Wicked Coin

What happens when a Chinese metal magnate decides to become one of the world's most daring tariff dodgers? Join Diana Shaw, Tatiana Sainati, and their special guest, trade-law powerhouse Greta Peisch, for this month's Wicked Coin episode where they dive into the staggering tale of "Big Boss" Liu Zhongtian – an aluminum industry tycoon whose audacious scheme to conceal aluminum imports helped him evade $1.8 billion in U.S. tariffs. From humble beginnings to the heights of China's rich list, Liu's story is one of ambition, deception, and a trail of ghost pallets that fooled authorities and investors alike. Greta and the team pull back the curtain on how Big Boss gamed the U.S. tariff system, why DOJ is cracking down on tariff evasion harder than ever, and what companies should be watching for as trade enforcement ramps up. Tune in for a wild ride through one of the world's most notorious corruption scandals that proves that, sometimes, the biggest scandals are hiding in plain sight.

Bribes wired across borders. Judges who flee the bench. A nation whiplashed between rival leaders while their corrupt regimes leave a money trail a mile long. In this episode, hosts Tatiana Sainati and Diana Shaw sit down with their guest, former FBI agent Debra LaPrevotte, to dissect Bangladesh's tumultuous corruption saga and the rise of Tarique Rahman, once branded "Mr. 10%." From secret accounts in Singapore and London to courtroom theatrics and acquittals, we ask the hard question: political persecution or provable kleptocracy? Follow the money and you decide!

Step into the world of high-stakes corporate intrigue with this episode of Wicked Coin, where hosts Diana Shaw and Tatiana Sainati are joined by special guest Ira Mirsky for a dive deep into the notorious Comverse Technology stock option backdating scandal. Discover how a rising telecom star became the epicenter of one of the era's most elaborate financial frauds, unravel the mechanics of backdating, and follow the jaw-dropping flight of CEO Kobi Alexander from the boardroom to self-imposed exile in Namibia - complete with a legendary bar mitzvah! With expert legal analysis, real-world cautionary tales, and facts that feel like fiction, this must-listen episode exposes what really happens when power, deception, and accountability collide.

For the first episode of Wicked Coin's second season, hosts Tatiana Sainati and Diana Shaw are joined by special guest Colin Cloherty, a Wiley associate and former NFL player, who helps them unravel the explosive details of the Iowa sports-betting scandal that rocked collegiate athletics. What began as a quiet investigation into suspicious betting activity quickly escalated into a sweeping probe implicating dozens of student-athletes across multiple universities. With allegations ranging from underage gambling to falsified identities and insider information, the scandal exposed deep vulnerabilities in the NCAA's oversight and the growing influence of online sportsbooks. Tune in as the team explores the legal fallout, the ethical dilemmas facing college sports, and the broader implications for the future of amateur athletics in America.

For this milestone episode, hosts Diana Shaw and Tatiana Sainati revisit the most notorious figures and scandals from the past year of Wicked Coin. From political power grabs and corporate corruption to banana barons and bribed admirals, the team checks in on some of the jaw-dropping developments behind your favorite stories. Tune in for a sobering yet insightful look at the progress made – and the setbacks faced – in the ongoing fight against corruption and wrongdoing.