American Criminal

Fresh out of his stint in Green Haven State Prison, Nicky Barnes gets to work rebuilding his drug business. He takes the advice of Matty Madonna, and models his growing empire on the structures of the Five Families of the American Mafia. But his rapid success puts a huge target on his back, and he won't be able to stay ahead of the law forever. Listen to all 4 episodes of 'Nicky Barnes: Mr. Untouchable' wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠Americancriminal.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Long before he became "Mr Untouchable" -- one of the biggest drug dealers in the country -- Nicky Barnes was just a kid growing up in Harlem. But he would eventually gather together a group of other Black men to control the flow of heroin across New York City, challenging the dominance of the city's existing crime families. Listen to all 4 episodes of 'Nicky Barnes: Mr. Untouchable' wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠Americancriminal.com⁠ We’ve covered dozens of stories here at American Criminal, and we always love hearing which ones are your favorites. Now we want your help to choose some of our upcoming seasons. We’ve put together a list of stories we think you’ll really enjoy, and now the final say is yours. Click the link below! americancriminal.com/vote Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 18th century, it was an open secret that new corpses would often be taken from graves and used as teaching aids for medical students. Not the most pleasant thing to think about, but much of society was pretty happy to ignore the elephant in the room. But in April of 1788, something changed, and it suddenly brought a lot more attention to the cottage industry of body snatching. Listen to all 4 episodes of 'William 'Boss' Tweed' wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠Americancriminal.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 1970s, one man is the face of New York City’s heroin trade: Leroy “Nicky” Barnes. After a years-long cycle of arrests, prison time, and parole, Nicky assembles a syndicate of Black dealers to challenge the Mafia’s dominance in the industry. For years, they rake in millions. But despite earning the nickname “Mr Untouchable,” Nicky’s gonna find out the hard way that nothing lasts forever. This season on American Criminal: how a former heroin-addict built one of the most lucrative drug empires New York has ever seen. And how it all fell spectacularly apart. Listen to American Criminal- Nicky Barnes: Mr. Untouchable wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at Americancriminal.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If the story of William Tweed has taught us anything, it’s that corruption in politics is nothing new. But nor is corruption the only thing that affected the course of Boss Tweed's career. We're joined by historian, lawyer, and author Kenneth Ackerman to talk about the life and legacy of William Tweed, the impact of the Orange Riots on New York City, and the way history echoes through the ages. Listen to all 4 episodes of 'William 'Boss' Tweed' wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠Americancriminal.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

December 4, 1875. Notoriously corrupt New York City politician Boss Tweed slips away from guards during a home visit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By the spring of 1870, William Tweed had almost complete control over New York – not just the city, but much of the state, too. And with his wealth increasing by the day, he knew that he was nigh untouchable. Money could be used to end political careers, bribe judges to look the other way, or even buy nuisance publications that wouldn’t play ball. But there were a few men who couldn’t be bought. Bill understood plenty about America’s political system, but he didn’t understand that. Listen to all 4 episodes of 'William 'Boss' Tweed' wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠Americancriminal.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Bill Tweed tightened his stranglehold over Tammany Hall, the Civil War broke out, throwing the country into chaos. And when the war effort asked New Yorkers to pay too high a price, they took to the streets in a deadly riot that would last for days. Listen to all 4 episodes of 'William 'Boss' Tweed' wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠Americancriminal.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Fernando Wood won the election to become mayor of New York City, Bill Tweed watched him closely. He observed everything his political rival did -- the way he manipulated voters, how he curried favor, and how he consolidated his own power. But he also paid careful attention to Wood's biggest mistakes, including the one that led to the infamous New York City Police Riot. Listen to all 4 episodes of 'William 'Boss' Tweed' wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠Americancriminal.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Growing up in a New York City where pigs roamed the unpaved streets, Bill Tweed didn't have much reason to pay attention to the world of politics. But as he got older and wiser, he sized up the world, and realized that there was a surefire way to make money, and that was to win an election. And he was willing to do whatever it took to do just that. His determination would one day see him sitting atop the political machine that kept New York running. It would also mark him as one of America's most famously corrupt politicians in history. Listen to all 4 episodes of 'William 'Boss' Tweed' wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠Americancriminal.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Rudolph's horrific crimes affected a lot of people. More than 100 people were injured in his bombings, and two people lost their lives. And there was one man whose entire existence shifted on the night of the Atlanta Olympics bombing: Richard Jewell. Listen to all 5 episodes of 'Domestic Terror: The Hunt for Eric Rudolph' wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠Americancriminal.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 19th century, the great American experiment was still in its infancy. Not only was the political landscape still forming, but everyday voters didn’t have the time or means to pay attention to everything that happened in the halls of power. That left the door wide open for rampant corruption and outright theft. And no one did that like New York’s William ‘Boss’ Tweed. In this season of American Criminal, the foundations of modern New York, the mob violence stirred up by the Civil War, and the corruption of a man who bent the city to his will. Listen to American Criminal: William 'Boss' Tweed wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at Americancriminal.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1981, game wardens Bill Pogue and Conley Elms stopped by the Nevada campsite of Claude Dallas, a self-proclaimed "mountain man" who was living off the land. Just minutes after they arrived, though, both Bill and Conley were dead by Claude's hand. So was Claude acting in self-defense? Or was he a cold-blooded killer? Listen to all 5 episodes of 'Domestic Terror: The Hunt for Eric Rudolph' wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠Americancriminal.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elise and Marissa grew up in a seemingly normal house in the suburbs of St. Louis, but it was a house built on secrets. There were things their father never told them—like how he really made his money. One night, the police showed up with questions. Hours later, the sisters turned on the TV and saw something surreal: their father in the middle of a police chase. The local news identified him as a notorious fugitive: “The Boonie Hat Bandit”. The girls were stunned. Their dad had been living a double life. How long had he been lying to them? What had he done? And who, exactly, was their father? Deep Cover: The Family Man is a story about the way parents deceive their children and the crimes a desperate father will commit to save his family. It’s also a story about justice—and the question of what punishment these crimes deserve. If you can't wait, you can get the whole story with a Pushkin+ Subscription. Go to https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/deep-cover Listen to American Criminal wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠Americancriminal.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After making it through his first couple of years alone in the woods, Eric Rudolph decided that he wasn't done building bombs. So he picked his target and set out to reassert his anti-abortion message. But once again, things wouldn't go entirely to plan. Listen to all 5 episodes of 'Domestic Terror: The Hunt for Eric Rudolph' wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠Americancriminal.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following his latest bombing of an abortion clinic, Eric Rudolph was on the back foot – running scared. He believed in the righteousness of his actions, but he didn’t want to be punished for them. Luckily for him, he’d spent years planning for exactly this scenario. So, with no other option, Eric fled into the woods of North Carolina, kickstarting a years-long manhunt in the Appalachians. Listen to all 5 episodes of 'Domestic Terror: The Hunt for Eric Rudolph' wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠Americancriminal.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like some of his comrades in the fight against abortion in America, Eric Rudolph claimed membership in the Army of God, a mysterious, structureless underground group with one clear organizing principle: violence against abortion providers was justified and righteous. Looking at his heroes from within the movement, Eric was disappointed to have not claimed more lives in the war, so in 1998, he planned to make a decisive, deadly blow against his opponents. Listen to all 5 episodes of 'Domestic Terror: The Hunt for Eric Rudolph' wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠Americancriminal.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fed up with what he sees as the crumbling of Western civilization, and inspired by anti-abortion activists who've killed doctors, Eric Rudolph set out to send a message to America -- and the world. His target? The 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. His actions would have severe consequences for more than a hundred people, including security guard Richard Jewell. Listen to all 5 episodes of 'Domestic Terror: The Hunt for Eric Rudolph' wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠Americancriminal.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1996, a bomb exploded at a free concert celebrating the Atlanta Olympics. The explosion killed one woman and injured over a hundred people. In the aftermath, no one stepped forward to take credit for the Atlanta Olympics bombing, leaving the entire world to wonder just who could attack such a joyous event? The answer was Eric Rudolph, and his reign of terror was just getting started. Listen to all 5 episodes of 'Domestic Terror: The Hunt for Eric Rudolph' wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠Americancriminal.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On July 27th, 1996, the Atlanta Olympic Games were in full swing when a bomb exploded in the middle of a crowded park. When the dust settled, two people were dead and over a hundred were injured. As investigators scrambled for answers, they had no idea that this campaign of terror was just beginning. On this season of American Criminal: The making of a homegrown terrorist. How a twisted stew of religion, conspiracy theories, and army training fed the evil tendencies of Eric Rudolph’s mind. Don’t miss the new season of American Criminal – Domestic Terror: The Hunt for Eric Rudolph beginning May 14th. Listen to American Criminal - Domestic Terror: The Hunt for Eric Rudolph wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at Americancriminal.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In December 2016, Nancy Motes carried out a bizarre kidnapping plot in her daughter’s name, seemingly desperate to get revenge on the Texas community and art form that had wronged her. To listen to all five episodes of 'The Social Climber Killer: Sante Kimes' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With her husband gone, and his millions vanished, Sante Kimes was determined to get her hands on money in any way she could. Her devious schemes led to three calculated, cold-blooded murders. To listen to all five episodes of 'The Social Climber Killer: Sante Kimes' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Mother’s Day on American Criminal: kidnapping, people trafficking, slavery, murder – we’re going all in on the mothers who’d stop at nothing to get what they wanted. Don’t miss the latest season The Social Climber Killer | Sante Kimes plus a special Mother's Day episode on Nancy Motes: The Dance Mom Kidnapper. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at Americancriminal.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After her imprisonment for slavery, Sante Kimes is determined not to go back to jail. And she’s only too happy to get her hands a little bloody to keep her freedom. To listen to all five episodes of 'The Social Climber Killer: Sante Kimes' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With her husband’s millions, Sante Kimes could easily afford to hire staff to run her household. But spending money was out of the question if Sante could get something for free – even if that meant she had to enslave a few people. To listen to all five episodes of 'The Social Climber Killer: Sante Kimes' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With her first husband in the rearview mirror, Sante Kimes set out to find herself a man who was truly worthy of her. And in Sante’s mind, there was only one qualification for that position: money, and lots of it. To listen to all five episodes of 'The Social Climber Killer: Sante Kimes' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By the end of her life, Sante Kimes had a reputation as one of the most devious defendants judges on both coasts had ever seen. But before that, she was a little girl who learned some very important lessons from her parents. To listen to all five episodes of 'The Social Climber Killer: Sante Kimes' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most litigated murder cases in American history played out in the courts for over 50 years, and there are still plenty of unanswered questions about exactly what happened the night Jeffrey MacDonald's family were brutally murdered. Chief among them: did investigators get it right, or is an innocent person behind bars? To listen to all three episodes of 'The Murder of Carol Stuart' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The murder of Carol Stuart is far from the only violent crime an individual has tried to blame on "a Black guy." Sadly, it's a surprisingly common occurrence. This is the story of the horrific murders of Barbara Anderson by her husband Jesse Anderson, and of Michael and Alex Smith by their mother Susan Smith. Both killers sent their communities on a wild goose chase, looking for young Black men. But thankfully, neither did as much damage as Charles Stuart did to Boston. To listen to all three episodes of 'The Murder of Carol Stuart' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the investigation into the murder of Carol Stuart in full swing, all of Boston is talking about it. The city's leaders say this is the tragic but inevitable result of the crack cocaine epidemic that has swept across the nation, and police are using the crime as an excuse to target young Black men for random searches. But there are a few people who start to suspect that Chuck Stuart's story isn't the whole truth. And at least one person knows that it's all one big lie. To listen to all three episodes of 'The Murder of Carol Stuart' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By the summer of 1989, Charles Stuart had decided to kill his wife. But he didn't think he could pull it off alone. So he started asking around, trying to find someone willing to help him. And if he couldn't recruit a willing accomplice, he was just going to have to trick someone. To listen to all three episodes of 'The Murder of Carol Stuart' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On October 23rd, 1989, Charles and Carol Stuart were abducted and robbed in their own car. Before he escaped, their attacker shot each of the Stuarts, leaving Carol fatally wounded and Charles desperately calling for help. The incident outraged Boston, and saw the local police mobilized to hunt down the killer. There was just one problem: it was all a lie. To listen to all three episodes of 'The Murder of Carol Stuart' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In January 1932, Howard Woolverton and his wife were run off the road by some thugs, who grabbed Howard and drove away. They held him for ransom in a plot that captured the nation's attention. But just who was behind the scheme has never been conclusively proven. Erik Rivenes speaks with author Kevin Meredith about the kidnapping, and why the world thinks Machine Gun Kelly is the one to blame. To listen to all four episodes of 'Machine Gun Kelly' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robbery gone wrong, or cold-blooded murder? In fall of 1989, Charles and Carol Stuart were expecting their first child. It was the happiest time of their lives. But on the night of October 23rd, they’d just left a birthing class when they were attacked by a man with a gun. Miraculously, Charles survived the encounter, but Carol wasn’t so lucky. And in the aftermath of that horrific crime, Boston would be a city divided. Listen to American Criminal: The Murder of Carol Stuart wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at americancriminal.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the early 1930s, there was more going on in America than the Great Depression and a spate of kidnappings. We're joined by author and acclaimed journalist Joe Urschel to discuss the evolution of law enforcement, the impact of media reporting on the Machine Gun Kelly case, and the eternal need to prove your father wrong. To listen to all four episodes of 'Machine Gun Kelly' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In June, 1933, a crime that would shock that nation was committed outside a train station in broad daylight. No one saw the Kansas City Massacre coming, and as the nascent FBI scrambled to deal with the fallout, they were shaping their own legacy, as well as the future of crime-fighting in America. To listen to all four episodes of 'Machine Gun Kelly' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the entire country watching, J Edgar Hoover's Bureau of Investigation turns their efforts to hunting down the infamous Machine Gun Kelly and his wife, Kathryn. To listen to all four episodes of 'Machine Gun Kelly' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George "Machine Gun" Kelly and his partner in crime, Albert Bates, pull off a flawless abduction of one of the richest men in Oklahoma. But their victim, Charles Urschel, has a superpower that's going to ruin everything. To listen to all four episodes of 'Machine Gun Kelly' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After his first botched kidnapping attempt, George "Machine Gun" Kelly goes back to what's familiar: robbing banks. But as the Great Depression ravages the economy, it's getting harder and harder to get a good haul, so George and his wife start plotting what will become one of the most famous kidnappings in American history. To listen to all four episodes of 'Machine Gun Kelly' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Growing up in Memphis, George Kelly Barnes starts dabbling in crime from a young age. First he blackmails his father, then he grows a successful bootlegging business for himself. But how did this small-time crook earn one of the most famous names in criminal history? And why don't we talk about his most famous crime? To listen to all four episodes of 'Machine Gun Kelly' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Until 2020, the world had mostly forgotten all about the McDonald's Monopoly scandal that rocked the country. But like so many modern true crime stories, this one was revived thanks to a simple post on Reddit. We chat with James Lee Hernandez, co-director of the McMillions documentary series, about freedom of information requests, late night interviews, and getting the FBI on board. To listen to all three episodes of 'The Great McDonald's Monopoly Heist' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 1930s, America was in the midst of an epidemic that no one could stop. But it wasn’t an illness we were up against, it was a crime: kidnapping. Every year, thousands of people were abducted and held for ransom while law enforcement struggled to deal with the massive problem. Watching all this go down was a small-time bootlegger turned bank robber: George “Machine Gun” Kelly. And he wanted in. Listen to American Criminal: Machine Gun Kelly wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at Americancriminal.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cautionary Tales is the podcast that explores history's biggest missteps,and asks what we can learn from them. Whether it's a botched crime, a film flop, or a catastrophic plane crash, there is always a lesson. Each episode brings together storytelling, social-science analysis, and carefully crafted soundscapes. In "Number Fever: How Pepsi Nearly Went Pop", host Tim Harford explores the fallout from one of the most disastrous company promotions in history. When Pepsi accidentally printed winning numbers in 800,000 bottle caps, instead of two, chaos reigned. Thousands were told they were about to be lifted out of poverty, only to be informed it was all a mistake. People fight for what they've been promised, both in court and in the streets, resulting in several deaths. This episode looks at other examples of when company promotions have made mistakes, or customers have exploited poorly worded smallprint. Is the customer always right, or does the house always win? Listen to Cautionary Tales wherever you get podcasts. (Link: https://lnk.to/CTAmCriminal) To listen to all three episodes of 'The Great McDonald's Monopoly Heist' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2001, the FBI receive an anonymous tip that the McDonald's Monopoly promotions have been rigged for years, and they set out to investigate. But what seems like a joke case at first soon turns deadly serious. And just when the story breaks, history happens, and a fast food competition doesn't seem so important anymore. To listen to all three episodes of 'The Great McDonald's Monopoly Heist' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After finding a way to steal the highest value prize tokens for the McDonald's Monopoly games, Jerry Jacobson had a problem: he needed people who could claim the prizes and then give him a cut. He didn't have the network to pull off a scheme like that. But he soon found people who did: the Mafia. To listen to all three episodes of 'The Great McDonald's Monopoly Heist' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1987, McDonald's joined forces with another American icon for a marketing scheme. The McDonald's Monopoly promotion was so popular that the company decided to bring it back again and again, watching their sales spike every time. What they didn't know was that one man on the inside was rigging the game so that no one would ever win the big prizes -- for years. To listen to all three episodes of 'The Great McDonald's Monopoly Heist' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Medical professionals are some of the most trusted people in our society. And for good reason. They dedicate their lives to helping others. Every now and again, you get a bad egg like Genene Jones, who seeks to hurt her patients, too. And then there are the more complicated cases. Walter Jackson wanted to help people. He really did. But his way of doing that was the transorbital lobotomy -- a procedure he pioneered and then performed thousands of times. To listen to all four episodes of 'The Killer Nurse: Genene Jones' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the late-1980s, McDonald’s teamed up with another icon of American capitalism: the game of Monopoly. Together, the two brands launched one of the most successful and popular marketing campaigns of the 20th century. Certain McDonald’s products came with themed game pieces that customers could collect and assemble to win prizes, including a million dollars. But there was just one problem: the game was rigged. Don’t miss the latest season of American Criminal – The Great McDonald’s Monopoly Heist, beginning December 12th. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or to get early, ad-free access to the entire season first, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at americancriminal.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After being chased from Bexar County Hospital, killer nurse Genene Jones heads to Kerrville to work in a new pediatric clinic. And despite how close she came to being caught for her crimes already, she refuses to stop murdering the children in her care -- until enough people finally notice what she's doing. To listen to all four episodes of 'The Killer Nurse: Genene Jones' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At Bexar County Hospital, Genene Jones' colleagues started to notice that a worrying number of children were dying while she looked after them. It got so bad that people started calling Genene's regular shift 'The Death Shift.' But hospital bureaucracy made investigating Genene's crimes a logistical nightmare, and punishing her for them was next to impossible. To listen to all four episodes of 'Killer Nurse: Genene Jones' right now and ad-free, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmericanCriminal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices