threaten

This is a story of a Texas oil tycoon, a congressman from Idaho, and a financial commodities broker in Oklahoma City. It’s a story of blackmail, yes. But it’s also a story of political corruption and ethics uncovered by that blackmail. There’s a lot going on here, and pretty much everyone’s guilty.

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Mary Ann Clarke attempted to blackmail her ex-lover, the Duke of York — who led the British army — by threatening to publish his letters. Sounds similar to Wellington but it takes a turn: His political enemies took notice, and they discovered that Mary Ann was selling army commissions (meaning, men who wanted a military rank or promotion would pay off Clarke, who would then demand that the Duke give her clients what they wanted). 

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Milwaukee Magazine once described Walter Minx as slender and fidgety, with, "the kind of sharp-featured handsomeness that the movies had taught people not to trust." He was German-born, and immigrated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with his parents, his brother, and his sister in 1925. He aspired to be a successful American businessman; he wanted to make a fortune -- and a name for himself. He did make a name for himself, but not quite the kind as he’d hoped for. 

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When All-American footballer George Ratterman announced his candidacy for sheriff of Campbell County, Kentucky, in April of 1961, he said, “I am told that if I run for sheriff, I will be the victim of all sorts of personal slanderous attacks, but I say to our opponents, let the attacks start now, if they must.” And, well, the attacks did start – culminating in a high-profile set-up of Ratterman in a compromising position with a woman named April Flowers.

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Joseph Jenkins Knapp, Jr. was expecting to receive a sizable inheritance upon the death of his 82-year-old great uncle, wealthy retired shipmaster and trader Captain Joseph White. But with debts piling up, Knapp decided he couldn’t wait for natural causes; in April of 1830, he and his brother, John Francis Knapp, hired a hitman to murder him, faked some blackmail letters, and, in the end, didn't get any inheritance at all.

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It started just after Labor Day, with an envelope postmarked September 13, 1935, sent special delivery, addressed to Miss Mae West of 570 N. Rossmore, Ravenswood Apartments, Hollywood, California. There was nothing unusual about the envelope, but its contents were a different matter. It was the first of what would become a series of extortion letters threatening disfigurement by acid if she didn't pay $1,000. This wasn’t about keeping secrets or giving favors; it was about taking money from Mae West. 

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Described by some as a, “charming rogue,” Charles Augustus Howell was a dodgy figure in Victorian art circles, in particular London’s Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood movement. There was extortion. There was forgery. And just a whole lot of unsavory bits. Howell was an art dealer by trade who was also known to manipulate those around him so he could acquire works that would establish and increase his reputation – and his financial security. When that didn’t work, in the words of biographer Humphrey Hare, "Howell did not hesitate to blackmail." So let’s get to know this charming-yet-unsavory character.

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Are we too cooperative or competitive? Why?

This is a story of controversy; actually, more than one controversy. It’s a story of medieval kings and queens, of revenge, and of a letter that challenges the circumstances historians thought they knew surrounding King Edward II’s death – including possible blackmail. Or maybe not blackmail. Stick with us while we try to sort it out.

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Philandering husband Edwin Main Post found himself blackmailed by a scorned mistress who threatened to go public with their affair unless he paid her and her publisher to stay silent. This is a story about blackmail, yes, but it isn't actually a story about Edwin, not really; this is the story about how his wife, Emily Price Post, suffered the humiliations of his actions and the blackmail that ensued, and then rose above it. Let’s hop back to Manhattan during the Gilded Age for this story of adultery, blackmail, and bestselling books about etiquette.

Executive Producers: Maria Trimarchi and Holly Frey
Producer & Editor: Casby Bias

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Regency courtesan Harriette Wilson exposed in her memoirs the names of royal, aristocratic, and political men, whom she then blackmailed to keep their names out of those memoirs. Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, was, famously, one of those influential names. Arthur was a national hero and wasn’t the kind of man who was easily intimidated; and when Harriette threatened to name his name, he was outraged, leading him to roar the now-famous quote: "Publish and be damned!" Let's talk about what happened next.

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Thomas Neill Cream graduated with honors from Montreal's McGill medical school in 1876. His thesis had been about the effects of chloroform; and he would soon demonstrate just how devastating he could be with toxic compounds. Several people died under his 'care.' But we’re not here to talk about Dr. Cream the murderer; we’re here to talk about his other criminal offense: extortion. Thomas was ultimately undone when he attempted to frame and blackmail other people for his murders. Let’s meet the doctor.

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“I got a revolver to protect us, and I soon had use for it,” stated Constance Kopp when interviewed about the intruders intimidating her family under the cover of darkness at her home. Her assistance with solving the case led to her role as the first female appointed deputy sheriff of Bergen County, New Jersey. Let's talk about how Constance got there in a time when women were not-so-much welcomed into such work. 

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Welcome to a brand new season of Criminalia, where we'll be talking about blackmail throughout history. We’re rolling straight from the criminal world of forgers to one of blackmailers -- we’ll see you there, not only with some very real stories about some very shady things, but also with the cocktails and mocktails made to go with them.

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The well-being of creatures protected under the Endangered Species Act is a high priority for transportation agencies. That’s good for the critters, and for agency operations as well. 

Sean Dustin the host of "No Where To Go But Up" podcast joined me for an unforgettable interview. Sean was awarded the #1 mental health podcast by SceneSnobs Network. As a child, Sean was exposed to an abusive environment. From being bullied to becoming a bully, a former drug addict, cocaine dealer, failed relationships, and the loss of parental rights, Sean started his podcast to show the world and God his shortcomings, pain, shame and guilt. The listeners of his podcast became the witness to who he used to be. 

I asked Sean, "What is the first time you broke the law and didn't get caught?"

I was 16 maybe 17.  Me and my buddy, were hanging around the house. We couldn't sleep because we were wired and high. My mom, I think, went to the bar and was passed out upstairs. We go out and we're walking down the street and think it would be a great idea to break into this car. We're in the process of doing it (we obviously don't know what we're doing. I mean, I've never broken into a car before)  not to mention,  I'm in my own neighborhood.  "That's the worst thing you can do. What's wrong with you? " I'm thinking.  I'm pulling on the window, and he's trying to put his arm down there and it just goes "pop!" The whole thing busts and it sounded so loud,  especially in our quiet neighborhood. 

We both run and take off. We dive into the bushes. All of a sudden another car comes flying up the hill and speeds around the corner.  "What the hell is that?" we thought. Two minutes later there's the cops. We think they're there for us. So we're hiding and wondering what's going on?  

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This 8-part series tells a suspenseful story of how a beautiful, well off woman by the name of Susanna, was lied on, blackmailed, and nearly executed! All or this drama was brought upon her because of the false testimony given by two well known elders in Israel. Will her God show up in time to rescue Susanna from the grips of death? Tune in to find out!

This 8-part series tells a suspenseful story of how a beautiful, well off woman by the name of Susanna, was lied on, blackmailed, and nearly executed! All or this drama was brought upon her because of the false testimony given by two well known elders in Israel. Will her God show up in time to rescue Susanna from the grips of death? Tune in to find out!

This 8-part series tells a suspenseful story of how a beautiful, well off woman by the name of Susanna, was lied on, blackmailed, and nearly executed! All or this drama was brought upon her because of the false testimony given by two well known elders in Israel. Will her God show up in time to rescue Susanna from the grips of death? Tune in to find out!