Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: Johnathan Walton Media
Episode: EP 10 - The Quarterback and The Con Artist
Release Date: November 7, 2025
Host: Johnathan Walton

Overview

This gripping episode chronicles the harrowing legal and emotional odyssey of former NFL quarterback Eric Kramer, who was scammed, manipulated, and financially devastated by Courtney Baird—an accomplished con artist. The episode dives deep into the mechanics of the scam, systemic failures in the legal and conservatorship systems, and the Herculean efforts of those who fought beside Eric for justice. Against a backdrop of legal red tape and insidious manipulation, the episode explores themes of vulnerability, perseverance, and the struggle to rebuild while exposing how systems meant to protect can themselves enable predation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Legal Battles and Systemic Failures (02:29–07:44)

• Malpractice Lawsuit Against Conservatorship Attorney:
  • Eric Kramer and Anna Durgan sue the conservatorship attorney for malpractice, uncovering handwritten notes that reveal the attorney’s awareness of Courtney Baird's unauthorized theft and suspicious behavior.
    • Anna Durgan (04:28): “Courtney is still getting money without authorization, exclamation point, regardless of conservatorship.”
  • Lisa McCarley, conservatorship attorney expert, castigates the sloppy and unethical conduct of the court-appointed counsel.
    • Lisa McCarley (06:04): "His conduct in this case fell below the standard of what a court appointed counsel or any attorney should do... You are not protecting people if you are leaving them in the care and custody of their abusers."
• Settlement: After five grueling years, the case settles, but the payout is covered by the attorney’s insurer, not the attorney himself.

2. Criminal Case Against Courtney Baird (08:47–16:28)

• Initial Criminal Investigation:
  • Detective Dave Lynchite pushes for criminal charges against Baird, but after his retirement, momentum stalls. A narrative surfaces—unsupported by facts—that Eric is retaliating because of a bogus domestic violence accusation.
• Persistence Pays Off:
  • Anna Durgan’s relentless advocacy triggers the reassignment of the case to a new detective, who sees its merit and ensures it’s brought to a new DA, leading to Baird’s arrest and charges for grand theft, identity theft, and forgery.
    • Anna Durgan (15:02): “He goes, there’s evidence. We feel this is a very strong case. We don't understand why the DA didn't file it the first time.”

3. Roadblocks in Prosecution and the Toll of the Legal Process (16:28–24:35)

• Courtney Baird’s Tactics:
  • Released on a $670,000 bail paid by her family, Baird changes lawyers multiple times, often using public defenders despite significant financial resources being funneled into her bail and restitution.
  • Judge and DAs downplay restitution and Eric’s losses, highlighting the difficulty of prosecuting financial crimes. Restitution awarded is only a fraction of Eric's actual losses.
    • Eric Kramer (31:30): “It took hundreds of thousands of dollars, and everybody had to do this hearing and that hearing, and who paid for it all? Me.”
• Annulment vs. Divorce:
  • Anna Durgan convinces a hesitant Eric that seeking an annulment, not a divorce, affirms his lack of consent due to incapacitation.
    • Anna Durgan (23:08): “No one’s explaining to him the way I am... If you go for divorce, what you’re telling the judge… is that you were okay with Courtney and all those charges.”
  • Total cost to annul the marriage: $175,000.

4. Courtroom Frustrations and a Hollow Victory (24:35–37:47)

• Courtroom Realities:
  • Despite clear evidence and a guilty plea to four felonies, the judge delivers a lenient sentence (180 days in jail, with only about 60 days served) and expresses more empathy for Baird than for Eric.
    • Lisa McCarley (32:58): “It was like the Twilight zone. I had never seen anything like it... The judge treated Courtney like it was her daughter, like there was, like, a love and a concern there... no regard for you whatsoever.”
• Restitution Discrepancy:
  • Only $170,000 is officially recognized; Eric and Anna meticulously document nearly $300,000 in theft, but the DA excludes unprovable expenditures, largely those masked as grocery or pharmacy shopping.
• Exploiting the System:
  • Baird’s ability to obtain a public defender despite bail and restitution paid by family is seen as another scam. The lack of scrutiny frustrates everyone involved.
    • Lisa McCarley (35:18): “Scam, scam, scam, scam, scam. This is a whole other fraud happening here.”

5. Reflections on Broken Systems & Moving Forward (37:47–48:58)

• Systemic Critique:
  • Eric and legal experts lament that the very systems meant to protect vulnerable adults often fail them, sometimes compounding their victimization.
    • Eric Kramer (39:21): “It wasn’t just from Courtney Baird… it’s all these other people that also took advantage.”
• Resilience, Guilt, and Recovery:
  • After a suicide attempt and the subsequent scam, Eric finds himself cured of depression—possibly due to his brain injury. He apologizes to his family and friends at Thanksgiving, acknowledging the pain his ordeal caused.
• A Silver Lining: Eric and Anna’s Love Story:
  • Amid the chaos, Eric and Anna fall in love, ultimately becoming a couple and dedicating themselves to advocacy work to reform conservatorship law and support the mentally ill.
    • Eric Kramer (43:48): “The full force of Ana's character and who she is as a person was on display over time so many times that to me it was like, what are you doing? Why are you not pursuing her?”
• Advocacy and Education:
  • Eric is now giving talks on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and persistence in the face of adversity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lisa McCarley (06:04): “You are not protecting people if you are leaving them in the care and custody of their abusers.”
• Eric Kramer (31:30): “It took hundreds of thousands of dollars, and everybody had to do this hearing and that hearing, and who paid for it all? Me.”
• Lisa McCarley (32:58): “The judge treated Courtney like it was her daughter... It was stunning for me to witness.”
• Eric Kramer (39:21): “It wasn’t just from Courtney Baird... it’s all these other people that also took advantage.”
• Eric Kramer (43:48): “To me it was like, what are you doing? Why are you not pursuing her?”
• Jonathan Walton (48:08): “You gotta fight and you have to be persistent and you have to push back. Especially when you’re dealing with a con artist and a system... falling for the con.”
• Anna Durgan (48:28): “If you don’t care enough to contact [the authorities] every single week and be a, you know, a thorn on their side, they’re not going to care about your case.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:29] – Malpractice case against conservatorship attorney: revelation of ignored red flags
• [07:44] – Settlement of malpractice suit; insurance payout
• [08:47] – Slowdown of criminal case after detective’s retirement
• [14:24] – Fortuitous reassignment to a new detective
• [16:04] – Felony charges filed against Courtney Baird
• [24:23] – The costly battle for annulment: $175,000
• [31:30] – Eric on legal costs and feeling fleeced by the system
• [32:58] – Lisa McCarley on the bizarrely sympathetic judge and hollow courtroom victory
• [35:18] – Exploiting the public defender system; another “legal scam”
• [39:21] – Eric’s realization: multiple betrayals, not just by the con artist
• [42:03] – Recovery: gunshot injury results in the end of Eric’s depression
• [43:48] – Eric and Anna’s love story begins
• [45:23] – Eric and Anna’s advocacy: plans for system reform
• [46:26] – Eric’s public speaking on suicide prevention and depression recovery
• [48:08] – Jonathan’s call to action: persistence against systems and con artists

Conclusion

Tone: Candid, deeply personal, critical of institutional failures but marked by stubborn hope and the triumph of restored lives.

Eric Kramer's journey from NFL quarterback to scam survivor stands as both a cautionary tale and a beacon of resilience. The episode makes plain the need for tenacity and support systems in navigating broken legal bureaucracies, while also celebrating the possibility of redemption and even unexpected love. Ultimately, the story exposes the urgent necessity for legal reform and unflinching advocacy for the vulnerable.

Actionable Takeaways

• Documentation and Advocacy: Victims must persistently document and push authorities for action; the system rarely works without pressure.
• Reform Needed: Current laws and systems fail to adequately protect mentally incapacitated adults; involvement of medical expertise in legal judgments is crucial.
• Community & Connection: The recovery from trauma is possible with support and persistence—sometimes even leading to new avenues of happiness and purpose.
• Mental Health: Early intervention and honest communication about mental health struggles can save lives.

For support with depression or suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 for free counseling.