Episodes
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Cosby's Love Child - The Untold Story of Autumn Jackson the Alleged Daughter of Entertainer Bill Cosby
Mar 9, 2023
Ed Opperman was joined by Jewel Star, the aunt of Cosby's illegitimate daughter Autumn Jackson.
NATIONAL ENQUIRER STAFF: Outrageous Allegations In New Tell-All Book: Did Evil Bill Cosby Have His Son Murdered To Hide Sex Crimes? RADAR ONLINE: Obviously, the claims made by Star and Jackson are wild and seem rather far-fetched, but then again, there was a time when it would have been very difficult to believe that Bill Cosby could possibly be guilty of sexually assaulting more than 50 women. Tyler Johnson, The HOLLYWOOD GOSSIP: This compelling and true life story screams of betrayal, deceit, and an unsolved mystery.
It began when a budding young woman was lured into a cunning and deceptive scheme which eventually became her undoing. The tale may have gone unnoticed under normal circumstances. However, the plot thickened when a famous celebrity, Bill Cosby, was the target of a greedy rouse. The timing couldn’t have been worse as it fell on the heels of his son's murder. Ennis Cosby had been shot and killed the day an alleged extortion letter was delivered to the comedian demanding millions in hush money. During one of the most infamous trials of 1997 Cosby would face his adversary Autumn Jackson, and rue the day that she was born. Jackson could do nothing more than look into her father's eyes and weep for all that had never been. At least she believed the entertainer to be her father. This complicated and twisted saga is fraught with criminal and passion driven psychology. Who were the guilty ones and who were the innocents?“I’m Autumn Jackson’s aunt. I was called on to be her traveling companion, confidant, and unlikely bodyguard. When people asked me what happened, the answer was complicated. A book needed to be written.”
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Missing episodes?
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Joan Renner - OF MOBSTERS AND MOVIE STARS - The Bloody Golden Age of Hollywood.
May 15
In this gripping historical account, expert crime historian Joan Renner explores the shadowy world of fame and crime during Hollywood's most glamorous era. As Los Angeles transformed into the epicenter of film, it also became a haven for notorious criminals and mobsters, weaving a complex tapestry of allure and danger that is sure to intrigue.
Renner brings to life stories that are more thrilling than fiction, including harrowing LAPD showdowns, dark dealings behind the studio gates, and tragic fates of luminaries whose off-screen lives were as dramatic as their on-screen personas. She delves into infamous episodes, such as the shocking case of Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, accused of “accidentally” crushing to death a young actress beneath his enormous weight as he raped her, and other lesser-known, but equally hair-raising stories of actors brought down by scandal and corruption.
OF MOBSTERS AND MOVIE STARS offers a profound and enlightening look at Hollywood's dual nature, illustrating how its seductive glitter was deeply entangled with its sinister impulses. This book is essential for anyone fascinated by how America's “City of Dreams” became a stage for some of the most gripping dramas of the twentieth century.
Step into the Prohibition Era with Joan Renner as she reveals the hidden crimes and undying ambition behind Hollywood's shimmering façade.
Book
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Joan Renner - OF MOBSTERS AND MOVIE STARS - The Bloody Golden Age of Hollywood.
May 15
In this gripping historical account, expert crime historian Joan Renner explores the shadowy world of fame and crime during Hollywood's most glamorous era. As Los Angeles transformed into the epicenter of film, it also became a haven for notorious criminals and mobsters, weaving a complex tapestry of allure and danger that is sure to intrigue.
Renner brings to life stories that are more thrilling than fiction, including harrowing LAPD showdowns, dark dealings behind the studio gates, and tragic fates of luminaries whose off-screen lives were as dramatic as their on-screen personas. She delves into infamous episodes, such as the shocking case of Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, accused of “accidentally” crushing to death a young actress beneath his enormous weight as he raped her, and other lesser-known, but equally hair-raising stories of actors brought down by scandal and corruption.
OF MOBSTERS AND MOVIE STARS offers a profound and enlightening look at Hollywood's dual nature, illustrating how its seductive glitter was deeply entangled with its sinister impulses. This book is essential for anyone fascinated by how America's “City of Dreams” became a stage for some of the most gripping dramas of the twentieth century.
Step into the Prohibition Era with Joan Renner as she reveals the hidden crimes and undying ambition behind Hollywood's shimmering façade.
Book
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The very strange but nevertheless true story of the dark underbelly of a 1960s hippie utopia. Laurel Canyon in the 1960s and early 1970s was a magical place where a dizzying array of musical artists congregated to create much of the music that provided the soundtrack to those turbulent times. Members of bands like the Byrds, the Doors, Buffalo Springfield, the Monkees, the Beach Boys, the Turtles, the Eagles, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, Steppenwolf, CSN, Three Dog Night and Love, along with such singer/songwriters as Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, James Taylor and Carole King, lived together and jammed together in the bucolic community nestled in the Hollywood Hills. But there was a dark side to that scene as well. Many didn’t make it out alive, and many of those deaths remain shrouded in mystery to this day. Far more integrated into the scene than most would like to admit was a guy by the name of Charles Manson, along with his murderous entourage. Also floating about the periphery were various political operatives, up-and-coming politicians and intelligence personnel – the same sort of people who gave birth to many of the rock stars populating the canyon. And all the canyon’s colorful characters – rock stars, hippies, murderers and politicos – happily coexisted alongside a covert military installation.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support. -
The very strange but nevertheless true story of the dark underbelly of a 1960s hippie utopia. Laurel Canyon in the 1960s and early 1970s was a magical place where a dizzying array of musical artists congregated to create much of the music that provided the soundtrack to those turbulent times. Members of bands like the Byrds, the Doors, Buffalo Springfield, the Monkees, the Beach Boys, the Turtles, the Eagles, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, Steppenwolf, CSN, Three Dog Night and Love, along with such singer/songwriters as Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, James Taylor and Carole King, lived together and jammed together in the bucolic community nestled in the Hollywood Hills. But there was a dark side to that scene as well. Many didn’t make it out alive, and many of those deaths remain shrouded in mystery to this day. Far more integrated into the scene than most would like to admit was a guy by the name of Charles Manson, along with his murderous entourage. Also floating about the periphery were various political operatives, up-and-coming politicians and intelligence personnel – the same sort of people who gave birth to many of the rock stars populating the canyon. And all the canyon’s colorful characters – rock stars, hippies, murderers and politicos – happily coexisted alongside a covert military installation.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support. -
Obsessed - My Relentless Pursuit of the Zodiac Killer
3 hours ago
In Obsessed: My Relentless Pursuit of the Zodiac Killer, Dr. Mark Hewitt invites readers into his gripping journey of unraveling one of America's most enduring mysteries. Dr. Hewitt, an expert on the Zodiac case, shares his transformation from a pastor to a dedicated true crime investigator.
This memoir details Dr. Hewitt's meticulous research, personal encounters, and the profound impact of the Zodiac case on his life. Moving to California reignited his passion, leading him to explore crime scenes and connect with other enthusiasts. His relentless pursuit is not only about the Zodiac but also about understanding the complexities of human nature and the quest for truth.
Obsessed: My Relentless Pursuit of the Zodiac Killer provides a unique blend of personal narrative and investigative insight, offering readers a compelling look at the determination and challenges faced by those who seek to solve cold cases. Dr. Hewitt tells the story to Ed Opperman, detailing how he has navigated the twists and turns of this enigmatic case, shedding light on his life's work and his unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth.
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Hollywood screenwriter Gary Devore vanished 26 years ago on a June night in 1997. A year later his car was found submerged under water in an aqueduct with a body in it.
It was not Gary.
Official searches by the police, FBI and volunteers, television appearances by his wife Wendy Devore, and public outcries have resulted in no leads.
There are more questions than answers. The missing person case is still open with the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office.
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THE SON OF SEVEN MOTHERS
May 3
A man shares his story of growing up in a late 20th-century American cult—and how he escaped—in this gripping autobiography.
As the adopted son of two cult leaders, Benjamin Risha was raised to someday assume a place of leadership in the Alamo Christian Foundation, with the Bible, and his parents’ interpretations of it, as his guide. He believed the prophecies of his adoptive mother and father, Tony and Susan Alamo, including them being the two prophets foretold in the Book of Revelations who precede the second coming of Jesus Christ, them rising from the dead after they died, and such dire warnings as the ground opening up to swallow non-believers into hell. And he was sure that Susan Alamo could raise the dead as promised.
However, when none of it happened, and the foundation slid from bucolic communal lifestyle to insufferable criminality that included absolute obedience to the Alamos, and polygamous marriages with girls as young as eight years old, Benjamin knew he had to escape. If he were caught trying to escape, he would be severely beaten, forced to go without food and water for his sins, and shamed in the community. So, he embarked on a journey to locate his birth parents, discover the truth about a world he knew nothing about . . . and find himself.
In The Son of Seven Mothers, Benjamin Risha takes readers on a harrowing journey that few in the United States can imagine. And eventually he must choose between the life he knows and was “chosen” to lead, and his freedom.
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Joe Kisner - Minnesota Missing
April 10
Friday, April 2, 1976, was an unseasonably mild day in Wolf Lake, Minnesota, with the temperature topping out at close to 60 degrees. For Bernard Rusness and his common-law wife, Peggy, the sunny day was a welcome change from the bitter winter temperatures that had enveloped the area for the past few months. After finishing work for the day, the couple went to the grocery store and then headed home in time to meet their 8-year-old son, Brian, when he arrived home from school.
Later that afternoon, Bernard decided to take advantage of the warm weather and started installing a new sound system in his truck. Neighbors recalled seeing the 48-year-old hard at work in his driveway, but the project took longer than he anticipated. Realizing he wasn’t going to finish before the sun went down, Bernard decided to call it a night and went inside. He left the hood of his vehicle up and his tool shed door open, intending to complete his work in the morning. He would never get the chance.
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Dakota V Adams - Son of Stewart Rhodes
Sep 12, 2022
Dakota Adams joins Ed Opperman to talk about his indoctrination into the cult his father started and his eventual escape and recovery. In a thoughtful and intelligent conversation, Mr Adams put his point of view about his past, and his disassociation with both his father and the militia he leads.
One review reads
It is the best account of the collective descent into anti-goverment lunacy and the equally collective rise of the very same people screaming for big-government fascism I have yet seen.
Background on Stewart Rhodes
Stewart Rhodes is an Army veteran and former lawyer. He founded the Oath Keepers, a right-wing, anti-government extremist group. Rhodes worked as a lawyer in Montana, and is the main spokesman for the Oath Keepers. Rhodes believes there is a global oligarchy that will destroy the US, and that the country will be taken over by "Marxist leftists."
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Glen Meek - Wrong Numbers: Call Girls, Hackers, and the Mob in Las Vegas
October 30
" 'WRONG NUMBERS' is an intriguing and well-researched crime story detailing the intersection of big money and quick sex in the city that contains a lot of both." - Jack Sheehan, author of Skin City
Was a hacker diverting phone calls meant for Las Vegas escort services? The FBI wanted to know, and so did associates of a New York Mafia family.
In one of the most unusual undercover operations ever, the FBI had an agent acting as a manager in a real Las Vegas escort service.
Federal agents expected to find prostitution and drugs in the Las Vegas escort industry. What their investigation uncovered was even more serious.
Book
Promotional Video
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My dad is one of thousands who believe the government is subjecting them to mind control. As a daughter and a journalist, I felt a duty to investigate his claims. Have these individuals been America’s prophets all along?
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Robert Guffy - Gang Stalking
February 20
Robert Guffey shared the remarkable story of Damien (called Dion in Guffey's book), an unrepentant heroin addict who in 2003 sheltered a US Marine that had stolen 22 pairs of night vision goggles, a DoD laptop, and perhaps a few top secret files from Camp Pendleton, a military base in the San Diego area. Arrested under the Patriot Act, Damien underwent a six-day-long Abu-Ghraib-style interrogation by the NCIS, and was accused of trying to sell the military equipment to terrorists. Damien refused to testify against the Marine, or cooperate in any way, and was eventually released.
But after his release he began to notice he was being "gang stalked" around San Diego, with 7-9 people following him into a 7-11, restaurants, and various places. They wanted him to feel discombobulated and paranoid, Guffey explained. Vehicles were parked outside Damien's house, and Guffey knew someone at the DMV, and found out that none of the license plate numbers "officially existed," which suggested they were government vehicles. After this, Damien began to be bombarded with hallucinations, such as seeing multiple moons in the sky, and the dimensions of his apartment were changing. Further, invisible people were in the room, interacting with him and moving things around, and he saw a black amorphous energy.
A woman from the NCIS visited Damien on a number of occasions, asking if he was ready to cooperate, implying that the harassment would end if he worked with them. Guffey was able to track down Richard Schowengerdt, said to be one of the scientists behind a project code named "Chameleo" that involved bizarre experimentation including "cloaking"— electro-optical camouflage so extreme it rendered observers practically invisible, which correlated with what Damien experienced. Damien was likely used as a guinea pig to test out the effect of this technology, Guffey concluded, adding that he and Damien suspected the missing night vision goggles may have been especially important to the military as they possibly allowed wearers to see that which had been made invisible.
Blog
Book
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Michael Finkel - The Stranger in the Woods - The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit
July 31
In 1986, a shy and intelligent twenty-year-old named Christopher Knight left his home in Massachusetts, drove to Maine, and disappeared into the forest. He would not have a conversation with another human being until nearly three decades later, when he was arrested for stealing food. Living in a tent even through brutal winters, he had survived by his wits and courage, developing ingenious ways to store edibles and water, and to avoid freezing to death. He broke into nearby cottages for food, clothing, reading material, and other provisions, taking only what he needed but terrifying a community never able to solve the mysterious burglaries. Based on extensive interviews with Knight himself, this is a vividly detailed account of his secluded life—why did he leave? what did he learn?—as well as the challenges he has faced since returning to the world. It is a gripping story of survival that asks fundamental questions about solitude, community, and what makes a good life, and a deeply moving portrait of a man who was determined to live his own way, and succeeded.
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Matt Sergiou: Music Military Government Complex
Oct 10, 2020
Matt Serjiou returns to share his research on 1960s era Record companies in England that started out as military contractors.
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Dr Mic Hunter - Honor Betrayed: Sexual Abuse in America's Military
Jul 31, 2023
In Honor Betrayed, Dr. Mic Hunter probes beyond the headlines to reveal the reality of sexual abuse in the military. The culture of the military's training is to turn recruits into those who follow orders without question. Honor Betrayed describes in detail the gross realities of the hostile, uber-masculine, dehumanizing environment our young men and women confront. Most vulnerable to sexual abuse are minorities-particularly women and homosexuals. Included are first-person accounts from American servicewomen and men who were sexually abused by their comrades, including one woman whose case was heard before the U.S. Supreme Court. Hunter also explores the tacit acceptance of these incidents in the military to the recent prisoner abuse scandal in Iraq.
Book : Honor Betrayed: Sexual Abuse in America's Military
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Feb 8, 2023
Joe Duncan joins Ed Opperman to talk about real crime, and his research into it.
From Crime Museum
On February 3, 2013 a former LAPD officer, named Christopher Dorner, attacked and killed Monica Quan and her fiancé Keith Lawrence. This incident sparked a nine day manhunt for Dorner ending in suicide.
Christopher Dorner was born June 4, 1979 in New York. He spent his childhood living in Los Angeles, transferring between multiple schools in the area. After graduating from Southern Utah University in 2001 Dorner joined the Navy reserve. On February 1, 2013, 2 days before he committed multiple homicides, he was honorably discharged from the Navy as a Lieutenant.
While Christopher Dorner was in the Navy reserve he joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 2005 and completed his training in 2006. A year later in 2007 Dorner filed a report a Complaint against his training officer Teresa Evans for using excessive force against a mentally ill man whom they arrested. Dorner claimed that Evans kicked the person that they arrested in the face while he was on the ground in handcuffs. His claims could not be substantiated and so were dismissed. Dorner was fired from the LAPD in 2008. He appealed his case multiple times, but each court affirmed the decision of the LAPD. Dorner claimed that racist colleagues had worked to discredit him and end his career. His final appeal was denied in late 2011.
But there's more to this story than the above quote would indicate. Joe Duncan has looked into the case, and he's got information the media missed.
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