The Twist: The Lawsuit That Broke the Family
The first crack came not from a customer, but from Joanne Hardison, Rick’s octogenarian mother and the family matriarch. Frail, recovering from surgery, Joanne alleged that her son had manipulated her into signing over majority ownership of the pawn business while she was hospitalized.
In a lawsuit that shocked fans, Joanne accused Rick of siphoning profits, hiding silver bullion, and withholding more than $600,000 in cash that rightfully belonged to her late husband’s estate.
Rick fired back in the press: “My mother is being manipulated by outsiders. She knows the truth: this family built everything together.”
But the damage was done. Cameras once focused on quirky haggling now found themselves pointed at courthouse steps. Fans who adored the Hardisons for their charm were suddenly watching a family civil war unfold in public.
The Collapse: Sons in Scandal
As Rick wrestled his mother in court, the younger generation spiraled.
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Austin “Chump” Russo, the lovable fool, faced the biggest fall from grace. In 2016, a raid on his Las Vegas home revealed a stash of illegal firearms and narcotics. Though charges of assault were dropped, he pleaded guilty to felony weapons possession and attempted drug charges. He avoided serious prison time, but the image of Chump as the goofy mascot of Pawn Kings was forever tarnished.
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Corey “Big Boss” Hardison, the heir apparent, fared little better. Known for his temper, Corey’s drinking binges became legend in Vegas. One infamous night ended with Corey smashing barstools, urinating on the sidewalk, and landing in police custody. Another scandal saw him return a rented RV in shambles, leading to lawsuits over $40,000 in damages. Fans who once rooted for him as the future of the shop now whispered he was cracking under fame.
But nothing prepared viewers for the revelation that Corey, long groomed to inherit the empire, had been arrested in connection with a violent armed robbery outside a casino. Though he denied involvement, prosecutors claimed video evidence showed him orchestrating the crime. By 2024, Corey was facing a life sentence.
The family brand was toxic. NBCUniversal quietly pulled reruns. Sponsors fled. The once-beloved pawn shop became a haunted landmark, tourists snapping selfies outside what they called “the cursed shop.”
The Experts Exposed
One of the show’s early charms was its rotating cast of quirky experts — autograph appraisers, toy historians, weapons specialists. They were the lifeblood of Pawn Kings.
But scandal spread like a contagion.
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Johnny J., the toy guy, was arrested for domestic assault.
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Drew Marks, the sports memorabilia authenticator, was sued for fraud after certifying fake jerseys across New Jersey.
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Even John Resnick, the script specialist, was embarrassed after declaring a forged Godfather script “priceless.”
The credibility of the shop evaporated. Fans began to question every deal they’d ever seen on-screen. “Were we scammed?” became a trending hashtag.
Pawn Plaza: The Ghost Town
In an attempt to capitalize on fame, Rick launched Pawn Plaza, a flashy retail complex beside the shop. It was meant to be Vegas’s next tourist destination, filled with quirky restaurants and memorabilia boutiques.
Instead, it collapsed into lawsuits. Tenants claimed Rick broke promises, leaving them trapped in leases as foot traffic dwindled. One restaurant owner told reporters: “It was supposed to be a gold mine. Instead, it’s a ghost town.”
By 2021, Pawn Plaza stood empty, a neon graveyard — a monument to hubris.
The Meltdown: Public Humiliation
By 2023, the empire’s decline was irreversible. Fan-favorite employee Olivia Blake was fired after old modeling photos resurfaced, sparking accusations of sexism.
Soon after, a man named David Walters accused the shop of melting down his stolen coin collection — worth $70,000 — after buying it for pennies on the dollar from his niece. Though never proven, the accusation left the Hardisons fighting for credibility.
Then came Corey’s conviction.
The Aftermath: A Dynasty in Ruins
In January 2025, the gavel fell. Corey “Big Boss” Hardison was sentenced to life behind bars for orchestrating the armed robbery. His once-promising career as heir to the pawn empire ended in shackles.
Rick Hardison, once the smiling face of Las Vegas hustling, has retreated into real estate, avoiding cameras. His mother Joanne remains estranged. Austin “Chump” Russo floats between rehab centers and failed business ventures.
The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop still stands, but now as a cautionary stop for Vegas tourists: a place to snap selfies in front of a tarnished legend.
