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“DR. PHIL” AND CBS NEWS’ “48 HOURS MYSTERY” TEAM UP TO EXPOSE THE STARTLING TRUTH BEHIND CHRIS BUTLER’S “P.I. MOMS” SCAM
DR. PHIL and 48 HOURS MYSTERY have teamed up to expose the startling truth behind a scam that played out in the national media — and allegedly concealed a much more dangerous scheme.
Ex-cop turned private eye Chris Butler made news when he staffed his Bay Area P.I. firm with local soccer moms to sniff out scams and chase down cheats. These hot, hard-working P.I. Moms were Charlie’s Angels meets Phillip Marlow meets Orange County housewives all wrapped up in one — and the media loved the story. Butler and his P.I. Moms were profiled in People magazine and featured on TODAY and DR. PHIL. Fame led to a reality TV deal with Lifetime Television. Months later, as reality cameras were set to roll, Bay Area reporter Peter Crooks was invited to write about the real-life “Charlie’s Angels” and their new show. The story took a strange turn when Crooks — alerted by emails from a confidential informant — began to uncover disturbing details about Butler and his organization. The emails contained allegations that cases had been staged, that crooked cops were involved and, worst of all, Butler was dealing drugs with a top California narcotics cop. The California Department of Justice busted Butler and the top drug cop in an elaborate sting resulting in a total of 17 federal charges. This one-time sensational agency with its P.I. Moms came to an abrupt and startling end.
Or had it?
On Friday, February 17, DR. PHIL brings back some of Butler’s former investigators and asks tough questions about what they knew about their former boss and the cases they worked on. In “P.I. Moms: The Truth Behind the Scam,” Dr. Phil also talks to the man behind the mysterious emails — Carl Marino, a private investigator inside Butler’s organization who says he risked his own life in the DOJ sting that ultimately took down Butler and a top narcotics cop. Reporter Peter Crooks and 48 HOURS MYSTERY correspondent Maureen Maher, who investigated the P.I. Mom’s case for CBS News, share their insights into the scandal.
On Saturday, February 18, 48 HOURS MYSTERY takes an in-depth look at this dark and twisted tale. Maureen Maher’s report, “Soccer Moms Confidential,” uncovers the story behind the P.I. Moms, and investigates the man that started it all, Chris Butler. It’s a story allegedly fueled by fame, money, drugs and corruption. Interviews with key players, including the reporter who broke the story and the whistleblower who helped the DOJ bring Butler down, paint a disturbing portrait of an aggressive promoter, an alleged master manipulator. In a special appearance, Dr. Phil tells 48 HOURS what motivates a con man and how easily people are drawn in.
CLICK HERE FOR A PREVIEW OF DR. PHIL
CLICK HERE FOR A PREVIEW 48 HOURS MYSTERY
Photographs are available at www.cbspressexpress.com
About DR. PHIL
The syndicated series, DR. PHIL, was created by Harpo Productions, and is produced by Peteski Productions in association with CBS Television Distribution. DR. PHIL is the new leader in syndicated daytime talk, a position it took following the departure of The Oprah Winfrey Show in May, 2011. Until then and since its inception in 2002, DR. PHIL consistently ranked #2 behind only Oprah. (Source: NSS Ranking Report)
About 48 HOURS MYSTERY
48 HOURS MYSTERY is television's most popular true-crime series, investigating compelling real-life dramas with journalistic integrity and cutting-edge style. "48 Hours"' in-depth approach has earned the program and its teams numerous awards including three Peabodys, 17 Emmys and five RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Awards. Susan Zirinsky is the executive producer of 48 HOURS MYSTERY. The senior broadcast producer is Anthony Batson.
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DR. PHIL Media Contacts:
Stacey Luchs
SVP, Communications
DR. PHIL
323-956-3357
Louis DiCenzo
Director, Communications
DR. PHIL
323-956-3405
48 HOURS MYSTERY Press Contacts:
Whitney Kuhn
212-975-3939
Lance Frank
212-975-5959
Photo Contact:
Heather Wines
212-975-1079
