Mikhail Prokhorov: The Russian Is Coming

And now we get to the party girls. In January 2007, Prokhorov flew a planeload of friends to the French ski resort of Courchevel, and brought along eight Russian models to help entertain them, not an unusual custom in the upper echelons of the Russian business world, but apparently unknown to French constables who took Prokhorov into custody on the suspicion of promoting prostitution.

According to Prokhorov, the French thought he was bringing prostitutes into the country. "It was absolutely police misunderstanding," he said.

He was there for three days and couldn't leave. "It sounds strange, but it was real fun for me. It's a good experience. I like even such challenges," he told Kroft.

It created a minor international incident with French President Nicolas Sarkozy giving Prokhorov a shout out as a "man who obviously wants to please his friends."

Prokhorov thought it was a "good joke."

And he responded in kind.

"You said, 'The French elite is envious because they're lagging behind in fashion, in life and in sex drive,'" Kroft said, quoting the billionaire.

"That's true," Prokhorov replied, laughing.

"The Russian government was not too happy about this, right, about the publicity?" Kroft asked.

"It's natural," Prokhorov replied.

French police never pressed charges and, according to Prokhorov, later apologized. But Russian cartoonists had a field day; a fruit juice company lampooned him in a commercial, and his well-connected business partner Vladimir Potanin suggested it would be a good time for Prokhorov to sell his share of their joint ventures, which he did, for $10 billion.

He sold his share just two months before the international financial crisis destroyed the Russian stock market.

Prokhorov, who was sitting on a mountain of cash, became the richest man in the country and it might not have happened without those party girls.

"It's a part of any business, to be lucky," he said.

"And you sold at just the right time?" Kroft asked.

"Miracle happens!" he replied.

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[wtcmedicdidntforget]

Beware the Russians. very ruthless people.

[33popeye33]

This guy is just a business man. You follow the rules given to you and profit from them. That's the American Way. The laws are always up for debate. Live by the the law and die by the law.