Former ‘Survivor’ Contestant from Michigan Faces Criminal Charges

Michael Skupin, a two-time 'Survivor' contestant from Michigan faces charges of racketeering and child pornography.

Remember Michael Skupin, the guy who passed out and fell into the fire on 'Survivor: The Austrailian Outback'? His wounds were so severe that he was medically evacuated. Skupin got another chance to compete 'Survivor: Philippines' but now he is facing his toughest challenge of all: Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.

Skupin was arraigned Friday, February 5, 2016 in District Court in Clarkston, Mi. and charged with six counts of possession of Child Sexually Abusive Materials, five counts of Larceny by Conversion, and one count of Racketeering- Conducting a Criminal Enterprise for his role in allegedly running and promoting a Ponzi scheme.

Not only did this man rob people of their hard earned savings with his financial scams but he victimized innocent children every time he looked at a piece of child pornography, this man seems to have no concept or caring for right and wrong and will be prosecuted under the full extent of the law for these horrific crimes.

-Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette

An investigation began into Skupin after victims from his alleged Ponzi scheme contacted a local news reporter. It is alleged that Michael Skupin recruited investors and friends to take part in his “gifting scheme” called Pay It Forward. Victims allegedly made $10,000 cash investments in the scheme. Their money would then cycle through a chart in which participants were eventually paid out of other new investors’ money.  The scheme was discovered when eventually there were no new investors signing and most people in the scheme lost all of their money.

Skupin’s laptop was searched in conjunction with the Ponzi scheme investigation. During the search, investigators discovered images of underage children in sexual situations. The images are alleged to belong to Skupin.

The Attorney General's press release concludes with a reminder that a criminal charge is merely an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.