The fraud trial of Cyril Kendall begins this week in New York City.

Kendall is a 52-year-old Guyanese national who has apparently used every chance he has had in America, including the Sept. 11 attacks, to scheme and scam. He faces felony grand larceny and forgery charges related to an absolutely obscene crime of opportunity.

After the Twin Towers collapsed, Kendall cooked up the Father of All Sob Stories, according to authorities. This father of 12 invented a "13th child" who he claimed had died in the World Trade Center. Kendall said he dropped off "Wilfred" for a job interview at the American Bureau of Shipping, a real business that was located on the 91st floor of the North Tower.

To prove "Wilfred's" existence, Kendall allegedly supplied aid workers with a photo of himself as a young man. He is also accused of filing a fake certificate of disposition to support the "son's" death claim. Kendall collected a whopping $190,867 from the American Red Cross and Safe Horizon (a New York City-based nonprofit that helped distribute September 11 Fund grants). While countless bona fide victims faced an uphill battle getting a single cent from these charities, this sicko cashed in quickly.

The money is gone; relatives have since confirmed with police that there is no "Wilfred." It was Kendall's biggest score yet.

Kendall, you see, has had a long history of trying to milk the system, exploit his own family, and live a twisted version of the American Dream. At a hearing Monday in Manhattan to review Kendall's criminal history before trial, it was revealed that Kendall had once attempted to sue one of his real sons (who was in prison at the time) for painting stairs upon which Kendall claimed he had slipped. The suit was dismissed. Kendall also unsuccessfully sued an employer for firing him after he reportedly falsified his resume; the online correspondence school from which he claimed to have earned a PhD; and the Bank of New York for millions of dollars after one of his checks bounced. Cases dismissed.

One case not dismissed: In 1988, Kendall was convicted of the statutory rape of one of his own daughters, according to the U.S. District Attorney's office in Manhattan. He served four months.

Kendall, of course, is not alone. Dozens of vile 9-11 vultures emerged after the terrorist slaughter nearly two years ago, including: Continued...