Tina’s Story
Orville Hodge served as Illinois Auditor of Public Accounts after winning election in 1952. But when he lined his pockets instead of balancing the books, it cost him big time.

Hillary’s Story
When pilot Kenneth Arnold witnessed what he described as high speed flying discs. BUT little did he know that his sighting would spark a flying disc craze that still intrigues UFO enthusiasts today.

Sources
Tina's Story
Chicagoist
The Chicagoist Flashback: The Demise Of Orville Hodge--by Samantha Abernathy

Chicago Tribune
ORVILLE HODGE, AUDITOR WHO ROBBED STATE

Downfall Dictionary
Orville E. Hodge: high flying lifestyle--by Dirk Langeveld

NPR Illinois Public Radio
Illinois Issues: Comptroller, Treasurer - The Story Of How One Office Became Two--by Sam Dunklau

State Journal Register
Flashback Springfield: July 22, 1956--by Rich Saal

Time
ILLINOIS: Hodge Dislodged

Photos
Orville Enoch Hodge--via NPR Illinois Public Radio
Orville Hodge getting fingerprinted--by Chicagoist via Downfall Dictionary

Hillary's Story
Sources
Britannica
Roswell incident

CBS News
Recently uncovered 1947 headline from long-defunct newspaper offers "amazing glimpse" at UFO incident in Roswell

FBI Vault
Roswell UFO

History
What Really Happened at Roswell?--by Adam Janos

National Catholic Register
Nuns Reveal Hidden Truth About Roswell ‘UFO Crash’--by KV Turley

NPR WLRN
The Truth Is (Still) Out There In 'UFO Capital' Roswell, New Mexico--by Kirk Siegler and Liz Baker

Smithsonian Magazine
In 1947, A High-Altitude Balloon Crash Landed in Roswell. The Aliens Never Left--by Donovan Webster

The Washington Post
75 years ago, Roswell 'flying saucer' report sparked UFO obsession--by Dave Kindy

Wikipedia
1947 flying disc craze
Kenneth Arnold UFO sighting
Roswell Incident

Wired
July 8, 1947: Roswell Incident Launches UFO Controversy--by John C Abell

Photos
Pilot Kenneth Arnold--from Associated Press file photo via East Oregonian
Flying Discs over Tulsa--by Enio Gilmore from Tulsa Daily World via Wikipedia
Front Page of Paper--from the July 5, 1947 Florence Times via Muscle Shoals
Roswell Crash Article--from Corsicana Daily Sun via History

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Hillary’s Story
Representative David Byrd made a name for himself in local Tennessee politics and eventually gained a seat in the State House. BUT when allegations of abuse surface, his legacy is tarnished.

Tina’s Story
Prominent in Illinois politics since the 30s, Paul Powell eventually became Illinois secretary of state in 1964. BUT after his death in 1970, Powell’s dark secrets were revealed.

Sources
Hillary's Story
The Daily Beast
This Tennessee Republican Nearly Died From COVID. Now He’s Fighting Masks.--by Michael Daly

The Daily Herald
3 former players accuse Rep. David Byrd of sexual misconduct while they were teens--by ALANNA AUTLER

Mother Jones
A Tennessee Republican Accused of Sexual Misconduct With Underage Girls Just Said He Isn’t Running Again--Becca Andrews

Nashville Scene
David Byrd Will Run for Re-Election After All--by Stephen Elliot

Tennessee Lookout
Byrd takes oath of office after long COVID battle, brush with death--BY SAM STOCKARD

The Tennessean
After 8-month COVID-19 battle, GOP Rep. David Byrd urges vaccines, says they 'should not divide us'--by Natalie Allison
Resolution filed again to expel Rep. David Byrd from legislature over sexual assault allegations--by Natalie Allison
What to know about embattled Tennessee lawmaker David Byrd and the allegations against him--By Jon Garcia

Wikipedia
David Byrd (politician)

Photos
Tennessee House Rep. David Byrd--by Mark Humphrey/AP via Mother Jones
Byrd on House Floor after COVID-19 Recovery--by John Partipilo via Tennessee Lookout

Tina's Story
Chicago Tribune
From hero to bum in a flash: How an Illinois politician’s shoebox of money exposed the rot of corruption--by Ron Grossman
The ‘Shoebox Scandal,’ 50 years later: That time when the Illinois secretary of state died with $750,000 in cash in a hotel suite--By John O'Connor

Illinois State Library
Paul Powell

The New York Times
Mystery in Illinois: Millionaire Aide--by John Kifner

SangamonLink
Paul Powell shoebox scandal

Time
Paul Powell's Nest Egg

Wikipedia
Paul Powell (politican)

WMAY
December 30, 1970: Details Of Paul Powell’s Stash Revealed

WPSD Local 6
50 years later, Illinois' 'Shoebox Scandal' still amazes

Photos
Containers of Cash--screenshot from Chicago Tribune
Paul Powell, Speaker of the House of Illinois--photo by Abbie Rowe, via Public Domain

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Tina’s Story
Rita Crundwell served as Dixon comptroller and treasurer for almost 30 years beginning in 1983. BUT Curndwell bankrupts her career when a city clerk discovers suspicious account activity.

Hillary’s Story
In the 1950s Boise Idaho officials started an intensive investigation to supposedly protect children. BUT it soon became clear that this was an orchestrated witch hunt against gay men.

Sources
Tina's Story
ABC7 Chicago
Former Dixon, Illinois Comptroller Rita Crundwell, convicted of stealing $50M, released early from Pekin prison

All the Queens Horses
Home Page

Auburn
Fraud in Dixon Illinois: Who’s to Blame Fraud in Dixon Illinois: Who’s to Blame

Chicago Sun-Times
Rita Crundwell, who stole nearly $54 million from Dixon, released from federal prison

Chicago Tribune
Rita Crundwell, comptroller who bilked Dixon, should complete the remainder of her sentence

CPA Hall Talk
Rita Crundwell Story: Why Some Ranches Stink

Department of Justice
Former Dixon Comptroller Rita Crundwell Sentenced To Nearly 20 Years In Federal Prison For $53.7 Million Theft From City

Dixon Gov
Microsoft Word - Document1

The FCPA Blog
Want to buy Rita Crundwell's belt buckles?

Find Law
UNITED STATES v. CRUNDWELL

Flickr
USMS Rita Crundwell Auction

Forbes
Fmr Dixon, IL Comptroller, Rita Crundwell, Sentenced to 19 1/2 Years In Prison

Fraud Magazine
Comptroller, horse lady and crook, Part 1 of 2Comptroller, horse lady and crook, Part 1 of 2
The horses take a nasty fall, Part 2 of 2

Journal Standard
State charges dropped against ex-Dixon comptroller Rita Crundwell

Justia
United States v. Crundwell, No. 13-1407 (7th Cir. 2013)

NBC Chicago
Ex-Dixon Comptroller Released From Prison Halfway Through Sentence for Embezzling Nearly $54M

NPR Illinois
City Of Dixon To Recover Some Losses

Our Quad Cities
Documentary filmmaker, professor, shocked at Crundwell’s early release

WGN-TV
Rita Crundwell stole $54 million then returned to the scene of the crime

Wikipedia
Rita Crundwell

Photos
Rita Crundwell Mug Shot—from Boone County Sheriff via CBS News
Horse from auction--Flickr

Hillary's Story
The Forgotten Boise 7
Synopsis

Idaho Statesman
'Crush the Monster': The Boys of Boise hysteria--BY BILL DENTZER

Linguistic Society of America
“The Boys of Boise” Scandal: History, Language, and Legacies of Moral Panic--by Dr. Chris VanderStouwe

The New York Times
Idaho’s Original Same-Sex Scandal--By Seth Randal and Alan Virta

Time
You've Probably Heard of the Red Scare, but the Lesser-Known, Anti-Gay 'Lavender Scare' Is Rarely Taught in Schools--Suyin Haynes

Wikipedia
Boise homosexuality scandal

Photos
Idaho Statesman Headline--screenshot from CBS Reports (fair use)

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Hillary’s Story
US House Congressman for Illinois, Mel Reynolds, gained notoriety for his work on the Ways and Means committee, NAFTA, and gun control. BUT when he faced not one but two scandals, he tarnished his once polished political reputation.

Tina’s Story
US diplomat John Patterson served as a vice consul in Mexico after attending the Foreign Services training program. BUT when he was abducted, the FBI didn’t believe anything bad had really transpired; they were wrong.

Sources
Hillary's Story
ABC 7
Mel Reynolds blames South Side businessman for tax problems--by Sarah Schulte

NBC 5 Chicago
Ex-Congressman Mel Reynolds Taken Into Federal Custody

The New York Times
Accuser Tells Of Sex Acts By Lawmaker
Arrest Ordered for Twice-Convicted Ex-Congressman Mel Reynolds--by Richard Perez-Pena

Reuters
Ex-Illinois congressman sentenced to prison on tax charges--by Suzannah Gonzales

The State Journal Register
Former Illinois congressman Mel Reynolds indicted on tax evasion charges--by The Associated Press

Wikipedia
Mel Reynolds

Photos
Mel Reynolds--Public Domain via U.S. House of Representatives
Mel Reynolds in Jail in Zimbabwe--Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/AP

Tina's Story
Andra Patterson Art
Andra Patterson Information Page

Associated Press News
Ex-con Sentenced in Racer's Murder--by Michelle Rushlo

Association for Diplomatic Studies and Trainings
“Apparently I have been kidnapped” — The Death of a Vice Consul

The Atlantic
A KIDNAPPING GONE VERY WRONG

FBI
FBI Phoenix History

The Hall of Valor Project
Bobby Joe Keesee

Newser
Feds Doubted the Kidnapping Story. They Shouldn't Have--by Kate Seamons

The New York Times
Body of U.S. Aide Is Believed Found In North Mexico
Mexicans Expect Abducted US Aide to be Freed Soon
SKELETON IN MEXICO BELIEVED U.S. AIDE'S
U.S. and Mexicans Admit Confusion in Case of Consul
U. S. Officials Issue Appeal in Mexico On Missing Cansul
Wife of Abducted Consul Awaits Word

The Washington Post
FBI DETAILS BOAT RACER'S SHOOTING DEATH
REP. REYNOLDS'S ACCUSER TELLS JURY OF PAID SEX--By Edward Walsh
REYNOLDS INDICTED IN TEEN SEX SCANDAL--By Andrew Fegelman, Robert Becker, and Tribune Staff Writers

Wikipedia
Bobby Joe Keesee
John Patterson (diplomat)

Photos
John Patterson--screenshot from Washington Post via the Harold Weisberg Archive
Andra Anderson Today--photo via artist Andra Patterson Art website
Bobby Joe Keesee Arrested--screenshot from San Francisco Chronicle via the Harold Weisberg Archive

Support The Muck Podcast

For show notes and links to our sources, please click here.

Support The Muck Podcast

For show notes and links to our sources, please click here.

Support The Muck Podcast