Standing in the construction magnate's Mexico City home on Mar. 2, 1998, Lerma says, Perusquia admitted he had gambled Lerma's fortune away on shaky Canadian gold stocks and used false account statements to cover it up.
Grocery and energy magnate John Catsimatidis, a Christie fundraiser and Republican candidate for New York City mayor, said he, too, has struggled with weight and isn't worried about Mr. Christie's.