Juicy Crimes with Heather McDonald
Episode: When a Stand Up Comic is a Serial Predator with Tammy Pescatelli
Date: September 24, 2025
Host: Heather McDonald
Guest: Tammy Pescatelli
Episode Overview
In this compelling episode, Heather McDonald welcomes comedian and podcast host Tammy Pescatelli to discuss some of the juiciest and most disturbing true crime tales from the world of stand-up comedy and beyond. The main focus is the chilling case of Vince Champ, a once-beloved comic who led a secret life as a serial sexual predator. Tammy shares her personal proximity to the crimes, providing first-hand perspective from inside the stand-up circuit of the 1990s. The hosts also dive into other infamous cases – from the “Evil Genius” pizza bomber heist to high-profile fraud in the entertainment world, and the unique vulnerabilities of creatives in show business.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Stand-up Comedy in the 90s: The Comedy Condo Culture
- Comedy condos were shared living spaces for comics booked at clubs across the country, fostering camaraderie but also unique safety risks, especially for women.
- Tammy shares how she often traveled between Midwest gigs, sometimes overlapping with other acts in these condos—a detail later central to a criminal investigation.
“Comedy condos kind of ruled the day back then. Even some of the bigger names, you’d be shocked.” — Tammy Pescatelli (02:26)
2. The Vince Champ Story: From Comedy Star to Serial Predator
a. Who Was Vince Champ?
- Winner of "Star Search" and popular in the college circuit, Vince Champ was charismatic and widely liked.
- He capitalized on the college market, often sneaking into comedy condos on off-nights under the radar.
b. Tammy’s Close Brush
- Tammy recounts her direct but unknowingly dangerous encounters with Champ, whom she shared comedy condos with in the late 1990s.
- On one occasion, Champ committed a sexual assault on a college campus after appearing for a gig, then returned to the condo where Tammy stayed—unbeknownst to her at the time.
“That night he did what he did to this woman. And then apparently he came back to the condo and I slept in the room next to him.” — Tammy Pescatelli (04:55)
c. Investigation and Tampering With Evidence
- Police, unaware of the stand-up circuit’s culture, initially mistook Tammy for Champ’s girlfriend or an accomplice.
- Champ cleverly used comedy condos instead of college-provided hotels to avoid being tracked.
d. Criminal Pattern and Capture
- He targeted young women in music facilities on college campuses, often using a knife and a disguised “white male” voice to mislead investigators.
- Breakthroughs came thanks to a pioneering female detective and the early use of DNA evidence.
- Champ was ultimately tied to over 30 violent sexual crimes across multiple states, convicted to decades behind bars.
“This woman, the detective, started looking—'Was there a comedian at the campus that night?'—and she started connecting the dots.” — Tammy Pescatelli (14:04)
e. Personal and Industry Fallout
- Tammy reflects on survivor’s guilt, PTSD, and the longstanding mistrust and caution she developed.
- The episode scrutinizes how the industry’s treatment of women and lack of safety standards left many vulnerable.
3. Women’s Safety & Power Imbalance in Entertainment
- Discussion veers into the broader tradition of older men exploiting much younger women—using examples from Jerry Seinfeld’s then-infamous relationship.
- Tammy and Heather dissect shifting perspectives around power imbalance, grooming, and societal complicity in the 90s vs. now.
“We didn’t understand imbalance of power—well, we knew it, but we had no voice to speak to it.” — Tammy Pescatelli (28:39)
4. Comedy Condos: Ongoing Risks & Anecdotes
- Both share harrowing close calls and wild stories from their early comedy lives, including unknown figures entering comedy condos at night due to unsecured keys and codes.
“Somebody that either had the key or the code...must have come in...Either way, whatever the intention was, my mind starts to go.” — Heather (36:10)
5. “Evil Genius” Bank Heist Breakdown
- Tammy recounts living near the infamous Erie, PA, “pizza bomber” case, immortalized in the Netflix docuseries "Evil Genius."
- She knew Bill Rothstein, the eccentric, brilliant, and ultimately complicit witness, as a regular at her comedy shows.
- Delves into the web of co-conspirators, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong’s manipulations, and the bizarre overlaps between crime and comedy life.
“Bill used to come see me and speak to me in Italian and bring me loaves of bread. Well, Bill happens to call the police and tells the police, ‘I know who set up Brian, the pizza guy.’” — Tammy Pescatelli (46:01)
6. Financial Crimes in the Entertainment Industry
- Discussion of how embezzlement and fraud frequently target artists, who often trust agents, managers, and even family with their finances.
- Personal stories: Alanis Morissette’s manager, Billy Joel’s brother-in-law, and Dane Cook’s brother—all cases where trusted insiders stole massive sums.
“It’s symbiotic—if I win, you win. That’s how it’s supposed to be. I can’t imagine.” — Tammy Pescatelli (56:52)
Notable Recent Scam:
- Tammy tells how she and others were caught up in a Ponzi-like scheme at the "Sherri Shepherd Show", eventually leading to the accountant’s suicide after stealing millions.
“Turns out he wasn’t paying the hairdresser, and he wasn’t paying the...he kind of Ponzi schemed...and then he killed himself.” — Tammy Pescatelli (60:34, condensed)
7. Gendered Endings: Fraud, Shame, and Life After Scandal
- The panel discusses how, when fraud schemes unravel, men in particular often choose suicide as an escape from shame and legal consequences, while women tend to seek other solutions, sometimes even attracting new partners post-crime.
- They close with thoughts on why women (including infamous criminals) garner public interest and even marriage proposals in prison.
“If you are single and you’re lonely, commit a crime and go to jail and there’ll be someone who wants to date you...ask the Menendez brothers.” — Tammy Pescatelli (66:50)
Memorable Quotes by Timestamp
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On Vince Champ’s deception and danger:
“He would go to the music room...he had done 34 rapes." — Tammy (11:03, 11:41)
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On survivor's guilt and aftermath:
“I was devastated that this poor woman saved my life...that rapey urge wouldn't have went anywhere if he hadn't found a victim there.” — Tammy (11:03-11:41)
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On the investigative breakthrough:
“They were one of the very first cases that ever used DNA for this specific purpose.” — Tammy (13:42)
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On the culture of silence:
“I was just super grateful to her to even indulge my call.” — Tammy (18:39)
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On the industry’s lack of transparency for women:
“I found out...I had more credits and more specials...I was still only making 50 cents on the dollar.” — Tammy (22:11)
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On audience safety for female comics:
“Comedy condos were really unsafe for women back then...even in a five star hotel room, I sleep with an iron next to my bed.” — Tammy (38:48)
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On the “Evil Genius” case:
“And Bill used to come see me and speak in Italian...I know who set up Brian, the pizza guy…” — Tammy (46:00)
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On financial betrayal:
“Dane let his brother be his accountant, and he stole his money…It’s the beauty of artists, they can go back out.” — Tammy (62:27)
Notable Episode Timestamps
- 02:26 — Explaining the comedy condo ecosystem
- 04:53–11:41 — Tammy’s experience with Vince Champ; survivor’s guilt and industry insights
- 13:42 — The role of DNA evidence and the detective’s breakthrough
- 18:01 — Champ’s tactics and how his voice misled investigators
- 22:11 — Discussion on gender pay disparities in comedy
- 36:10–40:28 — Personal dangerous encounters and the risks for female comics in the condo system
- 42:20–53:04 — Evil Genius: pizza bomber heist, overlap with comedy world, local narratives
- 56:28 — Celebrities and manager fraud: Billy Joel, Margaret Cho, Alanis Morissette, Dane Cook
- 57:07–60:42 — Tammy’s check fraud story at Sherri Shepherd’s show
- 63:14–66:49 — Why men and women react differently to embarrassment and downfall via fraud
Resources & Where to Find Tammy
- Podcast: The Cop and the Comedian
- Instagram: @TammyPescatelli
- Tour Dates: Check Pescatelli.com for live shows
This episode is a must-listen for fans of true crime, stand-up comedy, and behind-the-scenes tales from the entertainment world—balancing dark revelations with dark humor, personal courage, and industry wisdom.