On August 7, Sharesleuth.com, the investigative journalism venture launched earlier this year by billionaire bad boy Mark Cuban, claimed its first victim: Xethanol. Apparently, Xethanol was going around telling investors that its alternative fuel solution had the potential to become a game-changing innovation for the energy sector. Jumping on Wall Street's ethanol bandwagon, the company claimed that it was able to turn wood chips, corn stalks and paper sludge into cheap alternative fuel. However, Xethanol's claims turned out to be nothing more than an elaborate innovation hoax, proving that it's best to do your homework before investing in overheated, speculative...