LAJOS VARJÚ, FORMER ROBBERY CHIEF, BUDAPEST POLICE
While discussing the Whiskey Robber case recently, Lajos’s new girlfriend interrupted the conversation, first to remind him that “the whole country was laughing at you” and then to ask, “He [Attila] did two in one day? I’d sleep with him!” Lajos currently works as head of security for the Hungarian Post Office.
LÁSZLÓ JUSZT, FORMER HOST OF KRIMINÁLIS
After being thrown off Hungarian television when he was arrested and charged with “revealing state secrets” for his reporting on the “Hungarian Watergate” scandal, he now hosts a political talk show on an independent cable channel. He is suing the Hungarian government for several hundred million forints (a couple of million dollars), one of the largest lawsuits in the country’s history.
ÉVA FODOR, ATTILA’S FORMER GIRLFRIEND
Every few months, she drives four hours each way to visit Attila in prison and speaks to him regularly by phone. When he called on December 5, 2001, she had just been told that her boyfriend had been killed in a car accident, but wanting to remain strong for Attila, she did not mention it.
BETTY GERGELY, ATTILA’S LAST GIRLFRIEND
Last seen by Attila on the prison cable television system, where she appeared as a dancer in an erotic film.
BUBU, ATTILA’S FORMER TEAMMATE AND FRIEND
Still an “unemployed hockey player,” as his business card states. Recently lost a front tooth in a fight outside a Csíkszereda bar.
KARCSI ANTAL, ATTILA’S UTE TEAMMATE AND SECOND ACCOMPLICE
Recently rearrested for violating parole by entering Hungary on the Csíkszereda hockey bus.
UTE HOCKEY TEAM
Ordered a Whiskey Robber flag reading harjrá viszkis! (Tallyho, Whiskey Robber!) that will fly over the stadium. Still broke and championshipless.
SÁNDOR PINTÉR, FORMER NATIONAL POLICE CHIEF AND INTERIOR MINISTER
Leading up to the 2002 elections, opposition party posters depicted his face next to a time bomb and the words who’s protecting whom? Was replaced as interior minister when the new prime minister was sworn in and, after a stint as a security consultant for the OTP Bank, is now self-employed.
FBI
No longer counts Sándor Pintér as its primary liaison in Central Europe.
MÁRTA TOCSIK, LINCHPIN OF HUNGARY’S SCANDAL OF THE CENTURY
After five separate trials, has never served a day of jail time nor been found guilty of anything.
JÓZSEF KESZTHELYI, CURRENT CHIEF OF BUDAPEST’S ROBBERY DIVISION
Claims that “the Whiskey Robber case was not so big. We have bigger cases every day.” Hanging on the wall behind his desk is a plaque inlaid with two color photos, one of his capture of Attila at the Romanian border in January 1999, the other of his recapture of Attila in Budapest in October 1999. No other plaques or awards adorn his office.
ZSOLT BÉRDI, FORMER CHIEF OF THE GYORSKOCSI STREET JAIL INVESTIGATIVE UNIT
Resigned from the police department, primarily because of the Whiskey Robber case, which he calls the “vet’s horse,” because through it, one can see everything that is wrong with Hungary. Now practicing as a lawyer in a Budapest firm.
VALTER FÜLÖP, BÉRDI’S SUCCESSOR AS CHIEF INVESTIGATOR
Recently investigated several criminals who kept Attila’s book, I, the Whiskey Robber, on their night tables as if it were the Bible. Intermittently seeks updates on Attila’s physical condition, as he is convinced Attila will attempt another escape.
LÁSZLÓ VERES, ATTILA’S COUSIN AND FIRST ACCOMPLICE
Still living in Fitód with a wife and two young daughters. He is the only culprit in the Whiskey Robber case who was never caught—and he never will be. The statute of limitations on his crimes has expired.
DON, THE DOG
Still makes the news a couple of times a month. Eats like a canine king thanks to Attila, who often spends his entire five-minute weekly phone allowance specifying to Zsuzsa the type of food Don should be served. Virtually no chance he will ever see Attila again.
KLÁRA ORBÁN, GABI’S MOTHER
Believes, erroneously, that in Hungary, a prison sentence will be reduced if you pay down the financial damages from the case. Has started playing the lottery.
GABI ORBÁN
Serving his time at the Márianosztra medium-security prison two hours south of Budapest, where he plays on a soccer team and is not required to wear handcuffs outside his cell. When his mother began crying during a recent visit, he told her, “Stop whining and behave like a gangster’s mother.” His own book, The Whiskey Robber’s Partner, remains unpublished.
ATTILA AMBRUS
Asked if he would consider attempting to escape again, he said, “Regarding this, I couldn’t say. I wouldn’t be sincere.”