Ep. 2: A Multi-million-dollar Scheme Takes Shape

John Hawkins and Gene Hanson have a potential gold mine in the chain of retail clothing stores they have opened in Columbus, Ohio, and Lexington, Kentucky. But Hawkins and Hanson were con men before they were businessmen, and old habits are hard to break. In this episode, we'll explore the history of insurance scams this duo pulled off before creating Just Sweats, including a massive scam in New York City that netted them more than $100,000, which they used as seed money to establish their chain of clothing stores. Operating a seemingly successful business wasn't enough for Hawkins and Hanson. As they grew tired of the business, they concocted a scheme to collect $16 million by embezzling from their company and pulling off a complicated life insurance scam. But to do that, they need a body.