Shearn Moody Jr. (May 23, 1933 – June 25, 1996) was an American financier, entrepreneur, and philanthropist from Galveston, Texas. He was heir to a financial empire as well as a convictedfelon and originator of the Moody Gardens resort complex. [1][2][3] Moody was also the grandson of insurance and financial tycoonWilliam Lewis Moody Jr.[4]
Shearn Moody Jr., was born on May 23, 1933, to Shearn Moody Sr. and Frances Moody Newman in Galveston, Texas.[5] His father died in 1936, while he was an infant.[6] Moody was well known for eccentric behavior, such as building a slide from his bedroom window to a swimming pool, where he kept pet penguins, and wearing house slippers wherever he went.[3] Moody, a homosexual, never married and spent the final years of his life involved in civil court cases. His longtime partner was a former Las Vegas dancer named Jimmy Stoker. Moody felt that the court system was corrupt and believed that his enemies used the legal system to try to steal his wealth and power; he claimed to have employed "several hundred" lawyers in various legal battles and even at one point hired nationally known lawyer Roy Cohn to help in his ongoing litigation problems.[2] Moody died at home in 1996, after suffering from years of chronic high blood pressure and kidney disease.[3]
Business and legal dealingsedit
His grandfather, William L. Moody Jr., made a fortune by founding the American National Insurance Company, and the younger Moody hoped to follow in his grandfather's footsteps by establishing the Alabama-based Empire Life Insurance Company.[4] This dream was short lived, however, as in 1972 his own company ousted him after the federal government began investigating his business dealings. The investigation would eventually lead to his conviction of bankruptcy fraud. In 1987 Moody was convicted by a federal court of mail fraud and wire fraud in connection with attempts to defraud his family's Moody Foundation.[3][4] Moody had long served on the board of the charitable foundation, helping to direct millions of dollars in grants to just causes.[1][4] However the Internal Revenue Service accused him making millions of dollars of grants to himself, and therefore owing more than $14 million in taxes and penalties.[2] After a trial that included accusations of witchcraft,[7] Moody singing a risque song he had commissioned about the legal profession,[8] and threats to "blow the legs off" former Watergate attorney Douglas Caddy,[9][10] a federal appellate court overturned the convictions.[8]
In 1987, Moody was featured on the cover of Texas Monthly magazine and proclaimed "the sleaziest man in Texas"[3][11] and in November 1989, after an investigation spanning more than a decade, he was convicted of bankruptcy fraud in connection with the now defunct Empire Life Insurance Company. Although sentenced to five years in federal prison, Moody served little time and was released on parole in May 1991.[1][3][4]
Legacyedit
In his later years, Moody devoted much of his time to his work on the board of directors of Moody Gardens.[3] He was quoted in the Houston Chronicle as saying, "I originally conceived the project of the gardens because we wanted to use the gardens to give this community another source of income"[3]
^"Aide of Moody linked to witch group at trial". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-09-30.
^ abSerwer, Andrew E. (1995-08-21). "Who's Crazy: The IRS or Mr. Moody?". Fortune. Retrieved 2009-09-30. Moody:"...this was my present back to the legal profession. And it is a comical strip about a hooker that becomes a lawyer that becomes a judge. And...
^"In harm's way, again/What do Watergate, CIA and Moody probe have in common? Caddy". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
^"Moody trial halted over media stories". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
External linksedit
Moody National Bank
The Moody Foundation
Moody Mansion Historic Home
William Lewis Moody Jr. at Handbook of Texas Online
Mary Elizabeth Moody Northen at Handbook of Texas Online
November 23, 2023
shearn, moody, 1933, june, 1996, american, financier, entrepreneur, philanthropist, from, galveston, texas, heir, financial, empire, well, convicted, felon, originator, moody, gardens, resort, complex, moody, also, grandson, insurance, financial, tycoon, willi. Shearn Moody Jr May 23 1933 June 25 1996 was an American financier entrepreneur and philanthropist from Galveston Texas He was heir to a financial empire as well as a convicted felon and originator of the Moody Gardens resort complex 1 2 3 Moody was also the grandson of insurance and financial tycoon William Lewis Moody Jr 4 Shearn Moody Jr Born 1933 05 23 May 23 1933Galveston Texas USDiedJune 25 1996 1996 06 25 aged 63 Galveston Texas USResting placeGalveston Memorial Cemetery Hitchcock Texas U S CitizenshipAmericanOccupationPhilanthropist amp Insurance ExecutiveKnown forFinancial and Philanthropic Endeavors amp Legal IssuesRelativesWilliam Lewis Moody Jr Grandfather Mary Moody Northen Aunt Contents 1 Personal life 2 Business and legal dealings 3 Legacy 4 See also 5 Notes 6 External linksPersonal life editShearn Moody Jr was born on May 23 1933 to Shearn Moody Sr and Frances Moody Newman in Galveston Texas 5 His father died in 1936 while he was an infant 6 Moody was well known for eccentric behavior such as building a slide from his bedroom window to a swimming pool where he kept pet penguins and wearing house slippers wherever he went 3 Moody a homosexual never married and spent the final years of his life involved in civil court cases His longtime partner was a former Las Vegas dancer named Jimmy Stoker Moody felt that the court system was corrupt and believed that his enemies used the legal system to try to steal his wealth and power he claimed to have employed several hundred lawyers in various legal battles and even at one point hired nationally known lawyer Roy Cohn to help in his ongoing litigation problems 2 Moody died at home in 1996 after suffering from years of chronic high blood pressure and kidney disease 3 Business and legal dealings editHis grandfather William L Moody Jr made a fortune by founding the American National Insurance Company and the younger Moody hoped to follow in his grandfather s footsteps by establishing the Alabama based Empire Life Insurance Company 4 This dream was short lived however as in 1972 his own company ousted him after the federal government began investigating his business dealings The investigation would eventually lead to his conviction of bankruptcy fraud In 1987 Moody was convicted by a federal court of mail fraud and wire fraud in connection with attempts to defraud his family s Moody Foundation 3 4 Moody had long served on the board of the charitable foundation helping to direct millions of dollars in grants to just causes 1 4 However the Internal Revenue Service accused him making millions of dollars of grants to himself and therefore owing more than 14 million in taxes and penalties 2 After a trial that included accusations of witchcraft 7 Moody singing a risque song he had commissioned about the legal profession 8 and threats to blow the legs off former Watergate attorney Douglas Caddy 9 10 a federal appellate court overturned the convictions 8 In 1987 Moody was featured on the cover of Texas Monthly magazine and proclaimed the sleaziest man in Texas 3 11 and in November 1989 after an investigation spanning more than a decade he was convicted of bankruptcy fraud in connection with the now defunct Empire Life Insurance Company Although sentenced to five years in federal prison Moody served little time and was released on parole in May 1991 1 3 4 Legacy editIn his later years Moody devoted much of his time to his work on the board of directors of Moody Gardens 3 He was quoted in the Houston Chronicle as saying I originally conceived the project of the gardens because we wanted to use the gardens to give this community another source of income 3 See also editAmerican National Insurance Company Moody Foundation Moody GardensNotes edit a b c Anti Olympics bid aims to tip scales Houston Chronicle Retrieved 2009 09 30 a b c Serwer Andrew E 1995 08 21 Who s Crazy The IRS or Mr Moody Fortune Magazine Retrieved 2009 09 30 a b c d e f g h Isle financier Shearn Moody dies at age 63 Reclusive millionaire dogged by controversy Houston Chronicle a b c d e THE MOODY FAMILY Power wealth and eccentricity mark the history of this flamboyant family Houston Chronicle Retrieved 2009 09 30 Frances M Newman managed Moody trust Houston Chronicle Retrieved 2009 09 30 Frances Moody Newman dies at 96 Galveston County Daily News Retrieved 2009 09 30 Aide of Moody linked to witch group at trial Houston Chronicle Retrieved 2009 09 30 a b Serwer Andrew E 1995 08 21 Who s Crazy The IRS or Mr Moody Fortune Retrieved 2009 09 30 Moody this was my present back to the legal profession And it is a comical strip about a hooker that becomes a lawyer that becomes a judge And Explosives expert accuses Shearn Moody in bomb plot Houston Chronicle Retrieved 2009 10 01 In harm s way again What do Watergate CIA and Moody probe have in common Caddy Houston Chronicle Retrieved 2009 10 01 Moody trial halted over media stories Houston Chronicle Retrieved 2009 10 01 External links editMoody National Bank The Moody Foundation Moody Mansion Historic Home William Lewis Moody Jr at Handbook of Texas Online Mary Elizabeth Moody Northen at Handbook of Texas Online Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Shearn Moody Jr amp oldid 1114948735, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
