Criminal Podcast Episode Summary: "The Bottom of the Cliff"
Podcast Information
- Title: Criminal
- Host: Phoebe Judge
- Network: Vox Media Podcast Network
- Episode: The Bottom of the Cliff
- Release Date: March 28, 2025
- Description: Criminal delves into the intricate stories of people involved in crimes, whether as perpetrators, victims, or those caught in between. Hosted by Phoebe Judge, the podcast is recognized as one of the Best Podcasts of 2023 by the New York Times.
1. Introduction: The Legacy of Agent Orange and Its Impact
The episode opens by providing historical context about Operation Ranch Hand, where the U.S. military sprayed over 19 million gallons of herbicides, including Agent Orange, in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos between 1962 and 1971 (02:00). The widespread use of these chemicals aimed to eliminate vegetation cover and crops, crippling the Viet Cong's ability to hide and depriving them of food sources. However, the aftermath was devastating:
- 400,000 Vietnamese deaths due to exposure.
- 3 million people harmed, with hundreds of thousands of birth defects reported by the Vietnamese Red Cross.
- 2.6 million U.S. soldiers exposed to Agent Orange, leading to health issues recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
This historical backdrop sets the stage for the personal story of Kelly Wriston, a VA beneficiary afflicted with spina bifida, who required extensive home health care.
2. Uncovering Healthcare Fraud: The Role of Tom Dominski
Tom Dominski (04:15), the resident agent in charge at the VA Office of Inspector General in Pittsburgh, became suspicious of irregularities in the billing practices of Julie Wheeler, a home health care worker for Kelly Wriston. Key discoveries included:
- Exaggerated Billing: Julie Wheeler billed the VA for 56 hours a week (04:37), claiming to provide full-time care. However, witnesses and the beneficiary's husband revealed that Julie likely provided only 8 hours annually.
- Substantial Payments: Julie received approximately $470,000 from the VA, despite minimal actual services rendered.
- Employment Conflicts: Investigation revealed Julie's simultaneous employment with Lincare in Beckley, West Virginia, working Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM (05:18), conflicting with her fraudulent VA billing claims.
Dominski's meticulous review of Julie's employment records and financial transactions led to the realization that Julie had ceased her legitimate job at Lincare after receiving substantial VA payments, thereby continuing her fraud scheme unabated.
3. The Mysterious Fall: Julie Wheeler's Attempt to Evade Justice
As the investigation unfolded, Julie Wheeler orchestrated a dramatic attempt to avoid sentencing for her healthcare fraud:
- Event Date: May 31, 2020 (10:47)
- Location: Grandview Overlook in the New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
- Family Involvement: Julie's husband, Rodney Wheeler, and their 17-year-old son were present during the incident.
Initial Incident: Rodney and his son reported that Julie had fallen off the cliff at Grandview Overlook. According to their account, Julie was seated precariously at the edge when she slipped after bending to retrieve an earring, leading to her fall (14:37).
Search Efforts:
- A massive search operation ensued, involving hundreds of volunteers, National Guard helicopters with thermal imaging, and specialized teams from various agencies (14:24; 17:40).
- Findings: Only a cell phone and a single shoe were recovered at the site, with no signs of Julie's body or disturbance, raising suspicions about the credibility of the incident (19:25; 21:30).
4. Unraveling the Hoax: Discovery of Julie Wheeler's Deception
The inconsistencies in the search efforts and the suspicious circumstances surrounding Julie's reported fall led investigators to suspect foul play:
- Investigative Doubts: Stanley Wilson, a deputy chief ranger with the National Park Service, expressed skepticism due to the absence of any physical evidence despite exhaustive search operations (21:18).
- Reenactment and Surveillance: Investigators, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Goes, conducted a reenactment of the events to identify discrepancies (22:16).
- Surveillance Insights: It was revealed that Julie was awaiting sentencing, indicating a motive to fake her death to escape legal consequences (26:06).
The breakthrough came when federal probation officers, alongside state police, executed a search warrant at Rodney Wheeler's home. During a meticulous search, they discovered human legs in a closet, leading to Julie Wheeler's arrest (28:37).
5. Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Confession and Charges:
- Julie Wheeler: Confessed to the fraud scheme and her attempt to fake her death, stating, "I didn't want to go to prison, and I thought this was my way out" (29:08).
- Rodney Wheeler: Sentenced to two months in prison, followed by six months of home confinement and three years of supervised release.
- 17-Year-Old Son: Not charged due to his minor status, though his involvement was noted as being under significant pressure from Julie (33:03).
Sentencing Details:
- Julie Wheeler: Received a 54-month sentence comprising:
- 42 months for healthcare fraud.
- One additional year for conspiring to obstruct justice.
- Restitution: Ordered to pay $289,055 for the healthcare fraud impacting Kelly Wriston, emphasizing the gravity of her actions and their impact on a vulnerable individual (32:42).
Notable Quotes:
- Eric Goes: "The theft from the spina bifida aspect of this case should not be overshadowed by her ruse in faking her own death. Her conduct was egregious and atrocious in stealing money that was needed by a spina bifida victim by not providing that person services." (32:23)
- Tom Dominski: "I suspected immediately that this is something that she was potentially doing to avoid sentencing." (27:30)
- Eric Goes: "I've never seen anyone go through some sort of elaborate hoax to fake their own death to get out of sentencing. I've never seen anything quite like it." (33:41)
6. Reflections and Conclusion
The episode concludes by highlighting the complex motivations and ethical breaches involved in Julie Wheeler's actions. Her attempt to evade justice not only disrupted her family's life but also directly impacted the services and benefits meant for individuals like Kelly Wriston. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Goes reflects on the unprecedented nature of Julie's scheme, underscoring the lengths to which she went to avoid accountability.
Final Thoughts:
- Impact on VA Services: Julie's fraudulent activities deprived a spina bifida victim of essential care, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities.
- Law Enforcement Insights: The case serves as a cautionary tale for fraud prevention and the importance of diligent investigative work.
- Human Element: The involvement of Julie's family, especially her son, brings to light the personal toll and ethical dilemmas faced by those close to perpetrators.
7. Production Credits
- Creators: Lauren Spoor and Phoebe Judge
- Senior Producer: Nadia Wilson
- Supervising Producer: Katie Bishop
- Producers: Susanna Roberson, Jackie Sagiko, Lily Clark, Lena Sillison, Megan Kinane
- Mixing and Engineering: Veronica Simonetti; Michael Rayfield
- Original Illustrations: Julian Alexander
- Credits: Additional support from the Vox Media Podcast Network
Note: This summary encapsulates the key elements of the "The Bottom of the Cliff" episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those unfamiliar with the podcast. For a deeper understanding and nuanced details, listening to the full episode is recommended.