Ep 16. Fake It to Make It; Kill the Witnesses

In season 9 episode 16 of American Greed, titled "Fake It to Make It; Kill the Witnesses," viewers are taken on a journey through two gripping stories of greed and deceit. The first story revolves around a man named Michael Macedonio. Macedonio was the owner of a business called Stratis Financial, which was supposed to be a company that helped people who were struggling with debt. However, as investigators later discovered, Macedonio was actually running a massive Ponzi scheme that defrauded hundreds of people out of millions of dollars.

Through interviews with victims and law enforcement officials, viewers learn about the many tactics Macedonio used to lure in unsuspecting investors. He promised them high rates of return on their investments, which he claimed he could achieve through his connections in the financial industry. He also presented himself as a philanthropist who cared deeply about helping people, even going so far as to create fake charity events to gain their trust.

Despite his efforts to appear legitimate, Macedonio's scheme eventually unraveled, and he was arrested and charged with multiple counts of fraud. The episode details his arrest and conviction, as well as the impact the scheme had on his victims, many of whom lost their life savings.

The second story in the episode focuses on a man named Michael Dippolito, who hired a hitman to kill his wife, Dalia, in order to collect her life insurance policy. Dippolito had become obsessed with the idea of collecting the money, and was willing to go to extreme lengths to make it happen.

The hitman Dippolito hired, however, turned out to be an undercover police officer, and he was arrested before he could carry out the murder. Despite this setback, Dippolito remained committed to his plan, and even appeared on a reality TV show called "Cops" while he was out on bail, where he famously told officers that he was "100% not involved" in any plot to kill his wife.

The episode delves into the investigation that ultimately led to Dippolito's arrest and conviction, as well as the shocking twists and turns that emerged along the way. Through interviews with law enforcement officials, journalists, and other experts, viewers gain a deeper understanding of the psychology of someone who would be willing to take such drastic measures for financial gain.

Overall, "Fake It to Make It; Kill the Witnesses" is a compelling episode of American Greed that explores two vastly different stories of greed and deception. With insightful interviews and expert analysis, it offers a fascinating look into the darker aspects of human nature and the lengths that some people will go to in pursuit of money and power.