New federal fraud charges filed against former Des Moines radio host Marty Tirrell
Former radio host Marty Tirrell, long known as the "Mouth of the Midwest," is facing 11 new federal wire fraud counts tied to what prosecutors call a more than $1.5 million ticket-flipping scheme.
The indictment alleges the conduct occurred between February 2024 and January 2025.
Prosecutors say Tirrell solicited money from investors to buy premium tickets to major sporting events and concerts, promising to resell them for a profit, repay principal and split gains.
Instead, the indictment alleges, he used funds on personal expenses, gambling and repaying other investors.
Metro resident Chris Shipley said he is not surprised by the new case.
"That's what I've said about Marty, is he is that good," Shipley said.
Shipley said the allegations mirror what his family experienced in 1997, when his father gave Tirrell $19,000 for Super Bowl packages that were supposed to be resold for a profit.
"So my dad was extremely upset, immediately knew that the $19,000 check that he wrote was probably gone," Shipley said.
"Like, he is very slick and he knows the con in and out," Shipley said.
Shipley urged potential victims not to stay silent.
"I think a lot of people were afraid. I'm sure there's a lot more victims out there that have not come public because they're ashamed and they're embarrassed," he said.
Tirrell previously pleaded guilty in 2019 to similar charges and was sentenced to 41 months in prison.
He has pleaded not guilty to the latest charges, and his trial is scheduled for December.
From 2019: Des Moines radio host accused of million-dollar swindle
From 2021: Former Des Moines radio host sentenced
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