Matthew Lesko

Matthew Lesko

Matthew Lesko wearing one of his question mark suits
Born May 11, 1943
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States
Residence Kensington, Maryland
Education MBA
Occupation Book Author
Known for "Free Money" Books
Spouse(s) Wendy Schaetzel Lesko
Children Max and Morgan
Website
lesko.tv

Matthew Lesko (born May 11, 1943) is an American author, self-proclaimed federal grant researcher, and infomercial personality. He has written more than twenty books telling people how to get money from the United States government. He is popularly known as "that question mark guy" for the Riddler-like suits that he wears in his television commercials, infomercials, interviews, and in his everyday life.

Lesko lives near Kensington, Maryland, with his third wife Wendy Schaetzel Lesko and their two sons, Max and Morgan. He grew up in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Lesko received his undergraduate degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, then went to Vietnam as a navigator for the U.S. Navy. When Lesko returned he earned a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from American University in Washington D.C. He claims to have researched government grants for over 25 years.[1]

Lesko is known for his colorful suits decorated with question marks and sometimes wears one of his question mark suits during his daily activities in and around Washington, D.C.. His vehicle also has a pattern with question marks on it; at various points he has driven a yellow Mini Cooper, an orange Scion, an orange Smart Fortwo, and a Vespa scooter.[2]

Criticism

Critics claim that Lesko is misleading in his advertisements. A 2004 report by the New York State Consumer Protection Board claimed that most of the grants mentioned in Lesko's books were actually public assistance programs that many people were not eligible for, and that Lesko misrepresented examples of people who had taken advantage of government programs.[3]

The New York Times criticized him for having implied a current association with the paper long after ending a 1992-94 NYT column.[4]

In 2005, Lesko was named #99 in Bernard Goldberg's book 100 People Who Are Screwing Up America because, "He is a symbol for self-centered free-riders."[5]

In an interview with the Washington Post in July 2007, Lesko admitted having assembled his books from government guides to grants and loans: "His business model is simple: 'I get stuff for free and I sell it for as much as I can get.'"[6]

In popular culture

Books

Matthew Lesko's company, Information USA, has published several reference books including:

All of his books claim to contain information about how to get free money from the United States government.

References

  1. ↑ Carlson, Peter (2007-07-15). "Marked Man: Washington's Infomercial King? Matthew Lesko, No Question.". Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-07-15.
  2. ↑ "Questions for Matthew Lesko, the Question Mark Man". The Black Table. 2005. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  3. ↑ "How misleading advertising is feeding a nationwide boom in government grant scams" (PDF). New York State Consumer Protection Board. 2004. Retrieved 2006-04-30.
  4. ↑ Fred, Joseph P. (3 March 2005). "Free Money? Sure. Heard of Food Stamps?". The New York Times. Retrieved 2006-04-22. "In August 2006, Lesko modified his credentials on his Web site, lesko.com, which described him (as his books did) as a columnist for Good Housekeeping Magazine and The New York Times Syndicate. He wrote the magazine column in the 1980s and the column for the syndicate from 1992 to 1994. Both organizations recently told him that these did not justify his suggestion of a current association."
  5. ↑ Dhingra, Philip (8 Aug 2005). "Bernard Goldberg's 100 People Who Are Screwing Up America? And Why?". Philosophy History. He is a symbol for self-centered free-riders
  6. ↑ Carlson, Peter (15 July 2007). "Marked Man". Washington Post.

External links