Harris Faulkner Just Announced Rick Lagina Has Been Arrested For Ponzi Scheme
Harris Faulkner Just Announced Rick Lagina Has Been Arrested For Ponzi Scheme
Harris Faulkner recently shocked fans with a huge announcement: Rick Lagina, one of the stars of The Curse of Oak Island, has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a Ponzi scheme. This news has left everyone in disbelief. Could the treasure hunter we all know and love really be tangled up in something so shady? As the news spreads, fans are now left wondering what this means for the future of the show and for Rick himself.
Rick Lagina, alongside his brother Marty, has been at the center of the Oak Island treasure hunt since the show first aired in 2014. But the news of his arrest has brought more mystery to the surface than anyone expected. While the Lagina brothers are known for their relentless pursuit, Craig’s engineering knowledge played a major role in their accomplishments. Together, they founded a corporation, earning significant profits in the oil sector. Despite their success, neither Craig nor Marty lost their interest in treasure.
Craig’s personal life reflects his values. He and his wife, Rebecca, have built a strong, lasting marriage, which has been a major part of Craig’s life. Rebecca had children from a previous relationship, and Craig became not just a husband, but also a caring father figure to her kids, Jack and Meline. Along with their own child, Drake, the Tester family formed a tight bond built on trust and support.
Even with the demands of Craig’s work on Oak Island, he’s always been open with his kids about what he’s doing. This honesty has created a sense of teamwork within the family, with Jack, Meline, and Drake often pitching in on the island to help with the treasure hunt. Drake, the youngest in the Tester family, made several appearances on The Curse of Oak Island, becoming a symbol of their unity and determination to solve the island’s mysteries.
Known for his kind and helpful nature, Drake quickly became a fan favorite, both on the show and within his community. Born in 2000, Drake brought joy to the Tester family despite the challenges he faced, especially due to a life-threatening seizure condition that required careful attention throughout his childhood. Despite these obstacles, Drake lived life to the fullest. He attended Children’s House School until the sixth grade, and then transferred to Traverse City Central High School. His lively spirit and perseverance left a lasting mark on those around him.
Though he only appeared in a few episodes from seasons 2 to 4, his positivity made him stand out to fans of the show. Drake was well-loved not only on the show but also in school, where he was admired by teachers and classmates alike for his eagerness to help others. He was actively involved in school activities, from choir to athletics, showing off his versatility. He ran with the cross-country team and joined the track team, all while maintaining his infectious optimism.
His role on The Curse of Oak Island may have been small, but Drake’s presence left a deep impression. He was part of the treasure hunt with the Lagina brothers, making him familiar to the show’s dedicated viewers. Tragically, in 2017, the Tester family received devastating news that forever changed their lives. Drake passed away just a few months shy of his 17th birthday due to complications from his lifelong struggle with epilepsy. His sudden death was a heartbreaking shock to both the Tester family and the Oak Island community.
Craig Tester, who was an integral part of the show, was deeply affected by the loss of his son. When Craig was absent from the series, fans noticed, and it was revealed that he was struggling to cope with the devastating news. Although Drake passed away in March 2017, it wasn’t publicly mentioned until the season 5 premiere of The Curse of Oak Island later that year. The revelation of his death during that emotional episode left viewers, as well as the cast and crew, deeply moved.
Craig, heartbroken by the tragedy, made the tough choice to step away from the show after his son’s passing. Drake’s death brought to light a little-known condition tied to epilepsy, called Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). This rare but devastating condition occurs when a person with epilepsy suddenly dies with no clear cause, often after a seizure. SUDEP can strike without warning, and while a severe seizure is suspected in Drake’s case, the exact details weren’t disclosed by the family.
The tragedy highlighted the serious risks associated with epilepsy, a neurological condition that causes recurring seizures. Though seizures might only last a short time, their impact can be severe, as Drake’s passing showed. The news of Drake’s death shocked and deeply saddened everyone who knew him, including the Oak Island crew. Described as a loving and joyful person, Drake left a lasting impression on those around him. His absence created a noticeable void, not only for his family but for the entire cast and fans of the show.
Craig Tester, who had always been seen as a steady and charismatic figure on the series, was profoundly changed by the loss of his son. The grief he felt was beyond words, and it was clear that this tragedy had shaken him to his core. Unable to continue with the program immediately after such a painful event, Craig made the difficult decision to leave The Curse of Oak Island for a time and return home to support his wife, Rebecca, as they mourned their beloved son.
In a symbolic move, Craig Tester sold his long-time Michigan residence for $3.75 million in 2019, closing an important chapter of his life. This sale seemed to signify his need for a fresh start after the loss of his son. Shortly after, Craig and his wife Rebecca relocated to Traverse City, Michigan, near Marty Lagina’s home. This shift hinted at their desire to find comfort and healing in a new environment.
While Craig considered returning to The Curse of Oak Island during the summer of 2017, the weight of his grief after Drake’s death made it difficult for him. Prioritizing the time to heal, he decided to take a temporary hiatus from the show, focusing on his personal recovery. During this tough period, Craig found some relief in the familiar setting of Oak Island. For him, staying on the island helped ease the intense pain of losing Drake.
In a 2018 interview, Craig openly discussed the difficulty of coping with the loss, admitting that he thought about Drake every day and that the year had been incredibly hard. The constant search for answers on Oak Island gave him an outlet, helping him work through his grief, at least to some degree. Throughout these dark times, Craig remained close with his stepson, Jack Begley. Their bond, rooted in a shared passion for the Oak Island treasure hunt, went beyond work. Jack became a strong support for Craig, and their connection grew deeper as they leaned on each other.
Craig’s resilience shone through, not just in his pursuit of treasure, but also in his determination to protect and support those he cared about. Even in the face of unimaginable loss, Craig’s commitment to family and friendship never wavered. Viewers deeply empathized with Craig’s struggle, feeling his pain as he worked through the loss of Drake.
The Oak Island team, in a heartfelt tribute, decided to dedicate the season’s final borehole to Drake. Jack, Drake’s stepbrother, suggested this meaningful gesture, adding a personal touch to the treasure hunt that had become so closely associated with the Lagina brothers and their team. Reflecting on the moment, Jack explained why they named the borehole after Drake, using his initials, DMT. This choice meant a lot to Jack because it honored his brother and kept his memory alive in the story of Oak Island.
Jack’s heartfelt words showed how much losing Drake affected him and how special their adventures on the island were. Naming the borehole after Drake became a lasting tribute, linking his legacy to the search for treasure on Oak Island. Jack even thought this borehole might help solve the island’s mysteries. He said, “Maybe this is the hole that finds it all,” showing hope and a connection to his brother. This naming not only remembered Drake but also kept his spirit part of the ongoing treasure hunt.
Fans of The Curse of Oak Island have wondered if Drake’s tragic passing is connected to the island’s rumored curse. According to the legend, lives must be lost before the treasure hidden for over two hundred years can be found. Some believe that seven lives must be sacrificed to break the curse. While a previous death happened at the Money Pit in 2015, it wasn’t during an active search, so many question if it counts. The timing of Drake’s death during the treasure hunt adds more mystery for fans, who wonder if it fits the curse’s requirements.
The idea of a curse has always been part of Oak Island’s mystery. While some people think it’s just superstition, others are fascinated by the stories surrounding the island. Now, with Drake’s death, fans are closely watching to see if it matches what the curse says. The complexities of the curse, like needing sacrifices during the treasure hunt, add to the ongoing story of The Curse of Oak Island.
During Craig Tester’s deep sadness over his son’s passing, the cast of The Curse of Oak Island came together to support him. The close-knit team, including the Lagina brothers and others, showed their commitment not just to finding treasure but to being there for each other. Craig found strength in their support during his grief, showing how deep their relationships have become through their shared experiences. Their unity highlighted how strong the human spirit can be and how comforting friendship is during hard times. The team’s support for Craig showed how important their bonds are.
Besides these personal stories, the show keeps viewers engaged with its treasure hunt and the mysteries of Oak Island, led by the Lagina brothers. The team looks into local legends and makes creative guesses about the strange finds while also focusing on gathering real evidence to support their claims. Craig Tester has shown great strength through all this, earning even more respect from his fans. His journey through grief reminds everyone how strong people can be.
