American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals Season 3 Episode 7 The Mustang Ranch: Money, Women and Murder

The Mustang Ranch: Money, Women and Murder episode of American Greed delves into the controversial story of the infamous brothel that operated in Nevada for over 40 years. Mustang Ranch's founder, Joe Conforte, was a savvy businessman who transformed a rundown bar and gas station into one of the most profitable brothels in the country. However, his success was marred by allegations of prostitution, tax evasion, and even murder.

The episode begins by chronicling Conforte's rise to power in the 1960s and his acquisition of the Mustang Ranch. Despite fierce opposition from state and federal authorities, Conforte was able to expand his empire by bribing politicians and law enforcement officials. He even ran for office himself and was elected to the Nevada Assembly in 1975.

But Conforte's luck began to run out in the 1980s when federal agents started investigating his business practices. The IRS discovered that he had been dodging taxes for years by hiding profits in offshore bank accounts. To avoid prosecution, Conforte fled to Brazil and left his wife Sally to manage the Mustang Ranch.

Sally proved to be just as adept at running a successful brothel as her husband. She implemented strict rules and regulations to protect the women who worked there and even installed a panic button in every room. However, her tenure was also plagued by scandal when one of her employees, a young woman named Sheila Jo Harris, was murdered in 1991.

The investigation into Harris's death uncovered a web of corruption and cover-ups that implicated Sally and several other high-ranking employees at the Mustang Ranch. Despite their attempts to shift the blame onto a low-level employee, the truth eventually came out, and Sally was sentenced to prison for tax fraud, racketeering, and aiding and abetting prostitution.

The episode also features interviews with former Mustang Ranch employees, including some who worked there during its heyday in the 1970s and 80s. They provide a fascinating insight into the inner workings of the brothel and the unique bond that existed between the women who worked there.

Overall, The Mustang Ranch: Money, Women and Murder is a gripping and often disturbing look at one of America's most notorious businesses. It exposes the seedy underbelly of the sex industry and the dangerous consequences that can arise when greed and corruption are allowed to flourish unchecked.