Ep 6. The House Flipping Reality Star Fraudster
- TV-PG
- September 16, 2019
- 43 min
-
(5)
In American Greed season 13 episode 6 titled "The House Flipping Reality Star Fraudster," viewers are invited to witness the story of former reality star and home renovator, Christopher Dionne. Dionne gained fame after appearing on the popular reality show "Family Flip," which showcased his skills in buying, renovating, and selling houses.
However, his success wouldn't last long after being arrested for sexual assault in 2019. But the real shocker came when he was also charged with defrauding homeowners in a house flipping scheme, which led to him being sentenced to three years in prison.
The episode delves into how Dionne went from being a beloved TV personality to a convicted criminal. Interviews with former colleagues, lawyers, and victims shed light on how Dionne's scheme worked and the extent of the damage he caused.
Dionne's scam revolved around his promise to purchase and renovate clients' homes and resell them for a profit. Instead, he used their funds for personal gain, leaving the homeowners with unfinished renovations and a hefty financial loss.
The episode highlights the lengths Dionne went through to deceive his clients, including forging fake documents, creating a false sense of urgency, and even claiming to be a close friend of a prominent celebrity to gain their trust.
Viewers are taken through the court proceedings and shown how Dionne attempted to manipulate the system to secure a shorter sentence. They are also given a glimpse into how the victims are trying to move on after losing their life savings to his scam.
The episode ends with a warning to viewers to be cautious when dealing with contractors and to do their due diligence before investing in home renovations.
Overall, "The House Flipping Reality Star Fraudster" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of putting blind trust in fame and how the real cost of fraud is not just financial but can also have a severe emotional toll on the victims.