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The Opportunist tells true stories of regular people who turn sinister by embracing opportunity. How does an everyday person turn into a thief, a scammer or a cult leader? Perhaps the most dangerous person is the one who appears the most normal. Perhaps there is a dark potential lurking inside all of us that is just waiting for the right opportunity to emerge. The Opportunist is an original podcast hosted by Sarah James McLaughlin.

The Opportunist

On this episode of The Opportunist, we tell the story of Kentucky Judge Kevin Mullins, who allegedly used his position to solicit sex from inmates, and how his abuse of power came to a shocking end.

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Dishonorable Judge Mullins: Above the Law

In this episode of The Opportunist, we follow Charlie Javice, a young fintech founder who sold her startup to JPMorgan Chase for $175 million. But behind the glowing headlines was a stunning fraud that would ultimately bring her empire crashing down.

Thank you to our sponsors:

 • Betterhelp: The podcast is supported by Better Help. Get 10% off your first month at 
BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNIST • Simplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free at 
SimpliSafe.com/OPPORTUNIST • PlutoTV: Summer of Cinema. Stream now for free.

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Charlie Javice: The Startup Swindler

Mary Mahoney’s Old French House was a beloved Gulf Coast landmark, serving presidents, celebrities, and locals for decades. On this episode of The Opportunist, we uncover the hidden story that threatened to tarnish its celebrated reputation.

Thank you to our sponsors:

 • Betterhelp: The podcast is supported by Better Help. Get 10% off your first month at 
BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNIST • Simplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free at 
SimpliSafe.com/OPPORTUNIST • PlutoTV: Summer of Cinema. Stream now for free.

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Mary Mahoney’s Old French House: Fish Fraud

From Jonestown to Heaven’s Gate, to the Octopus Murders and the Waco Siege, the world is full of deception, manipulation, and destruction. Listen to Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes every Wednesday as we explore the real people at the center of the world’s most shocking secrets and nefarious organizations. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes is a Crime House original powered by PAVE Studios. Follow the show now so you don’t miss a single story.

LISTEN NOW! https://www.pavestudios.com/shows/conspiracy-theories-cults-and-crimes

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Introducing: CONSPIRACY THEORIES, CULTS, AND CRIMES

Jeremiah ‘The Bull’ Evans was a flashy entrepreneur who launched the Alpha Con convention, promising the secrets to wealth and influence. 

On this episode of The Opportunist, we look at how his high-energy salesmanship unraveled into fraud charges and a prison sentence.

Thank you to our sponsors:

 • Betterhelp: The podcast is supported by Better Help. Get 10% off your first month at 
BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNIST • Simplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free at 
SimpliSafe.com/OPPORTUNIST • Earnin: Download EarnIn today. When you download the EarnIn app, type in The Opportunist under PODCAST when you sign up.
 • PlutoTV: Summer of Cinema. Stream now for free.

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Jeremiah “The Bull” Evans: Alpha Conned

Kyle Norton Riester was an active duty Army pilot who used LSD on the weekends and sold psychedelics on the dark web. On this episode of The Opportunist, we examine how his double life led to federal charges and a stunning fall from grace.

Thank you to our sponsors:

 • Quince: Go to 
Quince.com/OPPORTUNIST • for free shipping on your order and 65-day returns.
 • Betterhelp: The podcast is supported by Better Help. Get 10% off your first month at 
BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNIST • Simplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free at 
SimpliSafe.com/OPPORTUNIST • Earnin: Download EarnIn today. When you download the EarnIn app, type in The Opportunist under PODCAST when you sign up.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kyle Norton Riester: Lieutenant LSD

In this follow-up episode, The Opportunist explores the latest legal troubles facing Tim Ballard, this time in Argentina, where he's under investigation for alleged misconduct tied to his anti-trafficking efforts. As the international scrutiny mounts, questions grow louder about the true motives behind Ballard’s crusade.

Thank you to our sponsors:

 • Betterhelp: Get 10% off your first month at 
BetterHelp.com/OPPORTUNIST • Simplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free at 
SimpliSafe.com/OPPORTUNIST • Earnin: Download EarnIn today. When you download the EarnIn app, type in The Opportunist under PODCAST when you sign up.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Exporting the Mission: Tim Ballard’s Legal Trouble in Argentina

Aimee Bock and Salim Said positioned themselves as champions of hungry children—until investigators uncovered a massive fraud scheme siphoning millions from a federal food aid program. 

“Aimee Bock & Salim Said: Defrauding Our Future” exposes how ambition, deception, and weak oversight collided in one of the largest pandemic-era scams in U.S. history.

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Aimee Bock & Salim Said: Defrauding Our Future

When the beloved community newspaper Eugene Weekly suddenly stopped publishing, staff discovered a longtime employee had quietly drained the paper’s finances for years.

“Eugene Weekly: Black, White, and In The Red” unravels the story of betrayal, denial, and the fight to revive a local institution nearly lost to criminal opportunity.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Simplisafe: Get 50% off your new SimpliSafe system with professional monitoring and your first month free at simplisafe.com/opportunist

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Eugene Weekly: Black, White, and In The Red

Once a promising snowboarder, Ryan James Wedding traded the slopes for smuggling routes in a shocking descent into the world of international drug trafficking. The Opportunists unpacks how fame, ambition, and risk collided in one man’s transformation from athlete to criminal.

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Ryan James Wedding: Powder Runs

In the aftermath of Kelly's death, Sherry sees an opportunity to promote her ministry and she predicts the end of the world by decoding messages in the bible.
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SHERRY SHRINER Part 3 of 8: Decoding the End of the World

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