EP. 252 — Cali City Con Man w/ Ceara O’Sullivan & Griff Stark-Ennis

Ceara O’Sullivan & Griff Stark-Ennis of the Petty Crimes podcast join the con-gregation to talk all about Nat Mendelsohn—the 1960s real estate developer whose California City desert utopia became a desert nightmare. And in a shocking twist, audio engineer Rich realizes his family almost fell for this very scam! What?! Stay schemin!

Pre-Order Laci’s book “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes”: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/laci-mosley/scam-goddess/9780762484652/?lens=running-press

On Sunday, Sept. 22nd Laci will be hosting the Scam Goddess Live: 5 Year Anniversary @ the Regent Theatre in Los Angeles. Buy tickets at https://regentdtla.com/tm-event/scam-goddess-live-five-year-anniversary/

Follow on Instagram:

Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod

Laci Mosley: @divalaci

Ceara O’Sullivan: @cearajaneo

Griff Stark-Ennis: @griffstarkennis

Research by Kaelyn Brandt.

SOURCES:

https://ekhms.weebly.com/mendelsohn.html

LAist podcast, “California City,” hosted by Emily Guerin

https://www.kget.com/news/local-news/damning-grand-jury-report-says-california-city-is-in-trouble-amid-multiple-crises/

https://mojaveproject.org/dispatches-item/jackrabbits-ghost-grids-and-landbanking/

https://www.foxbusiness.com/sports/kansas-city-chiefs-hunt-family-silver-market

https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/california-city-planned-community-explained-18476273.php

Recent Episodes

See All

April 24, 2025

EP. 291.5 — Fraud Friday: The Real Hustlers behind Hustlers w/ Mo Heart

Guest Monique Heart

In this week’s Fraud Friday, Laci is joined by Mo Heart (RuPaul’s Drag Race) to help us break down the real-life story that inspired the 2019 hit film Hustlers starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu.

Listen

April 21, 2025

EP. 291 — Lip Filler Fakers & Bike Taxi Tricksters w/ Arden Myrin

Guest Arden Myrin

What do a lip-filled faker in jump shoes, a bike taxi trickster, and a sexy scoundrel entrepreneur all have in common? YOU, because on today’s episode, Laci is joined by Arden Myrin (The Righteous Gemstones, Insatiable) for a very special edition of the CONgregation’s Confessionals!

Listen

April 17, 2025

EP. 290.5 — Fraud Friday: The NFT Banksy Con w/ Aida Osman

Guest Aida Osman

In this week’s Fraud Friday, Laci is joined by Aida Osman (Rap Sh!t, Betty) to discuss how an elusive artist used a Banksy-inspired NFT to earn millions and how an Australian line dancing scheme went wrong.

Listen