Ep 9. Capturing The Fugitives

In the season 10 episode 9 of American Greed, titled “Capturing The Fugitives,” the show examines the criminal underworld of white-collar crime. The episode focuses on several notorious fugitives who evaded the law, including Bernard Madoff, the mastermind behind the largest Ponzi scheme in history, and Carlos Lehder, a key figure in Colombia’s Medellin drug cartel.

The episode takes a deep dive into the tactics used by law enforcement agencies to track down these criminals and bring them to justice. It explores the techniques used by investigators to gather evidence and build cases against these fugitives, including wiretapping, surveillance, and undercover operations. The show also reveals how some of these criminals were able to elude capture for years through cunning and deception.

One of the key cases highlighted in the episode is that of Bernard Madoff. Madoff’s Ponzi scheme was first uncovered in 2008, and he was sentenced to 150 years in prison in 2009. However, the show reveals that there were warning signs about Madoff’s activities as early as the 1990s, and that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) failed to investigate properly. It also examines the impact of Madoff’s fraud on his victims, many of whom lost their life savings.

The episode also delves into the world of drug trafficking, focusing on the case of Carlos Lehder. Lehder was a key member of the Medellin drug cartel, and was responsible for coordinating the shipment of cocaine from Colombia to the United States. He was captured in 1987, but managed to bribe his way out of prison and escape to Colombia. The show explores how Lehder was eventually caught and extradited to the United States, where he was sentenced to life in prison.

In addition to these cases, the episode profiles several other fugitives who were successfully captured by law enforcement agencies. These include Martin Frankel, a financier who stole over $200 million from insurance companies, and Allen Stanford, a billionaire who ran a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of over $7 billion.

Throughout the episode, American Greed provides expert commentary from law enforcement officials, legal experts, and journalists. These commentators offer insights into the motivations and tactics of these fugitives, as well as the challenges faced by law enforcement officers trying to bring them to justice.

Overall, “Capturing The Fugitives” is an engrossing and informative episode of American Greed that offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of white-collar crime. It showcases the ingenuity of criminals who seek to defraud and deceive, as well as the ingenuity of the men and women who work tirelessly to bring them to justice.