For diapers and toothpaste. Alienated by her uninspiring existence being unemployed and having suffered a miscarriage in an attempt to conceive a child, Connie commiserates with her best friend Joanna "JoJo" Johnson, who has been unable to secure proper employment since having her identity stolen and thus lives with her mother Josephine, attempting to generate revenue by making YouTube videos while being amorously pursued by the local mailman, Earl. The site's name was inspired by the legit coupon magazine Savvy Shopper, which is in no way related. Ame shielded her eyes from the sunlight, "It's just that it's been a while since I've been on duty at daytime.". (music by) Cinematography by Andrew Wehde . In July 2012, police in Phoenix, Arizona arrested three women in a coupon scam that cost manufacturers roughly $40 million. But can you live with what you did?. Rexha's character helps Connie and JoJo evade the authorities, mainly by strengthening their internet security. One local law enforcement official at the time told the news: The opulence and the money was the equivalent of drug cartel-type of stuff. Ramirez, Fountain and Johnson are now having to live with what they did. Dejected and frustrated suburban housewife Connie Kaminski (ne Stevens), a three-time gold-medal-winning former Olympic racewalker, has followed the conventional life path set for her by society ever since she was young. This happened after various companies that had been impacted by the bogus coupons hired private investigators to uncover the origins of the coupons. Ben Stiller serves as an executive producer under his Red Hour Productions banner. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. After tracing the origins of the ring to Phoenix, the FBI then teamed up with local law enforcement to bust the group. What is the Japanese language plot outline for Queenpins (2021)? I agree with TheWrap's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and provide my consent to receive marketing communications from them. He also focused more on the character aspect of his part, rather than talking to anyone actually involved in loss prevention. Bell has extensive experience in Broadway, television, and film, leading successful TV series like Veronica Mars and The Good Place. Neither of them responded to requests for comment about their case, and how or whether they have managed to move on from it. That's not how the world works y'know. Queenpins: Dirigido por Aron Gaudet, Gita Pullapilly. Click here to get in touch, or for information about advertising on the site. This film wasn't deep, and at times it stretched credibility, but it was fun and engaging. A trailer released this month shows how a suburban housewife (Bell) and her coupon vlogger friend (Howell-Baptiste) come up with a scheme to sell fake coupons online, earning them millions of dollars while contributing to costly losses for brands like Proctor & Gamble andUnilever. They were ringleader Robin Ramirez (46 at the time of her arrest), Marilyn Johnson (62), and Amiko "Amy" Fountain (42). The comedy Queenpins is inspired by the largest coupon scam in U.S. history. A charge for forgery was dropped. While it might seem outrageous and is played for laughs in the movie, in July 2012, a SWAT team really did raid the Phoenix residences of the three women who played a part in the counterfeit coupon operation. The real-life Queenpins: How three Arizona women were busted with $25 MILLION in counterfeit coupons they were selling online - and inspired a new movie starring Kristen Bell The coupons were sold on a site called Savvy Shopper Site, to which interested parties had to be referred or invited directly to use. I just decided I really wanted to play the curmudgeon nature of the character. Counterfeit Coupon Ringleader Pleads Guilty - Coupons in the News, Woman spends $600 on SavvyShopperSite.com fake coupons - Jill Cataldo. Ramirez, the ringleader, was the only one sentenced to prison time two years while her counterparts got probation. But nobody really thought it was a big deal, because, you know, its coupons.. Hauser previouslyworked with Howell-Baptiste in Cruella and also appeared in I, Tonya. Written and directed byAron GaudetandGita Pullapilly, Queenpins is about two housewives who created a $40 million coupon scam. And I just want to play the humanity of the guy while adding some comedic elements to him.. They were ringleader Robin Ramirez (46 at the time of her arrest), Marilyn Johnson (62), and Amiko "Amy" Fountain (42). And why Bell and co-star Paul Walter Houser didnt talk to the real people behind the characters they play. [1] It was released on September 10, 2021. A quarter of the U.S. will fall inside an extreme heat belt. She and JoJo then learn that the coupons originate from an Advanced Solutions factory in Chihuahua, Mexico, deciding to travel there and collect the coupons to redistribute to other mothers and wives. I have never purchased coupons from a clipping service or an auction site." Her next acting roleisfor the movie Confess, Fletch. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. Queenpins Writers Balance Comedic Tone with Real-Life Drama in Coupon Caper By: Shanee Edwards Kirby Howell-Baptiste as JoJo Johnson and Kristen Bell as Connie Kaminski in QUEENPINS. She really likes to watch out the window as we land and it helps calm her down. Had the system been better then, Lake said, we could have arrested probably another 50 people at least, who were buying hundreds of these coupons at a time and saying, I know theyre fake, but they work great.. After a shootout breaks out at a jazz club in the heart of town over a 'transaction' gone wrong, the Shrimps of Ocean Street and the Deadbeats of Industrial Way prepare to fight. Though most of their fraudulent earnings have been confiscated, the pair have hundreds of thousands of dollars from their illegal activities stashed away, and JoJo starts a relationship with Earl and relocates to Montenegro, a non-extradition country, where the pair can immediately restart the scam upon Connie's release. The other queenpin is Connie's neighbor and close friend JoJo (Howell-Baptiste), who was a victim of identity theft that ruined her credit and her ability to apply for jobs. He can next be seen in the movie Delia's Gone. She was born and raised in Huntington Woods, Michigan, and is the daughter of Lorelei (Frygier), a nurse, and Tom Bell, a television news director. Just to make him more sympathetic, in addition to the $2 an hour, he has a pregnant wife who also works at the factory. I'd recommend this film for unwinding on a Friday night after a long week. She was sentenced to two years in prison, with credit for 287 days served, and seven years of supervised probation. It's very easy to say their words," says Kristen. Some movies are based on true stories, some movies are inspired by true stories. Dave Lake told CBS5 later. They also seized more than $2 million in other assets, including 22 guns, cash, 21 vehicles, and a speed boat. Thecomedy Queenpins features a talented cast coming together to tell a crazy true story. 'Queenpins' Plot Summary Then-forty-year-old Robin Ramirez led the group, which included Marilyn Johnson, then-fifty-four, and Amiko Amy Fountain, then-forty-two. Because they arent exactly hardened criminals, they think that the money theyve made through their shell company has to be laundered, so they bought all these high priced items with the intent to just immediately resell them. Judge Rosa Mroz of Maricopa County Superior Court ordered all three to payProcter & Gamble $1,288,682 in reimbursement. "I'm saving money!" He also explained the counterfeit coupon case to Gaudet and Pullapilly, who sought him out after their curiosity was piqued when they first read about the crime. In real life, the FBI did get involved, along with the non-profit Coupon Information Center. When we use coupons, we feel like we're getting away with something, like we're smart and special. (edited by) Casting By Ben Harris Allison Jones Production Design by Jennifer Klide Art Direction by Adri Siriwatt Costume Design by Julie Carnahan Makeup Department Production Management Mike Upton . I was very excited when I saw on the front page of the script that was based on a true story. Kirby Howell-Baptiste co-stars as JoJo Johnson, an aspiring YouTube vlogger and Connie's partner in crime. This is based on the true story of three women: Robin Ramirez, Marilyn Johnson, and Amiko "Amy" Fountain. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. They also turned to the Coupon Information Corporation. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. The fake coupon game isnt a joke. No, not at all, Bell told TheWrap. He has been commended by the FBI for supporting them in numerous efforts to fight "complex coupon fraud schemes." She has previously appeared with Bell on Bad Moms, buther claim to fame has been in screenwriting. Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste star in this based-on-a-true-story film about a pair of women whose coupon-counterfeiting operation turned into more than they bargained for. From left, Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste. [10], On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 47% based on 62 reviews with an average rating of 5.40/10. [13], Last edited on 16 February 2023, at 04:25, "STXfilms' Kristen Bell Coupon Clipping Scam Comedy 'Queenpins' Sells US For $20M+ To Paramount+ & Showtime", "Leslie Jones-Kristen Bell Coupon Caper 'Queenpins' Lands With Rocket Science Cannes", "Vince Vaughn & Paul Walter Hauser Join Comedy 'Queenpins' With Leslie Jones & Kristen Bell", "Kristen Bell & Kirby Howell-Baptiste Coupon Scam Comedy 'Queenpins' Snapped Up By STX Toronto", "Bebe Rexha Joins Kristen Bell in Comedy 'Queenpins', "Dayo Okeniyi, Joel McHale, Nick Cassavetes, Michael Masini, Eduardo Franco, Paul Rust And 3 More Join 'Queenpins'; Jack McBrayer And Annie Mumolo To Cameo", "And so it begins #Queenpins", "STX Dates 'Queenpins', 'National Champions', 'Violence Of Action' & Untitled Guy Ritchie Movie For 2021 & Beyond", "Paul Walter Hauser Quietly Steals Delightful Crime Comedy 'Queenpins', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Queenpins&oldid=1139643182, This page was last edited on 16 February 2023, at 04:25. Annie MumoloasCrystal - Mumolo appears in the minor role of Crystal. Summary: Amelia Watson, a senior but loose cannon, problem child detective of City PD, has to prevent a war. Much the same can be said for Paul Walter Houser, who plays Ken Miller, the loss prevention officer that uncovers and eventually busts Connie and Jojos scam. The comedy Queenpins is inspired by the largest coupon scam in U.S. history. Previously, she worked as a singer and songwriter, penning hitslike Eminem and Rihanna's "The Monster" and collaborating with bands such as Florida Georgia Line. Talk about extreme couponing! In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. The group would have fake coupons made oversees, including reproductions of legitimate coupons and made-up ones with steep savings. Kristen Bell as Connie Kaminski Kristen Bell stars as Connie Kaminski, a suburban housewife who just wants to find a solution for the debt burying her and her husband. But Aron [Gaudet] and Gita [Pullapilly], as storytellers our writer and directors have added so many specific elements of storytelling to this about what Connies career was, what Jojos career was, their circumstances in life in order to create a story that you would root for, and then it sort of goes into the nonfiction aspect that it sort of wasnt maybe as necessary to take on a ton of the real life characteristics of the women.. For example, a person could use a $25 coupon to purchase a $15 bag of dog food and receive the difference in cash. However, they quickly learned that with a little crime, they could actually make money off of it. Carly Stern For Dailymail.com
I was very excited when I saw on the front page of the script that was based on a true story. At $300 a month, even if she stays current in her payments, it will take more than 120 years to pay off her share of the restitution order. You cant make this stuff up and the filmmakers didnt have to. The counterfeiting scheme was previously featured in theCBS TV docu-series Pink Collar Crimes in 2018. Had their deals been a little worse, maybe the women would have never gotten caught. Lets break it down. According to KTAR News, a Phoenix radio station, the group focused on manufacturers coupons, which typically offer a free item or significant discount. She does not seem to take it too seriously, telling us that "this is a story about little old coupons.". She was sentenced to two years in prison, with credit for 287 days served, and seven years of supervised probation. In July 2012, police in Phoenix, Arizona arrested three women in a coupon scam that cost manufacturers roughly $40 million. Fountain and Johnson each pleaded guilty to one charge of counterfeiting. If you can get an unlimited number of those, think how this grows" (Yahoo Finance). Queenpins is a quirky crime comedy inspired by a trio of women who made millions of dollars in an elaborate coupon scam. She has also worked on soundtracks for movies like Abominable and, most recently, He's All That. In Queenpins, its Ken Miller who pleads with the FBI to get involved, but in the end, he ends up working with Vince Vaughns postal inspector character, with the reasoning being that the crime was technically committed via snail mail. Preferred customers could get even better deals on better coupons. The scheme came crashing down after forty businesses, including major companies like Proctor & Gamble, Hershey, and PepsiCo, filed fraud complaints. By mail. In Queenpins, its Ken Miller who pleads with the FBI to get involved, but in the end, he ends up working with Vince Vaughns postal inspector character, with the reasoning being that the crime was technically committed via snail mail. But all were ordered to pay nearly $1.3 million in restitution to Procter & Gamble, just one of the many manufacturers whose coupons they counterfeited and sold. Analysts Predict More Deals in the Grocery Store This Year, Savings Apps Are All the Rage This One Most of All, Grocery Shoppers Shrug Off A Tumultuous Year, Couponer Is Dealt A Final Setback In Decade-Old Dispute. See production, box office & company info. The two women in the movie, Connie Kaminski (Kristen Bell) and JoJo Johnson (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), are not directly based on any of the real-life women.Kristen Bell's character's background of being a former Olympic race walker who turns to couponing after having no luck getting pregnant (and spending tens of thousands on in vitro treatments) is fictional, as is Kirby Howell-Baptiste's character's unsuccessful efforts to make it as a vlogger. After six months, the pair figure their money is safe to use, but because the money is dirty, they need to spend and clean it. Law-enforcement authorities, manufacturers, and retailers advise against purchasing coupons. For her first film since Frozen II (the 10th highest-grossing movie of all-time . Queenpins Cast And Character Guide: Where You Know The Actors From, Worth Cast & Character Guide: What The Real People Look Like, Free Guy Cast, Characters & All Cameos Guide, Q-Force Cast & Character Guide: Where You Know The Actors From. They were just two normal women, who felt taken advantage of by major corporations, and genuinely wanted to help other women and families who were struggling. Eventually, they brought in Phoenix police, who conducted aneight-week investigation. The ring used a series of twelve different bank accounts to house their money. The opulence and the money was the equivalent of drug cartel-type of stuff. -Investigative Consultants. On the case to bust them: a supermarkets loss-prevention officer and a US postal inspector, played by Paul Walter HauserandVince Vaughn, respectively. -Daily Mail. In July of 2012, police raided Ramirez's home andseized more than $25 million worth of fake coupons. A look at what really happened with the characters of Andrew Dominiks 2007 Western epic. Kristen Bell And Kirby Howell-Baptiste Run A Multi-Million Dollar Coupon Scam In The 'Queenpins' Trailer. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to clean the money theyve made from selling coupons. "We knew, based on our research on past films, the more we dig into the real lives, it becomes much more serious, much more dramatic," Pullapilly told the, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Savvy Shopper Site had a few other suspicious requirements. The trios many customers never faced charges but they might have. Though the pair face forty-years-to-life, the companies that they victimized clandestinely press the courts for leniency to avoid bad press, resulting in ten days imprisonment plus one year of probation for JoJo and eleven months incarceration (parole eligible in eight) for Connie. Yes. The coupons were sold on a site called Savvy Shopper Site, to which interested parties had to be referred or invited directly to use. Queenpins (2021) Rated R for language throughout. The Coupon Information Corporation got wind of the scheme, and brought it to the attention of investigators, which is how it eventually landed on the desk of Phoenix Police Sergeant David Lake. [9], Other box office grosses include Russia ($326,012), Ukraine ($221,109), 'Queenpins' Review: Suburban Scammers Two cash-strapped neighbors devise a multimillion-dollar coupon swindle in this mildly entertaining comedy. While it's hard to know how many customers knew they might be engaging in criminal activity, there were a few red flags that should have at least made them suspicious. Your email address will not be published. And in terms of the crime itself, Queenpins stayed pretty loyal. The Phoenix Police Department conducted undercover operations in which they purchased the counterfeit coupons. I try to work with police chiefs, at the state and local level, to come up with ways of explaining how important protecting our business infrastructure is, he said. These are free item coupons,' Police Sgt. Unilever also claimed losses, pointing to five particular coupons that had been founded in Ramirezs home, though a judge ruled that they couldn't prove that the three women were responsible for selling them. Whatever Happened to the Real-Life Queenpins? The Arizona coupon ring's leader, Robin Ramirez, rented an aircraft hangar to store her cars, 40-foot speedboat, luxury RV, and various off-road toys. Together, they set up a website called Savvy Super Saver, and eventually make millions of dollars in turn, costing multiple manufacturers millions of dollars. When we're with Connie and JoJo, the tone of "Queenpins" is upbeat and sit-com-y, with Dolly Parton on the soundtrack telling us everything is going to be all right. They were a part of a fast-rising category referred to as "pink collar criminals," "nice" suburban women who commit non-violent crimes, mostly fraud or embezzling from businesses or from community organizations like the PTA. Heres how the real Queenpins counterfeit coupon ring worked: shoppers would purchase the coupons on websites like eBay and/or be invited or referred to the rings personal website, savvyshoppersite.com. In July 2012, police in Phoenix, Arizona arrested three women in a coupon scam that cost manufacturers roughly $40 million. The amount covered all of P&G's losses, for the fake coupons as well as extra manpower needed to deal with the issue. He also focused more on the character aspect of his part, rather than talking to anyone actually involved in loss prevention. Postal Inspector lead the investigation into their activities, encountering multiple humorous setbacks along the way. Directed and written by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly, the movie stars Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Vince Vaughn, Paul Walter Hauser, and Bebe Rexha. Marilyn Johnson, 54, Robin Ramirez, 40, and Amiko Fountain, 42, were taken into custody, and in a press conference, police said a search warrant served resulted in the seizing of $40 million worth of coupons and $2 million worth of assets from the womens homes, including $240,000 in vehicles, 22 guns, and a 40-foot speedboat. Husband-and-wife filmmakers Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly did fly to Arizona in 2018 to interview the real detective who worked the case. Your email address will not be published. If you can get an unlimited number of those, think how this grows. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. Review: Scamming Audiences with Sophomoric Humor and Dubious Politics. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. The duo bond on their mission, with Simon sympathizing with Ken's unwavering devotion. If you watch the movie 'Queenpins,' you will see, what I believe, is the first film in Hollywood to feature AEW in the film." Furthermore, Paul Walter Hauser reveals that he has actually had minimal wrestling training with several names from The Nightmare Factory including Anthony Ogogo, Preston Vance, and even WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas . Indeed, the movie is inspired by a true story, but just how closely does the film follow the events and people its based on? But its funny that its gotten so much attention, Lake said. Yes. She also was ordered to pay restitution of up to $5 million. Queenpins has arrived in theaters and on Paramount+, telling the story of the countrys largest counterfeit coupon scam. A bright spot is Bebe Rexha as a dark web expert who helps Connie and Jojo launder their money. she says. [4] In September 2020, Kirby Howell-Baptiste joined the cast of the film, replacing Jones, with Ben Stiller joining as an executive producer under his Red Hour Productions banner, with STX Entertainment set to distribute. The comments below have not been moderated, By
Ramirezs case was back before a judge as recently as July, when her probation officer reported she was falling behind on her share of the nearly $1.3 million in restitution payments she and her cohorts were ordered to pay. Bud Miller, Executive Director of the Coupon Information Center, told money-saving columnist Jill Cataldo at the time, "These customers should expect contact in the future." And where does that curmudgeonly frame come from? Here's the cast and character guide and the real-life counterparts. Bud is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and an industry veteran. On the case to bust them: a supermarket's. The acting was solid, though the relatively unknown Paul Walter Hauser stole the movie. Woman on Plane: Hey sorry, uhm, would you mind if we switched seats, just for this last part? McHaleis perhaps best known for his role inCommunity, and will next be starring in the series Black Box. The three women, Robin Ramirez, Amiko Fountain, and Marilyn Johnson, mostly sold free-product coupons. But Lake determinedly led his team in pursuing the case. The crime comedy is based on a counterfeit coupon empire that shocked law enforcement. They joined forces with several other affected companies and hired private investigators to track the source of the fraudulent coupons. Singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha makes her feature film debut in the Queenpins movie. A pair of housewives create a $40 million coupon scam.A pair of housewives create a $40 million coupon scam.A pair of housewives create a $40 million coupon scam. It is also revealed that Connie, after numerous unsuccessful attempts to conceive following her miscarriage, is finally pregnant through in vitro fertilization. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. And after reading the script and falling massively in love with it, because it was such a grounded comedy, I did some research about these women. These are free-item coupons," Phoenix Police Sgt. the three womens 2012 arrests for coupon fraud, the major motion picture they inspired is set to open in theaters this Friday, were ordered to pay nearly $1.3 million in restitution to Procter & Gamble, REVIEW: Queenpins Takes Coupon Counterfeiting to Extremes, The Cast and Crew of Queenpins Take a Crash Course in Coupons, Coupon Industry Gets Ready For Its Closeup, In Queenpins, A Q&A With the Creators of Queenpins, the Counterfeit Coupon Caper. The comedy Queenpins features a talented cast coming together to tell a crazy true story. Thats money in the bank.'. July 2012, police in Phoenix, Arizona arrested three women, Tom Sizemore, star of 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Heat,' dies at 61 after brain aneurysm, Josh Hartnett is done talking about his break from Hollywood but ready to make fun of actors: 'We're the worst', Michael B. Jordan admits muscle gain for 'Creed' has been harder as he's gotten older, Billy Bush suggests Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes start their own show after ABC exit: 'They've got something that works', How to watch every Oscars 2023 Best Picture nominee. And where does that curmudgeonly frame come from? And I just want to play the humanity of the guy while adding some comedic elements to him.. Ken: Yeah no, even if I wanted to switch, I think it's more important that your daughter learn a valuable lesson. Ramirez pleaded guilty to illegal control of an enterprise, counterfeiting and fraud. That includes the details about the women and the two men chasing after them. But I I sort of didnt approach it from an occupational standpoint, Houser told TheWrap. On the other side we have faceless and barely acknowledged corporations (always a convenient bad guy) and an LPO (loss prevention officer, a fancy title for private security). In addition, the scenes involving the gun sale include short appearances by co-director Aron Gaudet's brother Nick as a barista, as well as actor and director Nick Cassavetes as the leader of the group buying the guns. The women guaranteed a one-hundred-percent return rate if a store rejected one of their coupons. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. But thats just Connie and Jojo. Along with paying Procter & Gamble millions of dollars, Ramirez had to serve jail time. It all sounded so unbelievable and over the top, and we knew the story had the makings for a great comedy., So while the women may not be thrilled to see their pasts dredged up and played for laughs on the big screen, Lake is hopeful that moviegoers wont come away with the wrong idea about creating or using counterfeit coupons. The women sold their counterfeit coupons on various online sites, including eBay and their own website, SavvyShopperSite.com. They were just two normal women, who felt taken advantage of by major corporations, and genuinely wanted to help other women and families who were struggling. Marilyn Johnson, 54, Robin Ramirez, 40, and Amiko Fountain, 42, were taken into custody, and in a press conference, police said a search warrant served resulted in the seizing of $40 million worth of coupons and $2 million worth of assets from the womens homes, including $240,000 in vehicles, 22 guns, and a 40-foot speedboat. His filmography contains works such as Face/Off, The Astronaut's Wife, and The Hangover Part II, and he will next be appearing inThe Ogilvy Fortune. In real life, the FBI did get involved, along with the non-profit Coupon Information Center. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. 'Sometimes I would come out with three carts of groceries.'. "We're Robin Hood," the queenpins reassure themselves. As far as the real women involved, stars Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste admit that they never actually met or spoke to the actual minds behind the crime to learn what sparked it. Queenpins is Rexha's first major acting role. Despite the absurdity of the synopsis, believe it or not,Queenpins is based on a true story. She was sentenced to two years in prison, with credit for 287 days served, and seven years of supervised probation. But Aron [Gaudet]and Gita [Pullapilly], as storytellers our writer and directors have added so many specific elements of storytelling to this about what Connies career was, what Jojos career was, their circumstances in life in order to create a story that you would root for, and then it sort of goes into the nonfiction aspect that it sort of wasnt maybe as necessary to take on a ton of the real life characteristics of the women.. The details were first revealed after a Tuesday morning raid in July 2012 by the Phoenix Arizona Police Department. After he retired from the force, he took what he had learned from this case and others like it to found the Center on Shadow Economics, which works to mitigate the economic impact of black market crimes like counterfeit couponing.