Criminal Moon Rocks Wanted
Jan 10, 2025
Joe Gutheinz, a former special agent at NASA's Office of Inspector General, shares captivating stories from Operation Lunar Eclipse. He recounts a quirky ad seeking moon rocks that led to an undercover sting operation. Gutheinz reveals the allure of counterfeit lunar treasures and the surprising experiences he had while investigating their authenticity. He also discusses the legal battles surrounding stolen moon rocks, offering listeners a glimpse into the complexities of space memorabilia and the fascinating history of the Apollo missions.
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Almost Armstrong's Neighbor
- Joe Gutheinz almost purchased Neil Armstrong's former house.
- The house featured a six-car garage, tempting him to buy more cars.
NASA Investigations
- Joe Gutheinz worked at NASA, investigating crimes like lease fraud and a fire on the Mir space station.
- He also apprehended a man impersonating an astronaut at Marshall Space Flight Center.
Moon Rock Ownership
- Moon rocks are the ultimate collector's items, but private ownership is largely illegal.
- The U.S. government owns them as national treasures due to the costly missions to retrieve them.