The Golden Conundrum: A Cautionary Tale of Ambition and Hubris Tommy Thompson's release from prison after a decade behind bars has reignited debate about his involvement in the disappearance of millions of dollars' worth of gold coins from the S.
S. Central America, a shipwreck discovered by Thompson himself in 1988. The story of the S. S. Central America is one that has captivated Americans for centuries.
The vessel was carrying thousands of pounds of gold from the California Gold Rush era when it sank off the coast of South Carolina in 1857.