>> reporter: it was september 2006 when a smooth-talking stranger walked into pete's auto dealership in great falls, montana and got himself a job as a used car salesman. >> he was quite the character. wasn't your typical car salesman persona. >> reporter: joe parsetich was the finance manager at pete's auto. he was at the dealership the day the new guy started. >> he was very sure of himself to the point of a little bit smug. in montana, where you have a lot of down-to-earth meat-and-potatoes people, where they're very friendly towards one another, having somebody with a smug, cocky attitude isn't going to go over very well at times. >> reporter: still, joe was friendly in the way montanans are known for. he gave the guy the benefit of the doubt. one sunday evening, they got to talking. joe says the new salesman told him how he used to be a successful stockbroker, had a beautiful lakefront home in