American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals Season 2 Episode 10 Robbing Hollywood's A-List/Soaking The Rich at Auction

In season 2 episode 10 of American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals, titled "Robbing Hollywood's A-List/Soaking The Rich at Auction," viewers get a front-row seat to two separate but equally outrageous tales of white-collar crime.

First up is the story of Dana Giacchetto, a young financial advisor who rose to fame in the 1990s for his ability to manage the money of Hollywood's elite. Celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, and Matt Damon all trusted him with their hard-earned fortunes. But behind closed doors, Giacchetto was running a Ponzi scheme that would ultimately cost his clients $10 million.

In "Robbing Hollywood's A-List," viewers learn about the rise and fall of Giacchetto, from his early days as a music industry publicist to his meteoric rise as a go-to advisor for the stars. Interviews with former clients, colleagues, and law enforcement officials help shed light on how Giacchetto was able to lure in so many high-profile clients and keep his scheme going for years before it all came crashing down.

The second half of the episode shifts gears to focus on another type of financial fraud: auction shill bidding. While it may seem like a victimless crime, insiders in the auction industry estimate that shill bidding costs buyers millions of dollars each year.

In "Soaking The Rich at Auction," viewers meet John Reznikoff, a prominent autograph dealer known for his impressive collection of historical documents and signatures. But behind the scenes, Reznikoff was using fake identities and shill bidders to drive up the prices of his items at auction.

Through interviews with victims and law enforcement officials, viewers see how Reznikoff's illegal tactics played out in real time, costing buyers tens of thousands of dollars or more. The episode also explores the broader issue of auction fraud, including how auction houses can better protect buyers and prevent shill bidding from happening in the first place.

Overall, season 2 episode 10 of American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals explores two wildly different cases of financial fraud, each with their own unique cast of characters and consequences. Whether you're interested in the glitz and glamor of Hollywood or the dark underbelly of the auction world, this episode has something for everyone.