Product details: - Hardcover: 496 pages
- Author: Aaron Tonken
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson
- Publication Date: 2004-12-15
- Release Date: 2004-11-16
- Studio: Thomas Nelson
- Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
- Package Dimensions: 9.2 x 50 x 75 inches
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 façade 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. Customer reviews:  Imagine my surprise!, 2005-12-20
I had never heard of Aaron Tonken - I just bought this book because I like Hollywood scandal. Well! About halfway through the book, I did a Google search for him and imagine my surprise when the first 10 hits were news stories about Tonken's arrest and how it might affect Hillary Clinton!
Wha??? This got my attention because I have no love for Shrillary or her heinous husband and enjoy anything that takes a poke at them. So I scanned on ahead to get to the "meat" of the book - the part that was driving the FOBs nutty.
Tonken talks in the book about his Clinton fundraising efforts, but this by no means is the Clinton bash book the critics made it out to be. Shrill and Bill are mentioned along with many other famous names that cheated charity for their own personal gain. Sure, the Clintons are the most powerful of the bunch, but many celebrities, including the whole cast of "Friends", get a major drubbing as well.
As for the book itself, Tonken couldn't be more self-serving and pathetic. He gets taken for a ride over and over and over, yet is so star-struck that he keeps going back for more. He tries to pretend that he's some choirboy and didn't realize what he was doing was wrong - that he was all for the charities every step of the way. But we all know that's horsecrap. I've spearheaded a few charitable events myself and I can't believe it's that different in the big time.
So this book gets 3 stars - 2 for revealing petty Hollyweirds for the selfish greedy pigs they are, and 1 for good dirt. He loses 1 star for his pure ignorance and another for trying to pass himself off as a naive do-gooder who got taken.
Readable for sure...but horrifying on a million levels!, 2005-07-31
This book definitely qualifies as compelling entertainment to those who find the "behind-the-scenes" behavior of celebs interesting, but I'm STUNNED at this guy's "moronitude." He doesn't let himself entirely off the hook in his misdealings, but he plays himself off as a victim..when his CONSTANT weakness in fulfilling the insane demands of certain nightmarish celebrities makes him contemptible beyond belief. I wanted to like Tonken - he tells a breezy story & is apparently paying the price for his participation in financial scams...but I didn't find much of a soul there. To get involved with Roseanne at the late date he did shows judgement that can't really be justified. I would have liked to hear more about the (perhaps few) GOOD Hollywood/Washington, D.C. people - he alludes to them from time to time but goes back to the same self-indulgent nonsense of the others. It's a good read but it left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Nothing he wrote was a true shock (except, as mentioned before, Ray Charles' alleged cavalier acts)...but as seen through the eyes of someone who clearly has NOT learned from his misdeeds, it didn't really satisfy. Customers who bought this item also bought:
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