Only on Lifetime Real Women. Check Your Local Listings.
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Only on Lifetime Real Women. Check Your Local Listings. |
WANTED VITAL STATISTICS AGE: 58 HEIGHT: 6' WEIGHT: 225 |
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As seen on September 7, 2001 on Unsolved Mysteries SYNOPSIS: Karl Rehberg has been sporting many appearances lately. He's been seen in dowdy women's clothing - in exceptionally bad drag - and on the run for bilking investors in a cooking oil scam to the tune of $21 million. It was the early l990s, and Karl Rehberg and his wife Helen lived the good life in Lakeland, Florida, midway between Tampa and Orlando. There were expensive cars, the best clothes, country club membership and numerous vacations. After all, the two had a good business: NOPEC Corporation, a factory, which converted used French fry cooking oil into biodiesel fuel. But to raise capital for the multimillion-dollar facility, the Rehbergs needed investors. By mid-1997, NOPEC had raised at least $21 million. While the factory did exist and did produce the hybrid fuel, the Rehbergs were allegedly falsifying claims. They also allegedly skimmed money off the top. When they discovered that the costs were higher than anticipated, they never informed their nearly 3,000 investors. What NOPEC investors also didn't know is that the Rehbergs were selling unregistered securities. The couple was arrested and a plea agreement was worked out, but when told they would have to serve jail time, Karl and Helen vanished. Today, the Rehbergs could be anywhere; the last verified sighting was in late l998 in New Mexico. The two rented a one-bedroom apartment and Karl went under the name Peggy Helms. As Peggy, he dressed in old lady clothing, a slightly off-kilter wig and orthopedic shoes. During the Christmas 2000 holidays, Helen called her ex-mother-in-law in Michigan but declined to say where she was. There are other indications the duo is in the Phoenix area. Now 10 years old, NOPEC is still in business under new leadership and a new name. It's not yet profitable and still not giving out any dividends. No one knows exactly where the millions are - although thousands of people were conned out of their entire life savings, money the Rehbergs are no doubt using to stay on the run. Note: Although Helen Rehberg is not wanted, she is most likely with Karl. She is 5'8" weighs about 150, about 60 years old, somewhat hunched back, blue eyes, may have strawberry blond hair. She has been described as ornery, and needs medication for depression. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Karl Rehberg, please contact the FBI or call the Unsolved Mysteries hotline, 1-800-876-5353.
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