"Fortune, Fame, and a Prison Cell."
One-hour documentary-style crime series
Host: Sean "Hollywood" Hamilton
Created by Rob Mason / Lou Maggio

WritLogline

They had it all—money, power, and influence—until crime caught up with them. Infamous Inmates explores the rise and fall of some of the most notorious figures in big business, entertainment, music, and Silicon Valley, who ended up trading their mansions for prison cells. Hosted by legendary radio personality Sean "Hollywood" Hamilton, this gripping documentary series unveils the dark side of success, where greed, deception, and even murder led these millionaires and moguls to squander their fortunes behind bars.

Logline

WritLogline

What happens when the wealthy elite fall from grace? Infamous Inmates takes viewers behind the prison walls of those who once controlled industries, shaped pop culture, or built tech empires—only to lose it all. Each episode delves into the shocking crimes that landed these individuals in jail, featuring exclusive interviews, expert analysis, and rare footage. From high-profile Ponzi schemes and insider trading scandals to shocking murders and elaborate frauds, this show uncovers the untold stories of those who went from boardrooms and studios to prison yards.

Summary

WritLogline

Sean "Hollywood" Hamilton is a legendary radio DJ, inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2019. He has been a morning radio mainstay on New York’s WKTU 103.5 FM, engaging millions of listeners with his signature style and deep industry knowledge. A pop culture aficionado with decades of experience, Hamilton brings an authoritative yet entertaining voice to Infamous Inmates, guiding viewers through the shocking stories of fallen tycoons and disgraced celebrities.

Similar Show Stats & Demographics

Target Audience:

  • 25-54 demographic, crime docu-series enthusiasts, fans of American Greed,

  • Dateline NBC, Dirty Money, and Inside the Criminal Mind.

  • True crime fans, business professionals, pop culture followers, and Silicon Valley insiders.

  • Crime docu-series viewership has surged 32% in recent years, with networks like Netflix, CNBC, and Investigation Discovery seeing a boom in high-profile financial crime content.

Comparable Shows & Their Success:

  • American Greed (CNBC) – Averaging 1M+ weekly viewers.

  • Dirty Money (Netflix) – Highly rated with 91% audience approval on Rotten Tomatoes.

  • The Men Who Built America (History) – Reached 2.6M+ viewers per episode.

Episode Structure

Each one-hour episode follows a structured format:

  1. Introduction & Crime Overview – Hamilton sets the stage, introducing the subject and their former success.

  2. Rise to Fame & Fortune – How did they build their empire? Archival footage and interviews highlight their peak.

  3. The Crime – The details of their wrongdoing: financial fraud, homicide, conspiracy, etc.

  4. Investigation & Trial – Law enforcement pursuit, trial proceedings, and public reaction.

  5. Behind Bars – What life is like in prison for them now and what became of their fortune.

  6. Legacy & Lessons – Final reflections and impact on their respective industries.

Episode Ideas

Episode 1: The Billionaire Fraudster – Bernie Madoff

  • The mastermind behind the biggest Ponzi scheme in history, stealing

    $65 billion.

  • How he lured investors, including celebrities and business elites.

  • His eventual arrest, trial, and prison life before his 2021 death.

Episode 2: The Music Mogul Turned Murderer – Suge Knight

  • Once the most feared man in the music industry, Suge Knight built Death Row Records.

  • His violent past caught up with him, leading to a 28-year prison sentence for manslaughter.

Episode 3: From Enron to Inmate – Jeffrey Skilling

  • The infamous Enron scandal, one of the largest corporate frauds in U.S. history.

  • How he manipulated financial statements and caused the loss of billions.

  • Skilling’s downfall and 14-year prison stint.

Episode 4: Hollywood’s Fallen Producer – Harvey Weinstein

  • Once one of the most powerful producers in Hollywood, Weinstein’s decades of sexual misconduct led to his conviction.

  • The #MeToo movement and how it changed the entertainment industry.

  • Weinstein’s life behind bars.

Episode 5: The Tech Scammer – Elizabeth Holmes

  • How the Theranos founder fooled Silicon Valley and investors with a fake blood-testing revolution.

  • The downfall of a billion-dollar empire and a 11-year prison sentence.

Other Episode Subjects:

  • Martin Shkreli – The “Pharma Bro” convicted of securities fraud.

  • Jordan Belfort – The Wolf of Wall Street and his real-life fraud.

  • Mike "The Situation" SorrentinoJersey Shore star convicted of tax evasion.

  • R. Kelly – Music icon convicted of racketeering and sex crimes.

  • Samuel "Mouli" Cohen – Fraudster who swindled $31 million.

  • Allen Stanford – Ran a $7 billion Ponzi scheme rivaling Madoff.

  • Fyre Festival’s Billy McFarland – The fraudulent music festival that became a disaster.

  • Barry Minkow – Ponzi schemer turned pastor turned con artist again.

Why Infamous Inmates Stands Out

  • A Unique Blend of True Crime & Business Drama – Unlike typical crime shows, this series focuses on high-profile white-collar crimes and celebrity scandals.

  • Recognizable Names & Scandals – Viewers are drawn in by the shock value of fallen elites.

  • Hosted by a Trusted Media Figure – Sean "Hollywood" Hamilton brings credibility, entertainment, and deep pop-culture knowledge.

  • Exclusive Footage & Expert Analysis – Never-before-seen interviews and insights from insiders.

  • Real Consequences of Greed & Crime – A cautionary tale for viewers, showing that wealth doesn’t make one invincible.

Here are 20 more examples of infamous inmates:

  • Ghislaine Maxwell – Convicted for her role in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking ring.

  • John McAfee – Tech mogul indicted for tax evasion and fraud before his alleged suicide in prison.

  • Dennis Kozlowski – Former Tyco CEO convicted of stealing $134 million.

  • Raj Rajaratnam – Hedge fund billionaire convicted of insider trading.

  • Martha Stewart – Media mogul convicted of insider trading but later rebuilt her career.

  • Rick Singer – Mastermind behind the college admissions bribery scandal (Operation Varsity Blues).

  • Jack Abramoff – Lobbyist convicted in a major bribery and corruption scandal.

  • Frank Abagnale Jr. – The real-life Catch Me If You Can con artist.

  • Andrew Fastow – Former Enron CFO, served time for fraud.

  • Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana – Fashion designers convicted of tax evasion (later overturned).

  • Wesley Snipes – Hollywood actor jailed for tax evasion.

  • Chris SoulesThe Bachelor star sentenced for leaving the scene of a fatal crash.

  • Jayson Williams – Former NBA star convicted of manslaughter.

  • Don King – Legendary boxing promoter who served time for manslaughter.

  • Bobby Shmurda – Rapper sentenced for conspiracy to commit murder.

  • Tekashi 6ix9ine – Rapper convicted of racketeering and firearm charges.

  • Lindsay Lohan – Multiple jail stints for DUIs and probation violations.

  • Felicity Huffman – Actress convicted in the Operation Varsity Blues scandal.

  • Lori LoughlinFull House actress also convicted in the college admissions scandal.

  • Vince McMahon (investigated, but not convicted yet) – WWE mogul under scrutiny for financial misconduct.

Final Thoughts

Infamous Inmates is a gripping deep dive into the shocking world of the rich and infamous who lost it all due to their crimes. Combining hard-hitting investigative journalism with captivating storytelling, this series will keep audiences hooked while offering a fascinating look at the justice system’s role in bringing down the powerful.

Are you ready to meet the millionaires who went from the sound stage, music studios or boardrooms to behind bars?

Coming Soon – Infamous Inmates!

Contact Rob Mason

Robmasonstudio@gmail.com

WGA Registered March 2025