- Served 22 months of a 4-year sentence for his involvement in a "pump-and-dump" financial scheme.
- His cell mate while in federal prison was Tommy Chong, whom Belfort would regale with wild tales of his career as a stockbroker. Chong encouraged Belfort to write a book, which was turned into The Wolf of Wall Street (2013). They have remained friends ever since. Belfort was played by Leonardo DiCaprio.
- Co-founded brokerage house Stratton Oakmont with Danny Porush. In 1999, he pleaded guilty to fraud and related crimes in connection with stock-market manipulation and running a boiler room as part of a penny-stock scam. Belfort spent 22 months in prison as part of an agreement under which he gave testimony against numerous partners and subordinates.
- Was introduced to his second wife Nadine Caridi by her then-boyfriend Alan Wilzig.
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