Fraud Bros

Fraud Bros

From Fraud in the Office by FITO

March 5, 2026 · 32 min · Season 3 · Episode 10

About this episode

Matthew and Mark discuss the alleged multibillion-dollar fraud involving First Brands and its founders, the 'Fraud Bros'.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Fraud in the Office, Matthew and Mark break down the alleged multibillion-dollar fraud involving First Brands founder Patrick James and his brother Edward James, dubbed the “Fraud Bros.” Prosecutors claim the executives used fake invoices, double- and triple-pledged collateral, off-balance-sheet financing, and manipulated financial statements to obtain billions from lenders before the company ultimately collapsed into bankruptcy. The hosts unpack how aggres...

People in this episode

Hosts: Matthew, Mark

Topics covered

  • fraud
  • business collapse
  • financial manipulation
  • bankruptcy
  • executive misconduct

Keywords

  • fraud
  • First Brands
  • Patrick James
  • Edward James
  • bankruptcy
  • financial statements
  • collateral

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: First Brands

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