Robert L. FitzPatrick
AUTHOR

Robert L. FitzPatrick

Tap the gear icon above to manage new release emails.
Robert L. FitzPatrick is the author of the new book, "Charlotte, Searching for Soul in a Booming Southern City" (2025), an inquiry into the inner life and social character of one Southern metro area, Charlotte, North Carolina, yet it is also a story of daily life in cities across America. It is about a profound experience of urban life, yet so seldom acknowledged it has no name. This book calls it Soul, referring to Sense of Place, Home, and the need of people to shape their futures where they live. It probes the social costs to residents when Soul is diminished or absent in cities relentlessly chasing growth, status and wealth. Robert is known internationally for his consumer education and advocacy regarding pyramid schemes and Ponzi frauds, known as "multi-level marketing." In 2020, he released the book, "Ponzinomics, the Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing," the first and still the only comprehensive history and analysis of the "MLM" phenomenon, addressing its political influence, deceptive propaganda techniques and use of cult persuasion. FitzPatrick served as expert or consultant in more than 40 court cases against pyramid schemes and multi-level marketing. He has served as consultant and expert witness for Attorney General or State Attorney offices in four states and the US Dept. of Justice. He is co-author of "False Profits" (1997), an examination of the cultural values and beliefs that support the delusions of pyramid schemes. He was featured on NBC Dateline, ABC World News, and CBS 60 Minutes, the John Oliver Show on HBO, the Netflix documentary film, "Betting on Zero" and the podcast, "The Dream." He has been quoted in many newspapers around the world, including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. His booklet, Pyramid Nation, was used by government regulators in writing China's first laws on pyramid schemes. In 2005, he delivered a seminar in Colombo, Sri Lanka to central banking representatives from that country as well as India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal. Robert FitzPatrick has developed informational resources for consumers, journalists, academics and regulators. He has provided expert consultation to many financial analysts. Robert FitzPatrick co-founded and serves as president of Pyramid Scheme Alert. He personally responds to consumer and news media inquiries. Prior to his engagement in consumer education, Robert FitzPatrick provided consulting services in several industries in channel management and distributor marketing, working with hundreds of independent distributors and suppliers involving where trust and cooperation were key factors for success. Consulting clients included Fujifilm, HP, Epson, Dupont and many others. Robert FitzPatrick's books, professional engagements and civic participation are shaped by a deep commitment to truth-telling and fairness.
Read more Read less

Try Audible membership today. Start enjoying the benefits.

Try Audible for free with an audiobook of your choice.
Try Premium Plus free
Automatically renews at AUD $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Most Popular

Product list
  • Ponzinomics cover art

    $27.99 or free with 30-day trial

    Try for $0.00
  • Charlotte cover art

    $27.99 or free with 30-day trial

    Try for $0.00