This is an awkward subject to write about because it really has nothing to do with DRMetrix. That said, I feel it’s appropriate to make a public statement to the industry before this story breaks on national television.
Back in 2009, LeadCritic.com broke a story which they called the “Largest Lead Generation Scandal in History”. I was the founder/CEO of REVShare and Lead Generation Technologies and we found ourselves the victim of various white collar crimes including embezzlement, breach of fiduciary duty, theft of business assets, etc. A man I had hired, Ed Shin was the mastermind behind these crimes. Ed was convicted of embezzlement but would end up serving no jail time. This allowed him to commit his next crime, the murder of Chris Smith. It took eight years for the murder trial to commence and finally, this last Friday, December 7th, Ed was found guilty of first degree murder, special circumstances for financial gain. I’m thankful that the jury made the right decision and I pray that Chris’s family gets some small degree of comfort in this verdict.
Until today, I have never written publicly about what happened. I had met Ed Shin at Church and had gone out of my way countless times to help him and his family. During the depths of the great recession, Ed had lost his own business and needed a lifeline which I provided, giving him a job at Lead Generation Technologies and a new career path. Ed once said to me, “Joseph, I have never met a person who has been willing to help me and who has made such a positive impact in my life. I don’t know how to repay your kindness.”
Chris Smith was also hired to work as a consultant for Lead Generation technologies. Ed conspired to start a competing business, 800xChange, which the embezzlement funded. The two men collaborated in the formation of 800xChange and were having success but also facing a lawsuit from our company. Ed was convicted of embezzlement. In 2010, things took a shocking turn when Ed killed Chris during a fight in their offices. Ed then disposed of the body and tried to cover up the murder. Unbelievably, he then stole Chris’s digital identify emailing Chris’s family and friends for months making them believe that Chris was still alive on an exotic vacation.
Back nine years ago, when this story first unfolded, OC Weekly wrote a respectable article. More recently, as the trial date approached, Gentlemen’s Quarterly wrote a rather in-depth article. The story has also been covered by People Magazine and countless other regional and national media. After the conclusion of the murder trial, Dateline NBC aired a two hour special on Friday 12/14/18. The TV Show – A Lie To Die For debuted their story on Oxygen Network on 8/19/19. Investigation Discovery aired People Magazine Investigates on 11/11/2019. ABC’s 20/20 aired a 2 hour episode entitled Cutthroat Inc. on 1/24/2020 which was followed by a multi-episode podcast. American Greed on CNBC aired their story titled “The Imposter” in July of 2021. Season 1 of “A Secret to Die For”, Episode 6 was produced by Blue Ant Media, and originally covered this story which first aired nationally in Canada on 6/30/2024. In August of 2024, I was also interviewed for a new show called Crime Expose with Nancy O’Dell.
Aspects of what Ed Shin did back in 2009 took a toll on my family and also on my professional life. As I have worked to pick up the pieces and remake my professional career, I am grateful for all of the support of my industry peers over these past few years. As hurtful as this experience has been, I refuse to let people like Ed break my spirit and destroy my trust in people
Warmest Regards,
Joseph Gray
Update 7/26/2019 – After a number of delays, Shin’s sentencing hearing finally took place today. It was reported that Shin made the following statement to the judge, “Show me no mercy. All I have to give for my sins is my life and the court should take it.” The judge came back and gave Shin – Life in prison without the possibility of parole.
