Why is Rick Harrison’s son spending his life behind bars? The 59-year-old ‘Pawn Stars’ legend has finally confirmed the shocking sentence is real. A heartbreaking then-and-now story for 2025 is revealed.
In the glittering, often deceptive world of reality television, few shows captured the public’s imagination quite like “Pawn Stars.” Debuting in 2009, the series turned the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, a modest Las Vegas establishment, into a global phenomenon. Viewers were instantly drawn to the fascinating haggling over historical artifacts and the quirky, compelling dynamic of the Harrison family: Rick, the savvy businessman; his gruff but lovable father, Richard “The Old Man”; his son, Corey “Big Hoss,” the heir apparent; and the lovable goofball, Austin “Chumlee” Russell. For over a decade, they were a television staple, but behind the curtain of on-screen camaraderie, a storm was brewing, one that would eventually unleash a torrent of lawsuits, arrests, and bitter betrayals, leaving the once-mighty empire in ruins.
The first major crack in the family’s foundation appeared not on screen, but in a sterile courthouse. Joanne Harrison, Rick’s 81-year-old mother and the matriarch of the family, filed a bombshell civil suit against her own son. The allegations were staggering. Joanne claimed that Rick had manipulated her into signing over her majority ownership of the family business while she was frail and hospitalized. She accused him of deliberately keeping her in the dark about the company’s finances and, most damningly, of withholding more than $500,000 in cash and silver that was rightfully hers. Rick vehemently denied the accusations, firing back that his mother was the one being manipulated by outside forces. The battle lines were drawn within the family, turning a private dispute into a public spectacle.
The situation escalated when Joanne, fearing her son would sell off family assets, filed a temporary restraining order against him. This came after Rick allegedly stopped making regular $25,000 payments to her in 2020, funds that were part of her late husband’s share of the business. For Rick, learning about the restraining order from media reports was the ultimate betrayal, a painful sting that underscored how fractured his family had become. The image of the close-knit, bickering but ultimately loving family that fans adored was shattering into a million pieces.
While the patriarch fought his mother in court, the supporting cast was mired in scandals of their own, further tarnishing the show’s brand. Austin “Chumlee” Russell, whose comedic timing and innocent demeanor made him a fan favorite, found himself in serious legal jeopardy. In 2016, his home was raided by police in connection with a sexual assault investigation. While he was never charged for the sex crime, authorities discovered an alarming cache of illegal firearms and drugs, including crystal meth and Xanax. Chumlee pleaded guilty to a felony weapons charge and a misdemeanor for attempted drug possession. He managed to avoid prison time, but the incident left an indelible stain on his reputation and the show’s wholesome image.
Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison, groomed to one day take over the family business, also had his share of public misadventures. He was involved in a “booze bender” that resulted in charges for public urination and property damage after he threw a bar stool in a fit of anger. In a separate incident, he was accused of returning a rented RV in a state of utter ruin, leading to a police report and an alleged $30,000 in damages. Though he later apologized for his behavior and embarked on a significant health journey that included gastric bypass surgery, these episodes painted a picture of a young man struggling under the immense pressure of fame.
The credibility of the show itself began to crumble as the experts, once a trusted and educational component of the series, were exposed. Johnny Jimenez, the vintage toy expert, was reportedly caught assaulting his girlfriend. John Resnikov, the autograph authenticator, was publicly embarrassed after incorrectly identifying an autograph on a script for “The Godfather.” The most significant blow came from Drew Max, the go-to expert for sports memorabilia. Max was accused of widespread fraud in New Jersey for authenticating counterfeit items, a revelation that sent shockwaves through the collectibles community and made viewers question every appraisal they had ever seen on the show. Fans felt scammed, and the show’s reputation for authenticity was irrevocably damaged.
As the scandals mounted, the magic that had once defined “Pawn Stars” began to fade. The show became more scripted, the interactions felt forced, and the focus shifted from genuine historical discovery to manufactured drama. Even Rick’s attempt to expand his empire with “Pawn Plaza,” a retail center built next to the shop, ended in a spectacular failure. Business owners who had invested in the venture filed lawsuits, accusing Rick of breaking promises and leaving them with a ghost town. It was another high-profile failure that signaled the decline of the Harrison dynasty.
Adding to the turmoil were internal controversies, such as the firing of fan-favorite employee Olivia Black over past nude modeling photos, a decision that sparked outrage and accusations of sexism from the show’s loyal fanbase. In another bizarre incident, a man named David Walters accused the pawn shop of melting down his stolen rare coin collection, which he valued at $50,000, after buying it from his niece for a paltry $2,375. The case raised serious questions about the shop’s due diligence and whether its quest for profit had overshadowed its ethical responsibilities.
Today, “Pawn Stars” is a shadow of its former self. While the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop remains a tourist attraction in Las Vegas, the television show that made it famous has lost its luster. Ratings have plummeted, the family is torn apart by legal battles, and the brand is tarnished by years of scandal and controversy. Rick Harrison has reportedly shifted his focus to real estate, a quiet retreat from the chaotic world that made him a star. The story of “Pawn Stars” serves as a cautionary tale—a stark reminder that fame and fortune can be fleeting, and that the brightest lights often cast the darkest shadows.
