Ep 15. All-Star Sports Scam

All-Star Sports Scam is the 15th episode of season 13 of the popular true crime show American Greed. The episode centers around the story of a man named David Salinas, who was once a successful financial advisor and fundraiser for college sports programs. However, as authorities later found out, Salinas was running a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors out of millions of dollars.

The episode starts by introducing Salinas, a charismatic and well-respected businessman in the college sports world. Salinas had built a reputation for himself as a successful fundraiser, and many colleges and universities entrusted him with managing their athletic donations. However, things began to unravel when Salinas was found dead in his Houston home in 2011, apparently by suicide.

As the investigation into Salinas' death began, authorities discovered that he had been running a Ponzi scheme for years. Salinas had been using the donations he received from colleges and universities to fund his own lifestyle and pay off earlier investors, rather than using the money for the intended purposes. Salinas had even convinced some of his clients to invest their life savings with him, promising them high returns on their investments.

The episode features interviews with several of Salinas' victims, who describe the devastation they felt after discovering they had lost their life savings. Many of these victims were retired individuals who had entrusted Salinas with their retirement funds, only to have them disappear without a trace. The episode also features interviews with law enforcement officials who worked on the case, as well as financial experts who explain how Ponzi schemes work and how investors can protect themselves from becoming victims.

As the investigation into Salinas' Ponzi scheme continued, authorities discovered that he had used his connections in the college sports world to cover up his fraud. Salinas had provided free trips to basketball coaches and other college officials, as well as making donations to various athletic programs. In return, these officials looked the other way when Salinas failed to deliver on his promises to investors.

All-Star Sports Scam is a cautionary tale about the dangers of investment fraud and the devastating impact it can have on people's lives. The episode serves as a reminder that investors should always do their due diligence before investing their money, and that even seemingly trustworthy individuals can be involved in financial scams. American Greed season 13 episode 15 is a must-watch for anyone interested in true crime stories and the world of white collar crime.