Ridiculous Crime
True Crime is more than blood, guts, mayhem, and murder. Zaron Burnett and Elizabeth Dutton share outlandish tales of capers, heists, and cons that shine a light on the absurd and outrageous side of criminality. Always 99% murder-free and 100% ridiculous, this is Ridiculous Crime, a podcast by iHeartRadio.
Episodes
Philately Will Get You Nowhere: The Apollo 15 Postal Cover Scandal
Humans are fascinated by two things and two things only in this life: space and keepsakes. That’s it. The astronauts of the Apollo 15 mission knew this, so they took a LOT of stamped envelopes to the moon. You know, for the sake of both science and commerce. This was, however, against the rules. Who cares! To commemorative stamp sales…and beyond!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy
The Show Must NOT Go On!: Sometimes Crime is the Only Answer
For these three stories, there is one unifying idea: the show must NOT go on. And in order to ensure the show was indeed stopped, people turned to crimes, sweet, sweet ridiculous crimes. Whether a theater musical director, a bride-to-be, or an Olivia Rodrigo fan, in each instance there was only way to be sure: criminality. Come for the history of the phrase, stay for the modern lesson in summer co
Ridiculous Crime Interviews: Matthew Campbell and The Man Who Stole the Gods, Part 2
For part two of this special edition, Zaron continues his interview with author Matthew Campbell about his book The Man Who Stole the Gods. In the second half of the interview, Matthew Campbell examines the other half of the art crime, the metaphorical detectives and police tasked with investigating and seeking justice for the Cambodian people. There's also discussion of redemption, righting of wr
Ridiculous Crime Interviews: Matthew Campbell and The Man Who Stole the Gods
For part one of this special edition, Zaron interviews author Matthew Campbell about his book The Man Who Stole the Gods. The incredible tale documents a truly global art crime. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and Cambodian Civil War and the rise of the Khmer Rouge, this story explores the theft of statues and bas reliefs from religious sites like Angkor Wat and how through a shadowy n
I'll Stop the World and Melt with You: Joe Colombo Jr.
Joe Colombo Jr. was the son of a powerful, ruthless, flashy, publicity-loving mob boss. Joe Sr. was larger than life and as audacious as they come. One would expect his namesake to follow in his criming footsteps, which he did. In his own way. Junior joined in on a half-baked criminal plan, only for the whole thing to go south. The impact of his arrest, though, would go on to change the culture an
God Wants You...To Make Me Rich!: The Crimes of John Alexander Dowie
He was America's first super-wealthy faith healer. You could also say he was America's first religious robber baron. His name is John Alexander Dowie. After many arrests, lawsuits, and court fights, Dowie decided it would be best if he and his thousands of followers started their own town. And he named it Zion City. He ran his spiritual utopia like a company town in coal country. Things worked wel
Full of (John) Bull: Horatio Bottomley
A prototype for generations of crooked politicians and media figures to come, Horatio Bottomley knew how to work the public. Whether defrauding them with fake sweepstakes or holding boisterous hate rallies, Bottomley was a pro at making a name for himself while making plenty of coin, as long as there was plenty of the right champagne on hand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Rebel With A Cause: Rodney Wilkinson
In the days of apartheid South Africa, no one expected a young white man who was a former South African soldier to turn rebel and to then help Nelson Mandela and the ANC conduct a super-secret sabotage operation. But that's exactly what Rodney Wilkinson did. And his target? The new Koeberg nuclear facility. With the help of a lot of luck and his steely nerves, he planned to blow it all up. The que
Terrible, But Charming: Arthur Barry
If you're going to break the law, you might as well do it in style. And be polite, too! Arthur Barry robbed from the rich while pretending to be one of their own. In a bespoke suit with a martini in hand, he scoped out mansions and returned later to relieve the swells of their precious jewels. A truly ridiculous way to live! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
To Thine Own Self Do Crime
Sometimes in this world you're confronted with a choice. One that, years later, you'll look back at and recognize that choice was a key moment in your life. Because that choice catapaulted you forward where you eventually get slammed into the consequences of your actions. Whenever that moment comes, hope you don't look back and think: I should not have chosen the stupidest crime or the dumbest lie
We Didn't Start the Fyre: Fabulous Festival Failures
We all need escapes from this crazy world, and one way to do that is to meet up with like-minded folks and enjoy your shared, niche interests. Whether it's a magical world of candy, the finery of the Gilded Age, or the fantasy realm of dragons and otherkin, getting together and reveling in a breakaway from dismal reality is pretty satisfying. But what happens when the ones who are meant to facilit
Shonk This Way: The 1935 Croydon Aerodrome Robbery
Once upon a time, some British hard men decided to steal some gold. They went out to an airport, worked their way into a bullion room, and lifted the gold. It was a classic heist for the ages. Here's the thing: they took a taxi home. The black cab was a cool ride, but it also left a witness in the form of the driver, a man chock full of "The Knowledge" and then some. The driver became the key to t
The Good Bootlegger: Roy Olmstead
Using the nooks and crannies of Puget Sound as cover, Roy Olmstead ran a massive bootlegging empire during Prohibition. He was nonviolent, creative, and a whole lotta fun. And on top of that, he managed to have a lasting impact on the US legal system. Not bad for a former cop. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You Get an "A" For Effort: Beautiful Plans, Become Ridiculous Crimes
Often times the crimers on this show come up with audacious plans for their capers, heists and cons. But far too often they forget the other half of the equation: how to get away with their crimes. That's the theme of this episode! It features a single mother who tries to dig a tunnel to her child in prison, a techno DJ who sells phony airplane engine parts to major airlines, and a French academic
Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect: LEGO theft
LEGO sets. Everybody loves them, crimers love to steal them. They're light, valuable, in demand, and untraceable. Perfect for illicit maneuvers! There are many ways to steal LEGOs; here are some of our favorites. This episode approved for listeners ages 4 - 99.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sebastian Marset: the Cocaine Kingpin and Professional Footballer
When he was a kid in Uruguay, playing football in the streets he always dreamed that one day he would grow up to be a professional soccer star. Instead, he grew up to be a cocaine cartel kingpin. And then, using his illicit power and untold illegal wealth he made his original dream come true. Along the way, he became an outlaw folk hero.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Strong Like Iron: Sophie Lyons
Sophie Lyons was an iconic criminal. From shoplifting to pickpocketing to scams to bank robbery, she could do it all. She knew what it was to break the law…and to pay the price. As her last act, she did her best to keep others from her fate. We love a good redemption story, don't we folks?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
I'm Gonna Steal Your Bird: the Strange World of Pigeon Theft
Have you ever wanted to race a pigeon? No? Well, have you ever wanted to steal a pigeon? Still, no? Well, that doesn't matter! You'll still have your mind blown and your heart strings tugged by the weird and wonderful world of pigeon theft. The eye-popping prices for prized pigeons, the curious pigeon breeders and pigeon keepers, and of course the international criminals who take advantage of it a
The Likker King of Appalachia: Popcorn Sutton
To borrow from the late, great Waylon Jennings, Popcorn Sutton was just'a good ol' boy, never meanin' no harm. A modern day moonshiner, he was pretty much in trouble with the law since the day he was born. He was making his way the only way he knew how. Which was a little bit more than the law would allow. You get it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Billion Dollar 1MDB Heist: Jho Low Meets Leo and Marty
Jho Low was a well-connected money man for the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund, created to foster green energy investment and better jobs for the people of Malaysia. But instead of doing any of that, Jho Low used the ill-gotten billions to finance a multi-year long orgy of parties and pleasure cruises. He eventually found his way to Hollywood, where he wooed Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese by fin
The Moment You've Been Waiting For: 2025 Louvre Museum Heist
Hot diggity dog, we love a good heist. And an art heist? Get outta here! And in the Louvre Museum? In Paris? Pinch us because we've got to be dreaming. In 2025, an audacious crew broke into the Louvre in broad daylight and stole glittering, historical jewelry. Then they made a run for it. The perps were eventually caught, but the loot has yet to be recovered. But the best part? A kid in a fedora w
Julie D'Aubigny: the Opera-Singing, Sword-Swinging, Gender-Bending Badass of 17th Century France
Julie D'Aubigny was truly a rare one. She could sword fight with the best of them. She could sing opera like a song bird. She wore men's clothing, she wore women's clothing, she wore whatever she wanted. And as a great lover, she'd also steal your girl. There was almost nothing she couldn't do. She also was a shameless outlaw who lived by the sword and nearly died by the executioner's ax. But she
Where Everybody Knows Your Name: Charles Ponzi
It's the American Dream to reach these golden shores, work hard, make your fortune, and see your name go down in history. Charles Ponzi did all that, just not in the way the law intended. He perfected the pyramid scheme to such a degree, they just named the whole thing after him. Not the legacy you want in life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
True Crime by A True Crimer: Mary Carole McDonnell, the Fake Aerospace Heiress
She made a name for herself in the world of True Crime TV. But it was not a good name. Mary Carole McDonnell was known to run a fly-by-night TV production company that paid poorly and paid late. But that was only a part of the story. She was also a faux nepo baby posing as an aerospace heiress. Which she leveraged into bank fraud to the tune of millions and millions. Further proof, in Hollywood, n
I Was Just the Weed Guy: George Martorano
Born into a mob family, "Cowboy" George Martorano was pretty much destined to run afoul of the law. A non-violent guy in a roiling sea of brutality, he sold a whole lotta weed (and an even greater quantity of quaaludes). Like many drug smugglers, he wound up behind bars. But a life sentence for a first time, non-violent offense? Ridiculous.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Last True Outlaw of the Lonesome West: Roddy Dean Pippin
He always wanted to be a cowboy, ever since he first read about 'em in Louis L'Amour novels and watched them in John Wayne westerns. The only trouble was: he wanted to be the outlaw. And when he grew up, he did. Transcending the flow of time, Roddy Dean Pippin chose to become the last great cattle rustler. But being an outlaw –– son, that's against the law in Texas. And that would be a
Thus Spoke the Lady Bandit: Pearl Hart
A woman with a muddled biography and a life of clever and not so clever endeavors, Pearl Hart was dubbed by the press as the Girl Bandit, the Last Stagecoach Robber, the Bandit Queen. Except she really wasn't. But she kind of was. Like her personal history, it's complicated.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Bit of a Sticky Wicket: the Crimes of Allen Stanford
He was the man at the heart of a Texas-sized Ponzi scheme that amassed billions in fraudulent profits via offshore banking. Despite his huge donations in Antigua and US politics and his investment in international cricket and polo tournaments, Allen Stanford’s empire of lies came undone when his literal blood brother turned state’s evidence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy
Too Mean to Swab Hell's Kitchen: The Battle Row Ladies' Social and Athletic Club
When you find yourself in a real pickle, a tight spot, a dangerous proposition in 1800s Hell's Kitchen, just ask yourself: what would Stumpy Malarkey do? What would Battle Annie do? What would Mallet Murphy do? How will I get out of this? Am I a time traveler? And what's my special nickname? No time to worry about all that. Start throwin' bricks! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform
The Great Chinese Lottery Heist
Ren Xiaofeng thought he had a good life –– married, blessed with two twins, a good job at a bank. But it wasn't enough. He needed more. So he came up with a plan: what if he robbed the bank where he worked and then plowed that ill-gotten capital into his quick-cash investment strategy? He thought with all that newfound money he'd be a shoo-in to win a huge lottery prize. His plan had o
You Dirty Fish-peddlin' Bums: Celia Cooney, the Bobbed Hair Bandit
When a young feisty gal with nothing to lose met a young tough fella with nothing to lose, the only thing they could possibly lose was the spark between them. And there was no stopping that. They made no money, but they lived lives of wild luxury and excitement. How? Robbery! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Competition Crimes II: A Slight Return
Wherever you find people competing for a prize, if the number of them grows large enough, eventually, you will have cheaters. In the niche worlds of competitive stone-skippers, hog hunters, and British trivia shows, Zaron and Elizabeth ferret out some ridiculous examples. Let the games... and the crimes... begin!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Practice Should Have Made Perfect: The Great Brink's Robbery
This heist team was more meticulous than most. They planned, they schemed, they made years of dry runs and observations. And the plan went off without a hitch. After the plan? Not so much. In a sort of early Stanford Marshmallow Test, these crimers just couldn't delay gratification. And for that, they paid the price. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fakers, Fraudsters and Phonies: Everything's A Lie Now!
In this round-up of recent tales of fakers, fraudsters, and phonies, Zaron shares with Elizabeth a smorgasbord of stories of fake bears, phony medical emergencies on Mount Everest, and a fraudulent influencer abduction to get at the truth of why we can't trust anything any more. And get this: no AI was involved in this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
I Got the Need, the Need for Weed: Randy Lanier
Randy Lanier started as a construction site weed dealer and over the years graduated to major drug smuggler, bringing hundreds of tons of grass into the USA. To add to the risk factor, he also became a Formula One driver and team owner. So much fun! Until it wasn't. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Rise and Fall and Rise of John McAvoy
He was a man born into crime. He came from a family of British hard men. Movies were made about the men of his family. He was also enraptured by the criminals he saw depicted in other crime classics. All of this combined to make him a nepo baby of crime. But John McAvoy surprised the world and himself when he forged a new identity, thanks to a rowing machine. See omnystudio.com/listener for p
Lawyer in the Streets, Crimer in the Spreadsheets: Marc Dreier
It takes money to make money. And sometimes, you take someone else's money to make your money. You know how that goes. Marc Dreier was a flashy lawyer with a cash problem. Luckily, he had rich clients to impersonate. Problem solved! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
My Presciption? You Caught Gold Fever
Sometimes you fight the law and the law wins, but other times... luck is on your side and you win. That's the story here today. A pair of treasure hunters go to extraordinary lengths to recover lost gold and then have to fight the law to win the rights to their find. And as always things get... ridiculous!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Early Riot Grrrl: Mary Carleton
London in the late 1600s was a little chaotic. So it only makes sense that an agent of chaos like Mary Carleton would become famous for her crimes. Crimes like repeated bigamy and stealing pants in the night. An audacious woman determined to chart her own path, she wrote her own pamphlets like some olden times Riot Grrrl and made herself a witness to history along the way. See omnystudio.com/
Let's Get Medieval: Holy Relics Theft
Whether we're talking the hand of Mary Magdalene, the Skull of St. Foy, the Bones of St. Mark, in the Dark Ages holy relics were ripe for the taking. Thieving monks, conspiring bishops and rebel princesses all went to outrageous lengths to secure the blessings of the bones and body parts of the saints. Sometimes crime requires a little faith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio
High Daddies, Hot Tents, and Suckers: Circus Crimes
Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages! Step right up! Witness the amazing circus con, promising a menagerie that will never appear! Be amazed by the daring moves of the corporate scoundrel, stealing from a non-profit show! Stare in awe as a low down fraudster tries to pull a fast one on a small town, only to have the tables magically turned! Behold! The ridiculous and criminal side of the big
All The Coal Kids Are Doing It: Larry Wayne Price Jr.
He worked his way into the executive level of the coal industry. Where he was let in on a dirty little secret. Crime was rampant in the coal industry. So, Larry Wayne Price Jr. did what any self-respecting wannabe would do, he also got heavy into crime. One dreamhouse later and things were looking good. But when his scams and schemes collapsed and Price tried to escape, not even a made-up outlaw b
Vibe Criming: John Ernst Worrell Keely
John Ernst Worrell Keely was a blue collar scientist, a visionary, a meticulous con man. He spent time and talent rigging an elaborate fraud workshop where he promised unlimited vibe-based energy. In just two weeks. He promised. He just needed a little more funding. Cash for vibes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why It's Now Illegal to Give Dolphins Acid (For Science)
This is the story of two scientists who pushed the envelope of both good taste and morality as they experimented with dolphins. The idea was simple. Give dolphins LSD and then see if we can teach them to speak English. The results were not so simple or clear-cut. But they were certainly ridiculous... and criminal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lady Marm-alade: Fredericka Mandelbaum
Fredericka Mandelbaum (Marm or Ma, if you're nasty) was the powerful ruler of a criminal empire. Based on pickpocketing, theft, bank robbery, and forgery, her organization raked it in at the end of the 1800s in New York City and beyond. Out of reach from the law thanks to payoffs and complicity, Mandelbaum got away with her crimes, even when the Pinkertons got involved. See omnystudio.com/lis
How To Free Your Man With a Helicopter: Nadine Vaujour
Single mom Nadine Vaujour was something of a romantic. Which helps explain why it pained her heart so to be separated from her lover. It also helps explain why, one day, she decided it was time to spring her lover from the French prison where he was locked up. And to make her daring jailbreak plan work, she learned to fly a helicopter. Ah, the things we do for love! See omnystudio.com/listene
Playin' Possum: Crimes around George Jones
Country star George Jones was a real character, to be certain, often on the edge of the law. But the most ridiculous crimes were the ones that surrounded No Show Jones. Missing recordings, drug runs, and stolen crypto. Throw in an old pickup, a loyal dog, and a broken heart and you'd have a heck of a country song. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Last Temptation of Aubrey Lee Price
He was a husband, a father, a pastor, a financial planner and broker, that is until he decided he'd had enough of that life. So he threw it all away and found a new path as a small-time pimp, cocaine trafficker and marijuana cultivator. But he never gave up on Jesus and the Lord. Because Aubrey Lee Price contained multitudes. And he considered Jesus his role model... for his life of crime.See omny
That's Showbiz, Baby: Steven Kunes
To make it in Hollywood, you sometimes have to tell some half-truths and fudge your resume. People play a little fast and loose. But not so loose as to forge checks and scam friends. That's a little too loose, even by Tinseltown standards. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"That's My Motorboat!" :The National Museum Art Heist
It's considered one of the more sophisticated art heists of the 21st Century. Three masked men with guns strolled into the National Museum in Stockholm and they breezed back out with three multi-million dollar masterpieces. Thus began a years-long manhunt to find the daring perps and the lost artworks. Many undercover operations, some Bulgarian drug dealers, FBI art crime detectives, and one Swedi
Cheech Would Never: "Lucky" Luke Brugnara
As Social Distortion once sang, “Some people like to gamble/But you, you always lose/Some people like to rock 'n' roll/You're always singin' the blues/You gotta nasty disposition/No one really knows the reason why/You gotta bad, bad reputation/Gonna hang your head down and cry/You got bad, bad luck." This is the tale of Luke Brugnara, the pinnacle of criminal ridiculousness. See omnystu
"This Once Belonged to Jack Nicholson": the Tod Michael Volpe Story
He was a charming art dealer, a man who climbed to the highest heights of the Hollywood elite. Once there, he conned 'em all for fun and profit. That is, until it all came crashing down. Come for the art crimes, stay for the unhinged documentary he later starred in and somehow was even wilder than his cons.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to America, Suckers: Selling the Brooklyn Bridge
It's become shorthand for someone being gullible, thinking they can buy the Brooklyn Bridge (and at a discount!). But the idea had to start somewhere. Turns out selling the bridge and other landmarks to those newly arrived on U.S. shores was a lucrative con in the early 1900s. But such cons are not sustainable, and eventually bad guys go to prison. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info
To Russia With Love: The Robert Hanssen Story
Inspired by boyhood dreams of wanting to be James Bond, real life FBI guy Robert Hanssen joined the bureau to become a secret agent. But when no one liked him and bosses overlooked him, Hanssen decided to do the next best thing: become a double-agent and spy for the Soviet Union. Larry King, Mother Theresa, secret messages hidden in used car ads, this spy story has a bit of everything!See omnystud
Your Dead Grandma Says Hi: Sylvia Browne
Some people believe in psychics, others are skeptics who doubt their skills. If you think you're in the camp somewhere in between, not caring one way or another, we dare you to have no opinion once you've heard the tales of Sylvia Browne and her visions and predictions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
I Wanna Be A Cowgirl: Cora Hubbard, Lady Bandit
She was a legend of the Wild West, a self-made outlaw, iron hard as her six-shooter, yet delicate as a prairie butterfly. Cora Hubbard, Lady Bandit was a compelling mix of contradictions. And at one time she was nationally famous as the next great female outlaw. Her ambitions though were betrayed by the men whom she called her gang.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's the Swiss Sugar Baron's Fault: The Knoedler & Company Art Forgery Scandal
A storied and respected New York art gallery thought they'd stumbled on a treasure trove of undiscovered Abstract Expressionist art. It was, of course, too good to be true. And anyone savvy enough to run a powerhouse art gallery and broker would have known that. But the pieces still went on sale for incredible amounts of money. Full of murky finances, questionable practices, and unnoticed goof ups
Life After Pro Football: Have You Considered Getting Into Crime?
After his playing days were done, former pro football player Devin Aguilar decided his next move at securing the bag could come from a robbery. He enlisted his girlfriend and together the two planned their "perfect robbery" for 6 months. However, based on the fact he's on this show, Devin Aguilar likely needed a lot more time than that. Come for the crime, but stay for Elizabeth and Zaron's theate
I'll Buy That for a Dollar: Antiques Roadshow
This week on Antiques Roadshow, we're coming to you from historic Ridiculous Crime Headquarters. Zaron Burnett, a crime authenticator, and Elizabeth Dutton, an authority on quirkiness, appraise tales of naughtiness, foolishness, and the search for the truth. It's all made possible by listeners like you (and Darlene Shiley...and Admiral iHeart). And because it can't be said enough, support your loc
It's Just a Family Tradition: The Newton Gang
Imagine some brothers. No, like a lot of them. Now imagine they love robbing banks and trains. But they also love fast cards and high living. Now imagine what Zaron would say about that. Yup, "my men."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hey You Kids, Get Off My Feed: Influencer Fights
For those who live their lives online, follower numbers, likes, and ad collabs are essential. The bread and butter in such a new and fleeting industry. You'd think that in the expansive social media universe, these folks could live in peace and harmony. Nope. Not possible. Their beefs are stupid, so let's talk about them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fred Durst vs. The World
The front man for Limp Bizkit is known to be a bit of an ass. However, he claims the role of Fred Durst is actually a monster of his own making. But as numerous incidents from his decades as a star prove... the greatest crime is that he just won't stop being Fred Durst. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Go On, Take the Music and Run: Master Tape Theft
Original studio recordings are the purest form of a song; they are also incredibly valuable. Theft of master tapes are a musician's worst nightmare. But sometimes, it can be a blessing in disguise. Whether the thief nabs the tapes as revenge, as bootleg material, or by accident, you can bet your sweet patoot the chaos that results is pretty ridiculous. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy
Lance!!! A Curious Tale of Blood Doping for Fun and Profit
He was the most famous cyclist in the world. Then it all came crashing down when it was revealed that he was a huge cheater. What went so wrong for Lance Armstrong? Elizabeth and Zaron dig-in to the bullet-proof lies, the champion's mystique, and the many ridiculous crimes of the world famous 7-time winner of the Tour de France. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Philip the Tub: John Spano, Jr.
A con man flim flam artist who loved hockey wanted nothing more than to own a professional hockey team. The problem is that he wasn't a billionaire, which is sort of a prerequisite for professional team ownership. No problem. Borrow some cash, fake some documents, tell some lies and BOOM, the team was his..at least for a couple of months. Fill up the tub. See omnystudio.com/listener for priva
Baby, I Was Born to Run: the Grover Cleveland Bergdoll Story
When the first World War kicked off, Grover Cleveland Bergdoll, a notorious daredevil and rich kid playboy, decided armed combat wasn't for him. And so, rather than serve, he decided to dodge the draft. He would spend the next two decades begging for a pardon as he evaded justice and the many men sent to capture him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brother, Can You Spare Half a Dime: The Hollow Nickel Case
The best part of espionage is the spycraft, the cool gadgets and codes often disguised as everyday objects. Some look like lipstick, others like umbrellas. And then there are the ones that are a bit riskier because they're smaller and easier to misplace. Coins. Talkin' about coins. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"I Go For You Ma": The Love Triangle of Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, and Adolf Hitler
When World War II broke out, the biggest star in the world planned to sit it out. But as Fate would have it, events conspired to motivate Clark Gable AKA the "King of Hollywood" to enlist and go fight the Nazis. This was a big bummer for his #1 German fan, Der Fuhrer, AKA Adolf Hitler. But just like his wife Carole Lombard had hoped, Clark Gable did go to war against his biggest fan boy.See omnyst
The Phisher King: Filippo Bernardini
Filippo Bernardini felt like an outsider in the publishing world, so he decided to fix that. Did he dazzle executives with his intellect and insight? No. He stole his way into literary inner circles. And we know how those stories end. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ho, Ho, Hold It Right There: A Collection of Christmas Crimes
T'was the night before the Christmas, and all through the house not a creature was stirring... except for a mouse stealing some Christmas cookies. No, not really. But this episode is a fun collection of Christmas crimes and the holiday-crazed criminals who committed them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Con So Nice, He Named Himself Twice: Lord Gordon Gordon
A man who called himself Lord Gordon Gordon sure knew how to con 'em. He scammed jewelers, land owners, and railroad magnates with great alacrity on both sides of the Atlantic. But in the hierarchy of criminals, the robber barons generally come out on top, and Gordon Squared just didn't anticipate that. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Love Triangle of Frank Sinatra, Howard Hughes and Ava Gardner
Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner had one of the great love affairs of the last century. But it was actually a love triangle that included the famously-reclusive Howard Hughes. It gets wilder than that –– their love rivalry lasted decades and involved the mafia and the CIA. In fact, the dynamic forever changed Las Vegas and even ended the Rat Pack Era. This one is a wild midcentury tale...
The Napoleon of Crime: Adam Worth
Using his logistical and felonious prowess, Adam Worth developed a sophisticated criminal network stealing money, art, and jewelry from high-value targets on two continents. Understated and cunning, Worth was so successful he inspired one of literature's greatest criminal masterminds. Quite the criming legacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Johnny Cash Jamaican Christmastime Miracle
Who would possibly think it's a good idea to rob Johnny Cash...at Christmastime... in Jamaica? If this sounds like some sort of Mad Lib, trust us, it's not. This really happened. And oddly enough, it's actually a charming Christmastime tale. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You Better Listen to the Radio: Operation Ostrich
During WWII, there were lots of ways to contribute to the war effort. One involved sitting at a radio station on Long Island, feeding lies to the Nazis to aid the Allies. Owen House was the secret center of Operation Ostrich, the most intense counterintelligence effort you've never heard of. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Zambian Plot
Let's say you're a German industrialist who needs to drive up the price of copper on the commodities market, would you hire a midcentury adventurer/boat captain and a pair of Miami skin divers to help you blow up a bridge in Zambia? If so, then you are the perps in this truly wild Cold War tale of international intrigue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Don't Mess with the Big Dog: Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart is more than a food and entertaining icon; she's a brand. Literally. But a brand can't lie to the feds and a brand can't go to jail. Martha Stewart the human, however, could and did just that. But you can't keep a tough gal down. Martha made a comeback and then some. And that's a good thing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The King of Counterfeiters: Jeff Turner
If you were in a bad place, hard up financially, looking for work, and some sorta lifeline... how far down your list of options would be the idea: should I start a counterfeiting ring? For Jeff Turner that was his number one idea. And that's how he became the King of Counterfeiters. But it's also how Jeff ended up on this show, so clearly there were some challenges he didn't expect. For example, a
There Ain't No Cure for the Varsity Blues: Rick Singer
Applying to college. Oh, what a busy time that is for high school students. There are stressors like posing for a fake rowing photo or making sure your SAT ringer spelled your name right on the Scantron. See, while some teens spend all their time studying and participating in activities to get ahead, others spend their parents' cash to game the system. Gotta put that Full House syndication money t
The Flapper Bandit: Rebecca Bradley Rogers
The 1920s was an era of radical change in the culture. One of the major indicators was the advent of The Flapper –- young women who rejected the previous generations' notions of femininity and embraced their own ideas of modern womanhood. This of course inspired a nationwide moral panic! Enter the Flapper Bandit –– a young woman who rejected previous notions of legality and embra
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