PPP Fraud: The Largest Financial Crime in U.S. History? | You're Free to Go

PPP Fraud: The Largest Financial Crime in U.S. History? | You're Free to Go

Millions of Americans applied for PPP loans during the COVID-19 pandemic—but what happened when billions of dollars were handed out with little oversight? In this episode of You're Free to Go, former prosecutors and veteran criminal defense attorneys Guy Fronstin and Mark Nurik break down the rise of PPP fraud, why it became one of the largest financial fraud investigations in American history, and what the federal government is doing today to recover billions of dollars. Guy and Mark share fascinating real-life courtroom stories involving fake businesses, fraudulent loan applications, Vegas gambling sprees, accountants caught in federal investigations, and clients facing life-changing consequences years after receiving PPP funds. They also discuss how federal prosecutors evaluate these cases, the importance of restitution, cooperation agreements, and why some defendants avoided prison while others did not. * What the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) was designed to do * Why fraud exploded during COVID-19 * The government's current crackdown on PPP fraud * Real cases involving fake businesses and fraudulent loan applications * How accountants and bookkeepers became involved * The risks of cooperating with federal investigators * Why restitution often matters more than prison * The 10-year federal statute of limitations * Lessons from decades of defending white-collar crime cases Whether you're interested in criminal law, federal investigations, white-collar crime, or simply love hearing unbelievable true legal stories, this episode is one you won't want to miss. 👍 Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications for more real courtroom stories and legal insights from You're Free to Go. In this episode:

The Drug Lord Who Ordered a Witness Hit... Then Blamed His Own Lawyer | Crazy Courtroom Stories

Welcome to Episode 50 of You're Free to Go! To celebrate this milestone, criminal defense attorneys and former prosecutors Guy Fronstin and Mark Nurick share some of the most unbelievable cases from their decades in the courtroom. In this episode, Guy tells the incredible story of how a domestic violence victim's burglary was solved through instinct and criminal psychology. Mark recounts a shocking federal drug case where a key witness was murdered before trial, another witness mysteriously disappeared, and his own client later admitted to ordering the hit. The conversation continues with a fascinating white-collar fraud case involving a high-paid executive who secretly stole more than $1 million using fake vendor invoices—and somehow avoided criminal charges. From murder-for-hire and courtroom strategy to plea bargains, attorney-client privilege, and sophisticated financial crimes, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how experienced criminal defense lawyers navigate some of the most complex cases imaginable. In this episode: * Episode 50 celebration * Solving a burglary through criminal profiling * Domestic violence and victim representation * A federal drug trafficking case gone horribly wrong * The witness who was murdered before trial * Attorney-client privilege explained * Plea bargaining in murder cases * Million-dollar corporate fraud * White-collar crime investigations * How experienced criminal defense attorneys think If you enjoy true crime, courtroom stories, and real-life legal cases, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications for more episodes of You're Free to Go.

The Untold Story of O.J. Simpson | The Filmmaker Who Worked With The Juice Speaks

The O.J. Simpson trial remains one of the most famous criminal cases in American history—but what was O.J. like after the verdict? On this episode of You're Free to Go, Guy Fronstin and Mark Nurik are joined by filmmaker Arthur Bernstein, who shares his incredible firsthand experience meeting O.J. Simpson, casting him in a short film, and developing an unexpected friendship with one of the most controversial figures in America. Arthur reveals how he invited O.J. to star in his film on the spot, what it was like working with him on set, behind-the-scenes stories from the production, and why he chose not to profit from the footage despite receiving media attention. The conversation also explores the legacy of the "Trial of the Century," Johnny Cochran, Robert Shapiro, the infamous white Bronco chase, Hollywood filmmaking, and Arthur's award-winning career—including Walt Before Mickey. Whether you're fascinated by true crime, courtroom history, or Hollywood behind-the-scenes stories, this episode offers a unique perspective you won't hear anywhere else. In this episode: * Arthur Bernstein's unexpected friendship with O.J. Simpson * The story behind casting O.J. in a short film * Behind-the-scenes stories from the film set * The lasting impact of the O.J. Simpson trial * Johnny Cochran, Robert Shapiro, and the defense team * Hollywood filmmaking and independent movies * Arthur's work on Walt Before Mickey * Crime stories, legal insights, and entertainment history Subscribe for more fascinating conversations about true crime, criminal defense, and the stories behind some of history's most unforgettable cases.

The Craziest DUI Defense Ever? Plus the Netflix Murder Case Everyone's Talking About

Can a fatal car crash be prosecuted as first-degree murder? In this episode of You're Free to Go, attorneys Guy Fronstin and Mark Nurick break down Netflix's viral documentary The Crash and discuss the controversial conviction of Mackenzie Shirilla, examining the legal questions surrounding intent, evidence, and the appeals process. The conversation then shifts to one of the most unbelievable DUI trials Guy has ever handled. From an unusual courtroom defense to an unexpected jury verdict, this real-life case takes twists that sound too outrageous to be true. The hosts also discuss judicial discretion, "robe fever," and memorable courtroom stories that highlight how much influence judges can have over a case. In this episode: * Netflix's The Crash and the Mackenzie Shirilla case * Can a DUI be prosecuted as first-degree murder? * The role of appeals and bench trials * The wildest DUI defense Guy has ever used * How juries evaluate DUI evidence * Judicial discretion and "robe fever" * Real courtroom stories from decades of criminal defense * Why the right defense strategy can change everything If you enjoy true crime, criminal law, courtroom strategy, and behind-the-scenes stories from veteran defense attorneys, this episode is one you won't want to miss.

The Psychology of Criminal Defense | False Confessions, Insanity Defenses & Mental Health in the Courtroom

What happens when mental health and the criminal justice system collide? In this fascinating episode of You're Free to Go, criminal defense attorneys Guy Fronstin and Mark Nurik sit down with renowned forensic psychologist Dr. Michael Brannon to explore the complex world of psychology, criminal law, and the human mind. Dr. Brannon shares insights from decades of experience evaluating defendants, testifying as an expert witness, and helping courts understand issues ranging from competency to stand trial to insanity defenses and false confessions. Topics discussed include: * What it means to be competent to stand trial * How courts determine competency and mental fitness * The reality of insanity defenses and why they are so misunderstood * Malingering and detecting when someone may be faking mental illness * False confessions and why innocent people sometimes admit to crimes they didn't commit * The Reid interrogation technique and police questioning * Miranda rights and psychological evaluations * Mental illness, substance abuse, and criminal responsibility * Competency restoration programs and forensic hospitals * High-profile criminal cases, including insights from the Parkland case * The role of forensic psychologists in the justice system Dr. Brannon also shares incredible real-world stories from his career, including defendants claiming to be the Queen of England, the challenges of distinguishing genuine mental illness from deception, and how psychological science is used to uncover the truth in criminal cases. Whether you're interested in criminal law, psychology, forensic science, true crime, or the inner workings of the justice system, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the most important and misunderstood areas of criminal defense. Subscribe for more conversations about criminal law, real cases, legal strategy, and the issues that impact our justice system every day.