On this date in 1936, state and federal officials had evidence against some criminals. After a yearlong investigation, the story broke. Newspapers across the country reported on a celebrity extortion plot hatched in a North Dakota penitentiary. Two convicts were put in solitary confinement. A former prison guard was arrested, and an outside accomplice was identified.
The targets of the conspirators were four opera stars: Lily Pons, Carmella Poselle, Rosa Ponselle, and Lucrezia Bori. Theodore Larson, a life-term prisoner, created fake photos of the singers. He superimposed their images onto those of nude women in indecent poses. The original images had been smuggled into the prison by George Schultz, the former guard. Larson then took photos of the altered images.
Authorities described Larson as a model prisoner and a mass killer. He had shot his wife and three in-laws, doused them with kerosene, and set them on fire. Larson pleaded insanity due to distress over child custody.
The would-be extortionists became interested in opera after another inmate bragged about having a luxurious affair with one of the singers and showed off racy photos. They likely weren't fooled but may have been inspired.
Frank Fowler, imprisoned for fraud, was tasked with selling the fake pictures to the opera stars after his imminent release. Upon release, he was promptly arrested again. Prison officials labeled him one of the worst liars they had encountered. While in prison, Fowler claimed military benefits from both Canada and the U.S., stating he was a mechanical engineer and physician. He had a history of mail fraud, forgery, bad checks, and false pretenses. He served time in federal and state prisons as well as military detention. He had various aliases, dates of birth, and birthplaces but was originally from North Dakota.
Peter Koteros from Buffalo, New York, was an outside accomplice. He faced charges for conspiring to use the U.S. mail for extortion. He sent the obscene pictures used by Larson and Fowler for their photographic creations. It was unclear whether he also intended to participate in the extortion at the time of the report.
The investigation also thwarted a planned prison break and the murder of another guard. While Schultz was not charged in the escape plot, he had facilitated uncensored mail for the convicts.
Dakota Datebook by Lise Erdrich
Sources:
- The Bismarck Tribune, November 19, 1936, Page 1
- N.D. Prison Break, Gigantic Extortion Plot Are Thwarted - Two Convicts, One Guard, Four Opera Stars Are Involved. Prisoners Plotted to 'Shake Down' Famous Singers by Composite Photos Showing Four Women in Nude Poses.
- The Bismarck Tribune, November 19, 1936, Page 3
- 'Bad Eggs' Hatched Plot Against Stars --One Schemer Is Mass Killer -- Other Called 'Worst Liar' in Prison Annals
- Brownsville Herald, Brownsville, Tex. November 19, 1936, Page 1
- Buffalo, NY. Associated Press. Nude Photos Used to Extort Opera Singers.
- The Evening Star, Washington, DC. November 19, 1936, Page 1
- By the Associated Press. Buffalo, NY - PHOTO EXTORTION PLOT IS BARED. Prosecutor Asserts Lewd Picture plan Started in North Dakota Prison.
