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The Binge Cases: Doctor Billions

Sony Music Entertainment

After Derika Moses injured her back at work, she got her spine fused. But after surgery, her pain only got worse. She didn’t know why  — until she got a letter in the mail telling her that some of the spinal hardware in her back might be counterfeit. Not sterile. Not FDA approved. Made in a machine shop in Temecula, California. 

Doctor Billions tells the story of the billion-dollar healthcare fraud that turned thousands of patients into unwitting cogs in a scheme involving dozens of doctors, lawyers and healthcare professionals across the country. 

At the center of one of the nation's largest healthcare frauds was an elusive man named Michael Drobot. His ambition to turn a Long Beach hospital into a destination for back surgeons  was at the expense of thousands of patients blind to what was happening behind the scenes. 

One whistleblower told me: “I'm looking at the surgery board for tomorrow going, 'These people are f***ed.'” 

Doctor Billions is hosted by Peabody Award-winning journalist Ben Adair for Sony Music Entertainment’s The Binge.

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Episodes release weekly on Thursdays.

To binge the series right now, hit ‘Subscribe’ at the top of the show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com. 

Follow The Binge Crimes and The Binge Cases to get new stories on the first of the month, every month.   

Join The Binge’s free newsletter – Patreon.com/TheBinge 

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  • 28 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 31 min
  • English

Episodes 28

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  • S23 · E1
    Thursday · 35 min

    Doctor Billions | 1. Trust No One

    In the middle of a national recession, Mark Sersansie was excited to get a 6-figure marketing job with a mysterious Southern California medical company. But by lunchtime on his very first day, he caught on – something very shady was happening. Want the full story? Binge every episode of Doctor Billions ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge+. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to GetTheBinge.com. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at Patreon.com/TheBinge. Doctor Billions is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Western Sound. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices at podcastchoices.com/adchoices. The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • September 24 · 2 min

    Introducing . . . Doctor Billions

    After Derika Moses injured her back at work, she got her spine fused. But after surgery, her pain only got worse. She didn’t know why — until she got a letter in the mail telling her that some of the spinal hardware in her back might be counterfeit. Not sterile. Not FDA approved. Made in a machine shop in Temecula, California. Doctor Billions tells the story of the billion-dollar healthcare fraud that turned thousands of patients into unwitting cogs in a scheme involving dozens of doctors, lawyers and healthcare professionals across the country. At the center of one of the nation's largest healthcare frauds was an elusive man named Michael Drobot. His ambition to turn a Long Beach hospital into a destination for back surgeons was at the expense of thousands of patients blind to what was happening behind the scenes. One whistleblower told me: “I'm looking at the surgery board for tomorrow going, 'These people are f***ed.'” Doctor Billions is hosted by Peabody Award-winning journalist Ben Adair for Sony Music Entertainment’s The Binge. Want the full story? Binge every episode of Doctor Billions ad-free October 1st by subscribing to The ⁠⁠Binge+⁠⁠. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly and get binge access to drops on the first of every month. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to ⁠GetTheBinge.com⁠. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at ⁠⁠Patreon.com/TheBinge⁠⁠. Doctor Billions is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Western Sound. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at ⁠⁠⁠sonymusic.com/podcasts⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠podcastchoices.com/adchoices⁠⁠ The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • S22 · E7
    September 14 · 34 min

    What She Buried | 7. A Fly in the Soup

    The full picture of Kwaneta starts to come into focus, despite her efforts to distance herself from the podcast. - For more of Justine’s work, read Unreasonable Women, which follows three women who have been punished for defending themselves. The result of seven years of reporting inside U.S. prisons, it's a gripping, urgent look at how survivors are criminalized, called "required reading for anyone who cares about women and justice," by Bookpage, "remarkable... riveting," by Kirkus, and "true crime at its finest," by Booklist. Available now on Amazon or Bookshop.org. - Want more true crime? Binge over 60 ad-free series now by subscribing to ⁠The Binge+⁠. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to ⁠GetTheBinge.com⁠. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at ⁠Patreon.com/TheBinge⁠. What She Buried is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Campside Media. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices at podcastchoices.com/adchoices. The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • S22 · E6
    September 7 · 41 min

    What She Buried | 6. Ghosts of Tricie's Past

    To make sense of Kwaneta's present, Justine has to go back in time. She meets Kwaneta's ex-husbands and learns unsettling details from Kwaneta's childhood. - Want the full story? Binge every episode of What She Buried ad-free now by subscribing to ⁠The Binge+⁠. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to ⁠GetTheBinge.com⁠. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at ⁠Patreon.com/TheBinge⁠. What She Buried is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Campside Media. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices at podcastchoices.com/adchoices. The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. - For more of Justine’s work, read Unreasonable Women, which follows three women who have been punished for defending themselves. The result of seven years of reporting inside U.S. prisons, it's a gripping, urgent look at how survivors are criminalized, called "required reading for anyone who cares about women and justice," by Bookpage, "remarkable... riveting," by Kirkus, and "true crime at its finest," by Booklist. Available now on ⁠Amazon⁠ or ⁠Bookshop.org⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • September 1 · 2 min

    Out Now: What Happened to the Harrisons?

    Out Today on the Binge, What Happened to the Harrisons? From the outside, 3635 Pitch Pine Crescent looked like the kind of home where nothing bad could happen, the gathering place for every birthday and holiday. Until, one spring night when tragedy struck. In less than five years, three people would end up dead in the same house. Each time, the authorities found a way to explain it away. But the family who loved them knew something was wrong. Host Amy Dempsey Raven, an investigative reporter for the Toronto Star, spent more than a decade asking what really happened inside that house? Binge all episodes of What Happened to the Harrisons? Today by subscribing to The Binge. Visit ⁠⁠⁠The Binge Crimes⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts and hit ‘subscribe’ or visit ⁠⁠⁠GetTheBinge.com⁠⁠⁠ to get access. The Binge – feed your true crime obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • S22 · E5
    August 31 · 39 min

    What She Buried | 5. All the Kwanetas

    Kwaneta tells Justine exactly what happened the day Michael Giles died. - Want the full story? Binge every episode of What She Buried ad-free now by subscribing to ⁠The Binge+⁠. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to ⁠GetTheBinge.com⁠. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at ⁠Patreon.com/TheBinge⁠. What She Buried is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Campside Media. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices at podcastchoices.com/adchoices. The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. - For more of Justine’s work, read Unreasonable Women, which follows three women who have been punished for defending themselves. The result of seven years of reporting inside U.S. prisons, it's a gripping, urgent look at how survivors are criminalized, called "required reading for anyone who cares about women and justice," by Bookpage, "remarkable... riveting," by Kirkus, and "true crime at its finest," by Booklist. Available now on ⁠Amazon⁠ or ⁠Bookshop.org⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • S22 · E4
    August 24 · 43 min

    What She Buried | 4. The Job Offer

    Kwaneta concocts another complicated plan and convinces someone else to confess to her own crimes. - Want the full story? Binge every episode of What She Buried ad-free now by subscribing to ⁠The Binge+⁠. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to ⁠GetTheBinge.com⁠. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at ⁠Patreon.com/TheBinge⁠. What She Buried is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Campside Media. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices at podcastchoices.com/adchoices. The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. - For more of Justine’s work, read Unreasonable Women, which follows three women who have been punished for defending themselves. The result of seven years of reporting inside U.S. prisons, it's a gripping, urgent look at how survivors are criminalized, called "required reading for anyone who cares about women and justice," by Bookpage, "remarkable... riveting," by Kirkus, and "true crime at its finest," by Booklist. Available now on ⁠Amazon⁠ or ⁠Bookshop.org⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • S22 · E3
    August 17 · 36 min

    What She Buried | 3. The Money Part

    Kwaneta had always argued she hadn't wanted Michael dead, but the paper trail she left behind told a very different story. - Want the full story? Binge every episode of What She Buried ad-free now by subscribing to ⁠The Binge+⁠. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to ⁠GetTheBinge.com⁠. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at ⁠Patreon.com/TheBinge⁠. What She Buried is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Campside Media. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices at podcastchoices.com/adchoices. The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. - For more of Justine’s work, read Unreasonable Women, which follows three women who have been punished for defending themselves. The result of seven years of reporting inside U.S. prisons, it's a gripping, urgent look at how survivors are criminalized, called "required reading for anyone who cares about women and justice," by Bookpage, "remarkable... riveting," by Kirkus, and "true crime at its finest," by Booklist. Available now on ⁠Amazon⁠ or ⁠Bookshop.org⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • S22 · E2
    August 10 · 40 min

    What She Buried | 2. Digging a Hole

    The police investigate Michael Giles' disappearance. What they find is a concrete slab and a convoluted story that leads them to Kwaneta Harris. - Want the full story? Binge every episode of What She Buried ad-free now by subscribing to ⁠The Binge+⁠. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to ⁠GetTheBinge.com⁠. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at ⁠Patreon.com/TheBinge⁠. What She Buried is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Campside Media. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices at podcastchoices.com/adchoices. The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. - For more of Justine’s work, read Unreasonable Women, which follows three women who have been punished for defending themselves. The result of seven years of reporting inside U.S. prisons, it's a gripping, urgent look at how survivors are criminalized, called "required reading for anyone who cares about women and justice," by Bookpage, "remarkable... riveting," by Kirkus, and "true crime at its finest," by Booklist. Available now on Amazon or Bookshop.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • S22 · E1
    August 3 · 37 min

    What She Buried | 1. The Pen Pal

    In March 2019, Justine starts exchanging letters with Kwaneta Harris, a woman serving a 50 year sentence for murder. The two grow close, but the more Justine learns about Kwaneta's story, the more complicated it gets. - Want the full story? Binge every episode of What She Buried ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge+. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the The Binge channel on Apple Podcasts or head to GetTheBinge.com. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at Patreon.com/TheBinge. What She Buried is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Campside Media. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices at podcastchoices.com/adchoices. The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. - For more of Justine’s work, read Unreasonable Women, which follows three women who have been punished for defending themselves. The result of seven years of reporting inside U.S. prisons, it's a gripping, urgent look at how survivors are criminalized, called "required reading for anyone who cares about women and justice," by Bookpage, "remarkable... riveting," by Kirkus, and "true crime at its finest," by Booklist. Available now on Amazon or Bookshop.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • July 27 · 2 min

    Introducing . . . What She Buried

    Seven years ago, journalist Justine van der Leun received a letter that would change her life. The sender was a woman named Kwaneta Harris, who was incarcerated at a prison in Texas. Kwaneta had an incredible story—one that, over time, she began to tell Justine. Justine wanted to know more, and began to report deeply. Kwaneta’s story turned out to be more complicated, tangled, and murky than Justine could have ever imagined. Bad checks are cashed. Fibs turn into lies turn into scams. A mysterious man wrapped in bandages signs binding legal documents. At one point, a young mother walks into a courthouse in Dallas and confesses to a murder she did not commit. None of it is real, or maybe all of it is. And somehow at every twist, behind every bizarre story, Justine kept finding her way back to one person: Kwaneta. - Want the full story? Binge every episode of What She Buried ad-free August 1st by subscribing to The ⁠Binge+⁠. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly and get binge access to drops on the first of every month. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to GetTheBinge.com. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at ⁠Patreon.com/TheBinge⁠. What She Buried is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Campside Media. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at ⁠⁠sonymusic.com/podcasts⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠podcastchoices.com/adchoices⁠ The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. - For more of Justine’s work, read Unreasonable Women, which follows three women who have been punished for defending themselves. The result of seven years of reporting inside U.S. prisons, it's a gripping, urgent look at how survivors are criminalized, called "required reading for anyone who cares about women and justice," by Bookpage, "remarkable... riveting," by Kirkus, and "true crime at its finest," by Booklist. Available now on ⁠Amazon⁠ or ⁠Bookshop.org⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • S21 · E6
    July 6 · 49 min

    U R NEXT | 6. Remember Me?

    Sergeant Finley’s case comes to a climax. More than a decade on, host Leigh Alexander investigates whether Vicious is still a danger to women. What she finds is unnerving. Want the full story? Binge every episode of U R NEXT ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge+. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to GetTheBinge.com. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at Patreon.com/TheBinge. U R NEXT is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Novel. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices at podcastchoices.com/adchoices. The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • S21 · E5
    June 29 · 40 min

    U R NEXT | 5. Super Spy

    A streamer named Ava undertakes a risky undercover mission to expose Vicious, while Sergeant Finley gets a new ally in his fight for justice. Want the full story? Binge every episode of U R NEXT ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge+. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to GetTheBinge.com. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at Patreon.com/TheBinge. U R NEXT is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Novel. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices at podcastchoices.com/adchoices. The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • S21 · E4
    June 22 · 35 min

    U R NEXT | 4. League of Girls

    Streamers like Natasha have had enough of playing defense. Now they’re starting to band together and fight back. Want the full story? Binge every episode of U R NEXT ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge+. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to GetTheBinge.com. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at Patreon.com/TheBinge. U R NEXT is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Novel. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices at podcastchoices.com/adchoices. The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • S21 · E3
    June 15 · 36 min

    U R NEXT | 3. Unprisonable. Untouchable.

    The perp Sergeant Finley’s tracking is convinced he can’t be caught. And now he’s not just targeting female gamers anymore. He’s on a rampage; terrorizing schools, theme parks, supermarkets. Nobody is safe. Want the full story? Binge every episode of U R NEXT ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge+. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to GetTheBinge.com. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at Patreon.com/TheBinge. U R NEXT is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Novel. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices at podcastchoices.com/adchoices. The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • S21 · E2
    June 8 · 33 min

    U R NEXT | 2. Madder than a Wet Hen

    Sergeant Ben Finley is as analog as they come. But when a swatting wreaks havoc on his beat, he starts chasing an anonymous and ruthless digital criminal. Want the full story? Binge every episode of U R NEXT ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge+. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to GetTheBinge.com. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at Patreon.com/TheBinge. U R NEXT is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Novel. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices at podcastchoices.com/adchoices. The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • S21 · E1
    June 7 · 37 min

    U R NEXT | 1. An “Internet Terrorist”

    Esther has ambitions of becoming a full-time streamer. But then she crosses paths with a dangerous online predator with one mission; to make her life hell. Want the full story? Binge every episode of U R NEXT ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge+. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to GetTheBinge.com. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at Patreon.com/TheBinge. U R NEXT is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Novel. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices at podcastchoices.com/adchoices. The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • May 26 · 2 min

    Introducing . . . U R NEXT

    What if, one day, you suddenly became the target of an “internet terrorist”? Who can find you, no matter where you are, and make your life hell. Logging off? Is not an option. That’s what’s happened to Esther, Natasha and Ava. They all fell into the crosshairs of a dangerous online predator who had one mission; to control, harass and bully women and girls like them out of online gaming. A skilled hacker, he’d extort his victims. But his weapon of choice was swatting – calling in fake emergencies to get armed police to raid people’s homes, terrifying them. He seemed unstoppable, until the young female streamers he targeted joined forces and fought back… and a determined country cop took up the case. Journalist Leigh Alexander investigates a story where digital danger bursts through the screen and into real life, that will leave you wondering if any of us are really safe… Want the full story? Binge every episode of U R NEXT ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge+. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to GetTheBinge.com. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at Patreon.com/TheBinge. U R NEXT is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Novel. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • S20 · E6
    May 6 · 51 min

    My Mother’s Lies | 6. The Unraveling

    The star witnesses from 2008 face a massive decision. Will Ray’s efforts to expose his mom’s fabrications get Quincy Cross a new trial? Want the full story? Binge every episode of My Mother’s Lies ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge+. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to GetTheBinge.com. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at Patreon.com/TheBinge. My Mother’s Lies is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Message Heard. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices at podcastchoices.com/adchoices. The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • S20 · E5
    April 29 · 49 min

    My Mother’s Lies | 5. The Confessions

    Witnesses are held and interrogated in a seedy hotel by investigators. These Drury Inn confessions would prove controversial. Want the full story? Binge every episode of My Mother’s Lies ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge+. You’ll unlock over 60 true crime series instantly, get early access to drops on the first of every month, and hear exclusive bonus episodes. Search for the channel on Apple Podcasts or head to GetTheBinge.com. For behind-the-scenes details, join our free newsletter at Patreon.com/TheBinge. My Mother’s Lies is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Message Heard. Follow @sonypodcasts and discover more at sonymusic.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices at podcastchoices.com/adchoices. The Binge — feed your true crime obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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