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With this week’s headlines dominated by the huge Ponzi scheme allegedly perpetrated by Wall Street investment manager Bernie Madoff, former “Shield” star Michael Chiklis has outed the project he’s been quietly developing at FX since February.

“House of Cards,” which he said he’ll exec produce but not act in, is based on the life of an operator of just such a scam.

“You look at Charles Ponzi himself — this guy was loved, intelligent and charming,” Chiklis noted. “I find it an interesting character study.”

The Emmy-winning actor said the project — which doesn’t have a scribe attached to it yet — is a personal one given that he and his wife were themselves victimized by a Ponzi scheme last year.

“I have been very passionate about this project,” Chiklis said. “This is something I want to fast track and get done. I think its time has come, and someone’s going to get out there with it.”