Hey Everyone! Thank you so much for being patient with me during the end of the semester! I'm back on track. I give an update at the beginning of the episode.

In This Episode

The rise of William Tank Black from college coach to trusted NFL and NBA agent
How personal loyalty and father figure dynamics were used to bypass financial scrutiny
The three major fraud schemes tied to Tank Black including offshore Ponzi investments, BAOA stock fraud, and Cayman Islands fund diversion
The role of Professional Management Incorporated and affiliated entities in concealing misconduct
The emotional and financial devastation experienced by athletes like Fred Taylor

Peggy Fulford’s long running affinity fraud targeting professional athletes
How fabricated Harvard credentials and a no fee strategy created false trust
The systematic laundering of millions through dozens of bank accounts
Victim impact involving Ricky Williams, Dennis Rodman, Travis Best, and Lex Hilliard
Why Fulford received the statutory maximum sentence and what her early release means

A comparison of how parental language and emotional safety were weaponized in both cases
The broader pattern of athlete vulnerability and systemic failures in financial oversight
Red flags every high earner should recognize before handing over control

This Week’s Blend
Iced Coffee of the Week: Mocha Hustle Cold Brew
Ingredients
1 cup cold brew coffee
½ cup chocolate oat milk or regular milk
1 tablespoon caramel syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla syrup
Ice to fill a 16 to 20 ounce glass
Optional: Light dusting of cocoa powder
Bold, smooth, and deceptively sweet. Perfect for an episode about trust that looks good on the surface and collapses underneath.

Crochet Project of the Week
Husband Sweater Update

Sip or Spill
Would you ever trust someone with your finances simply because they felt like family, or is that now the biggest red flag of all?

Support and Connect with BC³
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
@blackcoffeecrimecrochet
Patreon
JOIN HERE

If you enjoy the show, consider leaving a 5 Star rating on Spotify, commenting on episodes and leaving 5 star ratings and review on Apple Podcasts as well as supporting on Patreon for bonus content, extended commentary, and behind the scenes updates.

Sources Used for This Episode
Securities and Exchange Commission litigation releases related to William Tank Black and James A. Franklin Jr
Sports Illustrated Vault reporting on the Tank Black fraud
Department of Justice press releases and court records on William Tank Black
Intellex Forensics analysis on athlete financial exploitation
Investor.gov educational materials on Ponzi schemes
Department of Justice press releases on Peggy Ann Fulford
Federal court records from the Southern District of Texas
Courthouse News Service reporting on Dennis Rodman fraud case
The Guardian coverage of Peggy Fulford’s sentencing and release
American Greed episode coverage featuring Peggy Fulford
Legal and financial industry analysis on affinity fraud in professional sports

**DISCLAIMER**

Hey BC3 Crew! I wanted to take the time to address two reviews that I've gotten. I realize that I tend to overuse "umm" throughout the show. I am working on it and took the time to edit this episode so that the filler words have been removed. I will definitely keep that in mind moving forward, but thank you all so much for the opportunity to improve every episode!

The checks stopped. The pain lingered. And the playbook for fraud took center stage. This week on Black Coffee, Crime & Crochet, Jasmine uncovers two massive healthcare schemes led by former pro athletes. Terrence Williams and Robert McCune weren’t just scamming insurance companies, they were defrauding the very systems meant to support them and their teammates after retirement. Jasmine unpacks how these brotherhoods broke bad, why financial desperation thrives in sports, and what these scams reveal about the dark side of life after the game. Grab your coffee and your crochet hook. We are talking pain, power, and the price of hustle.

This Week’s Blend Iced Coffee of the Week:
Mocha Hustle Cold Brew. Before we lace up and hit the field, let’s sip on something that fits the mood.

Today’s blend is The Mocha Hustle Cold Brew — strong, smooth, and deceptively sweet. How to Make It:

• 1 cup cold brew coffee
• ½ cup chocolate oat milk (or regular milk if you prefer)
• 1 tablespoon caramel syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla syrup
• Ice to fill your 16–20 oz glass
• Optional: dust cocoa powder on top

It’s bold, it’s indulgent, and it’ll keep you sharp while we talk about players who fumbled their integrity, not just the ball.

In This Episode

• The NFL Health Care Benefit Program fraud scheme led by former linebacker Robert McCune
• Terrence Williams and the NBA Health and Welfare Benefit Plan conspiracy
• How fake invoices and fake clinics funneled millions from player benefit plans
• The quiet loyalty among athletes that helped these schemes grow
• What these cases reveal about post-career insecurity, financial pressure and trust
• Sentencing outcomes, lessons in accountability and a glimpse into what retirement looks like when the checks stop coming

Sip or Spill
Do you think former athletes face enough support to avoid these kinds of desperate decisions? Or is this just a case of greed over gratitude?

Support and Connect with BC³
Instagram, Facebook and TikTok: @blackcoffeecrimecrochet
Patreon: HERE
Facebook Discussion Group: Join here

Sources Referenced in This Episode

• U.S. Department of Justice press releases and court filings
  NFL indictment press release
  Superseding indictment press release
  Full indictment for Terrence Williams
• ESPN and USA Today coverage on charges and sentencing
• SDNY court filings and plea agreements
• Additional commentary from sports finance experts and legal analysts

Ramon Abbas, better known as Hushpuppi, flaunted wealth like it was a full-time job. From Gucci robes and private jets to Richard Mille watches and luxury penthouses, he sold a rags-to-riches story that captured millions online. But behind the clout was an international web of fraud, deception, and staggering financial crimes.

This week on Black Coffee, Crime & Crochet, Jasmine breaks down how Hushpuppi went from Lagos street hustler to Instagram icon and global cybercriminal. We dig into the four major scams he was involved in, how the FBI tracked him through his social media posts, and what his downfall reveals about online flex culture and digital fraud.

Pull up with your iced coffee. We're talking wealth, wire fraud, and what it means when internet fame is built on a lie.

This Week’s Blend:

Iced Coffee of the Week: The Fraudulent Flex
The “Fraudulent Flex” Iced Coffee

• 1 cup of cold brew (strong enough to handle drama)
• ½ cup of oat milk or whatever milk you love
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar syrup
• A dash of vanilla extract
• A splash of heavy cream or coconut cream on top
• Shake it over ice and pour into your cutest tumbler

Optional: sprinkle a little cinnamon or edible gold dust if you’re feeling Hushpuppi-level extra. Sip slow. Side-eye faster.

Crochet Project of the Week: A very special update!

In This Episode:

The early life of Ramon Abbas and the “Yahoo Boy” scammer subculture
How Hushpuppi built an influencer persona through wealth and status
Detailed breakdowns of four major frauds, including:

• $14.7M Maltese bank heist
• $124M scam attempt on a UK Premier League team
• $922K law firm scam
• $15M fake Qatari school loan con
  Dubai’s Fox Hunt 2 raid and FBI extradition
  How his IG trail led to a federal conviction
  Commentary on scam culture, clout chasing, and consequences

Sip or Spill:

Would you get a loan if the loan officer told you there was an upfront fee?

Support & Connect with BC³:

Instagram, FB & TikTok: @blackcoffeecrimecrochet
Patreon: HERE
Facebook Discussion Group: Join here

Sources Used for This Episode:

U.S. Department of Justice press releases (justice.gov)
FBI Criminal Complaint: United States v. Ramon Olorunwa Abbas
Forbes: “How Instagram Star Hushpuppi Was Arrested”
CNN International: Coverage on Fox Hunt 2
Bloomberg: Reports on global BEC fraud
BBC Africa: Analysis on Nigerian scam culture and youth unemployment
YouTube documentaries and breakdowns (e.g. Wondery’s Scamfluencers, BBC Africa Eye)
Court transcripts and filings via PACER
Interpol and Dubai Police official statements
Archived IG posts via Wayback Machine and news screenshots

Dana Chanel branded herself as a faith-based mogul, the face behind Sprinkle of Jesus, Credit Exterminators, and Alakazam Apps. But behind the curated Instagram grid and family-first entrepreneur image were lawsuits, unfulfilled promises, and accusations of exploitation. This week on Black Coffee, Crime & Crochet, Jasmine unpacks how Dana used spirituality and sleek branding to build a business empire, how it all unraveled under legal pressure, and what it says about trust, community, and the influencer economy. Pull up with your iced latte. We’re talking faith, fraud, and the fallout.  

This Week’s Blend:

• Iced Coffee of the Week: Cold Brew Caramel Mocha Oat Latte
• Crochet Project of the Week: Hilarious Polo Update

In This Episode:

• The rise of Dana Chanel and her Christian entrepreneur brand
• How Sprinkle of Jesus grew into a multi-business influencer empire
• What really happened with Credit Exterminators and Alakazam Apps
• Lawsuit, settlement, and community backlash
• Commentary on influencer trust, faith-based branding, and financial harm in Black communities

Sip or Spill:
Would you trust a business more if it used faith, family, or cultural values to market itself, or does that now raise a red flag?

Support & Connect with BC³:
Instagram, FB & TikTok: @blackcoffeecrimecrochet
Patreon: HERE
Facebook Discussion Group: Join here

Videos Refrenced in This Episode

Is Dana Chanel Really Scamming Black Small Business Owners? | TSR Investigates
Social media influencer, Philly-based companies sued for misleading customers
DANA CHANEL & PRINCE DONNELL JESUS SCAM ARTISTS?Prince Donnell/Dana Chanel's NASTY Credit Score Exterminators Repair SCAM ft. Earn Your Leisure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65QZcKND71w&t=25s 

Sources Used for This Episode

1. Pennsylvania Attorney General Press Release on Dana Chanel Lawsuit
   www.attorneygeneral.gov
2. Entrepreneur.com – “Christian Influencer Accused of Fraud Ordered to Pay $90K”
   entrepreneur.com
3. FOX29 Philadelphia – “Social media influencer accused of scamming Black-owned businesses”
   fox29.com
4. PhillyVoice – “Instagram influencer Dana Chanel settles with Pennsylvania AG”
   phillyvoice.com
5. YouTube commentary and victim testimonials (via creators like Robby Blue and Anti-MLM channels)
6. Reddit threads and Facebook group discussions documenting...

When faith meets fraud, the fallout hits different. In this episode of Black Coffee, Crime & Crochet, we unravel the story of Marlon and LaShonda Moore, the Texas power couple behind Blessings In No Time (BINT), a so-called “faith-based wealth movement” that promised financial freedom to thousands during the pandemic.

But behind the gospel quotes and Zoom calls was a ten-million-dollar pyramid scheme that preyed on trust, community, and culture. We explore how BINT used the familiar language of sou-sous, traditional African and Caribbean savings circles, to mask a modern-day scam, and how desperation, social media, and stimulus checks created the perfect storm.

So grab your iced brown sugar vanilla oat milk latte and settle in, because this one’s part sermon, part scam, and all deception. Black Coffee, Crime & Crochet, where iced coffee meets true crime, one stitch and scam at a time.

When “group economics” turns into group exploitation. 

• Marlon and LaShonda Moore, former 106 & Park DJ and real estate agent, built Blessings In No Time (BINT) during the pandemic.
• Pitched as a “faith-based sou-sou,” BINT encouraged members to invest $1,400 in exchange for $11,200 returns.
• Members were told it was a blessing circle rooted in community and Black empowerment.
• In reality, it was an illegal pyramid scheme that exploited trust and faith.
• By 2023, the FTC and Texas Attorney General had ordered the Moores to pay more than $10.7 million and banned them from similar ventures.

Cultural Context:

Sou-sous, also known as esusu, partner, or asue, are legitimate, centuries-old savings systems in West Africa and the Caribbean built on trust, discipline, and community.
Unlike pyramid schemes, no one profits off recruitment. Everyone contributes equally and receives once.

Key Takeaways:

• Faith and familiarity can be powerful manipulation tools.
• Scammers often use cultural language to create trust.
• Real sou-sous build communities; blessing looms destroy them.
• Every scam has a sermon.

Iced Coffee of the Week Iced Brown Sugar Vanilla Oat Milk Latte

• 2 shots espresso or strong coffee
• 1½ tablespoons brown sugar syrup
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or ½ ounce vanilla syrup
• ¾ cup oat milk and ice

Crochet Project of the Week

Another upate on the polo for hubby using the 3mm hook. 

Sip or Spill 

Were Marlon and LaShonda Moore evil masterminds or just greedy influencers who believed their own hype?

Connect and Support 
Instagram & TikTok: @blackcoffeecrimecrochet
Patreon: HERE

Sources & References:

Federal and Legal Documentation:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC). United States of America v. Blessings In No Time, LLC, Marlon Moore, and LaShonda Moore. Case No. 4:21-cv-00518 (E.D. Tex., 2021).
• State of Texas v. Blessings In No Time, LLC, Marlon Moore, and LaShonda Moore. Office of the Attorney General of Texas Consumer Protection Division, 2021.
• Federal Trade Commission Press Release, “Texas-Based Operators of Alleged Pyramid Scheme to Pay $10 Million in Settlement,” July 2023.
• U.S. Department of Justice, Pyramid Scheme and Fraudulent Investment Enforcement Actions, 2021–2023 archive.

News and Media Coverage:

• CNBC. American Greed: “Blessings in No Time” (Season 16, Episode 10), originally aired 2024.
• The Washington Post. “The ‘Blessings in No Time’ Scam: How a Couple Used Faith and...

In the series finale of Scandal in the Schools, Jasmine C.L. Prince takes you on a global ride through two of the most shocking education scandals in recent memory; starting in Jamaica and ending in Nigeria. 

Part 1: Jamaica

When the CXC Math Paper 2 leaked in 2023, panic swept across the Caribbean. From stolen fireproof cabinets to regional re-grading, students faced unfair consequences for a failure far above their pay grade. 

Part 2: Nigeria

Two years later, the 2025 NECO scandal revealed mass cheating across 38 schools and 13 states. As Jasmine unpacks the chaos, she connects the dots between corruption, communication breakdowns, and a government that denied the truth until it couldn’t anymore.

This episode covers:

• How exam pressure and inequity fuel cheating cultures
• The communication breakdown between NECO and the Federal Ministry of Education
• How conflict in Adamawa State derailed hundreds of students’ futures
• Nigeria’s “Trifecta of Failure”: NECO corruption, JAMB tech fraud, WAEC power outages
• The irony of billion-naira budgets and midnight exams under flashlights
• Real policy solutions that could restore trust in education

And of course, Jasmine wraps it all up with a heartfelt reflection on what “integrity” really means, followed by a Sip or Spill segment you won’t want to miss.

Sources & References

Jamaica

• The Gleaner: “CXC to Review Security Measures After Math Paper Leak” (May 2023)
• Loop Jamaica: “CXC Investigates Exam Leak, Promises Students Won’t Be Penalized” (May 2023)
• Principal Kurt Weir, quoted in The Gleaner, May 18, 2023

Nigeria

• NECO Registrar Press Conference, September 2025 Results Release
• Federal Ministry of Education Statement – July 20, 2025 (Press Director Boriowo Folasade)
• This Day Nigeria – Editorial: “Examination Malpractice as a National Epidemic,” Oct 2025
• Daily Trust: “38 Schools Caught Cheating in 2025 NECO SSCE” (Sept 2025)
• The Guardian Nigeria: “Communal Clashes Halt NECO Exams in Adamawa” (July 2025)
• Punch Newspapers: “Power Outages Force WAEC Candidates to Write by Torchlight” (Aug 2025)
• Channels TV: “JAMB Uncovers 6,000 Cases of Malpractice; Biometric Fraud, AI Impersonation” (April 2025)
• Vanguard Nigeria: “Atiku Slams FG Over WAEC Failures, Calls Situation ‘National Disgrace’” (Aug 2025)

Support the Show

If you love Black Coffee, Crime & Crochet, leave a 5-star rating on Spotify as well as leave a 5-star rating AND GLOWING review Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. It helps the algorithm bless the BC³ crew! 

Support the podcast on Patreon
Stream every episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

This week on Black Coffee, Crime & Crochet, we’re heading to Evanston, Illinois — where former superintendent Dr. Devon Horton, once celebrated for championing educational equity, now faces a 17-count federal indictment. From kickbacks and shell companies to embezzled p-card purchases, this case shows what happens when reform turns into reward points. Jasmine C. L. Prince unpacks how a respected public servant allegedly steered nearly $300 K in district funds to his friends, pocketed $80 K+ in kickbacks, and walked away just in time to take another top job. It’s a story of ambition, betrayal, and the price of broken trust in public education.  

🧾 Episode Overview

• Topic: Federal indictment of Dr. Devon Horton, former Evanston/Skokie D65 superintendent
• Theme: When equity advocacy collides with financial fraud
• Location: Evanston, IL → DeKalb County, GA

Key Takeaways

1. Horton rose from equity champion to indicted official in just three years.
2. The alleged scheme funneled public contracts to three friends’ shell companies.
3. More than $30 K was spent on personal items via a district credit card.
4. Institutional trust + pandemic urgency created the perfect cover for misuse.
5. The fallout spread to Georgia’s third-largest school district.

🧋 Honey Bun Iced Latte (Via TikTok @JessNicole__) 

• 1/2 tbsp Honey
• 1 tbsp Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup
• 2 pumps (2 tbsp) White Chocolate Sauce OR 1 pump (1 tbsp White Chocolate Sauce and 1 tbsp White Chocolate Syrup)
• Espresso (Instant or Pod-I ended up using 3 shots)
• Line cup with White Chocolate Sauce
• Add ice, milk of choice, and espresso
• Top with cold foam an Cinnamon Sugar Sprinkles

       Vanilla Bean Sweet Cream Cold Foam

• 3 tbsp Heavy Whipping Cream
• 2 tbsp milk
• 2 pumps Vanilla Bean Syrup

🧶 Crochet Corner Vintage Peace Sweater Pattern from Kakes Kreations

Kakes Kreations took a classic turtleneck design and gave it a chic, modern twist. This 10 page pattern will walk you through how to create your version of the “Vintage Peace” Sweater. It includes colorful pictures, and helpful notes. Purchase the pattern HERE while it's on sale! 

🧠 Episode Highlights

• The Ascent: Horton’s decorated career, from Chicago Public Schools to Evanston/Skokie D65
• The Breach: Federal prosecutors outline kickbacks & embezzlement totaling $300 K+
• The Cover-Up: Alleged tax evasion and oversight failures inside D65
• The Fallout: Suspension from DeKalb County Schools (GA) and political uproar
• Sip or Spill: Jasmine reflects — “He became the very system he warned us about.”

📰 Sources
Reporting from CBS News
The Daily Northwestern
11Alive
AP News
Official releases from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Evanston-Skokie School District 65 

We pull back the curtain on Detroit’s long-running school corruption case centered on vendor Norman Shy and 13+ school officials who approved phony invoices for undelivered supplies—then took kickbacks in cash, checks, and gift cards. We break down how the scheme worked, how the feds uncovered it, the court outcomes (from year-long sentences to a 5-year term for the vendor), and what it stole from students in an already strapped district. Key beats

• The scheme (2002–2015): Fake/partial deliveries → principals certify receipt → district pays → vendor kicks back cash/gift cards to officials.
• The money: ~$2.7M in fraudulent billings; ~$908K paid out as bribes; vendor profits off the rest.
• How it broke open: FBI/IRS probe; ledgers and manila folders tracking “favors” and payouts; federal charges announced in 2016.
• Legal outcomes:
  • Vendor Norman Shy: 5 years federal prison + $2.7M restitution.
  • Assistant superintendent & multiple principals: 6–24 months typical; restitution matching kickbacks.
  • One principal (Josette Buendia) went to trial and was convicted; appeals upheld.
• Systemic failures: Excess principal autonomy on purchasing, weak verification of deliveries, chaotic district finances, and gaps in auditing.
• Impact on students: Funds diverted from textbooks, tech, and repairs in crumbling buildings; trust in schools eroded.
• Reforms: DPS/DPSCD tightened purchasing, paused school-based buying, added audits/ethics oversight, and set up whistleblower channels.

Segments

• ☕ Iced Coffee of the Week — School Day Slush
  Dirty vanilla matcha over ice, topped with sweet cream cold foam (optional almond extract). Smooth, a little shady, and strong.
• 🧶 Crochet Project — Hall Pass Headband
  Quick block-stitch headband: “cute for class, not for crime.”
• 💬 Sip or Spill
  Was this individual greed or a system too easy to exploit? Tell us your take.

Content note Mentions of public corruption, school mismanagement, and financial crimes.

🌐 Where to Find Me
🎧 Stream all episodes: HERE
📱 TikTok & Instagram: @blackcoffeecrimecrochet
💌 Join the crew & extras: patreon.com/blackcoffeecrimecrochet

🗂️ Sources
Department of Justice press materials
FBI/IRS case summaries
Sixth Circuit opinion in U.S. v. Buendia
Detroit Free Press/News coverage
DPS/DPSCD public statements

Special thanks to Momcast Productions for assisting me in writing this episode. If you have a podcast and would like to outsource some aspects, you can contact them at linktr.ee/momcastproductionsllc. Tell them I sent you!

Welcome back to Black Coffee, Crime & Crochet! I’m your host, Jasmine CL Prince, and we’re kicking off the Scandal in the Schools series with an Atlanta two-for-one.

First up: Jerome Oberlton, the former Atlanta Public Schools Chief Information Officer who turned tech contracts into kickbacks. Then we dive into Dr. Beverly Hall, the one-time National Superintendent of the Year whose empire crumbled in the infamous Atlanta test-cheating scandal.

These stories intertwine technology, testing, and temptation—each showing what happens when pressure meets opportunity in public education. Grab your iced coffee and your yarn, sis, because this one’s layered like a granny square and messy like a grade-school group project.

☕ Iced Coffee of the Week: Peach Please Cold Foam Brew – sweet, southern, and slightly suspicious.

🧶 Crochet Project of the Week: WIP Updates

🌐 Where to Find Me
🎧 Stream all episodes: HERE
📱 TikTok & Instagram: @blackcoffeecrimecrochet
💌 Join the crew & extras: patreon.com/blackcoffeecrimecrochet

🗂️ Sources

• U.S. Department of Justice & Federal Indictment Archives on Jerome Oberlton (2013) – Tech contract bribery case filings and sentencing records.
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution coverage on Beverly Hall and the APS Test Cheating Scandal (2009–2015).
• New York Times – “Atlanta Educators Convicted in School Cheating Scandal” (2015).
• Education Week and The Hechinger Report investigations into systemic pressures behind standardized testing.
• U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Georgia press releases (2013–2015) regarding Oberlton’s plea deal and Hall’s co-defendants.

🗓️ Note from Jasmine: If you noticed a little mix-up last week—yep, that was me. The Detroit Principals’ Kickback Scheme audio accidentally went up under this title. We fixed it! That Detroit episode is now Episode 2, and this Atlanta deep-dive is now Episode 1 of the series.

This week on Black Coffee, Crime & Crochet, we’re unpacking the rise and reckoning of Marilyn Mosby — Baltimore’s former State’s Attorney who once stood as a national symbol of justice during the Freddie Gray case… and is now facing a federal conviction of her own.👩🏽‍⚖️ We trace her story from Boston beginnings to Baltimore politics, highlighting her education, career trajectory, and the historic weight of being the city’s first Black woman elected to the role.🕊️ Freddie Gray’s story is told with care and humanity, detailing who he was and what his death meant for Baltimore. We explore the protests, the pain, and the political pressure that followed — all of which put Mosby in the national spotlight.💼 Then we dig into the real tea:

• ​The COVID hardship withdrawals
• ​The Florida vacation homes
• ​The mortgage fraud and perjury indictments
• ​Her trial, sentencing, and supervised release
• ​And her ongoing push for a presidential pardon

🎧 This episode includes:

• ​☕ Iced Coffee of the Week: Sunshine State Cold Brew
• ​🧶 Crochet Project: Hodgy Bonnet from @lovinghodgy. Watch the crotorial on her TikTok or YouTube or purchase the written pattern on Etsy.
• ​💬 Sip or Spill: Was Marilyn’s prosecution justice—or retaliation?
• ​⭐ Review Shoutout & Cozy Outro

💛 Support the podcast on Patreon for exclusive “Coffee Break” mini-episodes and early content drops: patreon.com/blackcoffeecrimecrochet📸 Follow me on Instagram: @blackcoffeecrimecrochet📱 TikTok: @blackcoffeecrimecrochet🌐 Website: blkc3.com🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday!

In this week’s episode of Black Coffee, Crime & Crochet, we’re turning the page on one of Baltimore’s biggest political scandals — literally.We’re diving into the rise and fall of Catherine Pugh, the former mayor who went from celebrated leader to federal inmate after using a children’s book series called “Healthy Holly” to pull off a multi-layered scheme of fraud, backdoor deals, and campaign finance crimes.She had degrees, a boutique, TV hosting credits, and city-wide power… but it all unraveled over boxes of books that never made it to the kids.This episode has it all:

• 📚 Self-published books used to funnel over $800,000
• 🏥 Hospital board conflicts of interest
• 💰 Campaign finance violations
• 🧸 A press conference featuring baby onesies (yes, really)
• 👮🏾 FBI raids, federal prison, and a not-so-quiet return

And of course, we’re kicking things off with:

• ☕ Iced Coffee of the Week: Healthy Holly Cold Brew — smooth, nutty, and a little shady
• 🧶 Crochet Project of the Week: The Healthy Holly Healing Blanket — because somebody needs to wrap this whole story in a second chance
• 💬 Sip or Spill: Does Catherine Pugh deserve a shot at redemption or nah?

🔗 Links & Extras:🎧 Listen + Subscribe: blackcoffeecrimeandcrochet.com
💬 Join the convo: @blackcoffeecrimecrochet on Threads, TikTok, and IG
☕ Support the show: patreon.com/blackcoffeecrimecrochet
Sources Read the full news article HEREWatch the full YouTube video HEREDirect quotes and facts were referenced from official reports and news coverage of Catherine Pugh’s case for accuracy. Key sources include the Baltimore Magazine profile of Pugh’s early life baltimoremagazine.com, WBAL and Fox45 news reports on her career and resignation wbaltv.com, foxbaltimore.com, the U.S. Department of Justice press release on her indictment and plea justice.gov, and CBS Baltimore’s reporting on her sentencing, restitution, and release cbsnews.com. The discussion on racial and media dynamics references commentary from the Baltimore Beat and local news incidents Show more...