FRANKEL PLEADS NOT GUILTY

Financier Martin Frankel pleaded not guilty March 12 to a string of charges, including securities fraud, racketeering and conspiracy. Frankel was arraigned in U.S. District Court in New Haven, Conn., following his extradition on March 2 from Germany. On March 16, a Tennessee lawyer pleaded guilty to conspiracy and money laundering in Frankel’s fraud scheme. John M. Jordan, 44, of Nashville, said he helped Frankel and others get control of the insurance companies that he allegedly looted.