Ep 30. American Greed: Sholam Weiss

American Greed season 4 episode 30, titled "American Greed: Sholam Weiss," delves into the fascinating story of Sholam Weiss, a businessman and investor who was convicted of defrauding millions of dollars from a prominent Florida insurance company in the late 1990s.

The episode begins by providing some background on Weiss, who was born in Hungary and immigrated to the United States in the 1970s. Weiss quickly established himself as a savvy businessman, and he became involved in a number of different industries over the years, including real estate and finance.

In the early 1990s, Weiss became interested in the insurance industry, and he began investing in policies through a company called Mutual Benefits Corporation (MBC). MBC specialized in buying and selling life insurance policies on elderly people who were likely to die soon, which meant that the company could collect large payouts from the policies when the policyholders eventually did pass away.

Weiss quickly became one of MBC's most successful investors, and he began to take a more active role in managing the company's affairs. However, Weiss was also becoming increasingly involved in illegal activities, including money laundering and securities fraud.

By the late 1990s, Weiss's illegal activities had caught up with him, and he was indicted on a number of charges related to his involvement with MBC. Weiss fled the United States and went into hiding in Austria, but he was eventually captured and extradited to the United States to face trial.

The episode follows Weiss's trial, which was one of the longest and most expensive trials in U.S. history. The prosecution presented a compelling case against Weiss, arguing that he had defrauded investors out of millions of dollars and had caused MBC to collapse. Weiss, for his part, maintained his innocence throughout the trial, claiming that he had not committed any criminal acts.

In the end, Weiss was found guilty on all counts and was sentenced to more than 800 years in prison. He remains in federal custody to this day.

Throughout the episode, viewers get a firsthand look at Weiss's deceptions and the various tactics that he used to evade detection. The show also features interviews with experts who provide insight into the psychology of white-collar criminals and the ways in which they are able to justify their illegal actions.

Overall, American Greed season 4 episode 30 is a fascinating exploration of one of the most infamous white-collar criminals in U.S. history. Through a combination of expert analysis and gripping storytelling, the episode provides insight into the dark world of financial fraud and the consequences that come with deviating from ethical business practices.