Harry Glinberg dangles a $100,000 bejeweled watch that a member of Boyz II Men traded in. “Most jewelers won’t have this much in their whole stock,” brags the ostentatious owner of Harry C. Glinberg Jewelers on Mayfair Road.
Federal investigators say Glinberg, 39, helped build his $4 million-a-year business by selling expensive jewelry to drug dealers and underreporting his income to the IRS. Glinberg, however, tells quite a different story of how he succeeded.
It all began in 1998, when his small shop of five employees first opened. Glinberg used his courtside seats at Milwaukee Bucks games to push business cards to injured players. His first sports customer was former Bucks forward Armen Gilliam.
From there, it snowballed. Each trade of local players to a new team spread Glinberg’s reputation to a new town. Athletes would call or text his cell phone at all hours. His clients include some 50 professional athletes who, on average, spent $20,000 to $25,000 on a single piece of jewelry.
“These guys make crazy money, but they still want a good deal,” says Glinberg.
Former Buck Richard Jefferson purchased a $150,000 engagement ring from Glinberg. One time, Paul Pierce came into the shop with five Boston Celtics teammates. After they looked over gems, Glinberg took them to dinner at P.F. Chang’s, then back to their hotel.
Former Brewers manager Davey Lopes let Glinberg come into the clubhouse and display his jewelry. “I’m showing jewelry at the old County Stadium and this guy’s in a towel,” he laughs. “Afterward, I’m in the stands with a suitcase full of jewelry.
“It’s a whole different level of jewelry,” he beams. “Especially for Wauwatosa.”
But the days of VIP treatment and front-row Bucks seats might be over. In September, a federal grand jury indicted Glinberg on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.
