First Aired - November 30th, 1967
Sergeant Joe Friday and Officer Bill Gannon are working in the Frauds Division, Bunco Section. Bonnie Bates, widow of Horton Bates, has picked up where her husband left off in his pyramid scheme. As her husband was able to evade justice before passing away, Friday and Gannon are tasked by Captain Lambert to try and charge her with running an illegal lottery. As they arrest her, Mrs. Bates goes to trial and starts hiding information about the scheme.
Just the Tropes, ma'am:
- Courtroom Episode: Half of the episode takes place in a courtroom, with Bonnie Bates on trial for operating a pyramid scheme.
- Distinction Without a Difference: Bonnie Bates is selling 10-Year memberships to "Dollar-Wise" buying club. Her lawyer says it isn't a Pyramid Scheme but a membership. However, proof is presented that shows it takes more people than currently exist on earth for everyone to get rich.
- Good Fortune from God: Bonnie Bates uses her dead husband, saying that believing in him will help bring good fortune.
- Justice by Other Legal Means: Captain Lambert is trying to stop Bonnie Bates from operating a pyramid scheme by saying she is operating an illegal lottery. They originally tried to stop Bonnie's husband, Horton Bates, but couldn't get anything to stick. The Captain found out that Washington State was able to stop a similar scheme by saying they were operating an illegal lottery.
- Would Harm a Senior: Bonnie Bates preys on older people on fixed incomes. Joe manages to stop one senior citizen from investing in Bonnie Bates by lying, saying the next meeting would have a discount.
