Podcast Summary: Something Was Wrong | S22 E13: Truer Crime with Celicia Stanton

Release Date: January 30, 2025

Introduction

In this special episode of Something Was Wrong, host Tiffany Reiss engages in a profound conversation with Celicia Stanton, the creator and host of the acclaimed podcasts Truer Crime and Vanishing Point. The episode delves deep into Celicia's personal experience with financial fraud, exploring themes of trust, trauma, and recovery. Through her story, Celicia not only recounts her ordeal but also shares insights into her journey of creating impactful true crime content.

Celicia Stanton’s Background and Encounter with Financial Fraud

Celicia Stanton’s Journey Begins

Celicia Stanton, a dedicated wedding and portrait photographer since 2016, sought to expand her business during the pandemic-induced slowdown in 2020. With aspirations to secure her financial future, Celicia decided to seek professional financial advice.

Celicia Stanton (03:56): "I always had other goals. You know, I wanted to buy a house and, you know, hopefully get married and save for some of these bigger purchases in life."

Finding Trust in a Financial Advisor

Introduced by her mother to a charismatic Black financial advisor in Minneapolis, Celicia felt an immediate connection due to his mission to make the financial system accessible to traditionally excluded communities.

Celicia Stanton (04:45): "He really resonated with that. I felt like, oh, this is perfect. He's super aligned with his approach and style."

Red Flags Emerge

Initially, everything seemed to be progressing well. However, Celicia began noticing discrepancies in her investment accounts and experienced poor communication from her advisor.

Celicia Stanton (07:53): "I had sent him a few different lump sums of money to put into an investment account, and I had a portal I could log into to, like, see where the money was, see how it was doing. Later I would find out he was kind of manipulating behind the scenes."

Her suspicions intensified when her advisor abruptly informed her that he had turned himself into the FBI, leaving Celicia uncertain about the fate of her investments.

Celicia Stanton (08:56): "So there's no way that that's what happened."

The Investigation Process and Emotional Turmoil

Navigating the Legal Maze

Celicia reached out to state authorities, hoping for clarity. She was connected with an investigator but received minimal information regarding the status of her funds or the extent of the fraud.

Celicia Stanton (09:00): "Nobody ever said to me, yes, your money was stolen. So it's still confusing because it's like, obviously it was because he said he's turned himself in and he's not responding to my questions about getting that money back."

Emotional Impact

The realization that her life savings were compromised was devastating. Celicia grappled with shock, anxiety, and feelings of betrayal, compounded by the isolating nature of the experience.

Celicia Stanton (15:48): "First, a lot of shock that this had happened. I had invested basically all of my savings with him... that was really devastating."

Lack of Support

Celicia felt unsupported by the victim advocacy services provided, receiving only generic pamphlets without substantial assistance or information about other victims.

Celicia Stanton (09:00): "The things on there were sort of, like, ridiculous. They were just so unhelpful."

Path to Recovery and Creation of Truer Crime

Finding Solace in True Crime Media

During the challenging winter of 2020, Celicia immersed herself in true crime podcasts, which became a coping mechanism. Her engagement with these narratives inspired her to create her own podcast that would offer a more empathetic and nuanced perspective.

Celicia Stanton (31:23): "So dealing with the emotional experience of getting defrauded... I was constantly pausing it to basically complain to my husband about different things that I felt like was missing from so much of these true crime narratives."

Launching Truer Crime

Encouraged by her husband, Celicia launched Truer Crime in January 2021. Her goal was to create a podcast that not only told compelling true crime stories but also addressed the broader societal and systemic issues underlying these crimes.

Celicia Stanton (33:35): "I started doing that with some more resources and to just feel really, really good about the end product. I can't wait to hear what people think and the conversations that they might generate."

Impact and Reflection

Validation and Community Building

Celicia received significant feedback from listeners who shared their own experiences with financial fraud, highlighting the pervasive nature of such crimes and the associated stigma.

Celicia Stanton (33:35): "A lot of people reached out to me and shared their own stories. A lot of people have had experiences of being a part of a financial fraud scheme or being the victim of a financial crime."

Understanding the Depth of Financial Crime

Research cited by Celicia indicates that the mental health impact of financial crime is comparable to that of violent crimes, emphasizing the serious consequences beyond monetary loss.

Celicia Stanton (33:35): "There is a study actually on the Bernie Madoff victims... a lot of the same outcomes in terms of mental health, depression, suicidal ideation... as they found amongst victims of violent crime."

Evolving Perspective on Justice and Closure

While the legal outcome provided some sense of justice with her advisor receiving a seven-year sentence, Celicia finds true closure through her work in true crime media, using her platform to raise awareness and foster understanding.

Celicia Stanton (24:54): "For me, it just wasn't like I was ever going to feel any sense of closure from the American criminal justice system."

Conclusion

Celicia Stanton's story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of turning personal trauma into meaningful storytelling. Through Truer Crime, she not only navigates her path to healing but also creates a space for others to share and validate their experiences with financial fraud. Her journey underscores the importance of empathy, systemic understanding, and the pursuit of justice beyond traditional avenues.

Notable Quotes

• Celicia Stanton (03:56): "I always had other goals. You know, I wanted to buy a house and, you know, hopefully get married and save for some of these bigger purchases in life."

• Celicia Stanton (07:53): "Later I would find out he was kind of manipulating behind the scenes."

• Celicia Stanton (08:56): "Nobody ever said to me, yes, your money was stolen. So it's still confusing because it's like, obviously it was because he said he's turned himself in and he's not responding to my questions about getting that money back."

• Celicia Stanton (15:48): "First, a lot of shock that this had happened. I had invested basically all of my savings with him... that was really devastating."

• Celicia Stanton (24:54): "For me, it just wasn't like I was ever going to feel any sense of closure from the American criminal justice system."

This episode of Something Was Wrong offers a compelling narrative that not only sheds light on the personal impact of financial fraud but also inspires listeners to seek justice and advocate for systemic changes. Celicia Stanton's candid recounting serves as both a cautionary tale and a beacon of hope for survivors navigating similar traumas.