American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals Season 5 Episode 13 The Wizard of Sarasota
- April 20, 2011
In season 5 episode 13 of American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals, viewers are taken through the story of a man known as "The Wizard of Sarasota." This episode explores the life and crimes of a financial advisor named Art Nadel, who was once a well-respected member of the Sarasota, Florida community.
Nadel was known in the community as a successful investor and philanthropist, but behind the scenes, he was running a massive Ponzi scheme that eventually swindled investors out of over $400 million. The episode delves into Nadel's background and how he was able to gain the trust of so many people, including prominent members of the community and even his own family.
The episode features interviews with some of Nadel's victims, who share their experiences of investing with him and their shock when they discovered that their money had vanished. Viewers will also hear from law enforcement officials who worked to unravel Nadel's Ponzi scheme and bring him to justice.
Throughout the episode, viewers are given a glimpse into the mind of a master con artist and how he was able to manipulate those around him into believing in his fraudulent investment scheme. The episode also highlights the devastating effects that Nadel's actions had on the lives of his victims, many of whom lost their life savings and retirement funds.
As the episode unfolds, viewers will see how Nadel's web of deceit began to unravel and how he fled the country in an attempt to escape the consequences of his actions. Ultimately, Nadel was caught and sentenced to over 14 years in prison for his crimes.
Overall, season 5 episode 13 of American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals offers a cautionary tale about the dangers of trusting someone blindly and serves as a reminder that anyone can fall victim to the schemes of a skilled con artist.