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True Crime

The Wedding Scammer

The Ringer

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.

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  • 9 episodes
  • Avg 55 min
  • English

Episodes 9

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  • Sep 2, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min

    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 McMullen, Devon Baroldi, Justin Sayles Executive Producers: Sean Fennessey, Juliet Litman, Mallory Rubin Copy Editing: Jack McCluskey Fact-checking: Dan Comer Sound Design, Mixing, and Mastering: Scott Somerville Video Production: John Richter Art Direction: David Shoemaker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Nov 28, 2023 · 1 hr 20 min

    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 Club Sound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Nov 21, 2023 · 1 hr 9 min

    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 Ward Social Club Sound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Nov 14, 2023 · 50 min

    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 Explain the '90s,' click here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/rob-harvilla/60-songs-that-explain-the-90s/9781538759462/ 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 Club Sound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Nov 7, 2023 · 56 min

    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 Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social Club Sound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Oct 31, 2023 · 1 hr 2 min

    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: Justin Sayles Producers: Jade Whaley, Mike Wargon, Bobby Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social Club Sound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Oct 24, 2023 · 51 min

    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. 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 Club Sound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Oct 17, 2023 · 57 min

    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 Wagner, Amanda Dobbins, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social Club Sound Design: Bobby Wagner Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Oct 11, 2023 · 59 sec

    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 October 17. Video Trailer: Cory McConnell Original Music: Justin Catoni of 13th Ward Social Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Showing 1–9 of 9 episodes