Podcast
The Leonard Files
Hosted by NBC Los Angeles · EN
When the dust settles, the real story begins. In The Leonard Files, veteran NBC4 Los Angeles investigative reporter Eric Leonard takes you beyond the headlines of Los Angeles' most compelling stories. With exclusive interviews and deep-dive reporting, this podcast uncovers the untold stories of survival, loss, and resilience in the face of crisis and change.
From community leaders and impacted residents to the decision-makers shaping the future, The Leonard Files exposes the challenges, the failures, and the hard-fought battles happening behind the scenes.
The Leonard Files.
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11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Criminal Charges Considered in Deadly Sheriff’s Grenade Explosion | LAPD Gang Unit Under Scrutiny
3w ago00:29:44Tap to summarizeProsecutors are weighing possible charges in the sheriff’s grenade explosion that killed three deputies—but time may have run out. We break down new investigative findings, the statute‑of‑limitations problem, and a separate LAPD gang unit misconduct case involving body‑camera violations. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Transcribe →Chainsaws, Court Delays & Trial Memos: Inside 3 Major L.A. Criminal Cases
May 100:49:15Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Leonard Files we break down a busy week in court with new filings, delays, and revelations in three major Southern California criminal cases. Celeste Rivas Hernandez: defense lawyers for the singer knowns as D4vd (David A. Burke) asked to delay proceedings, as they review 'terabytes' of potential evidence in advance of a preliminary hearing. Jonathan Rinderknecht: federal prosecutors lay out what they plan to present to jurors in the upcoming trial of the man accused of igniting the Palisades wildfires in 2025, including -- how the Feds plan to invoke another notable prosecution as a motive in this case. Rob and Michele Reiner: a major delay in the murder case against their son Nick Reiner, who faces charges for allegedly killing his parents inside their home. We discuss why high-profile cases often face long delays, and what pre-trial memos can reveal about prosecution strategies. ⚠️ Content warning: This episode includes discussion of alleged crimes involving violence and the death of a minor. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Transcribe →Inside the Arrest of Singer David Burke: New Charges, Autopsy Details, and What Police Didn’t Say
Apr 2400:35:58Tap to summarizeEverything we know about the arrest of singer D4vd, also known as David A. Burke, now charged in the killing of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, after her remains were found inside Burke’s Tesla. Burke has pleaded not guilty, and his defense lawyers are pushing for a speedy preliminary hearing, where the public might get its first look at the evidence in the case. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Transcribe →A Close Call in the Skies, a Missing Grenade, and Millions in Medicare Fraud
Apr 300:33:42Tap to summarizeFederal aviation officials imposed new helicopter restrictions after last year’s disastrous collision between an airliner and a military helicopter in Washington, D.C. The announcement mentioned a recent ‘conflict’ between a plane and helicopter near Hollywood Burbank Airport — an incident that turns out to involve NewsChopper4. Plus, new developments in the deadly LA County Sheriff’s bomb squad explosion, including the mystery of a missing grenade, and why federal prosecutors say millions were stolen in while massive hospice care fraud schemes went undetected for years. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Transcribe →Celeste Rivas death revelations from Texas, LA planned to manipulate news coverage of Palisades fire report
Mar 300:35:48Tap to summarizeThe latest information on the investigation into the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who’s body was found inside a Tesla registered to the pop singer D4vd, appeared in Texas, where D4vd’s family tried to block an LA court order. Plus, documents released by the LA Fire Department show their intricate plans to try to control news coverage of the Palisades fire after action report, and the former fire chief, dismissed after the fire, has sued the Mayor alleging retaliation. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Transcribe →Full circle: the mysterious death of an LAPD officer, new consequences for the DWP over billing scandal, and a major legal victory for Palisades Fire victims
Feb 2300:32:26Tap to summarizeNew developments in stories from years past: a jury has reached a decision about the death of LAPD Officer Houston Tipping, who suffered a catastrophic spinal injury during training, and the State Bar of California moves to punish a former top LA City Attorney’s Office official for his role in the lawsuits that followed the DWP’s over billing mess. Plus, the arson trial for the man accused of causing the Palisades Fire may be delayed again, while Palisades fire victims have won a major legal victory in their effort to hold the City of LA and State of California responsible for the damage. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Transcribe →How did the Feds finally nab the ex-Olympian accused of running an international cocaine ring?
Jan 2700:29:36Tap to summarizeHow did federal agents catch Ryan Wedding, the former Canadian snowboarder facing indictment in Los Angeles for allegedly trafficking tons of cocaine through the U.S. to Canada? The FBI says he was caught after a decade-long manhunt; authorities in Mexico say Wedding walked into a US embassy and surrendered. Plus - the LAPD is handed a court order that’s changed the ‘less-lethal’ weapons officers are allowed to use at protests, and whether a man detained in Montana is connected to the secretive LAPD investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas, whose body was found in a Tesla registered to the singer “D4VD.” Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Transcribe →Are the Palisades firefighters' text messages real?
Jan 1600:35:02Tap to summarizeFinally we have some insight into whether firefighters communicated their concerns -- that the smaller brush fire blamed for causing the Palisades fire -- had been fully extinguished. New court documents provide our clearest window into what evidence may exist. Plus - the City of LA has recorded its fewest murders since 1966. How is this possible when the LAPD has shrunk to its smallest size in more than a decade, and it appears more officers will retire than will be hired in 2026. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Transcribe →What you didn't see at the Nick Reiner hearing
Jan 900:26:47Tap to summarizeNick Reiner -- charged with murdering his parents Rob and Michele Reiner -- lost his private legal defense team at a hearing this week. But the judge also discussed an ongoing defense investigation that may suggest where the criminal case is headed. Plus -- moment by moment of what happened in court, and what the lawyers said outside. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Transcribe →Too Few Cops, Too Many Shootings, and Finally We See the Texts?
Dec 1500:29:10Tap to summarizeThe LAPD is ending 2025 with two key numbers going the wrong way: officers have used their guns far more often on duty than in recent years, and the number of officers employed by the City of LA is shrinking. Also, some new text messages exchanged by California State Parks employees could shed light on what happened in the days before the Palisades fire, when firefighters were mopping-up from a much smaller brush fire that continued to smolder. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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