Paul J. Newman (inset), who claimed to be a registered architect, defrauded businesses and municipalities in upstate New York of more than $200,000. Caught in an investigation dubbed “Operation Vandelay Industries,” Newman — yes, his real name is Newman, just like Jerry’s nemesis on the sitcom — was accused of drafting architectural renderings for over 100 projects, as well as foundation inspections, field reports, engineer letters, and energy compliance certificates. While George Costanza never faced serious consequences for pretending to be an architect on Seinfeld, Paul J. Newman was sentenced to 2-7 years in state prison and ordered to pay $155,000 in restitution. As the character Newman from Seinfeld would say, "Oh, the humanity!"
