Charles Keating

Date of Birth: December 4, 1923

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: March 31, 2014

Biography

Charles Humphrey Keating Jr. was an American lawyer, real estate developer, banker, and financier. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he initially pursued a career in law after graduating from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Keating gained prominence in the 1980s when he became involved in the savings and loan crisis as the chairman of the Lincoln Savings and Loan Association. He was convicted of fraud, racketeering, and conspiracy in connection with the collapse of Lincoln Savings, which led to one of the most notorious financial scandals in U.S. history. Keating’s legal battles and eventual imprisonment highlighted significant regulatory failures and had a lasting impact on the U.S. financial system.

5 Interesting Facts about Charles Keating

1. Charles Keating was a champion swimmer in his youth and competed in the 1948 U.S. Olympic Trials.

2. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before pursuing a legal career.

3. Keating founded the nonprofit organization Citizens for Decent Literature, which aimed to combat pornography.

4. He was a major political donor and had connections with several high-profile politicians, including the so-called “Keating Five” senators.

5. Despite his legal troubles, Keating maintained his innocence and insisted he was a scapegoat for broader systemic issues.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Charles Keating

1. “I never applied to be above the law. I am not an anarchist. I respect the law and I respect the courts.”

2. “I think there was a lot of misunderstanding about what went on at Lincoln Savings.”

3. “I’ve never been in a courtroom before in my life. I’ve never been accused of anything.”

4. “The government is trying to blame the little guys for the problems they created.”

5. “I was made a symbol of all that was wrong with the savings and loan industry.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, Charles Keating’s net worth was estimated to be around $300 million.

Children

Charles Keating had six children with his wife, Mary Elaine Fette. His most notable child is Charles Keating III, who was a professional swimmer and competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics.