Episode 4: The Suspect
Summary
Hosts Jake Halpern and Jess McHugh interview Kate Mannion, who helped expose Sarah Kavanaugh’s fraud after seeing her fake veteran story online. VA investigator Tom Donnelly details how Sarah stole medical records from cancer patient Justin and used bills from her therapist’s mother to deceive charities. The episode culminates in a dramatic FBI search of Sarah’s home, where agents found evidence of her elaborate lies and she faced a psychiatric crisis.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and Intro
Hosts Jess and Kate introduce the episode
Kate Mannion's background and Hunter 7
Sarah Kavanaugh's viral fundraising story
Initial doubts and the start of the investigation
Sponsors and Ad Break
VA investigator Tom Donnelly begins probe
Interview with victim Justin and evidence of fraud
Sam's story and stolen medical records
Sponsors and Ad Break
The raid on Sarah's house
Sarah's reaction and the search of her home
Discovery of fake war diary and props
Psychiatric evaluation and scope of fraud
Credits and Outro
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