The Wealth Hoarders

For decades, a secret army of tax attorneys, accountants and wealth managers has been developing into the shadowy Wealth Defence Industry. These ‘agents of inequality’ are paid millions to hide trillions for the richest 0.01%. In this book, inequality expert Chuck Collins, who himself inherited a fortune, interviews the leading players and gives a unique insider account of how this industry is doing everything it can to create and entrench hereditary dynasties of wealth and power. He exposes the inner workings of these “agents of inequality”, showing how they deploy anonymous shell companies, family offices, offshore accounts, opaque trusts, and sham transactions to ensure the world’s richest pay next to no tax. He ends by outlining a robust set of policies that democratic nations can implement to shut down the Wealth Defence Industry for good. This shocking exposé of the insidious machinery of inequality is essential reading for anyone wanting the inside story of our age of plutocratic plunder and stashed cash. Also available as an audiobook.

Table of contents:Acknowledgements Foreword: Nicholas Shaxson Prelude 1983: Discovering the Money River Prelude 2004: The Blue Hippo Swindle Prelude 2020: The Theft of Angola Introduction Chapter 1: The High Cost of Hidden Wealth Chapter 2: Who Are the Wealth Defenders? Chapter 3: Tools in the Wealth Hiding Toolbox Chapter 4: All in the Family Office Chapter 5: The Wealth Hiding in Your Neighborhood Chapter 6: Directly Engaging the Wealth Defense Industry Chapter 7:  Solutions to Wealth Hiding Conclusion: A Time for Bold Action Epilogue: Grads, Don’t Work for the Billionaire Wealth Defense Industry Reading and Resource List Notes