Gary Weiss

In the 1980s, the discount electronics chain store Crazy Eddie was so famous, its commercials were parodied on "Saturday Night Live." So when the family business began selling its company shares on Wall Street — making millions — nobody questioned its success.Gary Weiss’ book is Retail Gangster: The Insane, Real-Life Story of Crazy Eddie. Say hello on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Accomplice. Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: iTunes.com/CriminalShow.Listen back through our archives at youtube.com/criminalpodcast. We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery.Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Weiss, author of "Retail Gangster: The Insane, Real-Life Story of Crazy Eddie," dives deep into the notorious stock fraud orchestrated by Eddie Antar. He discusses how Crazy Eddie used flashy advertising to lure in customers while manipulating profit margins through deceit. Weiss reveals the darker side of IPOs, highlighting how companies can mislead investors with inflated data. Listeners will find the tale both cautionary and fascinating as it uncovers the chaotic downfall of a scandal that rocked Wall Street.