Wicked Coin

• Peeling Back the Bruising History of the Banana Trade

  Join hosts Diana Shaw and Tatiana Sainati as they explore the fascinating and dark history of the banana trade in the latest episode of Wicked Coin. From the entrepreneurial spirit of Minor Cooper Keith in the late 1800s to the rise of the United Fruit Company and its impact on Central and South America, this episode uncovers the shocking tale of corruption, labor exploitation, and political manipulation that shaped the banana industry. Discover how a seemingly innocent fruit found itself at the center of power struggles, economic monopolies, and even terrorist funding. It's bananas!

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• The Iron Fist of General Sani Abacha, Nigeria's Ruthless Dictator

  Join hosts Tatiana Sainati and Diana Shaw as they delve into the gripping story of General Sani Abacha, the Nigerian dictator who embezzled billions of dollars and ruled with an iron fist from 1993 to 1998. Known for his ruthless tactics, including a personal security force trained in North Korea and the violent suppression of opposition members, Abacha's relentless pursuit of wealth and power ultimately led to his downfall. Tune in to learn more about the international efforts to recover Nigeria's stolen wealth and the lasting impact of Abacha's regime on the country.

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• "Dumplings,” Diamonds, & Plea Deals: Brazil’s Operation Car Wash

  Join hosts Diana Shaw and Tatiana Sainati as they delve into the gripping tale of Operation Car Wash, one of the largest corruption scandals in history. Discover how a small money laundering investigation into a car wash unraveled a web of institutionalized crime, reaching the highest levels of Brazil's political and commercial spheres.  For more information on Operation Car Wash, check out:  Operation Car Wash: Brazil’s Institutionalized Crime and the Inside Story of the Biggest Corruption Scandal in History, by Jorge Pontes and Marcio Anselmo  Operation Car Wash: Is this the biggest corruption scandal in history?, Jonathan Watts, The Guardian  Brazil’s supreme court overturns ‘Car Wash’ corruption convictions, Michael Pooler, Financial Times 

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• Ukraine’s Legacy of Corruption: From Kuchma to Yanukovych

  In this episode of Wicked Coin, hosts Diana Shaw and Tatiana Sainati delve into the controversies surrounding Victor Yanukovych’s presidency in Ukraine from 2010 to 2014. During his tenure, Ukraine was heavily affected by corruption, with scandals and governance issues leaving a lasting impact on the country. Join Diana and Tatiana as they trace the history of corruption in Ukraine leading up to Yanukovych’s administration and explore how this era of corruption has impacted present-day Ukraine.

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• FIFA: Soccer, Scandal, and Sportswashing

  On this latest episode of Wicked Coin, join hosts Diana Shaw and Tatiana Sainati as they unravel the intricate web of deceit behind the world's largest sports scandal - the FIFA corruption case. From secret bribes and lavish lifestyles to the shocking involvement of global figures like Vladimir Putin, this episode exposes the dark side of the beautiful game. Discover how a seemingly noble mission to promote soccer turned into a tale of greed and betrayal that highlights the true cost of corruption. For more on the FIFA scandal, check out the Netflix documentary "FIFA Uncovered", "Red Card: How the U.S. Blew the Whistle on the World's Biggest Sports Scandal" by Ken Bensinger, and "The Sicilian Mafia: The Business of Private Protection" by Diego Gambetta.

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