Pawn Stars Scandal Explodes: Why is Rick Harrison’s son spending his life behind bars? The 59-year-old ‘Pawn Stars’ legend has finally confirmed the sh0cking sentence is real. A heartbreaking then-and-now story for 2025 is revealed…… A Family Empire in Ruins. What Really Happened….Full story👇👇👇
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.
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.
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.
