In KTB #152 last month, we read that Tom Shutt, fraud and forger, had died; and we gave some of his history as a cheat. We have more information from BOB REINHART (3766-1994) about Shutt. Here is what BOB wrote:

"Karen Shutt, Thomas Lee Shutt's wife, had Tom's body brought back from Barstow, California to be cremated by the `Neptune Society of Orange County'. The bill for transportation and cremation was $1,270.00. Karen Shutt skipped out on the bill and the `Society' will wait 120 days and after that the ashes will be thrown out! Some wife! At least we all know that Shut will no longer be able to hurt our hobby by his forgery and his stealing!!! May he rot in Hell!!!"

EDITORS NOTE

Okay, strong words to be sure, but before anyone judges BOB too harshly, let us point out that Shutt cheated him out of about $60,000 and every time BOB tried to collect any of the money that the court awarded him, Shutt found another way to skip out and not pay. He also cheated another Member, WALLY PETERSEN (3811-1994) out of a lot of money, selling some so-called bookplates, all signed by U-boat Skippers - many of whom were already dead by the time Shutt got these items signed and Shutt mis-spelled Kriegsmarine to boot. So he was no saint and one should be able to feel the rage BOB felt at being cheated out of $60,000 and then having Shutt duck all the court orders that he had to repay at least some of the money.

More information came in a phone message from BOB. He tells us that Karen Shutt made all the arrangements to have Tom's body shipped from Barstow and to be cremated. When she got the bill, according to BOB, she just threw it away and skipped back to Kansas City, leaving her husband's remains to be tossed out with the garbage after 120 days will pass.

BOB also mentioned that Shutt was having lunch with his attorney, a Mr. Kessler, when he had his massive heart attack. What is so unusual is, according to BOB, the attorney also had a heart attack, although mild, at the same time. The attorney recovered. This is a very unusual coincidence - but I sure would not want to eat at that restaurant! Too many bad things happen to those who eat there. Or was it the "Sword of Retribution" that got Thomas Lee Shutt and nicked his attorney? I'm sure BOB has an opinion He said something about Shutt's associates just waiting in line to be next to shovel coal. It is a terrible shame that someone like Shutt could cause so much damage to a hobby, but he reportedly cheated people out of well over two to three million dollars For Tom Shutt crime paid well - but he is not around to spend his money.