Alden Kupferberg

**Alden "Sea Otter" Kupferberg** was one of the founding members of Stratton Oakmont, headed by his friend and boss, corrupt stock broker Jordan Belfort.

## History

### **Rise of Stratton Oakmont**

In 1987, Sea Otter was contacted by an old friend of his, Jordan Belfort, to join his up and coming brokerage with co-owner Donnie Azoff. Sea Otter before this was apparently high school dropout that became a butcher, who also sold weed for a living, which seems to be a common avenue with the rest of his friends who were contacted. During their first lunch meeting, Sea Otter interjects with a few odd anecdotal remarks during the conversation with no real set up, such as how not everybody wants money, as the Amish want only furniture, and that all nuns are lesbians. Ultimately, Jordan is able to wrangle his friends back onto point, which is to start up a business of selling penny stocks to unsuspecting victims. The firm, Stratton Oakmont, is going steadily well, but after being confronted with the possibility of targeting richer clients than poorer ones by his wife, Teresa, Jordan retools the company to gamble on this higher wager.

Jordan reteaches Sea Otter & company in how to reframe their methods to sell to the elite. In time, Sea Otter is able to become one of the top brokers and is present to see the rise of the company from its humble beginnings. The company as well prompts Sea Otter and the others to engage in a highly depraved lifestyle, filled with prostitutes and copious amounts of drugs, which only fuels the chaotic nature of Stratton Oakmont. The company however does attract unwanted attention, as a Forbes article detailing the seedy procedures of the company brings the eyes of an FBI agent, Patrick Denham, on to them. But this is all seriously downplayed by the uproar of young stockbrokers and financers wishing to join the company due to it's new infamy, furthering the company's overall success.

By 1992, the companies profits rose vastly, and Jordan hosted a beach party at in South Hampton for all his workers success. After an invigorating speech, he goes to play pong on a pool table and take quaaludes with the guys. Sea Otter was not present for their leisurely recreation, still being apart of the party until something struck his eye's attention. Accompanying a man named Blair Hollingsworth, was a young bombshell model, Naomi Lapaglia, who impresses Sea Otter to the point of needing tell the others of her arrival to the scene. After the group go out to see the girl, Jordan and crew are immediately awestruck, with Jordan being specially insistent to becoming friendly with her. After the hectic party concluded, Jordan would still be obsessed with Naomi, as the duo would begin a passionate affair behind Teresa's back, culminating in Jordan divorcing his wife and marrying Naomi.

### **Demise of Stratton Oakmont**

The exuberant success of Stratton Oakmont would continue on for a couple of few uncontested years, but the companies luck would soon run out after the sale of Steve Madden's IPO. Though the IPO itself was very profitable, Jordan's irritable actions once FBI investigation of the company began to take place, was actively jeopardizing it all. Jordan then after moves all of his money to Switzerland successfully, though mounting pressure after a close call with an inebriated Donnie blowing the whole operation, Jordan is suggested to step down. Though seriously considering it to the point of holding a public farewell address, he stubbornly stays on to Sea Otter and others enthusiastic support. The following event of subpoenas being issued to every employee under Stratton Oakmont occurred in 1996, but Sea Otter like the rest, never gave in and were loyal to Jordan, with no one ratting out their employer and firm, rather just continually aggravating the agency. With no breakthroughs being achieved for now, the FBI release all of the employees, sparking hope in the crew that they may get away with their fraudulent actions.

However, Jordan's life proactively worsens, as the combination of the bank account being in jeopardy and his marriage being in decline, would climax in Jordan's banking scheme being outed and finally he is arrested by the FBI. Jordan is facing a 20 year sentence, but is given a plea deal by the Agent Denham, that could shorten his jail sentence. The catch to this, is that he needs to incriminate his fellow co-conspirators, which is Sea Otter and crew, via wiretapping. Jordan very hesitantly accepts the offer, having a microphone tapped on him and goes back to the company, where is joyously greeted by his employees, believing he overcame the FBI's tireless scrutiny. Jordan is able to talk to and convict Sea Otter, along with all the rest of his selected employees except for Donnie, who is clued in to what's happening by Jordan himself. Donnie rather counterrally uses Jordan's breach in commitment to as well debase his deal, leaving Sea Otter and rest of the brokers to the faith of being arrested and jailed for quite some time, dismantling Stratton Oakmont for good.