He seems to have written his memoirs mainly so that he can 'dish the dirt' on all his former lovers.
The police 'struck pay dirt' when a witness came forward with new information.
The band 'hit pay dirt' [=had a big success] with their first single.
(..) Her ears are pierced three times and there's glitter nail polish. That looks like town to me. Two of her fingernails are broken off and there's dirt or grit under them. It looks like she's tried to claw her way through something. Ray, get pictures of her teeth. We'll fax 'em for Missing Persons. (..)1991 The Silence of the Lambs