Episode 29: Trouble 0-7: A Wannabe Spy and the Con Man Who Loved Him, Pt. 1

Greed can be an unstoppable force. For some, money can become an addiction, just as insidious as the gnawing need for heroin or crack—and just as liable to send the addict into a headspace where nothing and no one else matters. Today we bring you the story of two greedy men. They were greedy for money, for sure. But for these guys, the money was just the beginning. Just the fuel they needed to keep their main obsession going: A fantasy life in which two losery schlubs got to play solider and spy. These guys wanted—NEEDED—to play “Top Gun.” Just like a couple of kids on the playground. The only difference was, these guys were playing with real airplanes. And millions of dollars of stolen money.

Sources:

CNBC's "American Greed," Episode "Top Gun of Fraud"
https://smithct.org/about-the-trust/may-and-stanley-smith
https://www.courthousenews.com/13-years-for-52m-milking-of-widows-trust/
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/pr/former-anchorage-prosecutor-sentenced-over-13-years-prison-massive-wire-fraud-and-money
https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SAN-FRANCISCO-Wealth-prestige-gone-a-lawyer-2588112.php

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