The Opportunist
by PodcastOne
The Opportunist tells true stories of regular people who turn sinister by embracing opportunity. How does an everyday person turn into a thief, a scammer or a cult leader? Perhaps the most dangerous person is the one who appears the most normal. Perhaps there is a dark potential lurking inside all of us that is just waiting for the right opportunity to emerge. The Opportunist is an original podcast hosted by Sarah James McLaughlin.
Episodes
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Danette Colbert: Bourbon Street Hustler
On this episode of The Opportunist, when 27-year-old Adan Manzano is found dead in a New Orleans hotel room, suspicion quickly turns to Danette Colbert. As investigators dig deeper, they uncover a pattern of manipulation and greed that suggests Adan wasn’t her only victim.
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Daejon Love: Swipe Right, Lose Everything
On this episode of The Opportunist, Daejon Love swept women off their feet by posing as a wealthy property developer and a San Francisco 49ers football player - until dozens of victims came forward to reveal he had stolen millions. The episode traces how a serial romance scammer used dating apps…
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Gerhardt Konig: Alpine Divorce in the Aloha State
On this episode of The Opportunist, Gerhardt Konig was a respected Maui anesthesiologist who took his wife on a birthday hike - and allegedly used the occasion to try to kill her. The episode traces how a crumbling marriage and a doctor's calculated mind led to a cliffside attack that shocked...
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Ian Mitchell: The Man with Two Names
On this episode of The Opportunist, Ian Mitchell charmed his way through New York City's elite social circles by assuming a false identity. The episode traces how a smooth-talking con man used a borrowed name, designer clothes, and just enough insider knowledge to swindle friends and associates…
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INTRODUCING "Burden of Proof: Luigi Mangione"
Today, we’re sharing a special look at a podcast we think you’ll like from our friends at ABC Audio and 20/20. It’s called “Burden of Proof: Luigi Mangione.” In this five-part series, ABC News Legal Analyst Brian Buckmire goes deep into the case of Luigi Mangione and Brian Thompson. He’ll unpack...
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ANNA MARCH: Nom de Plume
Writer Anna March entered Los Angeles literary circles in 2015, presenting herself as a wealthy, successful feminist and advocate for marginalized writers. The episode explores her history of fraudulent ventures and unpaid debts.
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Cedric Lodge: Grave Mistake
On this episode of The Opportunist, Cedric Lodge spent nearly three decades as a trusted morgue manager at Harvard Medical School - until he was caught stealing body parts from donated cadavers and selling them online to collectors across the country. The episode traces how a man entrusted with…
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Dean Tran: Fraud, Forgery, and Firearms
On this episode of The Opportunist, Dean Tran built his political career as a fiscal conservative and trusted public servant in the Massachusetts State Senate - until a string of accusations began to unravel the image he'd carefully constructed. The episode traces how a lawmaker who campaigned on...
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Dr. Henry Lee: Evidence of Foul Play
In this episode, we dive into the controversial career of forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee, exploring allegations that he may have fabricated or mishandled evidence in several high-profile cases. Did one of America's most famous forensic experts use his scientific credentials to help…
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Arian Taherzadeh & Haider Ali: Highstakes Cosplay
In this episode of The Opportunist, we explore the bizarre case of Arian Taherzadeh and Haider Ali, who posed as federal agents and infiltrated the highest levels of the U.S. Secret Service with astonishing ease. We delve into the duo's motivations, the extent of their deception, and the...
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Luther Davis: Mission Imposter
On this episode of The Opportunist, former Luther Davis leveraged his football pedigree and connections to build a career representing aspiring NFL players. The episode traces how promises of opportunity and professional success gave way to allegations of deception that left careers and dreams...
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Tai Lopez: Guru to Grifter
On this episode of The Opportunist, Tai Lopez built a massive online following selling the gospel of wealth, knowledge, and hustle - until the SEC alleged he was running a $112 million Ponzi scheme behind the scenes. The episode traces how the internet's most famous self-help guru allegedly used...
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Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper: Unholy Roller
On this episode of The Opportunist, Mary Margaret Kreuper and Lana Chang were trusted educators and religious leaders at St. James Catholic School - until missing school funds shattered the community’s faith in them. The episode traces how two women who preached morality and discipline allegedly...
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Natalie Marie Gonzalez: High Achiever Drug Dealer
On this episode of The Opportunist, Natalie Marie Gonzalez built the image of a driven high achiever while secretly operating a drug distribution scheme. The episode traces how ambition and access helped her rise - and how that same double life ultimately caught up with her. Thank you to our...
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Chef Valentino Luchin: Recipe for Ruin
On this episode of The Opportunist, chef Valentino Luchin built an acclaimed restaurant - until mounting financial pressure drove him to a drastic choice. The episode traces how a celebrated career unraveled into a string of bank robberies in an attempt to stay afloat. Thank you to our sponsors:...
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Dishonorable Judge Mullins: Above the Law
On this episode of The Opportunist, we tell the story of Kentucky Judge Kevin Mullins, who allegedly used his position to solicit sex from inmates, and how his abuse of power came to a shocking end. Thank you to our sponsors: Quince: Quince.com/Opportunist for free shipping 365 day returns Mint...
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Daryl Hagler and Kenny Rozenberg: The Care Con
On this episode of The Opportunist, Daryl Hagler and Kenneth Rozenberg built a sprawling nursing home network in New Jersey — where profits allegedly came before patient care. The episode traces how their operation drew scrutiny, and the fallout from a system critics say put vulnerable residents…
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Murder, Money, and a Children's Book
Kouri Richins was a grieving widow—or so it seemed—until her husband’s suspicious death revealed a web of deceit and greed. In this episode, we uncover the chilling story of how she exploited trust and love in a scheme that shocked everyone who knew her.
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Ian Bick: Ponzi Party
On this episode of The Opportunist, Ian Bick built the image of a young entrepreneur while secretly running a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme out of Danbury, Connecticut. The episode traces how a teenager convinced friends, investors, and even family to trust him - until the scheme began to...
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Ari Gisell: Murder in Baja
In this episode of The Opportunist, Ari Giselle is at the center of a case tied to the killing of three surfers in Baja California. The episode traces how the crime unfolded - and how it turned a long-considered tourist playground into the focus of international scrutiny.
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The Reckoning of LA County: Camp Scott
On this episode of The Opportunist, probation guards at LA County’s Camp Scott, entrusted with the care of vulnerable girls, are accused of using their authority to sexually abuse those in custody. The episode examines how power, isolation, and a broken oversight system created the conditions for...
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Jontay Porter NBA Fixer
Jontay Porter \ On this episode of The Opportunist, NBA journeyman Jontay Porter is accused of fixing games to cash in on bets placed by his gambling partners. The episode unpacks how a professional athlete risked his career - and the integrity of the sport - for profit.
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Adva Lavie: Model Thief
On this episode of The Opportunist, a rising model with a double life, Adva Lavie conned fellow models and wealthy older men, leaving a trail of betrayal in her wake. The episode unpacks how looks, access, and opportunity fueled a years-long scheme hiding in plain sight.
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Mike Bickle: A Prayer, a Prophecy, and a Predator
This episode of The Opportunist pulls back the curtain on pastor Mike Bickle, tracing years of troubling claims and unanswered questions that lingered in the shadows of his ministry.
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“Pastor David Taylor: Jesus’s Best Friend Loves You”
Pastor David Taylor built Kingdom of God Global Church into a sprawling ministry powered by aggressive fundraising call centers and promises of divine favor. In this episode of The Opportunist, his story exposes how spiritual authority can become a tool for manipulation, control, and unending...
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Jeffrey Manchester: The Rooftop Robber
Jeffrey Manchester became known nationwide as the “Rooftop Burglar,” a figure often distorted by Hollywood and myth. But in this episode of The Opportunist, the real Jeffrey Manchester emerges - revealing how a quiet Army soldier turned thief built a double life of break-ins, secrecy, and…
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Steven Tomkins: Public Office, Private Gain
Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins rose to power as a reformer promising justice and change within Boston’s jail system. But in this episode of The Opportunist, Sheriff Steven Tomkins’ story reveals how a crusade for reform became a vehicle for power, loyalty, and personal gain.
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Danette Colbert: Bourbon Street Hustler
On this episode of The Opportunist, when 27-year-old Adan Manzano is found dead in a New Orleans hotel room, suspicion quickly turns to Danette Colbert. As investigators dig deeper, they uncover a pattern of manipulation and greed that suggests Adan wasn’t her only victim.
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Dr Thomas Weiner: The Cancer Con
On this episode of The Opportunist, trusted Montana oncologist Dr. Thomas Weiner is accused of diagnosing patients with cancer they didn’t have. What began as a story of hope and healing quickly turned into one of greed, deception, and shattered lives.
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Charlie Javice: The Startup Swindler
In this episode of The Opportunist, we follow Charlie Javice, a young fintech founder who sold her startup to JPMorgan Chase for $175 million. But behind the glowing headlines was a stunning fraud that would ultimately bring her empire crashing down. Thank you to our sponsors: Betterhelp: The...
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Mary Mahoney’s Old French House: Fish Fraud
Mary Mahoney’s Old French House was a beloved Gulf Coast landmark, serving presidents, celebrities, and locals for decades. On this episode of The Opportunist, we uncover the hidden story that threatened to tarnish its celebrated reputation. Thank you to our sponsors: Betterhelp: The podcast is...
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Introducing: CONSPIRACY THEORIES, CULTS, AND CRIMES
From Jonestown to Heaven’s Gate, to the Octopus Murders and the Waco Siege, the world is full of deception, manipulation, and destruction. Listen to Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes every Wednesday as we explore the real people at the center of the world’s most shocking secrets and…
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Jeremiah “The Bull” Evans: Alpha Conned
Jeremiah ‘The Bull’ Evans was a flashy entrepreneur who launched the Alpha Con convention, promising the secrets to wealth and influence. On this episode of The Opportunist, we look at how his high-energy salesmanship unraveled into fraud charges and a prison sentence. Thank you to our sponsors:...
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Kyle Norton Riester: Lieutenant LSD
Kyle Norton Riester was an active duty Army pilot who used LSD on the weekends and sold psychedelics on the dark web. On this episode of The Opportunist, we examine how his double life led to federal charges and a stunning fall from grace. Thank you to our sponsors: Quince: Go to...
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Exporting the Mission: Tim Ballard’s Legal Trouble in Argentina
In this follow-up episode, The Opportunist explores the latest legal troubles facing Tim Ballard, this time in Argentina, where he's under investigation for alleged misconduct tied to his anti-trafficking efforts. As the international scrutiny mounts, questions grow louder about the true motives...
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Aimee Bock & Salim Said: Defrauding Our Future
Aimee Bock and Salim Said positioned themselves as champions of hungry children—until investigators uncovered a massive fraud scheme siphoning millions from a federal food aid program. “Aimee Bock & Salim Said: Defrauding Our Future” exposes how ambition, deception, and weak oversight collided in...
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Eugene Weekly: Black, White, and In The Red
When the beloved community newspaper Eugene Weekly suddenly stopped publishing, staff discovered a longtime employee had quietly drained the paper’s finances for years. “Eugene Weekly: Black, White, and In The Red” unravels the story of betrayal, denial, and the fight to revive a local…
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Ryan James Wedding: Powder Runs
Once a promising snowboarder, Ryan James Wedding traded the slopes for smuggling routes in a shocking descent into the world of international drug trafficking. The Opportunists unpacks how fame, ambition, and risk collided in one man’s transformation from athlete to criminal.
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Smoke, Mirrors, and Medical Bills
John Hunter Raines was a trusted CFO overseeing millions in public funds meant to support families of children with severe birth injuries in Virginia. The Opportunist investigates how he quietly exploited the system for personal gain—while the families he was supposed to help were left fighting…
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Jacob Runyan & Chase Cominsky: Bait & Switch
In this episode, The Opportunist Podcast explores how Jacob Runyan and Chase Cominsky cheated during a series of major fishing tournaments. The episode reveals how they manipulated the situation with illegal tactics, causing shockwaves in the fishing community.
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John Darwin: Up a Creek Without a Paddle
When John Darwin vanished in a canoeing accident off the coast of the United Kingdom, it seemed like a tragic loss—but it was all part of a calculated plan. In this episode we explore how his elaborate scheme came to light and the shocking role his wife played.
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Murder, Money, and a Children's Book
Kouri Richins was a grieving widow—or so it seemed—until her husband’s suspicious death revealed a web of deceit and greed. In this episode, we uncover the chilling story of how she exploited trust and love in a scheme that shocked everyone who knew her.
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Part 2: The Season and Scandal That Shattered Hayfield
Coach Overton’s win-at-all-costs mentality led Hayfield High to a dream season—but also to its darkest chapter. In this episode, we delve into how his opportunistic actions unraveled the team, exposing a scandal that left a community reeling.
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Part 1: The Opportunist Coach Overton’s Big Move
When Coach Overton made a surprising leap to Hayfield High School, he was hailed as the savior of the struggling football program. But behind his calculated move lay the actions of an opportunist willing to bend the rules to build his legacy at any cost.
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Part 2: The Fraternity
After Peter Martins’ actions were exposed, a dancer named Chase Finlay was caught taking inappropriate pictures and videos of dancers at the New York City Ballet. In this episode, we dive into how the misogynistic culture created by Peter Martins spurred others to misuse their perceived power.
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The New York City Ballet, Part 1: Peter Martins
The American Ballet Company, led by the charismatic Peter Martins, was the epitome of grace and perfection—until allegations of abuse and exploitation surfaced. In this episode, we explore how Martins used his influence to exploit dancers and manipulate those around him to maintain his dominance.
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John Greer: Above the Law
Discover the shocking story of Officer John Greer, a trusted law enforcement officer who exploited his badge to commit unthinkable murders. In this episode, we uncover the dark secrets Greer tried to hide, and how his abuse of power led to a chilling reign of terror.
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Tim Ballard E10: The Roundtable
In the final episode of The Opportunist: Tim Ballard - Unmasking a Hero, host Sarah James McLaughlin sits down with the producers and writers to explore the creative and investigative processes behind this compelling series. They also discuss their attempts to secure an interview with the new...
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Tim Ballard E9: The Lawsuit
In this episode of The Opportunist, we delve into the new allegations against Tim Ballard and explore the Federal civil lawsuit that accuses him of exploiting his position as the head of O.U.R to traffick the women he worked with. Thank you to our sponsors: Betterhelp: Visit...
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Tim Ballard E8: Operation Resurrection
In this episode, we delve into the latest chapter of Tim Ballard’s controversial journey. Facing multiple lawsuits and a fallout with the LDS Church, Ballard is navigating scandal and scrutiny while attempting to hold onto his public influence. Thank you to our sponsors: Betterhelp: Visit...
About this show
The Opportunist tells true stories of regular people who turn sinister by embracing opportunity. How does an everyday person turn into a thief, a scammer or a cult leader? Perhaps the most dangerous person is the one who appears the most normal. Perhaps there is a dark potential lurking inside all of us that is just waiting for the right opportunity to emerge. The Opportunist is an original podcast hosted by Sarah James McLaughlin.
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