celebrities
From OJ onward, explore the less glamorous side of celebrity life and famous faces accused, vindicated and convicted.
The Strangest Ways Celebrity Get Scammed
Jack Nicholson Jack Nicholson Not all scams happen behind the victim's back. Tod Volpe was a Hollywood aristocrat. Throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s, Volpe rubbed shoulders with Hollywood A-listers such as Barbra Streisand, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Willis, and Sylvester Stallone. Volpe was a big spender and hung around a crowd of high rollers. But to maintain that lifestyle, he had to cut some corners. In Volpe's own words, he could take a $100,000 painting and sell it to Jack Nicholson for $300,000 without Nicholson even questioning it. He'd built relationships with some of the wealthiest people in Hollywood, and they trusted him to take care of them when it came to fine art. In return, Volpe constantly overcharged them for the pieces, pocketing the extra money to fund his lavish lifestyle. By 1995, Volpe was filing for bankruptcy with debts of over $3 million. Volpe rose in power from a humble origin. He was an Oxford University student, and in the mid-1970s, he opened a small art gallery with his cousin. The gallery went viral and received a raving review in "The New York Times." Shortly after, the gallery was filled with curious visitors and well-known celebrities. He started living a luxurious life and rubbing shoulders with renowned A-listers like Joel Silver and Larry Gordan, who eventually took him to Hollywood. During this time, Todd decided to use his Hollywood connections to chase his dream of making movies. However, it was a terrible idea. He later confessed that he would have been better off if he remained true to his art. Todd believed that to be a celebrity; one had to live a luxurious life. As he struggled to maintain an affluent lifestyle, his expenses got out of hand, and thus he resorted to corruption. He sold art pieces on his client's behalf without their permission. He also used money meant to purchase art and instead used it to pay off his debts. He eventually returned to New York, determined to revive the art business. Unfortunately, the dealers became suspicious, and ultimately, he filed for bankruptcy in 1995, now $3 Million in debt. Todd didn't deny his crimes but confessed them. In retrospect, he regarded his journey as one of love, truth, and friendship, stating them as the core values and keys to a happy life.
By Jay Rathod5 years ago in Criminal
Documentary Sheds New Light on Abuse of Aaliyah by R Kelly
As a plethora of anonymous victims reveal atrocities committed on them by the perverse and defamed singer Robert Kelly, the trial once again drops a bombshell as Nathan Edmond, a 73-year-old ordained minister in Chicago, testified about the ceremony under subpoena. This has been his first time speaking publicly about the illegal union per CNN reports.
By Sherrell Writes5 years ago in Criminal
Pick Axes, Tunnels, And Motorcycles
No drug lord is as famous as El Chapo and once he was in Mexican prison, he was a model prisoner. El Chapo was professional and courteous to prison guards, his personal mail and letters (which were closely surveilled for good reason), and phone calls were all small talk.
By Jessica Bugg5 years ago in Criminal
Murder in Aspen, Colorado
Back in the 1970s, Aspen was not quite the upscale resort town that it is today. The town did have its fair share of famous residents, including singer John Denver, who wrote two songs about Aspen and author Hunter S. Thompson, probably best known for writing Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. However, Aspen was still a little known, close-knit small town. That was, until 1976, when a high profile murder case would catapult Aspen onto the world stage.
By Armchair Detective5 years ago in Criminal
Kris Wu's scandal Has Shown Us How Out of Hand The Fan Culture Has Become
When you trust someone whole heartedly, beleiving everything you see and hanging on every last one of their words, you have effectively given that person power over you. When fans trust their idol's endorsements and only use the products that they claim to use on a daily basis, you have given them power over your wallet. Putting a stranger in such a powerful postion over you because they are handsome, or they sing well is a horrible idea. Your so called idols do not know you, and most of them do not want to get to know you. For all you know, you could be supporting a child molester with all of that money you give him in sales.
By Kalla Lavender5 years ago in Criminal
The Poisoning of James Cameron and the Titanic Cast
It’s relatively well-known that the filming of Titanic was challenging; many cast and crew suffered illness and injury, including Kate Winslet herself who contract pneumonia, chipped bones, and almost drowned. Some people believe the production to have been ‘cursed,’ but it definitely wasn’t a supernatural activity that left approx 70 of the cast and crew suffering severely following a deliberate poisoning on-set.
By Jessica London5 years ago in Criminal
Chris-Chan is A Lost Cause
First of all, one must give great kudos to the internet. The very fact we live in an age where knowledge is literally at our fingertips greatly appeals to me. Even more impressive is how anyone can read about just about anything. Be it information on common knowledge or the strange and the unusual, the internet has done great wonders for people.
By Halden Mile5 years ago in Criminal
Mysterious celebrity deaths
Hollywood is the place where movie stars are made. People travel in droves to make it big in the movie business. But most people who pursue stardom have little or no chance of ever becoming a household name. If lucky, they find a few roles as an extra.
By Marc Hoover5 years ago in Criminal
