STANFORD BROKE?

Allen Stanford, the Texas financier in the middle of an $8 billion fraud accusation has told a US court that he can't afford to hire a lawyer. This is the same man who, just six months ago, was handing out $20 million in crisp $100 bills to cricket players in London; maintains a home in the US Virgin Islands; and supposedly lived in a 57-room Florida home, built like a castle, complete with a moat.

After denying the charges made by the SEC against him, he said that because his assets had been seized by a court-appointed receiver, he was, effectively, broke. And to make that point, he represented himself in a 15-page motion.

Obviously, if the court believes he cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for him. And he well might need more than one. Stanford's finance chief --- and former college roommate --- James Davis, has agreed to testify against him in any civil and/or criminal case.