No, Steve Sulja will sit in a cell right along with Pete and the rest of the clan if this turns out to be a scam. Remember he put out many of the PR's stating numbers and ME deals, long before he stepped down and PV took his place, whether or not bought out (with our money?) along the way makes no difference. John Sulja also spoke with investors at the yard and stated much the same thing.
So--
If this is in fact not on the up and up, then they are in it up to their necks too.
That is why I cannot see it being a scam at this point, too much to lose for them and their families in the long run, regardless of whether or not PV is single-handedly running them down currently. JMHO, GLTA