In November 1973, a daily newspaper received an envelope containing a lock of hair, a human ear, and a threat from the kidnappers to mutilate Paul further unless they were paid $3.2 million (equivalent to $18.4 million in 2019[9]). The letter read, "This is Paul's first ear. If within ten days the family still believes that this is a joke mounted by him, then the other ear will arrive. In other words, he will arrive in little bits."[12] Paul's health began to decline rapidly as his wound became infected, combined with pneumonia caused by the cold winter temperatures which were descending. His captors were alarmed at this sudden decline and gave him large doses of penicillin to treat the infection, which caused him to develop an allergy to the antibiotic and further affected his health.[13] Getty's biographer John Pearson attributed his later alcoholism to the large amounts of brandy that he was plied with in the last few months of his captivity to keep him warm and numb his pain.[13]

After Paul's ear was sent, his grandfather agreed to pay no more than $2.2 million (equivalent to $12.7 million in 2019[9])—the maximum amount that was tax deductible—and lent the remainder to his son, who was responsible for repaying the sum at four percent interest.[5] Paul was found alive on December 15, 1973, in a petrol station of Lauria in the province of Potenza shortly after the ransom was paid.[14] At his mother's suggestion, he called his grandfather to thank him for paying the ransom, but J. Paul Getty refused to come to the phone.[5]

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4700042&forum_id=2#41448613)

New Money puts itself at risk via its vulgar visibility.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4700042&forum_id=2#41448422)