Living Fast and Large -
or how to NOT fake your own death:

It's hard for me to get pissed off at Larry "Mike" Nixon. I am referring to the Clear Lake man who was presumed dead last August when his speedboat collided with a barge out in Galveston Bay near Redfish Island. If the information I have is correct, Nixon defrauded some bankers and high rollers of millions of dollars, mostly in other states - and brought the money to the Galveston Bay area, where he bought a lot of drinks and partied it up with some hot women aboard a pair of beautiful yachts. This lasted several years. He took friends on cruises and vacations who could never afford to do so on their own. He helped with medical bills. He may have even got laid a time or two.
From a legal standpoint, Mike Nixon was a bad boy. From a party perspective, he was very cool. An acquaintance said he was like Robin Hood, in that "he robbed from the rich, and bought drinks for the poor - he robbed Peter to party with Pauline".
Mike was raised just north of Channelview, and had a modest upbringing. By the time he was in his 20's, he found work with Brown and Root Construction. He worked for them for over 15 years, got married, had a son, and eventually started his own business. His son died in an accident and his marriage fell apart in the early 1990s. Money problems, tax liens, and lawsuits eventually led to his first vanishing act.

PAPER TRAIL:
Records on file at the Harris County courthouse show liens and court actions by the Texas Employment Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, banks, businesses, and private individuals in the early 1990s. His first business was called K & L Trucking Co., Garth Road in Baytown. It opened in February of 1986. Records indicate he licensed another company, Larkim International Equipment Co., located on I-10 in Channelview, in December of 1988. By 1989 there were money problems. On March 4th of 1994, the IRS filed court papers to seize property, but there wasn't anything for them to take. In the meantime, a new outfit called Delta Crane Company was licensed in Houston to a "Jackie Dan Fisher" less than a month later. A second DBA was issued in the names of Jackie Dan Fisher and a corporation called L & D Interests. We couldn't locate a Jackie Dan Fisher.
L & D's corporate charter named Marvin "Gene" Marlin of Greenwood, Indiana as Secretary, President, and Director. We were able to track Marlin down by telephone, but he wouldn't return calls. What his involvement could be is unknown, but by now he has probably been seen by the FBI, who are investigating the case. The same Gene Marlin later formed an Indiana corporation called Delta Mike Inc. in December of 1997. Records on file with the State of Indiana say that the parent corporation is a limited liability company called Delta Mike, LLC in Springdale, Arkansas. The State of Arkansas has no such corporation on file. It was around the time the Indiana corporation was formed that Mike Nixon got back into town. He seemed flush with cash. Some time during his absence, Mike allegedly swindled nearly a half million dollars in Parkersburg West Virginia. A co-defendant has already pled guilty and was sentenced to 12 months in Federal Prison for his part in the scam. Wood County (W.Va.) prosecutors won't discuss the case because charges are pending against Nixon. It is believed the case involved borrowing money for cranes that were never purchased.

GET THE PARTY STARTED:
When Mike Nixon returned in 1998, he had lots of money. For the next five years, the party was on for Mike and his friends. "He traveled with an entourage" a friend says, "there would be ten or fifteen of us".
Mike Nixon bought two beautiful yachts, a 50 foot powerboat called "Living Extra Large" and a 40 foot speedboat he named "Living Extra Fast". He often tied up at the Turtle Club and the Seabrook Beach Club. Parties aboard his boats were legendary. Bar tabs exceeding $1,000 were common. The bartenders say he was a great tipper.
By all accounts, Mike loved to surround himself with young beautiful women. A recent newsgroup post said he even paid for "X" (the street drug Ecstasy) for some of the chicks. Those closest to him don't believe it. "Mike didn't do drugs at all, he was into fitness and eating right. He kept himself in really good shape for a man over fifty" one said.
When there was a need, Mike Nixon loved to help. He sponsored and helped organize benefits. He was a major contributor to charity causes during his tenure as President of Clear Lake chapter of TOPPS (Texas Offshore Performance Powerboat Squadron). When a friend had a problem, "Mikey" was ready to help out, and showed genuine concern.
Last year, Mike Nixon asked his girlfriend, dental hygienist  Gina Stafford, to marry him. She accepted. Stafford is half his age, but Mike seemed to have the energy to keep up.
In spite of the age difference, the family and friends who knew Mike were happy for both of them. Though he was engaged, friends say Mike kept the party going at full strength.

DESPERATION: In February of last year, Mike convinced a Minnesota bank to open a $4 million line of credit for him. Later, when they couldn't inspect the collateral (they say because it didn't exist), they started taking a closer look, and called the note due. At that time, last summer, he allegedly borrowed money from friends by offering them an "opportunity" to invest. Personal loans. These people didn't break any laws so there's no sense naming them. They end up classified as victims no matter how it all turns out.
The boating accident happened on the night of August 27th near Redfish Island. The barge captain noticed the boat acting erratically and trained a spotlight on it. From his higher location he saw no one aboard, and the boat moving in circles. It ultimately struck the barge broadside and fell apart. No body was found in spite of a massive search. Rumors were immediately rampant that he had skipped. Some believed he was in Mexico or Belize. A memorial service was scheduled, then cancelled. Opinion was divided whether he had skipped.

CAPTURED:
Nixon friend Jackie Aldridge told us that based on conversations he had with Nixon recently, he thinks Mike went on a "road trip" and spent some time in Florida.
Aldridge said that on the afternoon of Friday, January 9th, FBI and local law enforcement raided his home and arrested Nixon, whom he has known for several years. The home is located off I-20 in Weatherford, a little bit west of Fort Worth.
Authorities found that Nixon had obtained a phony Tennessee drivers license in the name of "Patrick Hudgins".
The amount of cash found was not disclosed, however a law enforcement source said it was "low four figures, under 5 thousand". A jar of liquid steroids were found, causing local authorities to file a drug charge, however, because he had been previously prescribed steroids by a doctor, that comparatively minor charge may not be prosecuted.
Aldridge, who first met Nixon when Nixon was purchasing tires from him in 1999, may end up a victim of a man he considers a good friend.
"He told me there were people after him, and I believed him. I still do. There were some people from out of state that were wanting him dead. There have been two death threats to him since he's been arrested, and he has been secretly moved out of Parker County to the Comanche County jail, for his own protection".

ON THE LAM:
Aldridge helped Nixon finance a new Chevy truck recently. By obtaining credit using a phony identity (the Hudgins alias) Nixon committed felony fraud, according to police. By helping his friend, Aldridge may be charged as an accessory.
Mike Nixon spent the holidays with Aldridge, his wife, and their 18 month old daughter. On the morning of the day he was arrested, during breakfast, Nixon played with the little girl. He mentioned his deceased son, and tears came to his eyes. Mrs. Aldridge says he became emotional, but got himself under control. Aldridge says his friend "went out every night while he was here" and that he was an instant hit at the local bars. "Everyone just loved him up here" Aldrich says.
The investigation into Mike Nixon's business dealings is being kept close by authorities, but certain facts have emerged: The money is still missing, there are other persons involved, and there will likely be more arrests before it's over. "These events could not transpire without accomplices" said one lawman.
Someone had to pick Nixon up in the ship channel after he bailed out of the speedboat, but who? Nixon's ex-wife Liz (2nd marriage) was recently named beneficiary on a large new life insurance policy, although no claim had been filed. She and her husband (who worked for Nixon) may be targeted for investigation, if they have not already been.
Aldridge said he has refused calls from 20-20, MS-NBC, and other network news reporters asking him to comment about the case, and that his telephone number is being changed.

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Whatever the ultimate price that will be paid in this case by Mike Nixon, he will always have the memory of the time when he was the "King Of The Lake", a man surrounded by good times, beautiful chicks, and friendly faces.
It's too bad about the poor ol' bankers in the frozen wastelands of Minnesota, but I'm not planning to hold a benefit for them.
Maybe someday Mikey'll be back in town, living a little bit less large. If so, I'll gladly buy his drinks any time.
But I won't co-sign for him at the bank.        ~GATOR~