the hope that something good will rub off on them- or that the favors will be returned. Read the book though and note the genuine , compassionate and refined minority that Aaron does have dealings with , including The Reagans, Englebert Humperdink, Red Buttons,Charlton Heston,and some other less than household names. Have some fun and read the book-

the real hollywood and it's greed

this book is the closest expose of the greed that runs rampant with the most unlikely hollywood and political celebrities. it gives the reader an insight not seen before and absolutely dispels and exposes who and what these people are really about. they are not what the public see's or how they are hyped by the media in a positive vain but rather greedy heartless and completely insensitive to the charities they are supposedly helping. you will be amazed at the their insensitivity.

Dishy, Dirty..and great fun

Its always fun to read a beach book in December. Tonken's "King of Cons" is loaded with name-dropping, name-calling and page after page of dirty secrets of top political and entertainment personalities. Under the guise of charity, Tonken made (and blew) millions setting up fundraisers and arranging for celebrity appearances at events. But, despite his wheeling-dealing, you can;t despise the guy because he is playing with and catering to some of the biggest names...Clinton (Bill and Hill), Cher, J-Lo,... and the "Stars" come off as vilier as Tonken. Great fun, and a good gift for anyone who likes to read up on the side of Hollywood and Washington that isn't spin or publicist-created.

Liz Smith said it best!

Syndicated columnist Liz Smith (Newsday, New York Post, etc.) said it best: ""King of Cons" is a jaw dropper in the same vein as Eddie Fisher's autobiography, "Been There, Done That," and George Jacobs' exposé on Frank Sinatra, "Mr. S." And, like those books, whatever editorial assistance or gussying up occurred, "Cons" has the same unmistakable rib-tickling, gasp-inducing ring of truth. As a holiday present it is rather on the sordid side. But, go ahead, put it under the tree. Then, take yourself to a soup kitchen on Christmas and do a really good deed." I couldn't agree more. "King of Cons" is a page-turner in the truest sense of the term. I could not put it down. Now I have to get back to work....

Like reading a 400+ page tabloid

I don't know what is more compelling about this book, the dirt he tells on so many celebrities or the author himself. By his own admission he's a liar and a crook himself, but you can't help but believe the man when he describes dirty homes, overly inflated egos and the incredible self-centered nature of major stars. Tonken writes very well (did he really write this himself-what's real about him and what's not?) and keeps you turning the page to discover more. Believe him or not, this is what I call entertainment!