When he wasn't directly stealing money, he was raising it fraudulently, with a little help from his friends, a bizarre crew of retainers. He helped set up Interstate Appraisal Services, a fake company that verified ZZZZ Best's business dealings, and installed his weird buddy Thomas Padgett as owner and operator. Mr. Minkow convinced bankers and investors that he had won large contracts from insurance companies to restore buildings damaged by fire and water. Mr. Padgett, a gun-collecting body builder with a fondness for Hitler and SS jewelry, confirmed the jobs, while a ZZZZ Best vice president forged all the documents and contracts.