Woman who stole millions from Dennis Rodman and others released

A woman who confessed to stealing millions from high-profile figures like Dennis Rodman and Ricky Williams has been granted early release from her 10-year prison sentence, initially imposed in 2018, the Guardian reported on Tuesday. Peggy Ann Fulford (65) served part of her sentence in a low-security federal prison in Alabama and was subsequently released to a halfway home program in Orlando, Florida, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the US Bureau of Prisons.

Fulford, who posed as a financial adviser, scammed NBA champion Dennis Rodman, NFL all-pro Ricky Williams, basketball player Travis Best, and footballer Lex Hilliard. The scheme involved convincing them of her Harvard education and lucrative Wall Street success, ultimately defrauding them of substantial amounts. Fulford's elaborate ruse led to a 10-year prison sentence and a restitution order of over $5.7 million.

Despite filing for compassionate release during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing age and a desire to care for her ailing father, Fulford's early release has sparked controversy. She had previously admitted guilt and expressed regret in various documentaries, including appearances on CNBC's American Greed and BET's American Gangster: Trap Queens.


Fulford's early release and the complex web of deception she wove around high-profile athletes shine a light on the intricacies of white-collar crime and the aftermath of her elaborate financial schemes.