Big Time Podcast: "Something’s Up at the Villa Carlotta" (Episode 8)

Release Date: May 12, 2025
Hosted By: Steve Buscemi
Produced By: Campside Media, Piece of Work Entertainment, and Olive Productions

Introduction: The Con Man in Hollywood's Playground

Steve Buscemi sets the stage by discussing Hollywood's unspoken rules—“Fake it till you make it, see and be seen. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”—highlighting how these principles can be exploited by those with nefarious intentions. He introduces David Blume, a con man who has masterfully leveraged these unwritten rules to scam residents of the Villa Carlotta apartments.

Steve Buscemi [00:00]: "...this is the first con man I have come across who seemed to make Hollywood's unwritten rules the entire basis of his operation."

Setting the Scene: Villa Carlotta's Glamorous Facade

Reporter Marshall Heyman narrates the initial allure of Villa Carlotta, a luxury apartment complex in Los Angeles known for housing celebrities and affluent individuals. The community thrives on social gatherings and high-end amenities, creating an environment ripe for networking and collaboration.

Marshall Heyman [01:04]: “The residents of the Villa Carlotta apartments first remember seeing David Blume in the summer of 2021. The neighbors were excited just to be near each other again.”

Residents like Gina, a film editor, and Alexander, a marketing professional, reminisce about the communal atmosphere, sharing anecdotes of socializing by the pool and dining on gourmet meals.

Gina [01:19]: “Nobody was masking as much... We were sitting out together... having a grand time.”

David Blume’s Infiltration: Building Trust Through Connections

David Blume, portrayed as a sophisticated businessman with connections to influential figures like Ron Burkle (owner of Soho House) and Ted Sarandos (head of Netflix), quickly ingratiates himself with the Villa Carlotta community. His charm lies in his ability to resonate with residents' interests—art, finance, and exclusive social circles.

Alexander [02:25]: “All he did was talk about himself... This guy does not listen. This guy just loves talking about himself.”

David's manipulation begins with small gestures, such as facilitating reservations at Craig’s, a trendy restaurant frequented by celebrities, fostering a sense of exclusivity and trust among his neighbors.

Gina [05:53]: “So that was our first dinner out. He and I alone went to Craig's, and we got a great table. We were sitting next to Elton John.”

The Scam Unfolds: The Soho House IPO Pitch

As trust deepens, David pivots to investment opportunities, specifically the Soho House IPO. He promises substantial returns—“for every $2 Gina invested, she would get a little more than $26 in return”—appealing to the residents’ desire for financial growth and security.

Marshall Heyman [12:33]: “David was promising a 13 times return on her money.”

Gina invests $70,000, and Alexander follows suit, contributing tens of thousands of dollars each. David assures them of forthcoming returns, reinforcing his credibility through fabricated connections and detailed financial knowledge.

Gina [15:43]: “I gave him a second check. I still believed him.”

Red Flags and Growing Suspicion

Despite the promising facade, inconsistencies begin to surface. David cancels exclusive events, like the Ted Sarandos dinner, under dubious pretexts related to COVID-19, raising suspicions among residents.

Gina [09:30]: “It just made sense. All right, it's Covid. Let's not go. And so that never happened.”

Neighbors start investigating David's background, uncovering his criminal history and previous scams dating back to the 1980s. This revelation shifts their perception from trust to betrayal.

Alexander [21:15]: “They called him a whiz kid. Now he's known as something else.”

Marshall Heyman delves into David's past, revealing his multiple convictions for fraud and his pattern of exploiting high-profile connections to deceive others.

Marshall Heyman [21:46]: “Within only a couple of years, he collected nearly $10 million from investors... sentenced to eight years in prison.”

Confrontation and Attempts to Retrieve Funds

As the Villa Carlotta residents amass over $200,000 in lost investments, they confront David collectively. Their unified demand for accountability forces David to admit his deceit superficially, promising repayments that never materialize.

Gina [26:01]: “He said, sort of whimpering, I'll get you your money back.”

Despite initial partial repayments, David continues to fabricate excuses, further estranging himself from the community. His failure to honor promises leads to heightened frustration and a breakdown of trust.

Alexander [28:06]: “He would come up with a new story why he couldn't pay us back.”

Legal Ramifications and Ongoing Proceedings

David's fraudulent activities come to light, leading to his arrest in August 2023 after persistent efforts by the victims to provide evidence. Initially released on bail with minimal charges, renewed efforts and accumulated evidence finally result in his apprehension in January 2025.

Marshall Heyman [31:05]: “In the wee hours of the morning on Monday, August 28, David Blume was taken into custody.”

David faces charges of defrauding nine victims out of $250,000, with potential prison time looming. As the legal process continues, the Villa Carlotta residents grapple with the aftermath of betrayal and financial loss.

Marshall Heyman [32:06]: “As of this recording, David's case is still ongoing.”

Aftermath: Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

The Villa Carlotta scandal leaves a lasting impact on the community. Gina and Alexander, among others, vow to be more cautious in future investments and relationships, recognizing the complexity of trust within high-stakes environments like Hollywood.

Gina [32:27]: “And neither of them plans to invest money with friends. Not ever again.”

The episode concludes by emphasizing the ease with which charm and perceived connections can be manipulated, serving as a cautionary tale about the vulnerabilities inherent in tight-knit, affluent communities.

Notable Quotes:

• Steve Buscemi [00:00]: “This is the first con man I have come across who seemed to make Hollywood's unwritten rules the entire basis of his operation.”

• Gina [05:53]: “So that was our first dinner out. He and I alone went to Craig's, and we got a great table. We were sitting next to Elton John.”

• Alexander [21:31]: “They called him a whiz kid. Now he's known as something else.”

• Gina [30:33]: “I'm also oddly fascinated that I was duped. You know, I'm pretty savvy, smart person. And the fact that I could be duped, I'm like, wow, this guy is really good at what he does.”

Conclusion

Episode 8 of "Big Time" meticulously unravels the intricate scam orchestrated by David Blume within the seemingly idyllic Villa Carlotta apartments. Through engaging storytelling, firsthand accounts, and in-depth investigation, the podcast highlights the delicate interplay between trust, ambition, and deception in the high-stakes world of Hollywood. This episode serves as both an entertaining narrative and a sobering reminder of the potential pitfalls in personal and financial relationships.

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