Special episode: The rise and fall of Gina Champion-Cain

Gina Champion-Cain has made headlines for the past three years for scandalous reasons. But for decades before that, she captured more positive media attention. She was the cover girl for downtown San Diego’s revitalization, beginning in the 1990s. She appeared on magazine covers and newspaper articles, lauded as a dealmaker, a real estate guru and a restaurateur. Champion-Caine was a business powerhouse with a big smile, long black hair and a charming personality. She seemed invincible. San Diego even named a day after her. Now she’s a convicted felon with a title no one else can claim — the architect of San Diego’s biggest Ponzi scheme.