This story weaves a plot of deceit, lies, fraud, and betrayal. Meet Michael Steven Russell, a clever, fast-talking Carlsbad, CA man who lied and cheated his way to filming national Harley-Davidson event videos. A self-proclaimed Catholic, he swindled the motorcycle industry and numerous businesses. Shortly after filming the 2001 Laughlin River Run, he married Janet Northrop, a wealthy Catholic heiress he met a few months prior. (Her grandfather founded Northrop Grumman Corporation.) Pursued by the Carlsbad creditors, they sneaked off to Colorado Springs. In a Patty Hearst-like fashion, Janet became his accomplice. There, they got contracts to haul U.S. Mail, adding a long-time friend as a partner. They kept the money, swindled the partner, boldly came back to the Carlsbad area, and abandoned trucks owned by an Iowa company.
Since this publishing, other businesses were started by the couple. They filed bankruptcy, later deemed fraud by the courts. Yet, no legal action was subsequently taken, and they continue their scams. Michael was working under the table for a Carlsbad, CA. Keller Williams Real Estate broker. The validity of Michael's real estate license seems questionable, however, since he has difficulty reading. He testified that he received no monies from the broker, yet worked there for some time. As of 2007, Michael currently owes about $300,000 from back child support, dozens of unpaid court judgments, and liens.
They use other people's names, different Social Security numbers, numerous driver's licenses, different bank accounts, different middle name spelling, family members, and unsuspecting friends. This candid book shows how easy it is to be conned, and how to prevent it. Discover how a sociopath thinks and manipulates others, and learn why they don't get caught. To this day, Michael Russell still walks free...in fact, if you ask him, he'll say he "walks with Jesus. "
