It was found out by skeptic James Randi that Popoff was using an in-ear receiver to obtain the information. Clips from the investigation were aired on The Tonight Show. Popoff declared bankruptcy in 1987 with nearly 800 creditors having claims against him. Before going bankrupt he was said to have been taking in nearly $4 million a year. Popoff reappeared in 1998 and marketed himself to an African American audience on BET. In 2005 his ministry received more than $23 million and Peter took home nearly $1 million. In 2006 he changed Peter Popoff Ministries from a for-profit business to a religious organization becoming tax exempt. The Steve Martin movie Leap of Faith was based on Popoff. In 2007 he bought a home in Bradbury, California for $4.5 and he has also owned a Mercedes-Benz and a Porsche.