Logo

    Abby Lee Miller: Scam Like Nobody's Watching

    enAugust 26, 2024
    What financial deception did Abby Lee Miller commit?
    Who discovered Abby's hidden financial situation?
    What led to Abby Lee Miller's prison sentence?
    How did Abby's legal troubles affect her relationships?
    What does Abby's story teach about responsibility and consequences?

    Podcast Summary

    • Reality TV star's hidden incomeJudge's discovery of an ad for a reality star's show during a commercial break led to uncovering her hidden income, emphasizing the importance of honesty and transparency in financial dealings.

      Abby Lee Miller, a bankruptcy court debtor and reality TV star, deceived the court about her financial situation by hiding her income from her popular reality shows. Judge Thomas Agresti, who was about to approve her bankruptcy plan, was shocked to discover Abby's true financial situation when he saw an ad for her reality show during a commercial break. This discovery led the judge to hold off on approving her bankruptcy application and alert higher authorities, ultimately bringing Abby's scheme to light. This incident highlights the importance of transparency and honesty in financial matters, even when dealing with complex situations and competing priorities.

    • Passion vs. Financial ResponsibilityPursuing passions can lead to great achievements but also significant financial struggles if proper business knowledge and financial management skills are not acquired.

      Abby's intense passion for dance and her drive to succeed, which started at a young age, ultimately led her to both great achievements and significant financial struggles. Despite her initial success in growing her dance company, Abby's lack of business knowledge and financial mismanagement resulted in overwhelming debt and bankruptcy. However, when she was at her lowest point, an opportunity arose in the form of a reality TV show, "Just Dance," which put her and her teaching style in the spotlight and helped her regain financial stability. This experience highlights the importance of not only pursuing one's passions but also being financially responsible and learning how to effectively manage a business.

    • Dance Moms and Abusive BehaviorThe reality TV show 'Dance Moms' showcased Abby Lee Miller's abusive behavior towards young dancers and their mothers, which sparked controversy and high ratings.

      The reality TV show "Dance Moms," which debuted in 2011, showcased the harsh and abusive behavior of dance instructor Abby Lee Miller towards her young students and their mothers. Abby, who became a celebrity due to the show's popularity, publicly ranked her dancers based on their performance and their mothers' behavior, creating discord and tension. She also pushed the girls to wear revealing outfits and, in one instance, dressed a black dancer in an Afro wig and animal print costume, sparking controversy. Despite her abusive behavior, the show was a hit, averaging over one million viewers per episode in its first season, and Abby returned for a second season. However, her escalating unhinged behavior became increasingly disturbing, including throwing a chair during a competition preparation, causing distress for a child and their mother. The show's popularity can be attributed to the combination of dancing and drama, but the prevalence of such behavior towards children and their mothers is concerning.

    • Abby's deceitAttempting to hide income and assets from the court can lead to serious consequences, including bankruptcy fraud charges and damage to relationships.

      Abby's deceit and manipulation of the bankruptcy system led to her downfall, despite her popularity and high income from her reality TV shows and merchandise. Abby, underestimating the judicial system, attempted to hide her income and assets from the court. However, her lies were uncovered when a judge stumbled upon her reality show, leading to a hearing and potential bankruptcy fraud charges. Her behavior not only angered the judge but also affected her relationships with the show's producers and the dance moms. Despite her significant impact on the show's ratings, her attitude and actions ultimately caused problems for herself and the production.

    • Dance Moms controversyA confrontation between Abby Lee Miller and a dance mom led to the departure of the mom's daughters and allegations of legal issues against Abby, but Dance Moms remained popular and she continued to build her business

      The relationship between Abby Lee Miller and the girls on Dance Moms reached a breaking point, leading to a heated confrontation and Kelly's decision to remove her daughters from the competition and Abby's company. Meanwhile, Abby continued to build her business and fame, but faced legal issues, including a lawsuit from a former dance mom and allegations of bankruptcy fraud and income concealment. Despite these challenges, Dance Moms remained popular and Abby continued to expand her business, but her legal troubles eventually led to an indictment and a plea of not guilty.

    • Abby Lee Miller's downfallPoor financial decisions and refusal to take responsibility led to Abby Lee Miller's downfall from a respected dance instructor to a convicted criminal.

      Abby Lee Miller's downfall from a respected dance instructor to a convicted criminal was a result of her poor financial decisions and inability to accept responsibility for her actions. Despite her attempts to gain sympathy through her disheveled appearance and pleas for leniency, she was sentenced to prison for concealing bankruptcy assets and smuggling money into the US. Even during her final days as a free woman, she continued to make headlines with her candid interviews and refusal to take responsibility for her mistakes. Ultimately, her own words and actions demonstrated that she was replaceable, just like the dancers she had once coached. This serves as a reminder that the consequences of our actions can be severe and far-reaching, and that taking responsibility for our mistakes is crucial for growth and redemption.

    • Abby Lee Miller's resilienceDespite facing challenges like prison, illness, and strained relationships, Abby Lee Miller remained determined to pursue her passion for dance and connect with her fans.

      Abby Lee Miller's life took a dramatic turn when she was sent to prison for financial crimes. Despite the challenges she faced, including a life-threatening spinal infection and a cancer diagnosis, she remained determined to get back to her passion for teaching and performing. However, her experiences left a lasting impact on her relationships, particularly with her former Dance Moms cast members. Years later, in a reunion special, some of the girls shared their perspectives, revealing the complex emotions they harbored towards Abby. Despite their differences, Abby continued to pursue her career in dance, using various platforms like social media, podcasts, and teaching classes to connect with her fans. Her story serves as a reminder of the power of resilience and the complexities of human relationships.

    • Reality TV Stars' BehaviorSuccess in reality TV may require a certain level of controversy or unconventional behavior, as seen with Abby Lee Miller's financial crimes and controversial on-screen persona leading to the show's popularity

      Abby Lee Miller, a reality TV star known for her controversial behavior on "Dance Moms," is a complex figure. While she engaged in financial crimes that led to her prison sentence, her actions were less directly harmful to others compared to some other reality TV scammers. Despite her monstrous behavior on the show, she also possesses a unique sense of humor and comedic timing, making it challenging for viewers to separate the art from the artist. The show's resurgence in popularity can be attributed to the outrageous clips featuring her. Ultimately, it seems that to be successful in reality TV, one must have a certain level of craziness or psychopathic tendencies.

    Recent Episodes from Scamfluencers

    Listen Now - Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD

    Listen Now - Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD

    At a time when we’re debating where policing is going, we’re going to tell you where the police came from. Guided by Peabody award-winning host Chenjerai Kumanyika, Empire City will provide the first accessible narrative history of the American police and its place in popular culture. Who are the police? And why were police departments created in the first place? To find answers, we’re going to tell the origin story of the largest police force in the world: The NYPD. We begin in the late 1800’s at a moment when the entire police force was on trial. It’s the biggest corruption scandal in the history of the NYPD, and it all plays out like a high stakes courtroom drama. What follows is the action-packed account of how the NYPD got to this point and what happened next. It involves Black abolitionists fighting slave patrols in the courts of Gotham; two rival police forces duking it out for power at City Hall; the origins of the true crime genre; and how the NYPD spread their tactics worldwide.


    Listen to Empire City wherever you get your podcasts: Wondery.fm/Empire_City.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Scamfluencers
    enSeptember 10, 2024

    Jack Abramoff: Bringing Down the House Part 1

    Jack Abramoff: Bringing Down the House Part 1

    Jack Abramoff got his start bending the rules while he was still in elementary school… and never stopped. At first, he works to advance right-wing causes he believes in. Jack’s principles start to fade once he finds his true calling: using pay-to-play politics to amass wealth and power for himself and his friends. Years before calls to drain the swamp, Jack Abramoff was The Swamp Thing.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Scamfluencers
    enSeptember 09, 2024

    Kingdom Con: The Vermont Ski Scam

    Kingdom Con: The Vermont Ski Scam

    Ski-obsessed Bill Stenger has big dreams for his sleepy Vermont mountain town. He pairs with a wealthy businessman to tap into an obscure government program that funnels millions from foreign investors looking to fast-track their visa applications. Bill and Ariel turn their ski resort into a year-round tourist attraction and create thousands of jobs… but millions of dollars are unaccounted for. When troubled investors band together, they discover their money is hiding in a mountain of fraud. 

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Scamfluencers
    enSeptember 02, 2024

    Abby Lee Miller: Scam Like Nobody's Watching

    Abby Lee Miller: Scam Like Nobody's Watching

    Before she became the most infamous dance teacher in America, Abby Lee Miller ran a struggling dance studio in Pittsburgh. Shortly after declaring bankruptcy, she gets the break of a lifetime: she’s cast as the lead in Dance Moms. She becomes a reality TV star overnight, and even as she leads young dancers to stardom in front of millions of viewers — fighting their moms every step of the way — she schemes to keep her newfound wealth a secret from the courts. And when curtain finally falls on her fraud, Abby insists on an encore.


    Listen to Scamfluencers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/scamfluencers/ now.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Scamfluencers
    enAugust 26, 2024

    ENCORE: Brooklyn's Bling Bishop

    ENCORE: Brooklyn's Bling Bishop

    Now that Lamor Whitehead has been sent to prison, we return to his Biblical fall from grace. In 2006, Lamor gets arrested while wearing a mink coat, prompting the New York post to dub him a “high roller.” But after a stint in prison, Lamor reinvents himself as a man of God. He starts his own for-profit ministry called Leaders of Tomorrow and befriends some very influential people, including New York politician Eric Adams. But Lamor never lets go of his flashy lifestyle. After he gets robbed while wearing expensive jewelry, his community begins to wonder: How does the pastor of a tiny church afford all of this luxury? 

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Scamfluencers
    enAugust 19, 2024

    ENCORE: Chess Cheater

    ENCORE: Chess Cheater

    It’s been more than a year since Hans Niemann’s cheating scandal rocked the chess world and we’re looking back to see if the bad boy of chess has been redeemed. From a young age, Hans knows he loves chess and wants to face off against his hero, Magnus Carlsen. Hans grows into a brash and intense player who makes questionable moves during online chess tournaments. When he finally gets the opportunity to compete against Magnus, their egos and ambitions collide, threatening to tarnish both of their legacies.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Scamfluencers
    enAugust 12, 2024

    ENCORE: Prep School Perpetrator

    ENCORE: Prep School Perpetrator

    We’re revisiting the story of prep-girl-gone-bad Danielle Miller now that her jet-setting scamming has landed her in prison. After being humiliated and exploited at her elite New York City prep school, Danielle sets out to reinvent herself. She ends up befriending a group of young socialites in Los Angeles, and before long, she’s flying on private jets, picking up pricey dinner tabs, and running her own P.R. firm. But when Danielle is arrested crossing into the U.S. border from Mexico, the source of her money comes into question — and her life slowly begins to unravel.  


    Listen to Scamfluencers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/scamfluencers/ now.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Scamfluencers
    enAugust 05, 2024

    Lance Armstrong: Tour De Fraud

    Lance Armstrong: Tour De Fraud

    Lance Armstrong’s determination to win helps him survive cancer and become cycling’s biggest star in the early 2000s. But his ruthless desire to be the best leads him to create a secret cheating scheme. It fuels him to a historic Tour de France winning streak—but requires an elaborate cover-up that includes bullying anyone who tries to expose him, even his teammates. After he’s exposed and falls from grace, his pride and stubbornness makes his apology tour feel more like backpedaling to save his reputation.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Scamfluencers
    enJuly 29, 2024

    Listen Now: Hysterical

    Listen Now: Hysterical

    Hysterical investigates a mysterious illness that spreads among a group of high school girls in upstate New York. What is causing their sudden, often violent symptoms? Is there something in the water or inside the school? Or is it “all in their head?” The series examines the outbreak in LeRoy, NY, believed by some to be the most severe case of mass hysteria since the Salem Witch Trials. In his search for answers, Dan Taberski (9/12, Missing Richard Simmons, Running from Cops) explores other seemingly inexplicable events of the last few years – CIA officers being crippled with nausea and vertigo; cops OD'ing from exposure to fentanyl – and discovers they’re far more connected than we realize.


    From Wondery and Pineapple Street Studios, this 7-part series forces us to grapple with the mysteries of our own minds, and reckon with a contagion that we thought was long dead, but may be the defining disorder of our time.


    Follow Hysterical on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes of Hysterical early and ad-free right now by joining Wondery+ at wondery.fm/Hysterical_FD.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Scamfluencers
    enJuly 23, 2024

    The Great British Post Office Scandal

    The Great British Post Office Scandal

    In the late 90s, the UK Post Office rolls out a new computer accounting system they know is full of glitches. Then, it spends two decades covering up its mistake. When small, mom-and-pop shop owners report errors, the Post Office blames them and forces them to cover any losses… or face prosecution, or jail. But a relentless, rag-tag team of owners and journalists team up to fight the powers that be, and inspire a TV producer to expose the greatest government scam in UK history.


    Listen to Scamfluencers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/scamfluencers/ now.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Scamfluencers
    enJuly 22, 2024