Jordan Belfort

 Belfort established Stratton Oakmont as a franchise of Stratton Securities, then later acquired the founder's original shares. Stratton Oakmont functioned as a boiler room which sold penny stocks, and defrauded investors by offering "pump and dump" stock sales. In his time at Stratton, Belfort led a life of lavish parties as well as extensive use of recreational drug including methaqualone, a drug he was able to purchase under the name "Quaalude"--that led to an addiction. Stratton Oakmont at one point employed more than 1,000 stockbrokers and participated in stock issues which amounted to over $1 billion. It was also responsible for the first public offering of Steve Madden. The firm was subject to law enforcement authorities throughout nearly its entire existence, and its fame led to the creation of the film Boiler Room (2000),[22as well as the biopic The Wolf of Wall Street (2013).Stratton Oakmont was constantly under inspection by the National Association of Securities Dealers (now the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) from 1989 onward. Then, in December of 1996, the NASD removed Stratton Oakmont which forced the company out of business.Belfort was then indicted for securities fraud and money laundering in 1999.Belfort served 22 months of a four-year sentence in the Taft Correctional Institution in Taft, California, in exchange for a plea deal with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for operating a series of scams that led to investor losses of approximately $200 million. Belfort was required to repay $110.4 million he defrauded investors. While serving time, Belfort was in prison with Tommy Chong. Chong encouraged Belfort to write about his experience as an experienced stockbroker. The two remained close friends after their release.[28] Belfort acknowledges Chong with his new career as an inspirational author and speaker.