Outline of case against Petters includes e-mail expressing anguish over Ponzi scheme

Government cites Petters’ e-mail of shame

MINNEAPOLIS — A preview of the government’s case against Minnesota businessman Tom Petters includes an e-mail he wrote to an associate expressing shame over his alleged Ponzi scheme.

Prosecutors cited the e-mail in documents filed Wednesday in federal court in preparation for Petters’ trial scheduled to begin Oct. 26.

The filing includes the e-mail Petters wrote to confidante Deanna Coleman two years before government agents raided his companies and home. It described his remorse and shame for things he had done wrong.

Petters is facing 20 federal counts for allegedly orchestrating a $3.5 billion Ponzi scheme against unknowing investors for more than a decade.

Petters’ attorney, Jon Hopeman, declined to comment on the government’s filing.

Information from: Star Tribune, www.startribune.com