[gallerytungsten]

A) He probably didn't own very much of it at that point.

B) Using other people's money is always a lesser risk.

C) Raising big money = big PR ("social proof").

[larrys]

"Raising big money = big PR ("social proof")."

And of course the mafia always needs to be cut into any good deal and requires a "taste" and to dip their beak.