The pizza mogul known as "Papa John" Schnatter has recently had a string of PR troubles: his most recent exploit was to be ousted by his own company after he reportedly used the N-word in a company conference call. He's now in what CNBC calls a "bitter feud" with the pizza chain that bears his name, suing the company after its board of directors kicked him out, and he recently told the channel that he has "no confidence" in the company's current management:

"Franchisees don't believe in this leadership, don't believe in this management team and I don't believe this board has the oversight or the confidence to help steer the company in the right direction."

Rob Kim/Getty Images

That includes Papa John's new CEO Steve Ritchie, who took over the position in January, even though Ritchie was handpicked by Schnatter as his successor following his exit as CEO in November. Now, Schnatter says that was a mistake, and that Ritchie has been promoted over his head:

"I like Steve as a person. I don't like, of course, the way he's gone about this. I think he's been harsh, I think he's been cruel … Throwing the founder on the street isn't healthy for anybody … One of my biggest limitations is that I have a tendency to over-promote, and I think that's what I did with Steve."

Schnatter stepped down as CEO in November of last year, following controversial comments blaming NFL player protests for the pizza chain's flagging sales. But it was the N-word bombshell that really did him in, causing his company to take the drastic steps of stripping Schnatter of his "Founders Agreement," removing his once ubiquitous likeness from all Papa John's marketing materials, and barring him from the company's Louisville headquarters. Despite all that, Schnatter still holds a seat on the company's board of directors, and doesn't plan on leaving:

"I am principal shareholder, I'm the founder and I'm a director, so I have plenty of say in what goes on and what doesn't go on."

Schnatter still owns some 30 percent of Papa John's. His series of public relations disasters have taken him from a high point in January of 2017, when he became a "paper billionaire" thanks to the company's stock peak at $84 a share, to a net worth of about $500 million and a recent all-time low stock price of $41 a share. In their most recent quarterly report, the company announced that same store comparable sales were down 10% in July 2018, most likely due to the company's controversies.

Read more: "Papa John" Schnatter Says He Has "No Confidence" In His Company's Management (Meanwhile Sales Are Down Massively)

Olivia Hussey net worth: Olivia Hussey is an Argentine British actress who has a net worth of $8 million. Olivia Hussey was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in April 1951. She moved to London at seven years old and now resides in Los Angeles, California. Olivia Hussey started acting professionally on stage at 13 years old. One of her best known roles came starring as Juliet in the movie Romeo and Juliet in 1968. Hussey has also starred in several other films including The Battle of the Villa Fiorita, Cup Fever, All the Right Noises, The Summertime Killer, Lost Horizon, Black Christmas, Death on the Nile, The Cat and the Canary, Virus, The Man with Bogart's Face, Turkey Shoot, The Jeweller's Shop, Undeclared War, Quest of the Delta Knights, Ice Cream Man, Headspace, Tortilla Heaven, Social Suicide, and more. One of her other best known roles came starring as Mary, mother of Jesus in the 1977 TV miniseries Jesus of Nazareth. In 1969 she won a Golden Globe Award for Romeo and Juliet. Olivia Hussey was married to Dean Martin's son, Dean Paul Martin, from 1971 – 1979. She was then married to Japanese singer Akira Fuse from 1980 – 1989. She has been married to singer/actor David Glen Eisley since 1991.

Read more: Olivia Hussey Net Worth

Brianna Love net worth: Brianna Love is an American pornographic actress who has a net worth of $1 million. Brianna Love was born in Fresno, California in March 1985. She left home at the age of 15 and later became a stripper. Love moved to Las Vegas and entered the adult film industry in 2005. She has more than 200 acting credits to her name. Brianna Love has won multiple AVN Awards and has also been nominated for awards from XRCO, XBIZ, and the Barcelona International Erotic Film Festival.

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Craig Shoemaker net worth: Craig Shoemaker is an American stand-up comedian, actor, author, and producer who has a net worth of $10 million. Craig Shoemaker was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in November 1964. He has appeared in several films including The Lovemaster, Scream 2, Safe House, Pleasantville, Comic Relief 2006, Dark Honeymoon, and more. Craig Shoemaker has also appeared in episodes of the TV series Matlock, FBI: The Untold Stories, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Roseanne, I Am Weasel, My Generation, The Hughleys, Teamo Supremo, Parks and Recreation, The Bold and the Beautiful, Awkward, and more. He has had specials including Craig Shoemaker: The Lovemaster… Unzipped in 2008. Craig Shoemaker has also authored the books What You Have Now… What Your Daddy Had Then, What You Have Now… What Your Mommy Had Then, and Lovemaster'd: a digital journey to love and happiness. In 1997 he won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic. As a producer, Craig Shoemaker has been involved with dozens of projects over the years. His company Really Big Shoe Media reportedly has 25 film and television projects in various stages of production.

Read more: Craig Shoemaker Net Worth

Jon Bokenkamp net worth: Jon Bokenkamp is an American writer and producer who has a net worth of $25 million. Jon Bokenkamp was born in Kearney, Nebraska in 1974. He is best known for creating the television series The Blacklist. Jon Bokenkamp has served as executive producer of the TV series The Blacklist which began in 2013. He also created the executive produced the series The Blacklist: Redemption in 2017. Bokenkamp wrote for the movies Taking Lives in 2004 and The Call in 2013. He wrote, produced, and directed the video documentary After Sunset: The Life & Times of the Drive-In Theater in 1995. Jon Bokenkamp wrote and directed the 2000 movie Bad Seed. He also wrote the film Perfect Stranger in 2007. He won a script writing competition and then got his first job. Bokenkamp won the 2013 Hub Freedom Award for restoring the World Theater in his hometown of Kearney.

Read more: Jon Bokenkamp Net Worth

Piper Kerman net worth: Piper Kerman is an American writer who had a net worth of $5 million. Piper Kerman was born in Boston, Massachusetts in September 1969. In 1998 she was indicted on felonious money-laundering activities. Kerman was sentenced to 15 months in a federal correctional facility and served 13 months. Her experiences were published in her memoir Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison which was adapted into the Netflix television series Orange Is the New Black. Piper Kerman graduated from Smith College. She became involved romantically with a heroin dealer in 1993 and laundered money. Her memoir was published in 2010 and she frequently speaks about her experiences and is a board member of the Women's Prison Association. She married author and editor Larry Smith in 2006. She has served as a writer and executive consultant for Orange Is the New Black and has been nominated for two awards.

Read more: Piper Kerman Net Worth

Marisa Ramirez net worth and salary: Marisa Ramirez is an American actress who has a net worth of $3 million. Marisa Ramirez was born in Los Angeles, California in September 1977. From 2001 to 2002 she starred as Gia Campbell on the soap opera General Hospital. Ramirez starred as Evelyn Santos on the television series Miracles in 2003. From 2006 to 2007 she starred as Carmen Mesta / Ines Vargas on the soap opera The Young and the Restless. Marisa Ramirez starred as Dr. Chloe Artis on the TV series Mental in 2009. In 2011 she starred as Lina Flores on the series Against the Wall. One of her best known roles has come starring as Maria Baez on the television series Blue Bloods beginning in 2013. Marisa Ramirez has also appeared in episodes of the TV series USA High, Roswell, CSI: Miami, Without a Trace, Supernatural, Castle, The Suite Life on Deck, CSI: NY, Bones, and more. She has been nominated for an ALMA Awards, Image Award, and Soap Opera Digest Award for General Hospital.

Read more: Marisa Ramirez Net Worth

Alysia Reiner net worth: Alysia Reiner is an American actress and producer who has a net worth of $4 million. Alysia Reiner was born in Gainesville, Florida in July 1970. Her best known role has come starring as Natalie Figueroa on the Netflix television series Orange Is the New Black starting in 2013. Alysia Reiner has also had recurring roles on the TV series How to Get Away with Murder from 2014 to 2015 and Better Things from 2016 to 2017. She has starred in several films including Kissing Jessica Stein, Sideways, One Last Thing…, A-List, Arranged, Schooled, The Vicious Kind, That Awkward Moment, Revenge of the Green Dragons, 5 Flights Up, The Girl in the Book, No Letting Go, Ava's Possessions, Equity, The Female Brain, and more. Alysia Reiner has also appeared in episodes of  several TV series including Law & Order, The Drew Carey Show, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, The Sopranos, 30 Rock, Blue Bloods, Hawaii Five-O, Bones, and more. In 2015 she won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Orange Is the New Black.

Read more: Alysia Reiner Net Worth

Harry Melling net worth: Harry Melling is an English actor who has a net wort of $2 million. Harry Melling was born in London, England in March 1989. He is best known for starring as Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter film series. Melling starred as Dudley Dursley in the movies Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in 2001, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in 2002, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in 2004, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in 2007, and Harry Potter and the Death Hallows: Part 1. Harry Melling had recurring roles in the television series Just William as Robert Brown in 2010 and Garrow's Law as George Pinnock in 2011. He has also appeared in several stage productions including Mother Courage and her Children, Women Beware Women, The School for Scandal, I Am a Camera, The Hothouse, King Lear, Hand to God, and more.

Read more: Harry Melling Net Worth

Politicians and pundits like to wax philosophically about a simpler time gone by and how some other era was somehow better and more American than the one we live in. That's a whole lot of baloney. Even just 100 years ago, life in America was vastly different. Work hours were gruelingly long, living spaces were cramped, food was terrible, child labor was a thing, there was basically no technology. Oh, and by the way, pretty much everything cost more.

In 1918 Americans walked everywhere – unless they lived in a city – then they could take a streetcar. Families had three generations living under one rented roof. They ate more lard than chicken. Fresh vegetables were nearly impossible to come by. Basically, everything was worse. Life in 1918 was poor, inconvenient, dreary, and dangerous by today's middle class standards. In 1924, the 16-year-old son of President Calvin Coolidge died from an infected blister that he had gotten on his toe while playing tennis.

How much money would it take to go back and live in 1918? Could you do it? Would you do it? Would you do it for a billion dollars? A billion 1918 dollars is $16.7 billion 2018 dollars.

Still from 1918 Film Society For Sale. Image via Triangle Film Corporation/Wikimedia Commons

Even with a billion dollars in 1918, you would only live a life as comfortable as that era could provide. No matter how rich, in 1918 you are living without:

Air-conditioning (seriously, this alone should be a deal breaker!)
Television
Radio
Cell Phones
Internet
Computers
Antibiotics
Medication for bipolar and other mental disorders
Cancer treatment
Modern medicine
Modern dentistry
Timely transportation
Reliable transportation
Rock n Roll
International food (no ramen or sushi for you!)
Contact lenses
Modern, reliable, doesn't detract from sex birth control
A high likelihood of surviving infancy
If you're a woman, a high likelihood of surviving child birth
Accurate watches

That's just a partial list of the modern conveniences we now take for granted that you would not have available, even as a billionaire in 1918. Also consider that if you are a woman or any sort of minority – whether racial, religious, or sexual – you'd be giving up various freedoms and facing much worse intolerance. Pride month didn't exist in 1918. Few Americans saw immigrants from places other than Europe. And African American people faced extreme racism and were even legally barred from many activities. Oh, and ladies (and African Americans) forget about exercising your right to vote, because you didn't have a right to vote in 1918.

In 2018, if you are even just getting by, you have a better quality of life than John D. Rockefeller had in 1918. Nearly every middle-class American today is better off man America's richest man was a mere 100 years ago when it comes to standard of living.

Nope, nothing could tempt me to trade my life in 2018, sitting in my air conditioned apartment with a fridge full of food, typing away on my Mac PowerBook, for 1918. Not even for all the money in the world. We live far safer, more comfortable, more convenient, and more enjoyable lives in 2018 – even when we are "broke."

Read more: The Golden Age Of America Is Right Now. No, Really!

For a pro athlete, the first big paycheck of your career is also the first big sign that your probably lifelong dream has finally come true, that your hard work, dedication, and possibly your good luck have all finally (and literally) paid off. CNBC recently collated a few stories and shared some of the sports world's most successful stars on what they did with their first big pro sports paychecks.

Shaq

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

We'll start with Shaq, because who else could start something like this? You might be surprised by some of the other athletes on this list's modest spending habits, but Shaq was a big spender from the very beginning. He's told the story about how he blew through a million bucks in an hour after signing his first pro contract in 1992. He bought a  $150,000 Mercedes Benz for himself, a matching one for his dad, and a smaller one (a bargain at just a hundred grand) for his mom. He also paid off his mom's house and spent the rest doing "what all the homeboys do — gotta buy rings and diamonds and earrings and this and that," as he once put it.

Venus Williams

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Venus Williams was just 20 when she got her first big tennis paycheck, to the tune of £430,000 after winning her first Grand Slam title. But she went the opposite route from Shaq, depositing the whole thing in her savings account. As she explained in a CNBC interview:

"I really didn't spend any of it … I just didn't want to become a statistic, or one of those athletes that had it all and then in the end had nothing. That was always in the back of my mind, so it made me want to be more realistic with how I spent money."

Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes was pulling in a $2.8 million salary in 2012 as a rookie with the Golden State Warriors, and the first thing he did with his new money was buying the best mattress he could get his hands on. After growing accustomed to just getting whatever was cheapest in situations like picking out a new mattress, as he put it, "to be able to go into a mattress store and say, 'I'm going to choose the bed I want to sleep on,' and choose one of the nicer ones, that was pretty cool."

Andre Iguodala

Steve Jennings/Getty Images

Andre Iguodala got a four-year, $9 million contract as an NBA rookie, but he was also a rookie at spending money. As he told finance site Wealthsimple, he  bought "a whole bunch of pairs of Jordans … I spent like two or three grand and it felt like I spent a million dollars. I didn't know how to spend money."

Ryan Broyles

Buying new stuff is great, but paying off debt probably feels almost as good. That's what Ryan Broyles did after closing a $3.6 million contract with the Detroit Lions. Since then, he's continued the practice of financial frugality, reportedly living on just sixty grand a year and putting the rest into various retirement accounts and investments.

Daniel Norris

Brian Blanco/Getty Images

Daniel Norris signed a contract with a $2 million signing bonus with the Toronto Blue Jays when he was just 18 years old. His first purchase to follow? A $14 Henley shirt from a Converse store. After that, he eventually splurged on a $10,000 Volkswagen, which he reportedly lives in during off-seasons to this day.

Read more: Here's How Shaq And Other Star Athletes Spent Their First Big Paychecks

Aaron Donald is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. He's been ranked either the best or second-best defensive player of the year by Pro Football Focus each year he's been in the league. He's a major reason why the Los Angeles Rams were a surprise 11-5 last season and won the NFC West.

Yet Donald is still on his rookie contract and will make $6.4 million this year, far less than the top defensive players. That doesn't sit well with him.

For the second straight year, Donald is holding out during training camp. While he did eventually return last season, he seems even more determined this year. He reportedly won't report to the team until he gets a new contract.

He's already passed one major deadline. Donald needed to report to the team by August 7 in order to earn an accrued season. That means he'd be a restricted free agent next summer instead of becoming an unrestricted free agent.

Getty Images

As an unrestricted free agent, Donald could sign anywhere he pleases. If he's a restricted free agent next offseason, the Rams could either place the franchise tag on Donald or put a tender on their star player. In that case, other teams could offer him a deal. The Rams could match that deal or let Donald go to another team and receive a first-round pick in exchange.

Donald's main concern is with how much money other players are making. Even just this summer, Donald has seen his teammates receive massive contracts. Receiver Brandin Cooks signed an $80 million extension, while running back Todd Gurley will make $60 million in his new deal.

Currently, no defensive player in the league makes more than $20 million per season. Both Donald and Oakland Raiders Khalil Mack are holding out to try and break that trend.

If they make just 80 percent of what the top quarterbacks in the league take home, Mack and Donald would each earn about $24 million this year. That's nearly a 300 percent increase for Donald.

It's understandable why Donald is holding out. But it seems like he and the Rams are still worlds apart in agreeing on a deal – and it could impact their season.

Read more: Could Aaron Donald's Holdout Last All Season?

As I'm writing this, it's being reported by a number of credible outlets that Aretha Franklin is gravely ill at a Detroit hospital. Doctors have reportedly informed Aretha's family that she will pass some time today. Aretha has been suffering from cancer recently in addition to having a number of other health issues over the last decade. The 76 year old most recently performed in November 2017 at an event for Elton John's AIDS Foundation. She had a number of concerts scheduled for March and April of this year, but doctors forced her to cancel. Aretha is one of the best-selling musicians of all time. She certainly earned her nickname, "The Queen of Soul", and that is especially true when it comes to her finances.

During her career Aretha Franklin sold more than 75 million records worldwide. That makes her one of the 50 best-selling musical artists in history. If you remove bands and other group acts, she is one of the 25 best-selling artists in history. Rolling Stone ranked her #1 on their list of the greatest singers of all time, topping the likes of Ray Charles, Elvis, John Lennon and Bob Dylan. The magazine described her as a "gift from God".

She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. She was the very first woman to be inducted.

Her most notable songs include "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman", "RESPECT", "Think" and "Chain of Fools".

MOLLY RILEY/AFP/Getty Images

She charted 112 singles including 17 that hit the top 10. On the R&B chart, she landed 21 #1 tracks. She is the most-charted woman in Billboard history. During her career Aretha won 18 Grammy Awards. She performed "My Country 'Tis of Thee" at Barack Obama's inaugural ceremony.

Aretha previously held the record for most Hot 100 songs of any female artist at 73. She first hit the top spot on June 18, 1977, when "Break It to Me Gently" gave her her 54th appearance on the Hot 100 chart, beating then-champion Connie Francis' 53 career appearances. Aretha's record was broken by Nicki Minaj in May 2017. Nicki now has 76. If one were to seek out a caveat for Nicki beating Aretha's record, for sentimental reasons if nothing else, one could look at the fact that while Franklin is the sole credited artist on all 73 of her songs to make the Hot 100 charts, Minaj is merely a featured artist on 44 of them.

Aretha Franklin Net Worth:

We estimate Aretha Franklin's net worth to be $80 million.

Read more: Aretha Franklin Net Worth – You Must RESPECT The Queen Of Soul's Bank Account

Ariel Rebel net worth: Ariel Rebel is a Canadian pornographic actress, model, and food blogger who has a net worth of $400 thousand. Ariel Rebel was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in September 1985. She went to school to be a fashion designer before pursuing adult modeling. Her website was launched in 2005 and she launched her blog in 2012. Ariel Rebel only starred in a handful of films from 2011 to 2016 as most of her work is online or photographs. In 2012 she won an AVN Award for Best Solo Girl Website. Ariel Rebel has been featured in New Look magazine and Hustler magazine.

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Amy Hill net worth: Amy Hill is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and voice artist who has a net worth of $3 million. Amy Hill was born in Deadwood, Lawrence, South Dakota in May 1953. She has more than 160 acting credits to her name and starred as Yung-hee "Grandma" Kim on the television series All-American Girl from 1994 to 1995. Amy Hill starred as Kay Ohara on the TV series Maybe This Time from 1995 to 1996. From 2000 to 2001 she starred as Fanny Sue Chang on the series Strip Mall. In 2009 she had a recurring role as Dr. Brown on the soap opera General Hospital. Amy Hill starred as Dr. Wagerstein on the TV series UnREAL from 20125 to 2016. In 2016 she began starring as Mama P on the series Just Add Magic. Her best known film roles include starring in the movies The Cat in the Hat, 50 First Dates, and Next Friday.

Read more: Amy Hill Net Worth

Iain Stirling net worth and salary: Iain Stirling is a Scottish comedian, writer, and television personality who has a net worth of $4 million. Iain Stirling was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in January 1988. From 2011 to 2012 he presented the television series All Over the Place and in 2015 he hosted the TV series All Over the Place: Europe. Iain Stirling also hosted the series All Over the Place: Asia in 2017 and from 2014 to 2017 he presented the television series The Dog Ate My Homework. From 2016 to 2017 Stirling hosted the TV series Love Island. He has also been featured on several other TV series including Scoop, Help! My Supply Teacher's Magic, Drunk History, Weekend, The Jonathan Ross Show, and more. He served as the voice over for the 2018 BAFTA TV awards. Iain Stirling won a BAFTA Award in 2016 for Best Presenter for The Dog Ate My Homework after being nominated for BAFTA Awards in 2010 and 2014.

Read more: Iain Stirling Net Worth

Len Cariou net worth: Len Cariou is a Canadian actor who has a net worth of $6 million. Len Cariou was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba, Canada in September 1939. He is known for his work on Broadway who won a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for starring as the title character in the production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. One of his other best known roles has come starring as Henry Reagan on the television series Blue Bloods beginning in 2010. Len Cariou has also had recurring roles on the TV series Murder, She Wrote, Brotherhood, Power, Privilege & Justice, and Damages. He has also starred in several other films including Flags of Our Fathers, Secret Window, About Schmidt, and more. He served as the narrator on Major League Baseball's World Series films in the 90s and has recorded several audio books. Len Cariou won a Canadian Film Award in 1977 for One Man and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2009 for Into the Storm.

Read more: Len Cariou Net Worth

Junko Takeuchi net worth and salary: Junko Takeuchi is a Japanese actress and voice actress who has a net worth of $12 million. Junko Takeuchi was born in Saitama Prefecture, Japan in April 1972. She is known for providing voices of young male characters who typically have goofy or quirky personalities. One of her best known roles has come starring as the main character Naruto Uzumaki in Naruto. Junko Takeuchi has some 120 acting credits to her name. She has provided voice work for several TV series including Digimon Adventure from 1999 to 2000, Hunter x Hunter from 1999 to 2001, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters from 2000 to 2002, Monster from 2004 to 2005, Naruto from 2002 to 2007, Naruto SD: Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals from 2012 to 2013, Naruto: Shippuden from 2007 to 2017, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations from 2017 to 2018, and more. Junko Takeuchi is also known for voicing the role of Gumball Watterson on The Amazing World of Gumball.

Read more: Junko Takeuchi Net Worth

The next time you log onto Snapchat, you might keep in mind that the app now has genuine royal patronage. Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal recently made the announcement that he's bought about $250 million worth of stock in Snapchat's parent company Snap, which amounts to 2.3 percent of the company's class A shares.

The investment was completed on May 25th, and according to a press statement from Prince Alwaleed it represents "a continuation of HRH's strategy to invest in new technologies and rounds out an already robust portfolio in some of today's leading global technology companies, including Twitter, JD.com and Lyft." It also reportedly makes him one of the biggest single investors in Snap, although his large stake in the company won't translate to any direct input on how it's run. That's because the company's class A shares don't carry any such privileges – instead, Bloomberg reports that the votes that determine company policy are held by Snap's class C shareholders, primarily Snapchat co-founders Evan Spiegel and Robert Murphy.

GREGORY BOISSY/AFP/Getty Images

According to Prince Alwaleed, his investment is the result of his enthusiasm for the Snapchat app:

"Snapchat is one of the most innovative social media platforms in the world and we believe it has only just begun to scratch the surface of its true potential and we are blessed to be part of it."

The $250 million investment in Snap was a gradual process for Prince Alwaleed, and it was completed largely when Snap's stock market value was near its lowest point. He spent about $11 a share on average, while the stock actually hit a low of $10.50 a share in May. It's also among the first announced by Prince Alwaleed since he reached a financial settlement over corruption charges with the Saudi Arabian attorney general. He was released from official custody back in January of this year.

Read more: Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Buys 2.3% Stake In Snap For $250M

Accusations came big and small against US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in a recent Forbes report. The biggest, most serious accusation to come out of the report is that Ross swindled former associates out of more than $120 million, placing him "among the biggest grifters in American history." But as if to show that this type of behavior tends to recur across many different contexts, he's also accused of swiping Sweet'n Low packets from a restaurant near his old firm, WL Ross, to avoid having to pay for the sweetener himself.

With a $700 million net worth, it seems clear that Ross can likely afford his own Sweet 'n' Low by any reasonable standard. However, the report also quotes a Ross spokesman as saying the Sweet'n Low anecdote is "petty nonsense," and even going so far as to say that it couldn't be true since he doesn't put sweetener in his coffee.

The report also quotes two former associates accusing Ross of having once pledged a donation of a million dollars to some unnamed charity, a pledge which he allegedly never fulfilled. He's also accused of failing to pay domestic staff what they were owed.

DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images

Twenty one of Ross' former colleagues were interviewed for the report, which was also based on several lawsuits he's been involved in. One of those lawsuits, filed by three former executives at WL Ross, alleges that he charged executives at the company improper fees to the tune of at least $48 million. This particular swindle is described in layman's terms as being "like a restaurant owner telling his employees that they can eat for free – while taking the meal money out of their paychecks."

The US Commerce Department spokesman went on to deny the accusations found in the report in a separate press statement:

"The anonymously sourced Forbes story is based on false rumors, innuendo, and unverifiable claims. The fact remains that no regulator has made any of these accusations against the Secretary … This rehash of old stories is clearly the result of a personal vendetta. The baseless claims made in this story were well publicized long ago and are not news."

For now, Wilbur Ross is probably the only person in history whose job may be in danger if he's photographed using Sweet'n Low, any time soon.

Read more: US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross Accused Of Swindling $120M From Associates, Not Paying For Sweetener