The Ponzi Playbook cover art

The Ponzi Playbook

The Ponzi Playbook

By: Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva
Listen for free

About this listen

 Welcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history.© 2023 Creative Babble. All Rights Reserved. Economics Politics & Government
Episodes
  • 25: The Gucci Goddess

    25: The Gucci Goddess
    May 8 2025
    Meet Janet Yamanaka Mello—better known as the "Gucci Goddess." She wasn’t your typical fraudster. Dripping in designer labels, driving luxury cars, and amassing an absurd collection of real estate, she managed to siphon off over $100 million from the U.S. Army’s youth programs. How did a civilian employee turn a government grant program into her personal ATM? And why did nobody notice for six years? In this episode, Javier and Neal break down how Mello pulled off one of the most brazen frauds against the U.S. military. From creating fake vendors and ghost accounts to laundering millions into mansions, sports cars, and $11 million worth of luxury jewelry, this story takes “flashy fraud” to a whole new level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • 23: My Wife, The Ponzi Schemer

    23: My Wife, The Ponzi Schemer
    Apr 23 2025
    This is an Interview with a man convicted of a Ponzi scheme. It originally aired on the PRETEND podcast. Bill Livolsi says he was just trying to help his wife, Linda, the ringleader of a multi-million dollar investment scam. In this episode, Bill opens up about how he got roped into the scheme, ignored every red flag, and ultimately landed in prison. He describes fake hedge funds, imaginary employees, and a key investor who also happened to be a self-proclaimed witch and lottery winner. But here’s the twist: Linda isn’t just any con artist. She’s the sister of the woman who tried to steal Elvis Presley’s Graceland—something we covered in a previous episode of PRETEND. Yeah, this story just got a whole lot weirder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • 22. The Ponzi Defense: Elliot Abrams on White-Collar Legal Tactics

    22. The Ponzi Defense: Elliot Abrams on White-Collar Legal Tactics
    Mar 31 2025
    What happens after the feds kick in your door? In this special bonus episode of The Ponzi Playbook, we sit down with white-collar defense attorney Elliot Sol Abrams—partner at Cheshire Parker Schneider Abrams—for a raw, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to defend clients facing federal fraud charges. You’ll hear: What goes down in the hours and days after an FBI raid How money—or the lack of it—affects your legal defense What a “win” actually looks like for a defense attorney Plus, we unpack a notable case—Chamberlain v. United States—that helped limit the government’s power to seize assets not directly tied to alleged crimes and explore the psychology behind Ponzi schemes, sociopathy, and second chances. Guest: Elliot Sol Abrams is a partner at Cheshire Parker Schneider Abrams in Raleigh, NC. He defends individuals in high-stakes white-collar cases, asset forfeiture disputes, and professional discipline matters. 👉 Follow The Ponzi Playbook on LinkedIn for updates and deeper dives into white-collar crime. Connect with Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva to keep the conversation going. 👍 Like, rate, and leave a comment wherever you listen—your feedback helps others find the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.