American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals Season 10 Episode 15 Medical Gloves with Holes

In season 10, episode 15 of American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals, viewers are introduced to a shocking story about a medical supply company with a checkered past. The episode, titled "Medical Gloves with Holes," details the deceptive practices of Tri-Med Corp., a Florida-based company that sold medical gloves to hospitals and clinics across the country.

The episode begins by introducing the company's founder, Richard J. Manko, who started Tri-Med in the early 1990s with the goal of supplying top-quality medical gloves to healthcare providers. However, as the company grew, Manko began cutting corners to maximize profits. He started importing cheaper gloves from China and passing them off as higher-quality products, deceiving his customers in the process.

As the years went by, Tri-Med's deceptive practices grew increasingly brazen. They began selling gloves that were completely ineffective at preventing infections, and even went so far as to sell gloves with holes in them. In some cases, Tri-Med would simply repackage old, expired gloves and sell them as new.

The consequences of Tri-Med's actions were dire. Many patients contracted deadly infections after being treated with the company's faulty gloves, and dozens of hospitals and clinics across the country were forced to shut down as a result of the scandals. One of the most tragic cases involved a cancer patient who contracted a deadly infection after being treated with Tri-Med's ineffective gloves. She died shortly thereafter, leaving her family devastated and angry.

The episode also delves into the legal battle that followed Tri-Med's downfall. Manko and several of his associates were eventually charged with a variety of crimes, including mail fraud and conspiracy. In court, they attempted to shift the blame onto their suppliers in China, arguing that they had been deceived into believing the gloves were high-quality. However, this defense was quickly dismantled, and Manko and his co-conspirators were ultimately convicted and sentenced to prison.

Overall, "Medical Gloves with Holes" is a chilling reminder of the dangers of corporate greed and the importance of holding businesses accountable for their actions. As the episode highlights, the consequences of Tri-Med's fraud were severe and far-reaching, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. Through interviews with victims, law enforcement officials, and legal experts, viewers gain a comprehensive understanding of this complex case and the people who were affected by it.