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John Fox

Posted inNosh

John Fox, who ran the world’s largest wine Ponzi scheme from his Berkeley store, gets out of prison

Avatar photo by Frances Dinkelspiel Feb. 22, 2021, 4:00 p.m.April 6, 2023

He was sentenced to six and a half years but is getting out two years early.

Posted inNosh

TV show ‘American Greed’ to feature saga of Berkeley wine Ponzi schemer John Fox

Avatar photo by Berkeleyside staff Aug. 04, 2017, 2:00 p.m.October 4, 2022

From his luxurious Berkeley headquarters, Fox sold millions of dollars worth of wine he did not have and used the money to buy fancy cars and dates online.

Posted inCity

City Council set to buy West Berkeley building; may move meetings there

Avatar photo by Frances Dinkelspiel March 27, 2017, 3:24 p.m.August 4, 2022

Berkeley is poised to buy the old Premier Cru complex on University and may use it for new City Council chambers and, eventually, affordable housing.

Posted inBusiness, City, Crime, Crime & Safety, Nightlife, Nosh

Wine store owner sentenced for $45M Ponzi scheme

Avatar photo by Frances Dinkelspiel Dec. 15, 2016, 10:10 a.m.October 4, 2022

John Fox, who confessed to running a wine Ponzi scheme from his Berkeley store, Premier Cru, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for his crimes.

Posted inCrime, Crime & Safety, Nightlife, Nosh

Ponzi mastermind’s help may lead to short jail time

Avatar photo by Frances Dinkelspiel Dec. 13, 2016, 1:53 p.m.October 4, 2022

John Fox, the former owner of Premier Cru, was not a very good criminal, according to the government, but his cooperation with them may see him served fewer years in prison.

Posted inNightlife, Nosh

Could Premier Cru sale help wine counterfeiters?

Avatar photo by Frances Dinkelspiel Dec. 02, 2016, 10:17 a.m.October 4, 2022

An expert in counterfeiting is concerned that the sale of old bottles and wooden crates from Premier Cru will help wine counterfeiters.

Posted inNosh

At Premier Cru auction, a peek into major wine fraud

Avatar photo by Frances Dinkelspiel Dec. 01, 2016, 3:20 p.m.October 4, 2022

The contents of the Premier Cru office and warehouse in Berkeley will be auctioned off on Saturday, and they reveal much about John Fox, the former owner accused of a Ponzi scheme.

Posted inBusiness, Crime, Crime & Safety, Nosh

Premier Cru owner used coffee shop as hook-up HQ

Avatar photo by Frances Dinkelspiel Aug. 18, 2016, 12:00 p.m.October 4, 2022

John Fox, a lanky 66-year-old with fading red hair, used to meet scantily-dressed 20-year-olds at least two or three times a week at Artís Coffee on Berkeley’s Fourth Street.

Posted inCrime, Crime & Safety, Nosh

Premier Cru owner spent $900K on dates met online

Avatar photo by Frances Dinkelspiel Aug. 11, 2016, 3:03 p.m.October 4, 2022

For his combined crimes, John Fox probably faces a maximum of six and a half years in prison and is on the hook to pay $45 million in restitution.

Posted inBusiness, Community, Crime, Crime & Safety, Nosh

Premier Cru owner will plead guilty to fraud

Avatar photo by Frances Dinkelspiel Aug. 09, 2016, 5:52 p.m.October 4, 2022

John E. Fox could face as much as 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for defrauding his clients over a period of six years.

Posted inBusiness, Nosh

How did Berkeley wine store accrue $70M in debt?

Avatar photo by Frances Dinkelspiel July 28, 2016, 10:18 a.m.October 4, 2022

The owner of Premier Cru purchased much of his fine wine on the gray market.

Posted inBusiness, Nosh

Premier Cru lawsuit: Some customers to get refunds

Avatar photo by Frances Dinkelspiel June 23, 2016, 1:34 p.m.October 4, 2022

The bankruptcy trustee liquidating the wine store Premier Cru has reached a settlement to pay disgruntled customers pennies on the dollar for the wine they purchased but never received.

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