Corrupt Crimes: Court TV's Hard-Hitting Documentary Series
A deep dive into white-collar crimes, murder, and institutional corruption spanning four seasons
Court TV's Corrupt Crimes is a documentary series that pulls back the curtain on some of America's most shocking cases of corruption, murder, and institutional failure. Running from September 2015 through February 2020, the series spans four seasons with a total of 245 episodes of hard-hitting investigative storytelling.
Formatted as half-hour episodes rated TV14, each installment weaves together expert testimony and dramatic narrative to explore crimes that go far beyond street-level offenses. The series casts a deliberately wide net, examining doping scandals in sports, crimes of passion, wiretapping and espionage, treason, insider trading, government corruption, black market activities, piracy, blackmail, and conspiracy.
The cases featured read like a rogues' gallery of American crime. Christopher Dorner, a former Los Angeles policeman, dominated headlines after launching a cop-killing spree across California before being cornered near a ski resort and refusing to surrender. Kwame Kilpatrick, the former Detroit Mayor, represents the corruption that can seep into local government. The series also revisited the notorious British case of Fred and Rosemary West, whose Gloucester home revealed the remains of nine young women.
High-profile figures feature prominently throughout the series. Former NFL player Aaron Hernandez was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for murder, while the assassination of Motown legend Marvin Gaye—shot during a family argument—demonstrates how violence can claim even the most celebrated figures. Dr. Herman Tarnower's murder by his lover exemplifies crimes of passion that captivate public attention.
The series doesn't shy away from financial crime. Mark Barton's story—a man who murdered his wife and later became a day trader, allegedly using life insurance money—highlights the intersection of personal violence and financial motive. An ATM heist resulting in nearly $45 million stolen worldwide reveals the scope and sophistication of modern organized crime.
