Best Underbelly L A Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 38 Charities, Tax Shelters, and Crimes...Oh My! The story of Michael L Meyers and the Ultimate Tax Plan 29:34

2M ago29:34

29:34

Show Notes for Episode 38: Charities, Tax Shelters, and Crimes...Oh My! Hosts: Dominique Molina and Tom Gorczynski Summary In this episode of "Tax Crime Junkies," we delve into the shady dealings of Michael L. Meyer and his notorious "Ultimate Tax Plan." Discover how Meyer, posing as a trustworthy professional, lured financial planners and their we…

1
Episode 37 JUST WHEN YOU THINK YOU KNOW A PERSON: ALAN FABIAN’S SAVVY SCHEME 36:28

3M ago36:28

36:28

Show Notes for Tax Crime Junkies: "Just When You Think You Know a Person: Alan Fabian’s Savvy Scheme" Episode Summary: In this eye-opening episode of Tax Crime Junkies, your hosts Dominique and Tom delve into the complex and shocking world of Alan Fabian. A seemingly perfect citizen, family man, and business mogul, Alan's life took a dark turn into…

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Special Bonus Episode 36: No Joke Left Behind: The Tax Crime Junkies' Blooper Bonanza 2:44

3M ago2:44

2:44

This April Fool's Day, "Tax Crime Junkies" takes a detour from the usual maze of numbers and legal intrigue to bring you something completely different—a bonus episode packed with our most hilarious bloopers! Join Dom and Tom as they let their guard down and share the moments that didn't make the cut. From tongue-tied explanations of tax legislatio…

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Episode 35: The Road to Redemption: Frank Kelly's Journey Continues Part 2 28:45

3M ago28:45

28:45

Episode Summary: In this compelling follow-up episode of "Tax Crime Junkies," hosts Dom and Tom continue their deep dive with Frank Kelly, the tax preparer whose battle against federal charges captivated our audience. In Part 2 of our exclusive interview, Kelly opens up about the aftermath of his trial, his journey towards personal and professional…

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Episode 34: An Insider's Tale: Frank Kelly Speaks Out 27:35

4M ago27:35

27:35

Episode Summary: Don't Miss - who Frank says is fat, bald headed pigtails on a flying carpet. In an unprecedented episode of "Tax Crime Junkies," hosts Dom and Tom sit down with Frank Kelly, the tax preparer at the heart of the United States v. Frank Kelly case. After navigating through a harrowing legal battle against charges of conspiracy to defr…

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Episode 33 The Case of the Cautious Preparer 52:16

4M ago52:16

52:16

Episode Summary: In this gripping episode of "Tax Crime Junkies," hosts Dom and Tom delve into the captivating case of United States v. Frank Kelly, a story that navigates the murky waters of tax law, justice, and the lengths to which individuals will go to contest the might of the IRS. Set against the backdrop of a seemingly innocuous auto repair …

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An Intriguing Saga of Tax Evasion and Legal Battles 39:53

5M ago39:53

39:53

Prepare for another riveting episode of Tax Crime Junkies as we venture into the controversial world of the famed Chrisley family. Unravel their tumultuous journey from celebrity status to courtrooms through our meticulously constructed narrative. Explore the depth of their legal battles, the shocking accusations of embezzlement, fraud, and money l…

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Episode 31 The Southport Scandal: Unraveling a Financial Prodigy's Web of Deceit Part II 27:45

5M ago27:45

27:45

Welcome to the latest episode of Tax Crime Junkies, where we take a deep dive into the infamous South Lane Enterprise scandal. Join this exhilarating journey as hosts Dom and Tom chat with special guest, certified fraud examiner Richard Bailey about the ins and outs of famously exposing a staggering $350 million fraud. A phone call in the summer of…

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Episode 30 The Southport Scandal: Unraveling a Financial Prodigy's Web of Deceit 30:22

6M ago30:22

30:22

Show Notes: Welcome back to another episode of Tax Crime Junkies! In this thrilling episode, we dive deep into the infamous Southport Lane scandal, a story of financial manipulation, deceit, and a downfall that shook the world of private equity. Hosts: Dom and Tom Special Guest: Richard Bailey, Certified Fraud Examiner and author of "Pirate Cove: A…

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EPISODE 29:DELINQUENT JUDGES AND JUVENILE DELINQUENTS PART II 38:20

6M ago38:20

38:20

Tax Crime Junkies: “Delinquent Judges and Juvenile Delinquents” - Part Two Welcome back to the gripping conclusion of our two-part series on the notorious "Kids for Cash" scandal. Hosts Dominique Molina, a CPA certified tax strategist, and Tom Gorczynski, an enrolled agent and tax instructor, delve deep into the corrupt world of two Pennsylvania ju…

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Episode 28: Kids for Cash: The Dark Side of Juvenile Justice Part 1 31:44

6M ago31:44

31:44

Episode Title: Kids for Cash: The Dark Side of Juvenile Justice Episode Summary: In this riveting two-part episode of "Tax Crime Junkies," hosts Dominique Molina and Tom Gorczynski delve into the infamous Kids for Cash scandal. This series uncovers the shocking exploitation of the juvenile justice system by two Pennsylvania judges, Mark Ciavarella …

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Episode 27: The Taxing Truth: Inside Stories from the IRS Frontline 41:24

7M ago41:24

41:24

Episode Summary: In this gripping episode of "Tax Crime Junkies," we are joined by Anna Mace, a former IRS Revenue Officer and author of "Tax Me If You Can: Tax Cheats, Government Waste, and the Shooter." Anna's 15-year tenure at the IRS, filled with intense experiences and critical insights, shapes a fascinating discussion about the complexities o…

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HOW TO NOT GET AWAY WITH MURDER - THE CASE OF RANDY NOWAK 34:39

7M ago34:39

34:39

Episode Summary: In this gripping episode of "Tax Crime Junkies," hosts Dominique and Tom delve into a true crime story that intertwines tax evasion with a murder-for-hire plot. The episode focuses on Randy Nowak, a Florida-based carpentry contractor and antique car enthusiast, who finds himself in hot water with the IRS. When faced with an audit a…

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Episode 25: The Illusion of Easy Money: Unmasking the Secret Escrow Scam 37:34

8M ago37:34

37:34

Show Notes: Hosts Dominique and Tom introduce the episode's theme, focusing on a sophisticated scam targeting homeowners. The hosts discuss the allure of easy money:, describing how the scam preyed on new homeowners with the promise of a secret escrow account leading to large tax refunds. Unpacking the Scam: The mechanics of the scam are explained,…

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Episode 24: How Sarma Melngailis, Queen of Vegan Cuisine, Became a Runaway Tax Fugitive Part II 37:33

9M ago37:33

37:33

Show Notes: Tax Crime Junkies Episode - "The Vegan Vixen and the Vegas Vanishing Act" (Part 2 - Continuation) In the thrilling conclusion of our episode on Sarma Melngailis, we delve even deeper into the shocking aftermath of her fall from grace and the complex web of deceit spun by her husband, Anthony Strangis. The Legal Consequences: Sarma and A…

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Episode 23: How Sarma Melngailis, Queen of Vegan Cuisine, Became a Runaway Tax Fugitive Part I 37:49

9M ago37:49

37:49

In this gripping episode of Tax Crime Junkies, dive deep into the whirlwind world of Sarma Melngailis, the culinary genius behind New York City's famed vegan restaurant, "Pure Food and Wine." From her meteoric rise in the culinary world to her unexpected entanglement with the enigmatic Anthony Strangis, discover how ambition, love, and deception ca…

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Episode 22: Desperate Deals: The Rise and Fall of a King and His Tax Castle 36:45

10M ago36:45

36:45

Episode Title: Desperate Deals: The Rise and Fall of a King and His Tax CastleEpisode Summary: In this gripping episode of Tax Crime Junkies, hosts Dom and Tom delve into the shocking true story of King Isaac Umoren, a tax preparer turned criminal mastermind. From impersonating an FBI agent to selling a fraudulent tax business, Umoren's tale is a c…

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EPISODE 21: Concerts and Con Artists: Inside the Multi Million Dollar Music Fraud Scheme THE CASE OF MICHAEL BANUELOS- FERRARI MIKE 39:02

11M ago39:02

39:02

Key Takeaways: The Facade of Luxury: Michael Banuelos, aka Ferrari Mike, portrayed a life of luxury, but it was all built on lies. A Web of Deceit: Michael's scams ranged from fake concert tours to counterfeit documentation, defrauding investors of over $2 million. A Shocking Past: Michael's criminal activities date back to his time as a deputy she…

1
Episode 20: Concerts and Con Artists Inside the Multi Million Dollar Music Fraud Scheme” THE CASE OF MICHAEL BANUELOS - FERRARI MIKE CASE 33:35

11M ago33:35

33:35

In this episode, Dominique and Tom dive into the multi million dollar music fraud scheme of Michael Banuelos, better known as Ferrari Mike. From 2005 to 2012, Mike swindled nearly 3 million dollars out of multiple investors all while living the high life off of their hard earned money. He makes himself out to be a big shot with impressive connectio…

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Episode 19: Justice Delayed Is Not Justice Denied. Solving The Cold Case Of Price Waterhouse Accountant Julie Bucalo 30:26

11M ago30:26

30:26

In this episode, Dom & Tom discuss the case of Ralph Baldenegro, a former firefighter and current inmate, who took over two decades to solve. Baldenegro, a 42-year-old former firefighter, worked as security for the firm and had left the Santa Clara Fire Department in disgrace a few years earlier after an assault conviction and dismissal. The podcas…

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Episode 18: When Tax Work Pressures Lead to Murder 42:52

12M ago42:52

42:52

Trigger WARNING: This episode contains discussions of extreme acts of violence with guns in the workplace. Listeners take care. While some people are able to receive constructive criticism and move on, others can obsess on what they see as a failure, and when they blame their boss, co-workers, or even just the person that does the firing. This is t…

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Uncharted Territories: Expatriation, Risky Returns, and the IRS’s Watchful Eye: The Story of Oleg Tinkov 36:50

1y ago36:50

36:50

In this episode, Tax Pros Dominique and Tom discuss the recent case of billionaire Russian bank magnate Oleg Tinkov, who pleaded guilty to tax fraud and agreed to pay over $500 million for misrepresenting his net worth on a tax form. Join us as we delve into the details of the case and offer tips and advice to help listeners avoid making similar mi…

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Episode 16 Web of Suspicion: Unraveling the Mystery Surrounding John McAfee - Part 2 34:38

1y ago34:38

34:38

In this episode, CPAs Dominique and Tom discuss the life, death, and tax crimes of John McAfee! Dominique and Tom, unpack part 2 of a story about John McAfee, a tech pioneer and libertarian who was also a fugitive on the run. The hosts unpacked a lot about his colorful and controversial life in the previous episode and continue to do so in this one…

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Episode 15: Web of Suspicion: Unraveling the Mystery Surrounding John McAfee - Part 1 36:34

1y ago36:34

36:34

Episodes Notes: In this episode, CPA Dominique and EA Tom discuss the life, death, and tax crimes of John McAfee! Dominique and Tom, introduce a two-part series on the life and death of John McAfee. John was the founder of the first antivirus software company and was a tech pioneer who made millions of dollars. He was also a fugitive who claimed to…

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Episode 14: Fatal Secrets: The Twisted Saga of a Tax Attorney’s Vengeance Part II 38:23

1y ago38:23

38:23

This episode concludes the twisted saga of a tax attorney’s vengeance, putting together the last of the puzzle pieces to finally determine just what happened to Ashley Pallow. When we last left off, there had already been multiple tax crimes and four murders associated with this case. Michelle was in jail for an unrelated charge and new witness Chr…

1
Episode 13: Fatal Secrets: The Twisted Saga of a Tax Attorney’s Vengeance 32:13

1y ago32:13

32:13

This episode unveils the twisted saga of a tax attorney’s vengeance that resulted in not one, but multiple murders. Ashley Pallow was a tax attorney from St. Lucie, Florida who had a bit of a reputation for being aggressive and for pushing the boundaries of the law. Incredibly, Ashley himself had been charged with murder prior to his own, but was a…

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Episode 12: Uncovering the Costly Consequences of CPA Burnout: The Case of Roger Stadtmueller’s Tax Fraud 28:27

1y ago28:27

28:27

In this episode, CPAs and hosts Dominique and Tom cover information about tax fraud cases and how they can be prevented. Today, the main focus is on the tax fraud case of the very overwhelmed Roger Stadtmueller, a certified public accountant who had his license revoked and was fined for committing tax fraud. We also discuss the stress of tax season…

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Episode 11: From Garbage Man To Jailbird: His Career Took A Trashy Turn and He Took His CPA With Him Part II 38:46

1y ago38:46

38:46

This episode reveals the shocking conclusion of the story of Wagdy Guirguis and his CPA Michael Higa. The IRS’s investigation of Hawaii Pacific Finance reveals that for nearly 12 years, Wagdy was having Michael divert funds to his personal accounts, amounting to $1.3 million. In an attempt to make it seem like he did not owe any taxes, Wagdy orders…

1
Episode 10: From Garbage Man To Jailbird: His Career Took A Trashy Turn and He Took His CPA With Him 28:43

1y ago28:43

28:43

This episode unveils the beginning of the story of Wagdy Guirguis, a garbage man turned jailbird whose career took such a trashy turn that he even took his CPA down with him. Wagdy owned multiple business entities, one of which was GMP Associates. Right from the beginning when he founded GMP Associates in 1999, he began to perform payroll tax evasi…

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Episode 9: The Fall of Steve Martinez: From IRS Employee to Convicted Con Artist Part 2 38:36

1y ago38:36

38:36

This episode tells the second half of the story of Steve Martinez, an IRS employee turned con artist who committed fraud and tax evasion, and even attempted to hire someone to murder witnesses against him. Martinez made outrageous requests to the court, including asking for permission to go on a Disney cruise with his family, and later claimed he h…

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Episode 8: The Fall of Steve Martinez: From IRS Employee to Convicted Con Artist 40:28

1y ago40:28

40:28

Today’s episode reveals part one of the incredible true story of Steve Martinez, a former IRS agent and CPA turned con artist. Steve ran an intricate scheme committing tax evasion on behalf of both himself and his clients and defrauding his clients of millions of dollars. He created a dummy business which he used to embezzle his client’s tax return…

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Episode 7: The Con Artist Television Taxman of San Diego Part II- How One Man Duped the Public and Betrayed His Clients 29:00

1y ago29:00

29:00

Today’s episode is the exciting conclusion of the true crime tale of J. Douglas Jennings, the con artist television taxman of San Diego. He was involved in tax planning and ran a faith based practice, using religion to trick clients into trusting him. In the last episode, we learned about Doug Jennings’ most well-known case wherein he schemed an el…

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Episode 6: The Con Artist Television Taxman of San Diego: How One Man Duped the Public and Betrayed His Clients Part I 37:57

1y ago37:57

37:57

Today’s episode reveals the true crime tale of J. Douglass Jennings, a real life knock off version of Better Call Saul. This con artist television taxman of San Diego managed to completely fool the public as he betrayed his clients’ trust through embezzlement, professional negligence, tax fraud, and malpractice. He attracted potential clients throu…

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Episode 5: The Tragic End of a Career: How One Man’s Retirement was Derailed by Tax Fraud 36:36

1+ y ago36:36

36:36

Today’s episode reveals the curious case of Larry Couchet, a once well-respected CPA in Ohio whose retirement was derailed by tax fraud. Larry was the president and majority shareholder of an accounting firm in Ohio and had a great reputation in his community. He was 59, nearing retirement, and all was well until he began helping his clients file f…

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Episode 4: Greed and Deceit: The Moral Failures of an Accountant Turned Criminal 33:37

1+ y ago33:37

33:37

Today’s episode unveils the moral failures of an accountant turned criminal. Paul Henri Harleman was a contract bookkeeper in Hawaii who used his personal relationships to defraud his clients out of over 1.2 million dollars over a four year period. Paul started off with a fantastic reputation as a guy well trusted by his clients. It all changed whe…

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Episode 3: From Log Homes to Lockup: The Unbelievable Tale of Martin Birk 41:46

1+ y ago41:46

41:46

Today’s episode reveals the unbelievable tale of Martin Birk, a Colorado businessman who went from log home salesperson to tax protester, and ultimately was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Birk started off as an honest businessman, filing his taxes each year, and running a thriving log homes business. When he took a business class at a local colle…

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Episode 2: The Chrisley Con: How a Lavish Lifestyle and Fake Loans Led to Tax Fraud and Bankruptcy 35:30

1+ y ago35:30

35:30

Today’s episode reveals that Julie and Todd Chrisley, a couple with a successful TV show, lived a lavish lifestyle using loans they took out illegally from banks. They defrauded banks by creating fake documents and claiming to have money in other banks. They spent about 36 million dollars on luxury trips, hotels, wear, and apartments. Whenever a lo…

1
Episode 1: An Introduction to Tax Crime Junkies. Ernst & Young Fined 100M for Cheating on Ethics Exams 35:03

1+ y ago35:03

35:03

Join us today as we dive deep into the Ernst & Young case that is costing them 100m dollars! We unpack the court case and how CPAs at Ernst & Young were cheating on their exams for over a decade! We also introduce ourselves, our vision, and what we hope to accomplish through the launching of this podcast! Tune in now! Talking Points: CPA Exams Ethi…

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The Crimes of Valhalla 23:51

3+ y ago23:51

23:51

In Burbank, there’s a cemetery named for a mythical land of the dead that today is known as the burial place of many famous aviators. It didn’t start out on the up-and-up, however. In our season two finale, Hadley recalls how Valhalla Memorial Park began as a grift, and its criminal legacy still casts a shadow today.This podcast was researched, wri…

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Patriarchy in Action: The Violent Life of Griffith J. Griffith 25:57

3+ y ago25:57

25:57

His name is forever associated with largest park, and indeed Griffith Park is one of the jewels of the city even today. But that legacy — and the bronze statue standing at the park’s entrance — belie a less-often told story a troubled man who shot his wife in the face.This podcast was researched, written and narrated by Hadley Meares. Follow her on…

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Edward Hickman, the Fox 21:16

3+ y ago21:16

21:16

One Saturday in December, 1927, Los Angeles was rocked by news of the gruesome murder of a child. A citywide manhunt for the killer quickly spread across state lines, and terrified Angelenos were even more surprised when the culprit turned out to be a 19-year-old who looked more like a Hollywood leading man than a craven villain.Find out more about…

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The Rattlesnake Killer 20:22

3+ y ago20:22

20:22

In August of 1935, Robert S. James committed one of the worst-planned murders in the history of Los Angeles, in the process earning himself the nickname "the Rattlesnake Killer" and also revealing a history of previous suspicious deaths.Find out more about Underbelly L.A. on the official website: https://www.underbellyla.comUnderbelly L.A. on Twitt…

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The Blonde Rattlesnake 20:33

3+ y ago20:33

20:33

In the second installment of our series looking into L.A. criminals who were decidedly not masterminds, Hadley examines Burmah White. Was she a bad girl? Or a good girl led astray by the worst kind of guy?Find out more about Underbelly L.A. on the official website: https://www.underbellyla.comUnderbelly L.A. on Twitter: https://twitter.com/underbel…

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Hazel Glab, the “Oklahoma Two-Gun Girl” 25:01

3+ y ago25:01

25:01

The new season of Underbelly L.A. looks not at the city’s criminal masterminds but at the city’s criminal also-rans, who gained infamy in spite of themselves. And we’re kicking off the new run with the story of Hazel Glab, whose amusingly flawed plot for murder made her an early L.A. media star.Find out more about Underbelly L.A. on the official we…

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An Interview With Hadley Meares 30:20

4+ y ago30:20

30:20

More than the host of Underbelly L.A., Hadley Meares is a journalist, historian, explorer and occasional stand-in for Amy Poehler. As she prepares for the second season of this podcast, she sat down for an interview with Underbelly L.A. producer Drew Mackie about just how a girl from North Carolina comes to love Los Angeles in all its seamy glory.G…

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Fountain of the World 21:58

4+ y ago21:58

21:58

One evening in 1958, an explosion shattered not only the quiet peace of the Christmas season but also perceptions about the World Knowledge Faith Love Fountain of the World, a clunkily named religious sect based in Southern California. It’s just one of the many cults to bloom in the area, and we’re closing out the first season of Underbelly L.A. wi…

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Hobo Corner 22:44

4+ y ago22:44

22:44

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, rootless men flooded into Los Angeles, looking for sunshine and, often, a new beginning. Many of them ended up in the downtown district known as Skid Row, and once there, they elicited both hostile and charitable reactions from better-off Angelenos. You could say the same of L.A. residents of the prese…

1
The Lipstick Murder 23:38

4+ y ago23:38

23:38

Jeanne French lived big and flew high, and it’s insult to injury that her grisly murder would end up overshadowing all she did with her life. In this episode, Hadley looks into circumstances around French’s 1947 murder, the “werewolf killer” panic that gripped Los Angeles around the time she died, and the possible connections the so-called Lipstick…

1
A Stay at the Cecil 23:51

4+ y ago23:51

23:51

Have you heard the one about the woman in the water tank? That’s not a setup for a joke so much as an urban legend rooted in one of the most tragic establishments in Los Angeles: the Hotel Cecil. Most famous for being the backdrop for the mysterious death of tourist Elisa Lam in 2013, the Hotel Cecil’s macabre history goes back to 1929 and, as Hadl…

1
The Murder of Dorothy Lee Gordon 23:01

4+ y ago23:01

23:01

One evening in 1940, nine-year-old Dorothy Lee Gordon was kidnapped as in the most insidious of ways: simply and quietly by a man whom, according to her friend, pulled up alongside them as they walked home from church and said “Get in the car, Dorothy. I’m going your way.” Weeks later, Dorothy would be found dead, and to this day, her murder has no…

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