Story in NYT today by Carter Dougherty. Very comprehensive.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/business/worldbusiness/13merckle.html?ref=business
"...delved into debt and complicated financial transactions to lighten his tax burden and enrich his empire."
"...Had worked 'superbly' before the crash."
"..snared in a short squeeze after betting that shares in Volkswagen ... would fail."
