Case File
Case 1: Robbing Hollywood's A-List
- The Money Manager
- Dana Giacchetto manages money for Hollywood's biggest stars including Cameron Diaz, Ben Affleck and Leonardo DiCaprio. He loves the limelight as much as his clients.
- The Cassandra Group
- Giacchetto's investment advisory boutique caters to the crowd he knows best... musicians, artists and actors. His strategy is simple and conservative. He invests in blue chip stocks and corporate bonds.
- The Scam
- By late 1999, the "rock and roll broker" falls out of fashion with his clients. Nearly $10 million dollars is missing from client accounts! American Greed shares the story of how Dana Giacchetto's desire for success was overcome by greed.
Case 2: Soaking the Rich at Auction
- Sotheby's
- Alfred Taubman is a New York billionaire. He buys a controlling share in Sotheby's and transforms the firm into a dynamic, global brand. By the end of the 90's, the art market is strong. The two largest auction firms, Christie's and Sotheby's, are enjoying healthy profits.
- The Collection for Sale
- The Canadian multi-millionaire Herbert Black is looking to sell items from his collection at auction. He contacts Christie's and Sotheby's. They recite the exact same price structure! Black senses something is wrong.
- The Investigation
- An insider believes Christie's and Sotheby's have a back-room deal. The Justice Department investigates. American Greed takes a behind-the-scenes look at the rarefied world of art auctions and the two firms that dominate the business.
