Ep 2. The Playboy of Indiana

In season 9 episode 2 of American Greed entitled "The Playboy of Indiana," viewers are presented with the story of Tim Durham, a man who became known as one of Indiana's most notorious white-collar criminals.

At the start of the episode, viewers are introduced to Durham, a successful investment banker who was well-known in the Indianapolis area for his lavish lifestyle. He was known to host extravagant parties and drive expensive cars, all while flaunting his wealth in public.

As the episode unfolds, it becomes clear that Durham's wealth was not entirely his own. In fact, Durham had been running a massive Ponzi scheme that had defrauded investors out of more than $200 million.

The episode explains how Durham accomplished this scheme, using his connections and reputation in the financial world to lure investors in with the promise of high returns. However, Durham's investments were never legitimate, and he was simply using new investors' money to pay off older investors, while pocketing the rest for himself.

The episode also delves into Durham's personal life, including his multiple marriages and affairs, all of which added to his larger-than-life persona in the public eye. However, behind closed doors, Durham was a manipulative and abusive partner, as well as a negligent parent to his six children.

Throughout the episode, viewers are introduced to many of Durham's victims, who explain how his actions not only ruined their financial lives, but also impacted their personal lives in irrevocable ways. Durham's scheme also had a significant impact on the Indianapolis community as a whole, as many of his victims were small business owners who were forced to close their doors after losing everything.

The episode also features interviews with law enforcement officials who were involved in bringing Durham to justice, including the FBI agent who led the investigation into his Ponzi scheme. These professionals shed light on how Durham was eventually caught and sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Overall, "The Playboy of Indiana" provides a compelling look into the mind of a white-collar criminal and the devastating impact that their actions can have on both individuals and communities as a whole.