Excuse me as I don't know the history of this story, but isn't this what the police are for? Should be possible to prove fraud in this case?
It's a very long story most of which I've forgotten.
You're best off looking it up. Trendon Shavers - pirateat40.
The only relevant detail would be if he falsely represented his dealings (which I think he did). If so then fraud charges are possible but no-one seemed to want to do it. Not sure why.