The Muck Podcast

Episode 238: Not Brain Worms | Bill Nojay

September 4, 2024 the-muck-podcast Comments Off

The Muck Podcast

Episode 238: Not Brain Worms | Bill Nojay

00:00 / 1:02:29

Tina and Hillary cover former New York State Assemblyman, Bill Nojay.

Bill Nojay served in the New York State Assembly from the 133rd district beginning in 2013. But when he’s charged with fraud—he takes matters into his own hands.

Sources
Tina’s Story
Democrat & Chornicle
Assemblyman Bill Nojay dies by suicide near family graves–by Brian Sharp and Joseph Spector
Why we investigated the Bill Nojay case
A year later, Nojay’s affairs remain tangled–by Steve Orr

The New York Times
Bill Nojay, Upstate Assemblyman, Dies After Shooting Himself at a Cemetery

Rochester First
Details of allegations against Bill Nojay revealed in unsealed criminal complaint

Spectrum News
Legislature approves paying remainder of Nojay’s salary to his widow

Wikipedia
Bill Nojay

Photos
Bill Nojay–from Facebook via NY Post
Bill Nojay at 2014 Memorial Parade–by Daniel Penfield via Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Episode 237: Trust Me, Bro | John Merrill

August 28, 2024 the-muck-podcast Comments Off

The Muck Podcast

Episode 237: Trust Me, Bro | John Merrill

00:00 / 1:04:25

Hillary and Tina cover former Alabama Secretary of State, John Merrill.

John Merrill pushed conservative policies as Alabama’s Secretary of State starting in 2015. BUT when news of his extramarital affair broke, the scandal led to his decision not to run for reelection.

Sources
Hillary’s Story
Al.com
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill admits affair, won’t run for U.S. Senate: ‘There’s no excuse’
Phone recording of Alabama Secretary of State trying to end extramarital affair – from Al.com via YouTube
Sex, lies and the Alabama secretary of state: The fall of John Merrill

Slate
Top Alabama Republican John Merrill is extremely outraged at affair allegations before a 17-minute tape emerged.

Tuscaloosa News
Former Alabama secretary of state John Merrill joins engineering firm

Washington Post
Confronted with leaked phone call, Alabama Republican John Merrill admits to affair, drops Senate bid

Wikipedia
John Merrill (American politician)

Photos
John Merrill–by Joe Raedle via Slate
John Merrill and Donald Trump–from Merrill’s Facebook via Patch

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Li’l Muck 53: Alfredo Olvera 2024 DNC Debrief

August 24, 2024 the-muck-podcast Comments Off

The Muck Podcast

Li'l Muck 53: Alfredo Olvera 2024 DNC Debrief

00:00 / 1:08:01

Hillary and Tina speak to Florida Delegate and Dolphin Democrats President, Alfredo Olvera.

Alfredo was elected as a Florida delegate and got to cast his vote in making Kamala Harris the Democratic Party nominee for President of the United States, during one of the most historic Democratic National Conventions of our lifetime. He speaks with us about the incredible speakers, the palpable excitement, and the crucial actions needed to keep the momentum going all the way until November!

Special Guest: Alfredo Olvera.

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Episode 236: One True Fan | Elisha G. Johnson

August 21, 2024 the-muck-podcast Comments Off

The Muck Podcast

Episode 236: One True Fan | Elisha G. Johnson

00:00 / 1:09:57

Tina and Hillary cover the murder of former Florida senator Elisha G. Johnson.

Elisha G. Johnson began his service in the Florida Senate in 1870. BUT when political power is at stake, things take a dangerous turn.

Sources
Tina’s Story
City of Fernadina Beach (Bosque Bello)
Dr. Elisha Graham Johnson

Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State–by T. D. Allman, excerpt via Google Books

Florida Historical Quarterly
Political Reconstruction in Florida–by Jeffell H. Shofner

Officer Down Memorial
Deputy Collector Elisha Graham Johnson

Wikipedia
Elisha G. Johnson
[Charles W. Jones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_W._Jones#:~:text=Charles%20William%20Jones%20(December%2024,until%20a%20successor%20was%20elected.)

Photos
Elisha G. Johnson–from public domain via Wikipedia
Charles W. Jones–from public domain via Wikipedia

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Episode 235: Conjugal Visit | Chowchilla Kidnapping

August 14, 2024 the-muck-podcast Comments Off

The Muck Podcast

Episode 235: Conjugal Visit | Chowchilla Kidnapping

00:00 / 57:20

Hillary and Tina cover the Chowchilla Kidnapping.

In 1976, children from Chowchilla, CA were returning from on their school bus after a day at the local swimming pool. BUT things take a drastic turn when their school bus is hijacked.

Sources
Hillary’s Story
Vox
The ballad of the Chowchilla bus kidnapping

Fresno Bee
Chowchilla bus kidnapper to be released, officials confirm. “I’m angry: and “disturbed”

City of Chowchilla
1976 Bus Kidnapping

Wikipedia
1976 Chowchilla kidnapping

CNN
26 kids were buried alive in California. A new CNN Film shows how one plotted their escape – and what happened years later
How a 1976 mass kidnapping changed how the world sees childhood trauma

Los Angeles Times
Man behind 1976 kidnapping of 26 Chowchilla children and bus driver is granted parole

CBS News
Chowchilla bus kidnapping: Rare photos from one of the largest abductions in U.S. history
Remembering the Chowchilla kidnapping: A never-before-seen interview with a survivor

Photos
The Dairyland Union School District Bus –via CNN
Bus Driver Edward Ray–via CNN
Trailer where victims were held–via LA Times
14 year old Michael Marshall–via CNN
Kidnappers- Frederick Newhall Woods, James Schoenfeld, Richard Schoenfeld–via Ranker

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Episode 234: Birther 2.0 | Steve Nunn

August 7, 2024 the-muck-podcast Comments Off

The Muck Podcast

Episode 234: Birther 2.0 | Steve Nunn

00:00 / 1:01:57

Tina and Hillary cover former Kentucky politician Steve Nunn.

Though a son of a former governor, Steve Nunn became a politician in his own right and had a successful career. BUT his life took a dark turn when he murdered his fiancée, shattering his future and reputation.

Sources
Tina’s Story
Herald Ledger
Estate of woman slain by ex-lawmaker Steve Nunn can garnishee account containing pension payments

NPR WKU
Steve Nunn Apologizes to Ex-Fiance’s Family

State Journal
‘God will humble you,’ father tells Steve Nunn

Wikipedia
[Steve Nunn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Nunn#:~:text=Stephen%20Roberts%20Nunn%20(born%20November,for%20the%20Commonwealth%20of%20Kentucky.&text=Glasgow%2C%20Kentucky%2C%20U.S.)

WPSD Local 6
Kentucky Supreme Court upholds life sentence of former state representative

Photos
Steve Nunn–via WPSD Local 6
Nunn and Ross–by John Perkins via The New York Times
Cemetary where Nunn was arrested–by Hunter Wilson via The New York Times

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Episode 233: C Student | Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.

July 31, 2024 the-muck-podcast Comments Off

The Muck Podcast

Episode 233: C Student | Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.

00:00 / 1:08:00

Hillary and Tina cover President Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.

President Joe Biden was always known for his work in the senate. BUT when he steps out of the presidential race in 2024, he made history.

Sources
Hillary’s Story
Joe Biden | Biography, Family, Policies, & Facts | Britannica
Joe Biden: Biography, U.S. President, Politician
Joe Biden Facts | Britannica

President Joe Biden – breaking news, video, headlines and analysis | CNN Politics

BIDEN, JOSEPH ROBINETTE (JOE), JR., A Senator from Delaware and a Vice President of the United States via Congress

Joe Biden: Age, Presidency, Family | HISTORY

Joseph R. Biden Jr. – White House Historical Association

Beau Biden – Wikipedia
Joe Biden – Wikipedia

Photos
Joe and Jill Biden–via Business Insider
Senator Biden with President Reagan–via Washington Institute
Barack Obama and Joe Biden–via Reuters
2020 Biden Inauguration–via US Embassy
Biden steps out of 2024 Race–via Yahoo News
Biden Harris–via Ed Week

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Episode 232: Trickle Down Incompetence | Kade Holliday

July 24, 2024 the-muck-podcast Comments Off

The Muck Podcast

Episode 232: Trickle Down Incompetence | Kade Holliday

00:00 / 1:00:43

Tina and Hillary cover former Craighead County Clerk, Kade Holliday.

Kade Holliday served as Craighead County clerk beginning in 2012. BUT when auditors notice suspicious activity in the city’s bank accounts, he serves time.

*Note: This podcast was recorded on Saturday, July 20, 2024, before President Biden stepped out of the 2024 Presidential Election as the Democratic candidate.

Sources
Tina’s Story
AMP
FORMER CRAIGHEAD COUNTY CLERK SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR THEFT, FORGERY

Arkansas Business
Former county clerk gets 10 years for embezzlement
Kade Holliday

Arkansas State University
Kade Holliday Commits Gift for Professorship and Scholarship

Arkansas Times
Another allegation of missing money involving former Craighead County clerk
Former Craighead clerk gets almost five years in federal prison for public theft on top of 10-year state sentence

KASU
Ex-Craighead County Clerk sentenced to 10 years for stealing from nonprofit

K8 News
Business owner files suit against former County Clerk Kade Holliday, alleging fraud and deceit
Former Craighead County clerk sentenced to prison

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Former clerk Holliday admits to stealing $1.5 million from Craighead County

United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Arkansas
Former Craighead County Clerk Sentenced to 57 Months In Prison for Wire Fraud

Photos
Kade Holliday Clerk Photo–via NEA Report
Kade Holliday Mugshot—via Arkansas Times
Kade Holliday Facebook Post–from Holliday’s Facebook page via NEA Report

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Episode 231: WWRD | St. Francis Dam Collapse and William Mulholland

July 17, 2024 the-muck-podcast Comments Off

The Muck Podcast

Episode 231: WWRD | St. Francis Dam Collapse and William Mulholland

00:00 / 58:36

Hillary and Tina cover the St. Francis Dam Collapse and William Mulholland.

Irish immigrant William Mulholland worked his way up in the water works industry as a self-taught civil engineer. BUT despite his years of experience, crucial mistakes led to one of the biggest dam disasters in U.S. history.

Sources
Hillary’s Story
William Mulholland | American city official | Britannica

St. Francis Dam Disaster | Fillmore Historical

The St. Francis Dam’s Death Toll – Museum of Ventura County

When California’s Water Wars Turned Violent | American Experience | Official Site | PBS

The Mulholland Memorial Fountain: A Grand Monument to a Man and Water | History & Society | PBS SoCal

Forgotten L.A. history: The deadly St. Francis dam disaster | UCLA Library

St. Francis Dam – Wikipedia
William Mulholland – Wikipedia

Photos
William Mulholland—via the Water Education Foundation
St. Francis Dam-February 1927–by HT Stearns via Wikipedia (public domain)
St. Francis Dam-March 1928 after collapse–by Vodkamike3 via Wikpedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
LA Times Front Page St. Francis Dam collapse–by LA Times via Smithsonian Magazine
St. Francis Dam-Debris after Collapse–via Water and Power Associates

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Episode 230: Trump Trance | Anton “Tony” Lazzaro

July 10, 2024 the-muck-podcast Comments Off

The Muck Podcast

Episode 230: Trump Trance | Anton "Tony" Lazzaro

00:00 / 1:05:37

Tina and Hillary cover former GOP donor, Anton “Tony” Lazzaro.

Tony Lazzaro, known for his deep pockets and strong ties to the Minnesota Republican Party, was a big-time donor. BUT when accused of sex trafficking minors, he found himself in deep trouble.

Sources
Tina’s Story
Business Insider
A GOP strategist was arrested on 10 felony counts of underage sex trafficking, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice

CBS News/WCCO News
Who is Anton “Tony” Lazzaro?

The Hill
GOP donor Anton Lazzaro sentenced to 21 years for sex trafficking minors in Minnesota

United States Attorney’s Office District of Minnesota
Anton “Tony” Lazzaro Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison for Child Sex Trafficking

Photos
Anton Tony Lazzaro Mugshot–via The Guardian
Gisela Medina Mugshot--from Okaloosa DOC via CBS News/WCCO News
Trump and Lazzaro–via Lazzaro social media via Business Insider

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