For the last 13 years, Forbes has published its ’30 Under 30’ list of young entrepreneurs and changemakers who are making a difference to the world. An “astounding number” of these youngsters have gone on to become cultural tastemakers, tech titans and even billionaires. Some, however, have gone on to infamy.
For the first time ever, Forbes has published its ‘Hall of Shame’ list – featuring 10 of the “most dubious people ever to make it to its 30 Under 30 list.” Here is the 10 out of 10,000 ’30 Under 30’ alumni that Forbes would like to walk back on:
Sam Bankman-Fried: Once the golden child of crypto, Sam Bankman-Fried was recently convicted of seven counts of fraud and conspiracy connected to his cryptocurrency exchange FTX. He now faces 10 years in prison.
Caroline Ellison: Described by Forbes as “another FTX casualty”, Caroline Ellison has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy for moving billions from FTX customers to cover losses at its sister concern Alameda Research.
Charlie Javice: The founder and former CEO of Frank, a startup that promised to help college students get financial aid, has also been included in Forbe’s Hall of Shame. She has been indicted of fraud for misrepresenting her company’s scale.
Nate Paul: Nate Paul, founder of World Class Capital Group built a real estate empire that in 2017 was valued around $1 billion. In 2023, he was charged with eight counts for lying to lenders and later indicted on four additional counts of fraud and conspiracy.
Martin Shkreli: Perhaps the most infamous fraudster on this list is Martin Shkreli – the “pharma bro” who became the “most hated man in America” after his company acquired the manufacturing license for antiparasitic drug Daraprim and raised its price by 5,455%.
Cody Wilson: the founder of Defense Distributed, is now a registered sex offender after he was arrested for paying $500 to have sex with a 16-year-old girl he met online.
James O'Keefe: James O'Keefe, chairman and CEO of Project Veritas, has been accused of misusing donor funds and spending money on himself – including a flight on a private plane.
Phadria Prendergast: Phadria Prendergast is the disgraced editor-in-chief of ‘Women of the City Magazine’ where cash bought coverage. As many as 11 former customers also claimed that she ran off with roughly $195,000 of their money.
Steph Korey: The co-founder and CEO of luggage brand Away has been marred with accusations of bullying her co-workers and creating a toxic work environment.
Lucas Duplan: Lucas Duplan raised $30 million for his mobile payments start-up Clinkle in 2014 – but never delivered a viable product.
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