Treasure Hunter's Prison Saga: Gold, Lawsuits & Controversy

0:00On March 29, Tommy Thompson, the 73-year-old ocean engineer, just got out of federal prison after more than 10 years locked up for. Contempt of court. Back in 1988, he pulled off a massive feat by finding the SS Central America wreck off South Carolina, loaded with 21 tons of California Gold Rush Treasure from 1857. That ship sank in a hurricane, killing 425 people, and sparking a global money panic. Officers who put in $12.7 million sued him, claiming no payback on the over 50 million in gold he recovered. Thompson Vanished in 2012, lived under fake names, and got arrested in Florida three years later. Supporters say insurance companies in a powerful Ohio media family hounded him with lawsuits, draining his funds. Friends and early backers paint him as a brilliant pioneer. Not a thief. Ohio's hero turned victim of greed. His sister says he's broken, learning basics like making coffee, with nothing left after prison wrecked his health, leaving him in a wheelchair from an autoimmune disorder.

1:05Original investors mostly stuck by him, blaming just two dead guys for the mess. New details clear up the big fight over 500 missing gold coins. They were restrikes made from melted red gold, not originals, given as, payment for his work. A receiver even dove back to the site and pulled up more treasure to settle those suits. Thompson sold most gold for $50 million in 2000 to cover debts, but he still owes over 3 million in civil fines and 200, $52,000 in criminal ones. Thompson's hiding from the spotlight now in Columbus, scared of more legal heat, but his crew insists he owned 40% of the companies and had no reason to skim. This saga's like a curse, turning treasure hunters gold crazy, yet his deep sea wind stays one of history's wildest rides.