Orchid Fever
Susan Orlean writes about how the accomplished horticulturist John Laroche became an orchid thief.
John Laroche at his court hearing: "He stuck his thumbs in his belt loops and said, 'I've been a professional horticulturist for approximately twelve years... I have extensive experience with orchids, and the asexual micropropagation of orchids under aseptic cultures.' Then he grinned and said to the court, 'I'm probably the smartest person I know.'"