Episode Summary: Something Was Wrong | S22 E4: Apparently All I Do Is Lie

Something Was Wrong, an award-winning docuseries by Broken Cycle Media and Wondery, delves into the harrowing experiences of survivors navigating trauma and recovery from crime and abuse. In Season 22, Episode 4 titled "Apparently All I Do Is Lie," host Tiffany Reese explores the troubling case of Megan Stoner, a figure whose actions have left a significant impact on her community.

1. Introduction to Megan Stoner's Story

The episode begins with familiar introductions and content warnings from host Tiffany Reese (01:10). Reese sets the stage for a deep dive into Megan Stoner's life, highlighting previous interactions and the gravity of the allegations against her. Reese notes that "Megan Stoner's responses to these allegations are addressed within this season" (01:10), preparing listeners for a comprehensive examination of her behavior and its repercussions.

2. Megan's Social Media Manipulation and Alleged Scams

a. Sandy Rusk's Testimony

Sandy Rusk, the creator of the Facebook group Truth About I Town Church and its associated TikTok page, provides a detailed account of her interactions with Megan Stoner (07:02). Rusk recounts meeting Megan in late 2021, describing her as "quite a piece of work" (07:37). She narrates how Megan leveraged social media to fabricate stories about sexual assault and conflicts with the Itown megachurch in Indiana, aligning herself with the #MeToo movement to garner sympathy and support.

Rusk details Megan's constant drama creation, stating, "She was constantly creating drama to draw you into her story to either gain attention or to for you to view her as a victim so that you would support her in some way" (13:45). This manipulation extended to false claims about family tragedies, including Megan asserting that her mother was shot by someone from the Itown church—a claim that Rusk found impossible and untrue (15:51).

b. Chloe's Testimony

Chloe, another victim, shares her encounters with Megan, highlighting Megan's pattern of deceit and exploitation. Chloe recounts Megan's attempts to infiltrate political events under false pretenses. For instance, Megan tried to volunteer for the Young Republican National Convention using fake identities to gain free access, undermining the event's integrity (27:31).

Chloe emphasizes Megan's relentless pursuit of attention, stating, "She had a history of doing this" (27:32). She also discusses Megan's subsequent arrest for rental scams, where Megan falsely advertised rental properties she did not own, deceiving multiple victims out of substantial sums (30:23).

3. Megan Stoner's Arrest and Charges

On April 26, 2023, Katie Cox of WRTV Indianapolis reported on Megan Stoner's arrest for a rental scam operation (33:44). Stoner was charged with three felony counts each of fraud and theft, alongside a felony for corrupt business influence. Victims reported that Megan solicited payments through Facebook for rental properties she never owned, providing false move-in dates and citing fabricated emergencies to delay or cancel agreements.

Shortly after her arrest on April 28, 2023, Megan posted bond and was released while awaiting trial. This incident sparked the creation of local Facebook groups aimed at warning the public about her alleged fraudulent activities (36:00).

4. Community Response and Impact

The community's response to Megan's actions has been one of outrage and concern. Victims like Sandy Rusk and Chloe took it upon themselves to expose Megan's deceit, leading to widespread awareness through social media platforms. Chloe mentions, "I started a Twitter thread... It went semi-viral in Indiana" (30:04), which galvanized other victims to come forward with their own experiences.

The impact of Megan's actions extends beyond financial loss. Chloe shares the emotional toll on victims, noting how Megan's schemes left young parents unable to provide basic necessities for their children, such as Christmas presents (63:16).

5. Megan Stoner's Defense and Public Statements

Megan Stoner has publicly defended herself against the accusations, often blaming others for her alleged misdeeds. In a recorded phone conversation, Megan asserts her innocence and tries to justify her actions, claiming that her behavior was misunderstood and that she was a victim of jealousy (29:04).

She states, "I will continue to be a voice. I will continue to move and shake. And I think a lot of it comes down to jealousy" (29:05), attempting to shift the blame onto her critics. However, her statements are met with skepticism and outright rejection from victims and community members.

6. Confrontation and Legal Proceedings

The episode features a tense confrontation between Chloe and Megan during a phone interview (38:39). Chloe systematically challenges Megan on various false claims, including her involvement in political campaigns and fraudulent activities. Notable exchanges include:

• Chloe: "You forged data. That's why you were removed from the campaign." (39:42)
• Megan: "I was an intern. Chloe." (40:28)
• Chloe: "You lied about Todd Young's campaign. Yes or no?" (40:22)
• Megan: "No. I was an intern." (40:28)
• Chloe: "You were not an intern." (40:30)

These exchanges highlight Megan's attempts to defend herself amidst mounting evidence and testimonies against her. Chloe persistently confronts Megan about her dishonesty, leading to a breakdown in the conversation where Megan admits to faking some aspects of her professional background but remains elusive about others ([41:09]).

7. Conclusion and Reflections

As the episode concludes, the severity of Megan Stoner's actions and their impact on her victims becomes unequivocal. Chloe urges Megan to seek redemption by acknowledging her wrongdoing and making amends, emphasizing the importance of honesty and restitution (47:34).

Tiffany Reese wraps up the episode by acknowledging the courage of the victims who shared their stories and the ongoing efforts to hold Megan accountable for her actions (64:07). The episode underscores the destructive nature of deceit and manipulation, reinforcing the show's mission to break the cycle of trauma and abuse.

Notable Quotes

• Sandy Rusk (07:37): "She was constantly creating drama to draw you into her story to either gain attention or to for you to view her as a victim so that you would support her in some way."

• Chloe (30:04): "I started a Twitter thread... It went semi-viral in Indiana."

• Megan Stoner (29:05): "Jealousy is really hard. There is one parody account that has absolutely trolled me... everything I do is lie."

• Chloe (63:16): "Some of the young parents who weren't able to give their kids Christmas. That's what really bothered me and that's what kind of lit the fire under my butt to air out her dirty laundry because I don't want anybody else to ever be taken advantage of again like that."

Closing Thoughts

This episode of Something Was Wrong meticulously unravels the complex web of deceit spun by Megan Stoner, shedding light on the profound effects of her actions on individuals and the community. Through firsthand testimonies and confrontational dialogues, the podcast emphasizes the necessity of accountability and the resilience of survivors striving to reclaim their lives from manipulation and fraud.

Timestamp Reference:

• 01:10 - Episode Content Begins
• 07:02 - Sandy Rusk Introduced
• 07:37 - Sandy Rusk's Detailed Testimony
• 13:45 - Megan’s Manipulative Tactics
• 15:51 - Sandy on Megan’s Fabrications
• 27:31 - Chloe’s Encounter with Megan
• 30:04 - Chloe’s Social Media Efforts
• 29:04 - Megan's Public Defense
• 33:44 - Report on Megan’s Arrest
• 36:00 - Formation of Warning Groups
• 38:39 - Confrontation Between Chloe and Megan
• 63:16 - Chloe’s Motivation Explained
• 64:07 - Episode Conclusion

Note: Timestamps correspond to the transcript segments for accurate reference.