Raj Rajaratnam, the man in the middle of the one of the largest alleged insider trading rings, is not your stereotypical Gordon Gekko, notes the New York Times. "Friends paint him as gregarious and generous, a fan of cricket and an avid player of fantasy football, a relatively straightforward man whose parents live with him and his wife, Asha, in Manhattan."

The family is said to fly commercial on airlines and they are not collectors of "expensive art or other trophies." He was not lumped in usually with other hedge fund luminaries. One friend, the head of a charity that Rajaratnam has apparently donated to, offered to be one of the signatories on a $100 million bail agreement. If Rajaratnam fled, he would be on the hook for lots of money. So he certainly has some loyal allies.

He was an aggressive trader and certainly sought an edge. Did he cross the line? We'll likely find out at trial. He has voiced his intention to fight the charges. It will likely be a riveting trial.  

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