Smith & Wesson chief resigns - was a convicted bank robber

guz · 02-27-2004, 01:18 PM

http://money.cnn.com/2004/02/27/news...ex.htm?cnn=yes

Chairman of the nation's No. 2 gun maker resigns over past armed robbery, a newspaper report says.
February 27, 2004: 11:24 AM EST

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - James Joseph Minder, chairman of handgun maker Smith & Wesson Holding Corp., resigned after a published report revealed he'd spent as much as 15 years in prison decades ago for armed robberies and a bank heist.

The Republican, a daily newspaper in Springfield, Mass., reported Thursday that Minder confirmed his resignation without realizing that the company had not made an official announcement.

Smith & Wesson, the nation's second-largest gun manufacturer, told CNN/Money that it plans to release a statement later Friday but did not wish to comment on the newspaper report or confirm Minder's resignation at this time.

Minder was named chairman of Smith & Wesson (SWB: up $0.06 to $1.60, Research, Estimates) just last month amid a board shake-up.

His convictions were unknown to Smith & Wesson until the Arizona Republic newspaper chronicled Minder's criminal past earlier this month.

Minder, now in his 70s, had spent time in prison in the 1950s and 1960s for a string of armed robberies and an attempted prison escape, the Arizona Republic reported. During that time, the Detroit News said he was known for carrying a 16-gauge, sawed-off shotgun.

02-27-2004, 01:18 PM	#1
guz El Gringo Mexicano Location: I'd rather just have dome anyway Posts: 8,599	Smith & Wesson chief resigns - was a convicted bank robber http://money.cnn.com/2004/02/27/news...ex.htm?cnn=yes Chairman of the nation's No. 2 gun maker resigns over past armed robbery, a newspaper report says. February 27, 2004: 11:24 AM EST NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - James Joseph Minder, chairman of handgun maker Smith & Wesson Holding Corp., resigned after a published report revealed he'd spent as much as 15 years in prison decades ago for armed robberies and a bank heist. The Republican, a daily newspaper in Springfield, Mass., reported Thursday that Minder confirmed his resignation without realizing that the company had not made an official announcement. Smith & Wesson, the nation's second-largest gun manufacturer, told CNN/Money that it plans to release a statement later Friday but did not wish to comment on the newspaper report or confirm Minder's resignation at this time. Minder was named chairman of Smith & Wesson (SWB: up $0.06 to $1.60, Research, Estimates) just last month amid a board shake-up. His convictions were unknown to Smith & Wesson until the Arizona Republic newspaper chronicled Minder's criminal past earlier this month. Minder, now in his 70s, had spent time in prison in the 1950s and 1960s for a string of armed robberies and an attempted prison escape, the Arizona Republic reported. During that time, the Detroit News said he was known for carrying a 16-gauge, sawed-off shotgun.