Fraud / Financial Crime

Pleaded guilty in 2020 to paying $500,000 in bribes to get her two daughters admitted to USC as fake rowing recruits. Sentenced to two months in prison and a $150,000 fine as part of the Operation Varsity Blues scandal.

Pleaded guilty in May 2019 to paying $15,000 to boost her daughter's SAT scores as part of the nationwide college admissions bribery scandal (Operation Varsity Blues). Sentenced to 14 days in prison, a $30,000 fine, and community service.

Convicted in 2008 of armed robbery and kidnapping in Las Vegas after attempting to retrieve sports memorabilia he claimed was stolen from him. Sentenced to 33 years in prison, served 9 years.

Accused of running CryptoZoo, an NFT-based game that was allegedly a scam. An investigation revealed the project took millions from investors while delivering a non-functional product.

Stripped of all seven Tour de France titles and banned from competitive cycling for life in 2012 after USADA found conclusive evidence of a massive doping conspiracy. Confessed to doping in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2013.

In January 2019, Smollett reported being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago. Investigation revealed he had orchestrated the attack himself, paying two acquaintances to stage it. Convicted on five counts of disorderly conduct in December 2021 and sentenced to 150 days in jail.

Widely criticized for promoting pseudoscientific and potentially dangerous health products through her brand Goop, including vaginal jade eggs, 'healing stickers,' and products making unsubstantiated medical claims. Goop was fined $145,000 for false advertising.