After several readers and two local media outlets became involved in the hunt, it turns out that the cunning ne'er do well conned Jack Bog was a homeless man named David. Not a Machiavellian con artist but just another drug addict that spends more time sleeping under bridges than over a mattress stuffed with the hard earned dollars of those he's scammed.

It's a sad, ugly story for all involved. Being someone who has been conned out of cash while walking around downtown, like Jack and many of his readers I was eager to see the identity of this guy revealed (not that the police will do anything but still...). Now it's become clear that's not much separating David from many of the city's panhandlers. He’s just more crafty and more likely to harden the hearts of his marks.

If I ever encounter David, will I give him money to feed his addiction? Nope. Still, what can be done to help a guy like him? They also say that the first step is that they’ve got to willing to help themselves.

Labels: Portland