The Pirate of Prague podcast

The Pirate of Prague

A charming young Czech promises staggering returns. An entire country’s oil industry is up for grabs. America’s top investors want in. Sounds too good to be true? Damn right it is. This is a story of private jets, $20,000 dinners, and suitcases stuffed with cash. It’s also a tale about the collapse of communism, the free-for-all that followed, and the birth of the oligarchs. And it’s a story of plain-old human greed...of just how far the rich may go to get even richer. Viktor Kožený smooth-talked his super-wealthy Aspen neighbors and a Wall Street titan into investing huge sums of cash to snap up Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil company. Host Joe Nocera and investigative journalist Peter Elkind follow the trail, beginning in the Bahamas, where the charismatic financial genius has been lying low. The Pirate of Prague is an Apple Original podcast, produced by Blanchard House. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. [apple.co/pirate] (http://apple.co/pirate)

A charming young Czech promises staggering returns. An entire country’s oil industry is up for grabs. America’s top investors want in. Sounds too good to be true? Damn right it is. This is a story of private jets, $20,000 dinners, and suitcases stuffed with cash. It’s also a tale about the collapse of communism, the free-for-all that followed, and the birth of the oligarchs. And it’s a story of plain-old human greed...of just how far the rich may go to get even richer. Viktor Kožený smooth-talked his super-wealthy Aspen neighbors and a Wall Street titan into investing huge sums of cash to snap up Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil company. Host Joe Nocera and investigative journalist Peter Elkind follow the trail, beginning in the Bahamas, where the charismatic financial genius has been lying low. The Pirate of Prague is an Apple Original podcast, produced by Blanchard House. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. [apple.co/pirate] (http://apple.co/pirate)

 

#9

Bottom of the Barrel | 8

After 18 months in a notorious Bahamian prison, Viktor walks free. But he’s still being hu... more

18 Dec 2023

45 MINS

45:36

18 Dec 2023


#8

The Seven Stages of Grief | 7

Still reeling from the failed deal, investors begin to believe that Viktor may have double... more

11 Dec 2023

40 MINS

40:05

11 Dec 2023


#7

Vallpaper! | 6

Viktor and his investors await the Azeris’ approval of the oil deal they hope will trigger... more

04 Dec 2023

39 MINS

39:43

04 Dec 2023


#6

In Bed With Baba | 5

Just days after his swanky Christmas party in Aspen, Viktor starts recruiting his high-fly... more

27 Nov 2023

48 MINS

48:10

27 Nov 2023


#5

Lifeless Cay | 4

Mired in a bribery scandal and wanted by the Czech authorities, Viktor flees to the Bahama... more

20 Nov 2023

40 MINS

40:23

20 Nov 2023


#4

The Three Vaclavs | 3

With the old Czech communists ousted, Viktor finds his one true talent— making money. Lots... more

13 Nov 2023

39 MINS

39:22

13 Nov 2023


#3

The Best Student Harvard Ever Had | 2

How it all started: After escaping communist Czechoslovakia, the wily young Viktor orchest... more

13 Nov 2023

41 MINS

41:10

13 Nov 2023


#2

The Party | 1

Christmas 1997. Viktor Kožený, a charismatic financial whiz kid from the former Czechoslov... more

13 Nov 2023

33 MINS

33:29

13 Nov 2023


#1

Introducing The Pirate of Prague

A charming young Czech promises staggering returns. An entire country’s oil industry is up... more

06 Nov 2023

02 MINS

02:48

06 Nov 2023