Shows
Cocaine AirIntroducing: The Ponzi PlaybookWelcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history.2025-07-1701 min
The Ponzi PlaybookThe Gucci GoddessMeet Janet Yamanaka Mello—better known as the "Gucci Goddess." She wasn’t your typical fraudster. Dripping in designer labels, driving luxury cars, and amassing an absurd collection of real estate, she managed to siphon off over $100 million from the U.S. Army’s youth programs. How did a civilian employee turn a government grant program into her personal ATM? And why did nobody notice for six years?
In this episode, Javier and Neal break down how Mello pulled off one of the most brazen frauds against the U.S. military. From creating fake vendors and ghost accoun...2025-05-0829 minThe Ponzi Playbook23: My Wife, The Ponzi SchemerThis is an Interview with a man convicted of a Ponzi scheme. It originally aired on the PRETEND podcast. Bill Livolsi says he was just trying to help his wife, Linda, the ringleader of a multi-million dollar investment scam. In this episode, Bill opens up about how he got roped into the scheme, ignored every red flag, and ultimately landed in prison. He describes fake hedge funds, imaginary employees, and a key investor who also happened to be a self-proclaimed witch and lottery winner....2025-04-2336 min
The Ponzi Playbook22. The Ponzi Defense: Elliot Abrams on White-Collar Legal TacticsWhat happens after the feds kick in your door?In this special bonus episode of The Ponzi Playbook, we sit down with white-collar defense attorney Elliot Sol Abrams—partner at Cheshire Parker Schneider Abrams—for a raw, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to defend clients facing federal fraud charges.You’ll hear:
What goes down in the hours and days after an FBI raid
How money—or the lack of it—affects your legal defense
What a “win” actually looks like for a defense attorney
Plus, we unpack a notable...2025-03-3150 min
The Ponzi PlaybookBots Instead of Investors: Michael Smith’s Ponzi for the Spotify EraWhat if you could create thousands of songs using AI… and make millions off them without a single fan? That’s exactly what prosecutors say Michael Smith did.In this episode of The Ponzi Playbook, Javier and Neal are joined by criminal defense attorney Elliot Abrams to unpack a case that’s not your typical Ponzi scheme—but definitely fraud-adjacent. We're talking about AI-generated music, armies of bots streaming tracks nonstop, and royalty checks that rival Mariah Carey’s Christmas classic.About Elliot Abrams:Elliot Abrams is a white-co...2025-03-2739 min
The Ponzi PlaybookThe Ponzi PriestessWhen the FBI raided financial advisor Dawn Bennett’s luxury penthouse in 2017, they expected to find evidence of fraud. What they didn’t expect? Freezers packed with mason jars—each containing a severed cow tongue, labeled with the initials of SEC attorneys investigating her.Bennett, once a well-respected investment advisor, promised her clients 15% annual returns. Instead, she drained millions from retirees and funneled the cash into her lavish lifestyle—funding high-end fashion, $100K in cosmetic treatments, and nearly $1 million in payments to Hindu priests she believed could perform rituals to keep investigators at bay.In this epi...2025-02-2632 min
The Ponzi PlaybookBurkhalter’s $372M Drive Planning SchemeA guaranteed 10% return in just 90 days—sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it was. In this episode, we investigate Todd Burkhalter and Drive Planning, a Georgia-based financial firm that promised real estate-backed investments but instead ran a massive $372 million Ponzi scheme.Hosts Javier and Neal expose how Burkhalter and his team lured in over 2,000 investors, convinced them to hand over their life savings, and then used their cash to fuel an extravagant lifestyle—complete with private jets, luxury vacations, and a $3.1M yacht named Live More.We break down the tactics he used, the...2025-02-1242 min
The Ponzi PlaybookThe White Collar Support GroupHey everyone, it's Javier. Neal and I are working hard on season two of the Ponzi Playbook. In the meantime, I want to share an episode that I think you'll enjoy from my other podcast PRETEND. It’s hard to imagine former executives, investment fraudsters, and insider traders gathering for weekly support meetings.When I first heard about a support group for white-collar criminals, I was skeptical. It sounded like an SNL sketch: former hedge fund managers, insider traders, and embezzlers sitting in a circle, sharing their woes. However, Je...2024-10-2256 min
The Ponzi PlaybookConfessions of a Ponzi Schemer: The Timepiece Gentleman (Anthony Farrar)This episode offers an unprecedented look into the life of the 'Timepiece Gentleman' Ponzi schemer, Anthony Farrar, whose love for luxury watches spiraled into a deceitful web of lies, culminating in a rare and candid confession.If you want to hear more wild Ponzi stories, subscribe to The Ponzi Playbook hosted by me, Javier Leiva, and my buddy Neal McTighe. SUBSCRIBE: https://t.co/M02YhRa5Iq Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2024-04-0948 min
PRETENDConfessions of a Ponzi SchemerThis episode offers an unprecedented look into the life of the 'Timepiece Gentleman' Ponzi schemer, Anthony Farrar, whose love for luxury watches spiraled into a deceitful web of lies, culminating in a rare and candid confession.If you want to hear more wild Ponzi stories, subscribe to The Ponzi Playbook hosted by me, Javier Leiva, and my buddy Neal McTighe. SUBSCRIBE: https://t.co/M02YhRa5Iq_______Also, listen to Javier's interview on The Film Nuts podcast. Subscribe to Film...2024-04-0950 minThe Ponzi PlaybookDefrauding a U.S. President? Ferdinand Ward's Ponzi SchemeThe Swindle of the Century: How Ferdinand Ward Duped President GrantThis episode unveils the cunning plot that led to the financial ruin of Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War hero and former President of the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2024-03-1338 min
The Ponzi PlaybookMatthew Beasley: You May Get Shot If You Run a $500M PonziMatthew Beasley, once a respected attorney in Las Vegas, found himself at the heart of a $500 million Ponzi scheme, entangling investors with the promise of lucrative returns from slip-and-fall lawsuits. But his empire crumbled on March 3, 2022, with a shootout after the FBI showed up at his doorstep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2024-02-0731 min
The Ponzi PlaybookThe Cash Flow King: The Ponzi Podcaster Matthew MotilIn this episode of the Ponzi Playbook Podcast, we delve into the shocking case of Matthew Motil, the host of "The Cash Flow King" podcast, who was charged by the SEC for running an $11 million Ponzi scheme. Motil, from North Olmsted, Ohio, is accused of deceiving over 50 investors with promissory notes, falsely backed by real estate, while using their money for lavish personal expenses. We'll explore how he used his podcast and social media to lure investors, promising low-risk, high-return investments, and the impact on those who lost nearly their retirement savings. Join us as we dissect this cautionary...2023-12-0630 min
The Ponzi PlaybookThe Red Collar Killer part 1This week's "Ponzi Playbook" episode features a special crossover with Javier's acclaimed podcast, "PRETEND." Listeners are introduced to "The Red Collar Killer," the first of a two-part series. This engaging segment delves into the world of 'red collar' criminals, a concept coined by Frank Perri, an attorney, CPA, and certified fraud examiner. These criminals, originally involved in white-collar crime, resort to violence to hide their fraudulent activities.PRETEND's "The Red Collar Killer" offers an intriguing look into this unique criminal behavior. For those captivated by this episode, part 2 will be available on "PRETEND," on your podcast platforms...2023-11-2230 min
The Ponzi PlaybookFrom Soulmates to 'Scheme-mates': Brent and Jana Seaman's Ponzi AccusationsBrent and Jana Seaman, a prominent Naples couple once regulars on the gala circuit, now face serious allegations as the SEC charges Brent Seaman with conducting a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme. On today's episode of the Ponzi Playbook, get an in-depth look at the couple's journey from socialite status to the center of a financial controversy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-11-0825 min
The Ponzi PlaybookMatthew Piercey: Ponzi Schemer Evades FBI Capture with Underwater ScooterPonzi Schemer Evades FBI Capture with Underwater Scooter44-year-old Matthew Piercey, accused of orchestrating a $35 million Ponzi scheme, led FBI agents on a wild chase through the streets of Redding, California. After evading capture on the roads and highways, Piercey made a desperate bid for escape by plunging into the icy waters of Lake Shasta, using a Yamaha 350LI underwater submersible device. Despite the treacherous temperatures and his mere street clothes, Piercey remained submerged for an astonishing 25 minutes before finally emerging, only to be apprehended by waiting law enforcement. Learn...2023-10-2525 min
The Ponzi PlaybookInside the World of Ponzi Schemes with Attorney Jordan Maglich of PonziTracker.comJordan Maglich, the Florida-based attorney, is a household name in the realm of Ponzi schemes. He's worked on landmark Ponzi cases and is the founder of PonziTracker.com. Join us on The Ponzi Playbook Podcast to hear about his firsthand experiences, the evolution of PonziTracker.com, and his unique perspective on the ever-evolving world of financial scams. Note: While Maglich represents Raymond James, all opinions and insights shared are exclusively his own.Follow Jordan Maglich on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmaglich/ Learn more about y...2023-10-1126 min
The Ponzi PlaybookMelissa Caddick: The Foot Washes up on the ShoreThe grisly discovery of a decomposed foot on a remote beach 300 miles south of Sydney has thrust missing con woman Melissa Caddick's Ponzi scheme into the spotlight. The mysterious foot discovery, along with her husband Anthony Koletti's frantic texts, ignited a media frenzy, shedding light on Caddick's murky financial schemes. Caddick had promised substantial returns to investors, amassing A$30 million primarily from family and friends over eight years. However, mounting delays and difficulties in accessing funds prompted the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to freeze her assets, exposing her financial front as an elaborate Ponzi scheme. 2023-09-2729 min
The Ponzi PlaybookWhat a Shit Show: Ray Brewer's Cow Manure PonziThe Cow Manure Ponzi Scheme that Scammed MillionsWouldn't it be great if we can create energy from cow shit? It's a win-win idea. Fewer greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and a source of renewable energy. Brilliant! Right?The so-called 'energy from cow manure' venture orchestrated by Ray Brewer became a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme. From 2014 to 2019, the consummate bullshitter Ray Brewer hoodwinked investors, promising green energy riches, tax incentives, and 66% of net profits in his elaborate web of deception. This bizarre saga involves fake anaerobic digesters, forged contracts, and a trail of misappropriated funds. Join...2023-09-1322 min
The Ponzi Playbook9: Chimene Van Gundy: “The Queen of Mobile Homes” PonziChimene Van Gundy, hailing from Texas, has been implicated in an alleged fraudulent scheme amounting to a staggering $18.5 million, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Nicknamed "The Queen of Mobile Homes," Van Gundy purportedly masterminded a Ponzi scheme that revolved around refurbishing and reselling mobile homes, leaving investors in financial ruin.Follow The Ponzi Playbook on X (formerly known as Twitter):https://twitter.com/ponziplaybook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-08-3025 min
The Ponzi PlaybookA High Flying Ponzi: Planes, Drugs, and International FugitivesTrust company owner Debra Lynn Mercer-Erwin is convicted on drug trafficking charges and found guilty in a $240 million Ponzi scheme.Follow us on Twitter...errr X:https://linktr.ee/ponziplaybook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-08-1622 min
The Ponzi PlaybookThe $340M DeFi Crypto Ponzi SchemeForsage.io Founders Indicted: Exploring Cryptocurrencies as Potential Ponzi SchemesIn this episode we unravel the Forsage.io scandal, revealing its founders' shocking indictment by the DOJ in February 2023. Originally flagged by the SEC in August 2022, Forsage.io, a DeFi crypto company, orchestrated transactions exceeding $340 million over two years, yet investigations unveiled its lack of legitimate offerings, surviving solely on unwitting investors' contributions. Join us as we dissect this unfolding saga and delve deep into the contentious debate surrounding whether cryptocurrencies inherently harbor the characteristics of a Ponzi scheme....2023-08-0229 min
The Ponzi PlaybookRick Siskey: From Chess Master to Ponzi PuppeteerRick Siskey, known as "Big Rick" for his larger-than-life persona, led a lavish and opulent lifestyle while orchestrating one of Charlotte, North Carolina's largest Ponzi schemes. With a strategic mind reminiscent of a chess master, Siskey's ability to stay ahead and his uncanny foresight attracted high-net-worth individuals to entrust him with their investments. However, what seemed like a haven for their money was a house of cards. The IRS and FBI investigations uncovered that Siskey had diverted millions of dollars into personal accounts, indulging in luxuries like high-end wine, diamonds, and even casinos. The scheme unraveled, leaving behind a...2023-07-1929 min
The Ponzi PlaybookDoc Gallagher: : Texas, God, a Ponzi = Three Life SentencesRetired Christians Fall Prey to 'Money Doctor's' $32 Million Ponzi Scheme.William Neil Gallagher, also known as "Doc" Gallagher, orchestrated a massive Ponzi scheme targeting retired Christians. Operating under the guise of a licensed investment adviser, Gallagher exploited the trust of up to 190 senior-citizen investors, ranging from ages 62 to 91. With losses estimated between $19.3 million and $32 million, this affinity con artist promised guaranteed, risk-free returns of 5% to 8% per year, only to shatter the dreams of those seeking financial security in their golden years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-07-0627 min
The Ponzi PlaybookJohanna Garcia: Mother Teresa Ran a Ponzi Scheme?Mother Teresa is the last person you'd expect to be caught up in a Ponzi scheme. Well, not the iconic humanitarian we all know, but a certain Johanna M. Garcia from North Lauderdale who went by that moniker in her community.In 2021, The SEC filed a complaint against Garcia and her colleagues at MJ Taxes and More.Initially known for helping businesses secure the funds they needed through Merchant Cash Advances, Garcia positioned herself as a savior for hardworking individuals seeking financial assistance. She boasted annualized returns of 120% to 180% for investors willing to participate as "...2023-06-2129 min
The Ponzi PlaybookFred Sharp: When a Fraudster’s Life Imitates ArtIn this episode of "The Ponzi Playbook," we deviate from the world of Ponzi schemes and explore the captivating life of Frederick L. Sharp—a story where life imitates art.Follow us on social:Twitter: https://twitter.com/ponziplaybookLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ponzi-playbook/Substack: https://ponziplaybook.substack.com/publish?utm_source=user-menu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-06-0723 min
FBI Case File ReviewIntroducing The Ponzi Playbook: George Santos & The Harbor City Ponzi SchemeWelcome to the first episode of The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history. In episode one, they peel back the layers of the Harbor City Capital Ponzi scheme, exposing the deceptive tactics orchestrated by Jonathan Paul Maroney and shedding light on the involvement of George Santos. Listen. Follow.The Ponzi Playbook - https://linktr.ee/pon...2023-05-2439 min
Criminal ConductGeorge Santos & The Harbor City Capital Ponzi Scheme (THE PONZI PLAYBOOK)The Ponzi Playbook: Welcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history.Episode 1 Description:We peel back the layers of the Harbor City Capital Ponzi scheme, exposing the deceptive tactics orchestrated by Jonathan Paul Maroney and shedding light on the involvement of George Santos. In...2023-05-2340 min
PRETENDGeorge Santos & The Harbor City Capital Ponzi Scheme (THE PONZI PLAYBOOK)The Ponzi Playbook: Welcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history.Episode 1 Description:We peel back the layers of the Harbor City Capital Ponzi scheme, exposing the deceptive tactics orchestrated by Jonathan Paul Maroney and shedding light on the involvement of George Santos. In...2023-05-2341 min
The Ponzi PlaybookEric J. Dalius & The Saivian Ponzi SchemeIn this episode, we delve into the world of Eric J. Dalius, a mastermind behind the Saivian Ponzi scheme that promised incredible cash-back rewards for everyday purchases. Join us as we expose the elaborate pitch and the captivating persona of Dalius, who mesmerized investors with promises of lucrative returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-05-2230 min
The Ponzi PlaybookGeorge Santos & The Harbor City Capital Ponzi SchemeWe peel back the layers of the Harbor City Capital Ponzi scheme, exposing the deceptive tactics orchestrated by Jonathan Paul Maroney and shedding light on the involvement of George Santos. In this episode, we delve deep into the intricate workings of the scheme, where enticing promises of remarkable returns through internet advertising conceal a web of deceit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-05-2240 min
The Ponzi PlaybookThe Ponzi Playbook TrailerWelcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices2023-04-2700 min