On the recordMarch 2, 1995
Nick Leeson, a 28-year-old common man, now known as Tricky Nicky, single-handedly bankrupted the Barings Bank of England. This is no ordinary bank. This bank financed the Louisiana Purchase and is known as the bank of kings and queens. Now, evidently, Mr. Speaker, the security at Barings was out for a spot of tea. But this is an unusual case, Mr. Speaker. In the past, only millionaires and bankers and kings and queens could sting a bank. Not anymore. Evidently the common man has moved up from robbing the drug stores and the gas station and is now an equal member in the white collar advanced crime network opportunity program, my colleagues. I said it all along, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to Tricky Nicky, we have come to see one thing. There is hope for the common man. After all, I never heard of the common man committing suicide by jumping out of a basement window. Think about that awhile. Maybe there is some hope left.
Source
govinfo.gov
