With Russell Wasendorf now behind bars, the process of trying to recoup assets for defrauded customers has begun. Wasendorf, who had an appetite for all things fine and luxurious, has admitted to stealing customer funds. The Des Moines Register recently had an opportunity to look inside Wasendorf's estate as it is being prepared for auction.
While we've known for a while that Wasendorf always had a penchant for being showey, this look inside his estate reveals just how high on the hog this former CEO liked to eat. For former-PFGBest customers, it may be a little more than sickening to see some of the excess.
Among the items to be auctioned are his 4,000 bottle fine-wine collection, an autographed Lance Armstrong jersey (I wonder how much that will fetch now), four sets of golf clubs and a Patek Philippe writstwatch that routinely retails for more than $20,000.
Then there is his actual real estate. His three-story, 3,753 square foot house features three kitchens, a basement piano bar, home theater, greenhouse, sunroom and marble fireplace. The exterior features a gazebo, concrete basketball court, sand volleyball court, and a wood-fired pizza oven and smoker. Even the roof is special, featuring copper gutters and pipes meant to melt snow.
What may be most sickening to consider, though, is his pool, which actually may be worth more than Wasendorf's house. The 10,500-square-foot glass structure is more than twice the size of the main house and features a retractable roof, whirlpool, steam room, sauna, and separate locker rooms for men and women.
The Des Moines Register went through Wasendorf's property and has a more detailed write-up and pictures for anyone interested. To see their work, go to "Wasendorf estate: Former lifestyles of the rich and infamous."
