Podcast Summary: Something Was Wrong | S22 E5: Self-Made Woman

Introduction

In the fifth episode of Season 22, titled "Self-Made Woman," Tiffany Reese, host of the award-winning docuseries Something Was Wrong by Broken Cycle Media | Wondery, delves deep into the life and alleged crimes of Megan Elizabeth Stoner. This episode meticulously chronicles Stoner's journey from a politically active individual to a convicted fraudster, highlighting the intricate web of deceit and manipulation she wove to exploit her community.

Background on Megan Stoner

Megan Elizabeth Stoner was born on February 28, 1998, to Gail Ann Updograph and Dennis Lee Stoner. Despite her parents' long-term relationship, they never married. Megan's early life was marked by familial discord, including a significant falling out with her aunt, Linda Sue Update, after Megan stole over $20,000 from Linda's credit cards in 2017 (Timestamp: [03:17]).

Early Signs of Manipulation

Stoner's manipulative tendencies surfaced early. At around 14 or 15 years old, her parents employed Dustin Beth, a political consultant, to guide Megan in the political arena. However, when her parents ceased payments, Beth discovered Megan was under investigation for financial theft, leading him to cut ties with her (Timestamp: [06:54]).

Political Involvement and Manipulation

Megan began her foray into politics around 2014, engaging in interviews and leveraging platforms like YouTube to amplify her presence (Timestamp: [04:03]). She cultivated relationships with local political figures, including House Representative Kurt Knisley, who became her mentor during her high school years. Through these connections, Megan falsely claimed to hold influential positions and fabricated relationships with prominent politicians, including accusations against Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma (Timestamp: [05:56]).

Fabricated Narratives and False Claims

Megan's tactics extended to creating elaborate falsehoods to garner sympathy and attention. She made baseless allegations of being entangled in a sex trafficking ring akin to the Pizzagate conspiracy. Claims included daily sexual assaults by high-ranking officials and members of the Itown Church, painting herself as a victim seeking justice (Timestamp: [06:25]).

One notable incident involved Stoner falsely accusing two church pastors of inviting her to witness their sexual activities, leading to police involvement. During the investigation, a police officer described her behavior as sociopathic due to her lack of remorse and empathy (Timestamp: [08:13]).

Scam Tactics and Victim Exploitation

Megan Stoner's scams primarily revolved around financial deceit, leveraging her fabricated political connections to manipulate and extract money from victims:

1. Rental Scams: Stoner engaged in multiple rental frauds, subleasing properties without ownership rights. Victims paid substantial sums, some resulting in homelessness when she failed to deliver keys or provide access (Timestamp: [17:18]).

2. PPP Loan Fraud: In March 2021, she defrauded the Small Business Administration by obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan under false pretenses (Timestamp: [17:18]).

3. Fake Boyfriend and Identity Theft: Stoner maintained a fictitious boyfriend named Jake, using his identity to further her scams. Additionally, she impersonated various political figures on platforms like Cash App, siphoning funds directly from victims' accounts (Timestamp: [29:21]).

4. Yoni Massage Payments: To fund her personal indulgences, such as yoni massages, Stoner manipulated over $17,000 from unsuspecting victims by masquerading as a car sales representative and other authoritative figures (Timestamp: [41:24]).

Personal Accounts from Victims

Several individuals shared their harrowing experiences with Megan Stoner, illuminating the extent of her deceit:

• Tom Smith ([31:52]): As a co-owner of Bulldogs Moving Company, Tom detailed his encounter with Stoner when she hired his company for a move. After receiving a bounced check for $5,000, legal actions ensued, revealing Stoner's pattern of financial manipulation and deceit. Tom emphasized the emotional and financial toll her actions had on him and his business.

  "It's like she's a good, solid, like, Christian girl. Just to figure out that, like, all the damage that she's done, she's talking about being a Christian, but she's doing, like, the exact opposite of what Jesus did." ([37:14])

• Edward Ma ([27:43]): Edward recounted his friendship with Stoner, highlighting how she exploited their relationship to extract $5,000 under false pretenses of urgent legal needs. His narrative showcased her relentless pursuit of funds and her willingness to fabricate crises to achieve her goals.

  "She's convinced that I'm her savior... She's convinced that when she comes out, she's gonna get back to it. She can't be trusted. She just keeps doing what she does." ([29:33])

• Tom Smith ([57:00]): Further elaborating, Tom described Stoner's deceptive tactics during appeals for financial assistance, revealing inconsistencies in her stories and her manipulation skills.

  "I wish that she would do this work for good. Imagine, like, how good she is at scamming people, and she's actually really talented at what she's doing because she's done it to a ton of people without insane repercussions." ([38:37])

Community Reaction and Investigation

The community's realization of Megan Stoner's scams led to collective action:

• Social Media Exposure: Victims formed groups like the Megan Stoner Scams Awareness Facebook group, where they shared their stories, raising awareness and preventing further exploitation (Timestamp: [35:45]).

• Law Enforcement Involvement: Persistent reports and complaints led to multiple arrests and legal actions against Stoner. By November 2024, she faced several felony charges, culminating in her arrest and subsequent release on bail, only to continue her deceptive practices (Timestamp: [41:24]).

Legal Actions and Arrests

Megan Stoner's criminal activities eventually caught up with her:

• Felony Charges: On April 25, 2023, Stoner was charged with nine felony counts, including corruption, fraud, and theft. Despite turning herself in and posting bail, she continued to evade justice, manipulating both victims and the legal system (Timestamp: [74:32]).

• Ongoing Investigations: Law enforcement continued to investigate Stoner's extensive network of scams, revealing a pattern of relentless manipulation and deceit aimed at exploiting trust for financial gain (Timestamp: [75:01]).

Recent Developments and Conclusion

The episode concludes with an overview of the ripple effects of Stoner's actions on her victims and the community. The collective efforts of victims, community members, and law enforcement have begun to unravel the depth of her deceit, ensuring that Megan Stoner's manipulation does not go unchecked.

Notable Quotes:

• Tom Smith:

  "She's actually really talented at what she's doing because she's done it to a ton of people without insane repercussions." ([38:37])

• Edward Ma:

  "She's convinced that I'm her savior. She can't be trusted. She just keeps doing what she does." ([29:33])

• Megan Stoner:

  "I'm never ever going to jail again." ([30:21])

• Tiffany Reese:

  "If you could help, there'll be no more victims the better so that people know that, oh no, like we cannot deal with Megan Stone." ([29:21])

Conclusion

"Self-Made Woman" paints a comprehensive picture of Megan Stoner's life of manipulation, deceit, and fraud. Through detailed accounts from victims and an exhaustive exploration of her criminal activities, the episode underscores the importance of vigilance, community support, and robust legal frameworks in combating such pervasive deceit.

For those seeking more insights into Stoner's manipulative tactics and the broader implications for communities vulnerable to similar frauds, this episode serves as a cautionary tale and a call to action.

Credits

Something Was Wrong is brought to you by Broken Cycle Media | Wondery. Special thanks to associate producers Amy B. Chesler and Lily Rowe, audio engineer Becca High, and social network media marketing manager Lauren Barkman of Luxury Media. Additional gratitude to partners Grant at Wondery, Marissa Travis, Jason and Jennifer at KSCO, the cyber security team Darkbox Security, and Tiffany Reese's lawyer, Alan. Music credits go to Neon Honey and Gabanez for "You Think Youk."

For more information, content warnings, sources, and resources, visit the Episode Notes on your favorite streaming platform.