I Did It

The Largest Woman-Run Ponzi Scheme in American History

By: Gina Champion-Cain

Narrated by: Neil Senturia, Barbara Bry

I Did It is the story of Gina Champion-Cain, the mastermind behind the largest woman-led Ponzi scheme in US history—$400 million. This real-life story includes a multitude of participants, banks, hedge funds, egomaniacs, and small-time crooks, all fueled by greed, stupidity, and a keen desire to look the other way. And even when they were looking in the right direction, all of these people and entities saw nothing. Gina was the Penn and Teller of misdirection, acting with caring behavior to other people (while bilking her investors), creating philanthropic endeavors and single-mindedly pursuing her dream of building an empire, taking it public, and cashing out all the investors.

In August 2019, Gina’s seven-year program of selling phony liquor license loans came to an end when the SEC, the US Attorney’s Office, and the FBI filed suit and shut it down. In San Diego, Gina, then fifty-four, was an icon. To the outside world, this beautiful, charismatic woman looked as if she had succeeded in a male-dominated good-old-boys club—building an empire that included real estate, restaurants, and retail; she was a guest economics commentator for the San Diego Union-Tribune; and she served on prestigious corporate and nonprofit boards. The City of San Diego even honored her with her own Gina Champion-Cain Day. She cooked dinner for her husband, Steve, walked the dogs on the beach, and was a role model for young women. But in reality, her empire was a house of cards funded with money from a financial fraud.

©2022 by I'M THERE FOR YOU, BABY, LLC (P)2022 Waterside Productions

Very one sided

Book is only told from the criminal’s view so lacks journalistic integrity and perspective. It is an interesting story but would have benefited from a less biased view.

Interesting story

Worthwhile listen especially for those of us who spent time in San Diego and love the place! Even if you know the story, it was still interesting to hear what was going through Champion-Cain’s head as her scheme was unfolding. She comes across as transparent and contrite. The narration quality isn’t great. There is some repeating, background noise and disjointed diction but it doesn’t ruin the experience.

Many errors in the recording

Two of the last couple chapters (23 and 26) have major errors in them. One is completely missing ( it's a repeat of an earlier chapter) and the other one cuts off 2/3 of the way through. The writing is pretty atrocious but the story of how this all snowballed is very interesting. And it's hilarious how Gina never truly takes responsibility and spends so much time blaming others ... including her victims for not doing enough due diligence! The lack of any real self-awareness is the true comedy of this book.

Typical Narcissist View of Crime

If you can't stand criminals blaming everyone else for their crimes...DON'T READ THIS BOOK...it will drive you crazy. Ms. Champion-Cain is so smug and self aggrandizing about how everyone else is to blame for: not calling her out; not figuring out what was the problem with the scheme; being mesmerized by her; and being greedy. She claims to admit guilt but at the same time tries to downplay her part and negate the grief she caused lots of people. A typical narcissist criminals take on things.

Repeat and repeat again blah blah blah

How many ways can you say the same thing over and over, plus she stole my time trying to listen to this thief