Tom Arnold enjoyed a successful and lucrative career as an actor and comedian. However, he wasn't the only one in the family to make a successful (although illegal) living. An upcoming three-part documentary details Arnold's sister's past as a meth producer and distributor.
Once dubbed "Scarface in a skirt," Lori Arnold's drug-dealing past will be profiled in the documentary titled Queen of Meth. According to the New York Post, "Lori's wild world collapsed when she was arrested, twice -- first in November 1991 and then again in October 2001 -- and served a total of 15 years in prison for building a massive, multistate methamphetamine production and distribution network on a 170-acre ranch in working-class Ottumwa, Iowa."
"I'm just grateful she didn't get murdered," Tom Arnold said. "There was no way to end it, except death or prison. And she got lucky."
Despite being a meth addict herself, Lori managed to net at least $200,000 per week by distributing more than 10 pounds during that span. With her profits, the former drug dealer made extravagant purchases, such as a Jaguar and airplane. But, she also employed locals by buying a car sales lot, a 52-horse ranch, and a biker bar. In addition, she would assist poor residents by buying homes at auction and fix them up as Section 8 housing.
"I thought I was doing good, helping people. 'Cause I always like to help people and always protect the underdog and that sort of thing, you know?" the 60-year-old said. "But now, after all these years, you know, you look back you're like, it probably wasn't the greatest way to do that."
The documentary also details Tom and Lori's turbulent childhood after their parents got divorced. When the two decided to live with their mother as teenagers, Lori developed an alcohol addiction at 14 before marrying a 23-year-old with her mother's blessing. Lori also dives into how her illegal operation affected her own parenting.
The Queen of Meth documentary premiers on Friday on Discovery+.
Source: NY Post
