Vault: She Came Clean About Her Two Year Fake Paycheck Scheme, Now What?

Summary

The Bert Show: Vault – She Came Clean About Her Two Year Fake Paycheck Scheme, Now What?

Air Date: April 6, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, the Bert Show reunites with Brandi, a former HR worker who previously confessed on-air to a two-year scheme in which she diverted an unclaimed employee's paychecks into her own account. As her company’s leadership begins downsizing and auditing, Brandi is terrified of exposure. The hosts explore her emotional journey to confession, the company’s response, sharply critical listener reactions, and the fallout for everyone involved.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap: Brandi’s Two-Year Scheme

• Brandi, who worked in HR, processed hire paperwork for a man who accepted, then declined the job.
• Due to a clerical error, his paychecks began arriving (and continued for nearly two years). Brandi rerouted these, totaling over $60,000, into her own bank account.
• She finally reached out to the Bert Show in a panic when her company called her into a high-level meeting amid downsizing and suspected she’d be exposed.
• “I know this is wrong, but I really needed the money.” – Brandi (01:37)

2. The Seriousness of the Crime Sets In

• The hosts walk through the math: $650/week for nearly two years is a felony-level theft.
• Legal risks include fraud, company theft, and identity theft, potentially resulting in prison.
• “It’s fraud. It’s company fraud and identity theft, and… all kinds of things that are piled up against her.” – Co-host 2 (04:00)
• Brandi admits: “I guess I didn’t think of it like a felony until then.” (04:38)

3. Coming Clean: Brandi’s Confession

• Brandi, urged by her mother, confesses to the company, bringing a $35,000 cashier’s check (all she and her mother could scrape together; her mom drained her savings to help).
• Emotional scene where Brandi is in tears; her mother sits with her for support.
• “We figured out it was over $60,000 that I'd taken… my mother told me I had to go tell the company.” – Brandi (04:38)
• Company asks Brandi to sign an affidavit outlining the situation and her repayment plan; promises not to press charges owing to her honesty and partial restitution.
• “He made that—that I’m promising to repay them the money that I took… and they weren’t going to press charges.” – Brandi (08:05)

4. Host and Listener Reactions

• Hosts reflect skepticism about Brandi’s motives and frustration that her mother bails her out as an adult.
• Listeners call in, overwhelmingly condemning Brandi’s actions and expressing anger, especially over the impact to the man whose identity was used.
• “Her mother is the one that has enabled her to keep on taking responsibility for her daughter's actions.” – Bonnie, caller (10:30)
• “How dare you? You say I'm not a bad person. No, you are a bad person. You are a thief. … She should cry… she is pitiful.” – Providencia, caller (10:54)
• Robbie, another caller, doubts Brandi’s story and questions if it’s fabricated for attention (12:14).

5. Concerns Over Impacted Individuals

• Hosts discuss broader fallout:
  • The job applicant whose Social Security number was used may face IRS issues and damaged credit (“that also goes on his credit report, which affects him if he’s trying to get a car note or a mortgage or whatever” – Jeff, 11:45).
  • The company will need to clear up their own books.

6. Brandi’s State of Mind and Regret

• Brandi repeatedly apologizes, expressing deep shame, embarrassment, and fear of jail.
• “I’m not proud of what I did, and I’m humiliated. … I think a lot of callers—the lady is right. Like, I’m wrong. I am a bad person.” – Brandi (13:42, 13:48)
• She’s uncertain about repaying the full debt to both her mother and the company and acknowledges reality has hit her.
• “I know it’s wrong now, but, like, honestly, at the time, I was like—I just…” – Brandi (16:14)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You are a thief. And for your mother to have to go into her savings account, that is disgusting. And you should be ashamed of yourself.” – Providencia, caller (10:54)
• “I can't believe they're not pressing charges against you…” – Co-host 1 (10:02)
• “My, you know, my former boss and stuff … I just don't know how I'm going to get the money back.” – Brandi (09:11)
• “He’s a Christian and he’s a very forgiving man … they weren’t going to press charges.” – Brandi (08:05)
• “If you have somebody who always backs you up … then you get Brandy.” – Jeff (14:33)
• Listener Callers:
  • “Her mother enabled her … what else has her mother bailed her out of?” (13:28)
  • “She should stop crying and … try to figure out how she’s going to pay everybody back.” – Co-host 2 (11:36)
  • “I think this girl is full of BS … it’s all crap.” – Robbie, caller (12:14)

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Key Timestamps

• [01:33] Recap of Brandi’s original confession
• [02:24] Hosts clarify details of the scheme
• [04:00] Legal implications discussed
• [04:38] Brandi recounts coming clean, her mom’s role
• [06:07] The emotional company confession
• [08:05] Company chooses not to press charges; affidavit signed
• [09:02-10:07] Callers and hosts debate Brandi and her mother’s responsibility
• [10:30-14:07] Angry listener reactions, debate about enabling, and Brandi’s ongoing shame
• [16:14] Brandi reflects on what led to her actions

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Tone & Language

True to the Bert Show’s characteristic style, the conversation is direct, honest, and emotionally charged. The hosts and listeners are candid, sometimes blunt, with their criticism. Brandi is audibly distressed, repeatedly apologizing and expressing confusion as she faces the consequences of her actions.

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Final Thoughts

This episode examines in detail the fallout from a “white-collar” theft gone undetected for years, the emotional, ethical, and legal consequences for the perpetrator and her family, and the unwavering critical response from both the host panel and the show’s engaged listeners. Brandi’s story serves as a cautionary tale—about denial, personal accountability, and the difficult process of making amends after a life-altering mistake.

Transcript

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[Show Host Intro]

It's the Burt Show.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

This is a quick little recap of Brandi joining the Burt show last week on Q100.

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

I worked for a company in human resources and a couple years ago this guy interviewed and he was about to be hired and he filled out all the paperwork. He was set to come on board. He decided at the last minute he wasn't going to take the job. But all the paperwork was submitted. I processed the paperwork already and like 14 days later his first paycheck came into human resources department and landed on my desk. I know this is wrong, but I really needed the money. For the past two years I've actually been having his payroll check direct deposited in my account because of the economy. The VP is meeting with all the heads and I have been called into a Meeting with him tomorrow. They're going to eliminate certain position, and I'm just terrified.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

So let me make sure I have this correct. It's still a little foggy. She hires the guy. He turns down the job, but his paperwork's already done and his paychecks are rolling in. She keeps them for herself and manages to get them in a bank account.

[Co-host 1]

She direct deposits them into her account rather than into his.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

So she's got that all set up. And that's happening for almost two years.

[Co-host 1]

Two years she's collecting a salary that's

[Jeff (Show Host)]

not hers, and now they're doing some sort of audit. And she knows she's gonna get busted.

[Co-host 2]

No.

[Co-host 1]

Well, not necessarily an audit. An audit would come if they were investigating him. The guy whose Social Security number is actually getting the checks. Right, which he'll discover once the IRS figures out that it doesn't line up with what he's reporting because he doesn't know this salary for two years is reporting. What's happening at her company is they're downsizing. So the heads of the company are coming in, and they're saying which employees are most important and which aren't. Which salaries can we get rid of? Which ones do we need to keep? And she feels like that's when it's all gonna come to a head. Cause she's been asked to join that meeting or was asked to join that meeting. I think it already happened.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

So, Brandy, welcome to the Burch show again. How are you?

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

Hi, guys. Good. How are you?

[Jeff (Show Host)]

We are doing a lot better to

[Co-host 1]

find out what's going on.

[Co-host 2]

I'm trying to interpret that the way you sound.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

Well, I think what was shocking, at least for me, and I think even Brandi, too, is when we had her on with us last week, we just had it on as an interesting call. And then one of you guys pointed out that it's 650 bucks a week, which is what Brandi said the income was, times almost two years. You're looking at tens of thousands of dollars making this probably a felony.

[Co-host 2]

Well, I mean, yeah, it's fraud. It's company fraud and identity theft, and, I mean, all kinds of things that are piled up against her.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

It could result in jail. So I think it kind of dawned on Brandi at the same time. Dawned on me, as you guys are saying it, like, oh, this is serious.

[Co-host 2]

I know you say that, but I think it's dumb that it only dawned on you two years after. Not you, Jeff. I'm talking about Brandi. But you're dumb. Jeff. No, I'm talking about Brandi. I mean, you were bold enough to do this, and so for you to act shocked two years after the fact, at my point was that she's just upset because she's gonna get caught. She had no problem taking the money.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

So take us in. From the time you got off the phone with us up until today, what happened?

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

Well, after I got off the phone with you guys, I was really, like, scared and freaked out. And you're right. I should have been before, you know, I guess I was just, like, in denial for the two years, but I didn't know what to do. And I'm like. I was terrified. I guess I didn't think of it like a felony until then. But I went home and told my mom because I really didn't know what to do. And my mom, she's always been there for me, and she just went into total mother mode. And she's like, we're gonna take care of this. And she helped me to come up with what I was gonna do. So she told me I have to tell the company I work for, and she. We figured out it was over $60,000 that I'd taken. And she cleared out her entire savings. And I had a little bit saved, too, but not much. And we were both able to come up with around $35,000. And my mother told me I had to go tell my boss and stuff, so I went first. I called in sick for a couple of days, so I missed that meeting about the employees and stuff. And I went down there, and my mom and I got the cashier's check for the. It was around 35,000 that we had. My mom went with me, and I met with my supervisor and told them what happened, and I was obviously crying, really upset.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

You obviously gave them the $35,000 immediately.

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

That's why I brought the cashier's check. I gave them 35,000. I told them what I had done, and I.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

Now, just a technical question. When you met with your supervisors and confessed what you did and gave them this check, was your mom in there with you?

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

Yeah, my mom came with me because

[Bonnie (Caller)]

I just was a mess, and I was crying, and I really just couldn't pull together.

[Co-host 2]

How old are you, by the way? How old are you?

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

I'm 25.

[Co-host 2]

All right, go on. I'll save my comments till later. Go ahead.

[Co-host 1]

Wow.

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

I mean, I know it doesn't look

[Bonnie (Caller)]

like I'm a good person, but I am a good person, and I don't know.

[Co-host 2]

So what I Know. Okay, so the company. So. So your mom is in there with. Your mom's upset in there, and then you give them the money and what happens?

[Co-host 1]

Are you just hysterical?

[Jeff (Show Host)]

I'm gonna guess. Yes.

[Bonnie (Caller)]

Go ahead.

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

Like, he was like, I.

[Bonnie (Caller)]

Sorry.

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

Thank you for bringing me. I can make no further comments on this matter, and we will be in contact with you in the next day or so. We need to contact me to contact the owner of the company and the attorneys and stuff. And so I was even more freaked

[Bonnie (Caller)]

out then because he didn't tell me

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

what was going to happen. And I told him they saw it was 35,000 and I said it was. I know they know it was more. So I promised to get them back the money and stuff, so.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

So they took the 35,000?

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

Yeah. And they said he said he'd be in contact with me the next day or his attorney, so.

[Co-host 1]

Well, I'm sure they can't make any sort of comments. I mean, they're having to. To the company. L. The attorneys.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

And they're liable, too.

[Co-host 1]

Right.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

Because.

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

Have you.

[Co-host 2]

Have you. Has the attorneys called you yet?

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

Yeah, they called me back the next day, actually. The owner of the company called me directly. And I told God, he's like, he's a.

[Co-host 2]

Now you think j.

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

He.

[Bonnie (Caller)]

He's.

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

He's a Christian and he's a very forgiving man, and he's. So that he thought I was doing the right thing by telling them. And I brought back the $35,000 that I had, and he knows that it was from my mom's savings and from a little savings I had. And they said that they were going. They had me sign like, a statement or affidavit or something stating what happened that had been drawn up by their attorneys and that I would. He made that. That I'm promising to repay them the money that I took from them and they weren't going to press charges.

[Bonnie (Caller)]

And I'm just so, so scared I was going to go to jail stuff. I'm like a person. I know. I know it doesn't look that kid, but it just seemed like, I don't know. I didn't hurt anybody. I know I did steal, like, thousands of dollars, but I know I was wrong. And he. I just. I'm so lucky that he's giving me a chance. And I don't know how I'm going to pay them back because right now,

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

obviously, I resigned when I initially had walked in. Obviously when I gave him back the money, I.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

Did you get a reference letter anyway,

[Bonnie (Caller)]

But I Was not.

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

I just don't know how I'm gonna

[Bonnie (Caller)]

get the money back from him. My mom helped me, too.

[Co-host 2]

Well, I'm sure the company's gonna help clear the guy's name, too, that you know, in his Social Security number. But I just. I am infuriated because, I mean, of course she went into mommy mode, which again, is such a generic term, but she saved your ass, you know, and she took the money, her account that she has saved up for and earned. Because you know what? You're 25. So she's done her time and here she has to come and bail you out again. So what is your plan to pay her back as well as the company? Because you're gonna have to give her her money back because she earned that money.

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

I'm grateful to my mother.

[Co-host 2]

How are you gonna pay your back?

[Bonnie (Caller)]

I don't know. I didn't think about that yet. I'm just like, super.

[Co-host 2]

Of course you didn't like.

[Bonnie (Caller)]

I will definitely pay her back first. I want to pay back my. My, you know, my. My. My former boss and stuff.

[Co-host 1]

Hey, I cannot believe they're not pressing charges against you and that.

[Caller 2]

But that guy still can because the

[Co-host 2]

mom was in there crying.

[Caller 2]

His whole Social Security and IRS is going to be screwed for two years, and that's still on the book.

[Co-host 2]

Took care of that.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

I would assume that they can probably back that up and go, this is a clerical error and they probably got to send him letters to show the IRS and stuff, I'm assuming. Hey, Bonnie. Welcome to the Burt Show. Bonnie, thank you for joining us while we're out in la. How are you?

[Bonnie (Caller)]

I'm great. Hey, I'm just really aggravated because her mother didn't cover for her and helped her make it nice. Her mother is the one that has enabled her to keep on taking responsibility for her daughter's actions. Her daughter needs to stand on her own two feet and understand there's consequences to her own behavior.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

Hey, is it Providencia or Providencia? Welcome. How do I say your name?

[Providencia (Caller)]

Providencia. Good morning, Birch Show. I am so furious with this girl. How dare you? You say I'm not a bad person. No, you are a bad person. You are a thief. And for your mother to have to go into her savings account, that is disgusting. And you should be ashamed of yourself. I feel the same way Melissa and Jen feel. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. This guy's life is ruined because someone stole my identity and it took two years to clear it up. So something like this is probably going to take four years because companies don't check and they don't go over stuff. She is disgusting. She should cry. She should do everything because she is pitiful.

[Co-host 2]

She should stop crying and suck up and try to figure out how she's going to pay everybody back. Suck it up. Quit crying.

[Bonnie (Caller)]

Responsibility.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

Somebody made a good point.

[Co-host 2]

5.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

Somebody made a good point via email about the thing with. If he was attached to her bank account, you know, and all the direct deposits were going in, and there were any checks that didn't clear, or credit cards that use that account as a reference or anything like that that also goes on his credit report, which affects him if he's trying to get a car note or a mortgage or whatever. Hey, Robbie. Welcome to the Bircho.

[Robbie (Caller)]

Good morning, Bird Show. How y' all guys?

[Co-host 2]

Good morning.

[Robbie (Caller)]

We're good.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

How are you, Robbie?

[Robbie (Caller)]

I'm doing good, man. I've been listening to y' all shows since y' all started. And my honest opinion, I think this girl is full of BS. I think she's got more than her 15 minutes of fame. I think it's all crap. Because when you steal from the government and they find out they're not gonna bargain with you, they're gonna come get you and take you to jail. I think it's just a girl or a lady who made up her story. And when she finally gets off the phone with everybody, she sets back back and goes, oh, I was on the radio and I've got. I'm scammed, everybody. I just think she's full of it.

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

I think it's just all.

[Robbie (Caller)]

All apart to get on the radio.

[Co-host 1]

Well, she didn't get confronted by the government.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

Yeah, the government.

[Co-host 1]

Her company the government has been after.

[Co-host 2]

Yeah, Government don't know yet.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

Which. I mean, she can negotiate it with. She can negotiate it with her company to have there be no problem. And she can even negotiate it with the other guy.

[Co-host 2]

She doesn't sound like she can negotiate.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

It's still a crime.

[Bonnie (Caller)]

Or.

[Co-host 2]

I'm sorry.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

Her representation, her mom. Hey, just a couple more phone calls because they're all going in the same direction. What's up, Tracy? How are you? Hey, Tracy. Welcome to the show. Hello.

[Co-host 2]

Tracy's so mad.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

Yeah, Steven can't even talk. Hey, what's up, Lucy? Welcome to the show. How are you, Lucy?

[Providencia (Caller)]

Hi.

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

I would just be curious to know what else her mother has bailed her out of in her life. What other how she's enabled her for the rest of her life.

[Co-host 1]

Can you admit that, Brandy, my mom

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

is just Always there for me. And I am really embarrassed, and I'm

[Bonnie (Caller)]

not proud of what I did, and I'm humiliated.

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

I just feel like I made a big mistake. I think a lot of callers. The lady is right. Like, I'm wrong. I am a bad person. Maybe she's right.

[Co-host 2]

Stop crying.

[Co-host 1]

Well, I mean, I understand why she's emotional about it. I mean, I also understand why you're pissed off at her, but I just. I mean, I understand why she's crying, why she's emotional, and I don't.

[Co-host 2]

She's done it for two years. She's stolen money for two years, and now all of a sudden, she's gonna get emotional about it?

[Co-host 1]

Well, I think she wasn't in reality, and now reality has hit her over the top of the head.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

But it reacts to.

[Co-host 1]

I don't disagree with you on that. But I also understand why she's crying. And if she's made a mistake and she's gonna make it right with her company, her mom, do her time, whatever. I mean, people make mistakes. I mean, it's a calculated one. It's a really bad one. And it's one that could still send her to prison, but as it should.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

And I can't fault Bonnie for going to her mom, because if you have somebody who always backs you up no matter what and helps you out, then you get Brandy or Brandi. I'm sorry.

[Co-host 2]

I would never allow my parents to take out of their savings to cover my fraudulent Bud.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

Well, my parents never would.

[Caller 2]

I'm just wondering what the affidavit said that she signed, because I'm sure she did.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

You have a lawyer look that over Brandi, or did you just sign it? You and your mom just sign it, or you sign it?

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

My mom didn't sign it, but she read it, and I just was willing to do whatever they would let me. I don't want to go to jail, you guys. Like, you're blaming my. You're mad at my mom?

[Bonnie (Caller)]

You think my mom wants me to go to jail?

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

Even if I did?

[Co-host 2]

No, I'm mad at you.

[Caller 2]

You still can. Yeah, the government can come after you. I mean, there's only so much attorneys can do.

[Bonnie (Caller)]

Well, I don't know.

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

I'm just. Right now, I'm okay with the company, and they said they are not going to the authorities or pressing charges. Charges. And the owner company, and he wants me to go to church with him and help me make my life better. And maybe I'm going with him to his church on Sunday.

[Co-host 1]

You should Pray. You should.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

Yes. Praying would be a very good thing right now, Brandi. And you are very lucky that you work for a company like that.

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

I know. I know. Everyone's mad at me. I'm embarrassed.

[Co-host 1]

Of course you are. I mean, I think all you've got to do at this point is to take steps to make. Make it right, you know, take steps to make it right. And take steps to look at yourself and look inside and figure out what got you here to this place. You know, what. What, like, what inside of you made you entitled to that money? Why did you think that that money should be yours just because you needed it and you didn't work for it? And you know what I'm saying? Like, what's on the inside stuff that's getting you to that point?

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

I know it's wrong now, but, like, honestly, at the time, I was like, I just.

[Co-host 1]

Well, just make a difference for you. Make.

[Jeff (Show Host)]

It was just greed. And now it's over. And good luck with it. Okay.

[Brandi (Caller/Guest)]

Okay. Thank you.

[Co-host 1]

Good luck.

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