As with any nation, the Republic of Monte Cristo can at times be vulnerable to the sensationalism of the modern, popular media. In other words, we have occasional scandals like every other country. Since the Summer of 2008, Monte Cristo has experienced a few scandals, which you may have read about in local newspapers, or heard mentioned on television or radio. Rather than sweeping them under the rug, we believe in openness and offering full disclosure.

Count Stephen's Arrest (Washington DC, May 2008)

On the 25th of May, 2008, our very own "Count Stephen" was arrested in Washington DC after dumping a load of hog manure into a Capitol Hill parking lot, all to protest the high tariff imposed on imported Monte Cristo prosciutto ham. During the protest, Stephen wore a costume which he felt befitted the cause.

The charge was eventually plea bargained down to public nuissance and disturbing the peace. Stephen was sentenced to 40 hours of community service and released. Judge Walter Burnbaum commented; "You realize don't you, that you're going to have to clean that shit up. Pardon my pun".

Also arrested was an alleged accomplice, Milovan Milchnak, 47, after a brief attempt to outrun Capitol Hill security. Milchnak, a former Slovakian intelligence officer, had attempted to blend in to a Midwest tour group disguised as the University of Minnesota's Golden Gopher mascot. Milchnak pled innocent to charges of being Count Stephen's wheel man and claimed to be an aid for Senator Al Franken.

Arresting officer Gilbert Tuttvici testified in court; "We know they were working together on this. We already had the pig in cuffs, in the parking lot, when I spotted hamster man lurking about the metal detectors. He shouted something negative about Michigan and then tore off across the rotunda. We have a witness who can place the two having coffee together an hour before at a local Starbucks".

To commemorate this event, and draw attention to Monte Cristo prosciutto production, we have designed a new 3 Soldi Express Mail postage stamp. Although not available for purchase yet, this stamp may be viewed on our Coins page.

Attack on Leatherback Sea Turtle (Montecristo Island, September 2008)

On the 3rd of September, 2008, a celebrity cruise ship sailing the Tyrrhenian Sea, from Naples to Genoa, made a rare and brief stop at the Island of Montecristo (as it is spelled locally). Aboard the ultra luxury ship was a who's who of politicians, artists and popular entertainers.

Among the celebrities who enjoyed the brief visit to Montecristo, were famed comedians Billy Crystal and Adam Sandler. While walking the sands near Cale Maestra, both men spotted a rare, endangered, leatherback sea turtle being viciously attacked. As both men raced to the turtle's aid, they were shocked to discouver that the attacker was none other than best-selling author, and suspense writer, John Grisham. Although too late to save the turtle, Billy and Adam were successful in detaining Grisham, who was later turned over to Italian authorities when the cruise ship docked in Genoa.

Before his departure flight from Genoa's Cristoforo Colombo Airport, Billy Crystal spoke with a reporter for the Il Secolo newspaper; "Yeh, what a wild day that was out on the island. By the time we got there the turtle was in pretty bad shape. While Adam scuffled with Grisham, I attempted CPR. But, the shell presented problems".

For their valient apprehension of John Grisham, following the sea turtle attack at Cale Maestra, both Adam and Billy were awarded the Monte Cristo Order of the Green. Grisham himself was deported after agreeing to a guilty plea with the Genoese authorities. No explanation for the attack was forthcoming at the time, however once back in the United States, Grisham agreed to speak with local reporters outside his Mississippi home; "Look, you guys have made way too much of this Italian turtle incident. I was simply doing research for an upcoming novel, and it got a bit out of control. It was just a tragic accident. I was possibly a little hungry, and my blood sugars were low. I may have had a flat tire, and my tux had not come back from the cleaners. The family hunting dog, Stonewall Jackson, had eaten a large portion of my most recent manuscript. OK. Ok. All right. I'm seeing some skepticism here. Look, here's the deal guys; I had a wonderful time. It was a terriffic cruise. But, I admit to being a bit on edge. The simple fact is that they had no grits".

Government of Monte Cristo Invests in Russian Adult Film, Irkutsk (February 2009)

During the Winter of 2008/09 a story began to appear in local Siberian newspapers, later reported by mainstream Russian journals, and finally by the Western press, about possible investment by the Government of Monte Cristo in an adult film.

By early Summer 2009 contributions and donations to the Republic had dwindled by a substantial amount, and the Council felt it was time to issue a press release on the course of events.

Speaking from his home in Galicia, Spain, June 2nd, Monte Cristo Foreign Minister Jorge Fernandez Vidal commented; "We were originally approached by a small production crew from Irkutsk in the Fall of 2008 about the possibility of financing a Russian production of The Iceman Cometh. Being Euguene O'Neill fans, both Counts Valter and Stephen agreed with me that this would be a fine cultural gesture toward the people and government of Russia, in hopes of gaining further support for eventual Kremlin recognition of Monte Cristo. What we had no way of knowing at the time, owing to language difficulties, was that this production of The Iceman Cometh was actually to be an adult film set in Siberia. We were simply misinformed. We are pleased to say however, that despite the embarrassing mix up, the film has done well in some local markets".

Since the original purpose of investment in this production was for diplomatic recognition, we feel all proceeds should be directed towards charity.