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Have You Seen This Man?
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Have You Seen This Man?

Author: ABC News

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John Ruffo engineered one of the most outlandish frauds in American history -- a $350 million swindle. But even after his arrest, no one really knew Ruffo. When the unassuming Brooklyn computer salesman pleaded guilty in 1998 and received a 17-year prison sentence, his story was just beginning. He turned in his ankle monitor, made a final stop at an ATM, drove to JFK Airport and vanished. In Season 2, the ABC News investigative unit joins the U.S. Marshals cold-case fugitive manhunt for Ruffo as they span the globe and uncover surprising details about his cloak-and-dagger past. The final clue may come from listeners who will once again be asked, Have You Seen This Man?
16 Episodes
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Introducing a new investigative true crime series: "Radioactive: The Karen Silkwood Mystery." Karen Silkwood’s death 50 years ago this November continues to haunt Oklahoma and the nation. The 28-year-old plutonium plant worker died in a fatal crash while driving to meet a reporter with The New York Times allegedly to deliver evidence documenting unsafe conditions at the plant. Two reporters who covered the Silkwood story in 1974 have spent years trying to piece together what many in Oklahoma speculate: Karen Silkwood may have died for what she knew. Fifty years later, hear newly-discovered investigative tapes, deathbed conversations and long-awaited interviews reexamining what happened that night. Listen to Ep. 1 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.
The U.S. Marshals recently added notorious murderer Lester Eubanks, who's been on the run for over 45 years, to their 15 Most Wanted list. While on bail awaiting trial for sexual assault in 1965, Eubanks shot and bludgeoned 14-year-old Mary Ellen Deener to death in Mansfield, Ohio. After his apprehension, Eubanks confessed to the crime, was convicted and received the death sentence. While confined in the Ohio state prison system, his sentence was commuted to life in prison. Then, in a series of shocking events, Eubanks received permission to embark on an unaccompanied "good behavior" shopping trip just before Christmas in 1973. While on the trip, Eubanks slipped away and was never seen again. Now, ABC News pulls back the curtain on Eubanks' crimes and prison escape, with exclusive interviews with key players who knew both Eubanks and his victim; never-before-heard details of his prison escape and the controversial program that led to that escape; and interviews with people who encountered Eubanks -- using various aliases -- since he's been on the run. Tell us what you think about this series with a rating and review: http://bit.ly/2O38DdC "Have You Seen This Man?" is produced by the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, the makers of the #1-rated "The Dropout" and "A Killing on the Cape" podcasts as well as the award-winning daily news series "Start Here." For more: http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com and http://www.abcnews.com/thisman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The murder of an Ohio middle school student in 1965 shocks a hard-working community. And the arrest of a 22-year-old military man with a checkered record appears to be the end of a painful chapter for her family. But when Lester Eubanks heads off to prison, it is just the beginning of the story. Tell us what you think about this series with a rating and review: http://bit.ly/2O38DdC "Have You Seen This Man?" is produced by the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, the makers of the #1-rated "The Dropout" and "A Killing on the Cape" podcasts as well as the award-winning daily news series "Start Here." For more: http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com and http://www.abcnews.com/thisman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For years, Ohio's prisons operated as menacing dungeons, with inmates facing unchecked violence of the sort depicted in Hollywood movies. But Lester Eubanks arrives at the Ohio State Penitentiary in the midst of a prison reform movement. And he capitalizes on a brief window of opportunity. Tell us what you think about this series with a rating and review: http://bit.ly/2O38DdC "Have You Seen This Man?" is produced by the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, the makers of the #1-rated "The Dropout" and "A Killing on the Cape" podcasts as well as the award-winning daily news series "Start Here." For more: http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com and http://www.abcnews.com/thisman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Lester Eubanks finds himself outside the prison walls. As he sets out to start his life on the run, he turns to a relative for shelter and support. And some people begin erecting barriers to avoid questions about Lester's disappearance -- an effort that persists to this day. Tell us what you think about this series with a rating and review: http://bit.ly/2O38DdC "Have You Seen This Man?" is produced by the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, the makers of the #1-rated "The Dropout" and "A Killing on the Cape" podcasts as well as the award-winning daily news series "Start Here." For more: http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com and http://www.abcnews.com/thisman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With a fishing license for identification and a ten-speed bike to get around, Lester Eubanks starts a new life with a new identity. And he becomes the mentor to a young teenager, who speaks publicly about that period for the very first time. Tell us what you think about this series with a rating and review: http://bit.ly/2O38DdC "Have You Seen This Man?" is produced by the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, the makers of the #1-rated "The Dropout" and "A Killing on the Cape" podcasts as well as the award-winning daily news series "Start Here." For more: http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com and http://www.abcnews.com/thisman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mary Ellen's family makes a public plea for help. The US Marshals meet a relative of Lester Eubanks' who appears ready to help. And we make an unexpected discovery. Could an oil painting hold important clues to Lester's whereabouts? Tell us what you think about this series with a rating and review: http://bit.ly/2O38DdC "Have You Seen This Man?" is produced by the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, the makers of the #1-rated "The Dropout" and "A Killing on the Cape" podcasts as well as the award-winning daily news series "Start Here." For more: http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com and http://www.abcnews.com/thisman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The U.S. Marshals explore the potential for genetics to lead them to Lester Eubanks as the manhunt continues to heat up. And the community of Mansfield rallies behind the surviving relatives of Mary Ellen Deener. Tell us what you think about this series with a rating and review: http://bit.ly/2O38DdC "Have You Seen This Man?" is produced by the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, the makers of the #1-rated "The Dropout" and "A Killing on the Cape" podcasts as well as the award-winning daily news series "Start Here." For more: http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com and http://www.abcnews.com/thisman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The search for convicted killer Lester Eubanks winds into the thick woods of Warrior, Alabama, as this podcast and enhanced media attention delivers a steady flow of fresh tips to the U.S. Marshals. The deputy leading the search contracts coronavirus, but not before finding a tiny crack in the wall of silence around the longtime fugitive. Tell us what you think about this series with a rating and review: http://bit.ly/2O38DdC "Have You Seen This Man?" is produced by the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, the makers of the #1-rated "The Dropout" and "A Killing on the Cape" podcasts as well as the award-winning daily news series "Start Here." For more: http://www.abcnewspodcasts.com and http://www.abcnews.com/thisman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
John Ruffo was an unassuming computer salesman from Brooklyn who engineered one of the most outlandish frauds in American history. He received a 17-year sentence for his $350 million swindle -- but his story didn’t end there. After he turned in his ankle monitor, Ruffo made a final stop at an ATM, drove to JFK Airport and vanished. The ABC News investigative unit now joins the U.S. Marshals as they span the globe and uncover surprising details about his cloak-and-dagger past. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
John Ruffo, a small-time computer salesman from New York City with a surprising gift for deception, committed a staggering $353 million bank fraud. After Ruffo was handed a 17-year sentence, the U.S. Marshals had him in handcuffs, ready to haul him off to prison. What happened next would leave a trail of shattered lives and spark one of the longest, most intensive manhunts in U.S. history.  To see photos of John Ruffo, including an age progression image provided by the U.S. Marshals, visit https://abcn.ws/37tRIK2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The crime was audacious –- the biggest swindle of its time –- falsely trading on the name and clout of American’s tobacco giant, Phillip Morris. Getting access to millions, John Ruffo transformed himself into a Wall Street high roller. He spun fantastical tales of secret government missions. And when it all started to unravel, he ripped a page from a John Grisham thriller, leaving U.S. Marshal criminal profilers to make sense of a cryptic farewell note. To see photos of John Ruffo, including an age progression image provided by the U.S. Marshals, visit https://abcn.ws/37tRIK2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S2 | Ep. 3: The Dream

S2 | Ep. 3: The Dream

2021-08-2546:01

Linda Lausten spent 19 years married to a man she never really knew. His escape sent her reeling -- as if widowed by a husband who wasn’t dead. She starts to uncover clues about who John Ruffo really was. As the U.S. Marshals continue their search, go along as a tantalizing lead takes them inside Dodger Stadium.  To see photos of John Ruffo, including an age progression image provided by the U.S. Marshals, visit https://abcn.ws/37tRIK2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Investigators thought they knew John Ruffo when they exposed his crime. But in tape-recorded prison calls, Ruffo’s accomplice tells the FBI they don't know the half of it. One of Ruffo’s lawyers reveals the reason he needed a top secret clearance to mount Ruffo’s defense. And as Ruffo’s past takes shape, U.S. Marshals enter a maze of fake identities and front companies, trying to follow the money.  To see photos of John Ruffo, including an age progression image provided by the U.S. Marshals, visit https://abcn.ws/37tRIK2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In secret diaries he left behind, John Ruffo spins an exotic Cold War tale. But is it all part of another Ruffo con? Did one FBI veteran carry crucial information to the grave? We go in search of retired agents and an infamous convicted FBI turncoat to see if any of them hold answers to the mystery of Ruffo’s escape. To see photos of John Ruffo, including an age progression image provided by the U.S. Marshals, visit https://abcn.ws/37tRIK2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S2 | Ep. 6: The Barber

S2 | Ep. 6: The Barber

2021-09-1556:46

A scrap of paper that Linda found in Ruffo’s coat pocket reveals an early clue pointing investigators to Italy. Does Ruffo’s Italian barber know more? U.S. Marshals head to Rome for answers in the midst of a global pandemic. They try and rekindle the search for the fugitive on the Adriatic coast. Back home, Ruffo's former wife contemplates a reunion she both dreads and desperately wants. To see photos of John Ruffo, including an age progression image provided by the U.S. Marshals, visit https://abcn.ws/37tRIK2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Comments (37)

Saffron_DE

Linda is so oblivious. Of course, he's probably married and has kids. He was having affairs on her and asking them to run away with him. She needs to close that book and move on.

Jul 17th
Reply

Saffron_DE

How is Earl still in this county?? Why wasn't he deported to Russia? He is obviously more of an ally to them than he is to the US.

Jul 15th
Reply

Saffron_DE

I'm trying not to check the news and have any spoilers since I'm listening to this so far behind, but I have to say, I feel like there are huge trails in storage facilities of untested rape kits. A man like this doesn't stop doing these sorts of crimes. I'm sure he has raped again, maybe even murdered again and where these crimes occur, you would find him. Too bad they can't find a loophole or a source of DNA that law enforcement can use to locate Lester.

Dec 28th
Reply

Draconius

How could you be so stupid to let a criminal out without handcuffs? Silly really

Apr 13th
Reply

ID21794304

New episodes ??

Oct 18th
Reply

Cath Costello

I am gobsmacked! Wtf! I feel so sorry for the families of his victims. Who also are his victims. Death row to walking the mall. 🤬🤬🤬 Absolutely disgraceful.

Oct 7th
Reply

An-D

Honey if you see him again you slap him hard!!

Sep 22nd
Reply (1)

An-D

Lesson: Never sign over your home for your child.

Sep 22nd
Reply

An-D

I don't think it's a good idea to show up at people's home after they said they don't want to talk to you.

Sep 22nd
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An-D

I also agree with the man interviewed. Of course he would run off given the chance, who wouldn't!

Sep 22nd
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An-D

I don't buy that the race of the victim was the motivating factor in not catching this guy. But what is clear that the warden who let him walk free and every person who had protected him sense were not thinking of the victim nor the victim's family. I just hope that there were no more victims.

Sep 22nd
Reply

Amanda Williams

Katie & Frank the auditors are funny! They need their own forensic financial auditors podcast.

Sep 14th
Reply

Suzanne Bolin

Now I have...

Aug 14th
Reply

Jill K

I'm flabbergasted that anyone thought it was a good idea to let a convicted murderer walk free in a heavily populated mall!

Apr 6th
Reply

Jeri Moore

no more episodes???

Mar 2nd
Reply

Lynn Reed

Are there to be more to Lester's story??

Jan 10th
Reply

Jeri Moore

no new episodes in weeks

Jan 7th
Reply (1)

LaShawna Scardina

I can't understand how his family can continue to hide him. What about the child he attempted to rape and when that failed he murdered her. Imo it's a family of monsters starting with the father.

Dec 24th
Reply (1)

Lynn Reed

Come on with the next episode!! I'm really enjoying this podcast & the unfolding of the story!

Dec 10th
Reply (1)

Stacy Mills

I cant get this episode to play?

Dec 9th
Reply