The Wedding Scammer
Have you ever been scammed? In The Ringer’s first true crime podcast, host Justin Sayles tracks a mysterious figure who once wronged him. A man with a lot of aliases, a lot of failed businesses, and a trail of victims. Justin follows him through a sham media company, a series of ruined weddings, and beyond, trying to find answers. The police can’t offer any help—but maybe we can. From Spotify and The Ringer, this is ‘The Wedding Scammer.’ A story in seven parts.
Episodes
8. The Arrest
We are back with a big update: Carl Butcho has been arrested. Join Justin for one more trip down the rabbit hole as we explore how we got here and what closure looks like. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Vikram Patel, Jade Whaley, Kaya McCul…
Introducing 'Truthless'
Cheers from ‘Wedding Scammer’ HQ. We’re back today to share a new podcast from The Ringer that we think you’ll like. It’s called ‘Truthless.’ It’s a new Ringer podcast about lies and the people who tell them. Which means it’s a podcast abou…
7. Fool Me Twice
In the final episode, we hear from the Wedding Scammer himself. A lot. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social…
6. Undercover Cowboy
Justin confronts Carl Butcho, a.k.a. Lance Miller. And he records the whole thing. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th…
5. All My Scammers Live In Texas
The Wedding Scammer resurfaces. Carl Butcho is still in the wedding business, and he's got a new alias. But a few discerning Texans manage to connect the dots, and find their way to Justin. To buy Rob Harvilla's new book, '60 Songs That Exp…
4. Coal Country
Michael, Mark, Lawrence: What is the Wedding Scammer's real name? Turns out it's none of the above. In this episode, Justin gets the answer, takes a trip, and tells you an origin story.Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargo…
3. The Fake Name Game
The Wedding Scammer hits the road, and lands in the Bay Area. However, there’s a catch: He’s no longer going by Michael Esposito. But while he’s got a new name, some things haven’t changed. And the cost of knowing him has gone up. Host: Jus…
2. The Crooked Caterer
Michael Esposito has shut down Newsaratti and moved on to a new hustle: the wedding industry. Over the next few years, a handful of couples in Los Angeles will sue him, saying he did the unthinkable: ruined their weddings and kept the money…
1. The Glass Castle
A drive across the country. A fresh start. An unexpected job offer. What could go wrong?In this episode, Justin tells the story of how he stumbled into the orbit of a con man. Host: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby …
Introducing ‘The Wedding Scammer’
Jump down the rabbit hole with host Justin Sayles as he tracks a scammer and tries to get some answers—for himself, and so many others. This is ‘The Wedding Scammer,’ The Ringer’s first true crime podcast. A story in seven parts, starting O…