Scamfluencers Episode Summary: "John Gluck: Santa Claus is Coming to Con"

Podcast Title: Scamfluencers
Host/Author: Wondery
Episode: John Gluck: Santa Claus is Coming to Con
Release Date: December 9, 2024

Introduction: The Rise of John Gluck

In the episode titled "John Gluck: Santa Claus is Coming to Con," Wondery's Scamfluencers delves into the tumultuous journey of John Gluck, a man whose quest for fame and fortune led him to exploit the very spirit of Christmas. Through a meticulously crafted narrative, co-hosts Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi unravel how Gluck manipulated charitable endeavors to build his empire, ultimately becoming one of the most insidious scamfluencers of the early 20th century.

Early Life and Ambitions

John Gluck's Beginnings

Born on Christmas Day in 1878 in Brooklyn, John Gluck was the eldest of five sons in a prosperous family. The Gluck household epitomized Christmas cheer, with lavish decorations, feasts, and generous gift-giving. Encouraged by his parents to embody the holiday spirit, John was instilled with a sense of generosity from a young age. However, his charismatic nature and desire for a more exciting life led him away from the family’s customs brokerage firm.

Notable Quote:
Sarah Hagi reflects, “Yeah, I mean, it's crazy that it is pretty recent how Christmas became this holiday associated with spending a lot of money and a huge push for the economy and all this kind of stuff and why it is so commercial and basically a secular holiday now.” (12:30)

Transition to High Society and Publicity

From Brokerage to Publicity

After taking over his father's brokerage at the age of 29, John quickly found the steady life mundane. Seeking the thrills of high society, he moved into a bachelor pad above an elite Manhattan steakhouse. It was here that Gluck honed his publicity skills, leveraging media to promote events and boost his own reputation. His first major PR venture involved promoting bullfights in Coney Island, which disastrously backfired, resulting in his arrest for animal cruelty. This setback pushed Gluck to seek a new avenue to rehabilitate his image.

Founding the Santa Claus Association

Heartfelt Philanthropy or the Perfect Scam?

In response to the failed bullfighting publicity stunt, John Gluck founded the Santa Claus Association in 1913. The organization aimed to answer and fulfill children's letters to Santa by pairing needy kids with wealthy philanthropists who would provide gifts. This initiative gained significant media attention, positioning Gluck as a benevolent figure. However, behind the facade of charity, Gluck began skimming donations almost immediately after the association's successful first Christmas.

Notable Quote:
Sarah Hagi comments, “Yeah, it's pretty hilarious to me that he just started this and he's already like, I'm gonna start stealing money from it.” (19:46)

Collaboration and Corruption

The Alliance with the U.S. Boy Scouts

To handle the overwhelming influx of letters, Gluck partnered with General Edwin McAlpin, head of the U.S. Boy Scouts—a militaristic offshoot struggling after a tragic incident involving child soldiers. McAlpin's contribution of armed scouts provided the necessary manpower to process letters and deliver gifts, unbeknownst to the public about the Scouts' violent past.

Notable Quote:
Sarah Hagi remarks, “This is so crazy. They got these child soldiers to help them.” (18:14)

The Downfall: Legal Battles and Exposure

James E. West and the Legal Confrontation

James E. West, head of the Boy Scouts of America, recognized the deceit behind Gluck’s U.S. Boy Scouts. Determined to end the fraud, West initiated a lawsuit to prevent the U.S. Boy Scouts from using the "Boy Scout" name, ultimately forcing the organization to shut down. This legal battle exposed Gluck's financial manipulations and deceit, leading to a significant loss of credibility and support.

Notable Quote:
Sarah Hagi reflects, "It is extremely bold of John to think that tactic works. I mean, it's very risky because it can expose him completely." (33:54)

Persistence and Further Deception

Continued Fraud and New Scams

Despite his tarnished reputation, Gluck continued to exploit charitable organizations by creating multiple fake charities, such as the "Crusade Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotics" and the "Window Crib Society." These organizations were fronts for his personal enrichment, allowing him to siphon funds while maintaining a veneer of philanthropy.

Notable Quote:
Saatchi Cole observes, “This is escalating in such a wild way. And it's so crazy to me that none of these people were like, hmm, John got really rich looking as soon as this charity popped off. I wonder if he's maybe taking money from it.” (22:04)

Final Exposure and Legacy

Bird Kohler’s Investigation and Gluck’s End

Bird Kohler, New York City's Public Welfare Commissioner, had been monitoring Gluck's activities closely. In 1928, Kohler leveraged his influence to expose Gluck’s financial misdeeds. With the withdrawal of USPS support and public outrage following media exposés, Gluck's operations crumbled. By 1928, Gluck's Santa Claus Association was dissolved, and his legacy was marred by fraud. Interestingly, his fraudulent activities indirectly led to the establishment of more regulated charity programs, such as Operation Santa Claus.

Notable Quote:
Sarah Hagi concludes, “I feel like we've been thinking about scammers recently who kind of fly under the radar because crazier things are happening in the world and people can't focus on them. So maybe that is the key to a good scam is having the foresight to know when there's going to be like a huge economic crash or a crazy election.” (47:23)

Discussion and Insights

The Timelessness of Charitable Fraud

The hosts discuss how Gluck's story is emblematic of recurring patterns in charitable fraud, highlighting that despite over a century passing, similar scams persist today. They emphasize the importance of vigilance and skepticism towards seemingly benevolent figures seeking donations, as highlighted by Gluck's manipulation of the Santa Claus Association.

Notable Quote:
Saatchi Cole humorously advises, “Another thing I'm learning through this scam is that if you do fraud during massive social and political upheaval, people will forget. So, you know, the last few years have been a great time to do fraud, frankly, because things have just never felt more chaotic.” (46:44)

Conclusion: Lessons from John Gluck

John Gluck's story is a cautionary tale of how personal ambition and greed can corrupt charitable endeavors. While his actions resulted in substantial harm and deceit, they also inadvertently paved the way for more structured and transparent charity operations. The episode underscores the necessity for accountability and transparency in philanthropic activities to prevent exploitation by scamfluencers.

Notable Quote:
Sarah Hagi reflects on the lasting impact, “I do think his scam is probably one that still exists in many forms for charities. To me, it's so interesting that his scam did lead to Operation Santa existing.” (45:35)

Notable Quotes

• Sarah Hagi: “Yeah, it's pretty hilarious to me that he just started this and he's already like, I'm gonna start stealing money from it.” (19:46)

• Saatchi Cole: “This is escalating in such a wild way. And it's so crazy to me that none of these people were like, hmm, John got really rich looking as soon as this charity popped off. I wonder if he's maybe taking money from it.” (22:04)

• Sarah Hagi: “It is extremely bold of John to think that tactic works. I mean, it's very risky because it can expose him completely.” (33:54)

• Sarah Hagi: “I do think his scam is probably one that still exists in many forms for charities. To me, it's so interesting that his scam did lead to Operation Santa existing.” (45:35)

References and Further Reading

The hosts mention several sources that provided valuable insights into John Gluck's story, including:

• The Santa Claus Man by Alex Palmer
• Mama Says that Santa Claus Does not need to Come to Poor People by Eve M. Kahn for the New York Times
• The Strange Story of NYC's Santa Claus Building that Never Was by the staff of Curbed New York
• Played Santa Claus and Solved an Economic Problem by Edward Marshall for the New York Times Magazine

Production Credits:

• Writer: Rachel Borders
• Additional Writing: Saatchi Cole, Sarah Hagie, Olivia Briley, Eric Thurm
• Story Editors: Olivia Briley, Eric Thurm
• Fact Checking: Lexi Piri
• Audio Assistance: Augustine Lim
• Music Supervisor: Scott Velasquez for Freeze on Sync
• Managing Producers: Desi Blaylock, Callum Plews
• Development Producers: Janine Cornelo, Stephanie Jens
• Producer: Julie Magruder
• Senior Producers: Sarah Enney, Jenny Blum
• Executive Producers: Jenny Lauer, Beckman, Marshall Louie, Erin O'Farrell

John Gluck's story serves as a historical lens through which we examine the enduring challenge of charitable fraud, reminding us of the importance of safeguarding the integrity of philanthropic endeavors.