372: A Special Investigation
9Digest
This bonus episode of The Dappethan delves into the story of Candace Clark, a woman who fabricated a government position as the Director of Special Investigations in Illinois. Candace used her fake title to gain trust and exploit vulnerable individuals, including single mothers and community organizers. She orchestrated elaborate events with hired actors to maintain the illusion of her authority. The episode reveals how Candace's elaborate scheme unraveled when a concerned neighbor contacted the Comptroller's office, leading to an investigation that exposed her deception. Candace was eventually arrested and charged with multiple felonies, serving six months in prison before being released on parole. The episode highlights the impact of Candace's actions on her victims, who experienced financial hardship and emotional distress due to her betrayal. The episode also explores the complexities of navigating government systems and the challenges of holding individuals accountable for their actions. The podcasters then discuss the episode's ending, particularly Darlene's reaction to Candace's actions, and express their appreciation for the episode's conclusion. They also announce future plans for the podcast, including upcoming episodes of the Smugshot series and the Jinx Too podcast. The episode concludes with a brief discussion about the podcast's Facebook group and upcoming Drag Bingo event.
Outlines
Meetup Announcement
This Chapter begins with an announcement about upcoming meetups hosted by the podcasters. They highlight the upcoming meetup in New York City on June 26th at the Yard House and mention other cities they will be visiting later in the summer.
Smugshot: Special Investigation
This Chapter introduces the second episode of the Smugshot series, focusing on a special investigation into corruption in Chicago. The episode explores the story of Candace Clark, a woman who created a fake government job and scammed numerous people.
Hatch: Sleep Better
This Chapter features a sponsored segment for Hatch, a sleep-enhancing device that combines an alarm clock, sound machine, and nightlight. The podcasters discuss the benefits of using Hatch to create a relaxing bedtime routine and improve sleep quality.
Candace's Scam Unravels
This Chapter continues the investigation into Candace Clark's fraudulent activities. The episode reveals how Candace's scheme was exposed when a concerned neighbor contacted the Comptroller's office, leading to an investigation that uncovered her deception.
Candace's Arrest and Aftermath
This Chapter details Candace's arrest and the legal proceedings that followed. The episode explores the challenges of defending someone accused of fraud and the impact of Candace's actions on her victims.
Episode Discussion and Future Plans
This Chapter begins with a discussion about Candace Clark's actions and the episode's ending. The podcasters express their appreciation for the episode's conclusion and discuss future plans for the podcast, including upcoming episodes of the Smugshot series and the Jinx Too podcast.
Podcast Announcements
This Chapter features announcements about the podcast's Facebook group and upcoming Drag Bingo event. The podcasters encourage listeners to join the Facebook group and attend the Drag Bingo event.
Upcoming Episodes
This Chapter provides information about upcoming episodes on the regular feed, including Jennifer's recent recording and the upcoming episodes of Quiet on Set and The Jinx Too.
Keywords
Candace Clark
Candace Clark is the central figure in this episode. She is a woman who created a fake government job as the Director of Special Investigations in Illinois and used her position to scam numerous people, including her friends and colleagues. She orchestrated elaborate events with hired actors to maintain the illusion of her authority. Her scheme was eventually exposed, leading to her arrest and conviction.
Smugshot
Smugshot is a podcast series that investigates corruption and wrongdoing. This episode is the second episode of the series and focuses on the story of Candace Clark.
Director of Special Investigations
This is the fake government position that Candace Clark created. She used this title to gain trust and exploit vulnerable individuals. The episode reveals that this position does not exist in the Illinois government.
Chicago
Chicago is the city where Candace Clark's scam took place. The episode explores the city's reputation for corruption and the impact of Candace's actions on the community.
Government Shutdown
The episode mentions a government shutdown that occurred in 2019. This shutdown played a role in delaying payments to individuals who worked on Candace's events, contributing to the suspicion surrounding her activities.
Comptroller
The Comptroller is an elected official in Illinois who oversees the state's finances. The Comptroller's office played a crucial role in exposing Candace Clark's scam.
Fraud
Candace Clark's actions are described as fraudulent. She used deception and false pretenses to gain money and resources from others.
Serial Scammer
The episode reveals that Candace Clark has a history of scamming people. She has been evicted from numerous homes and has a pattern of exploiting others for financial gain.
Miss Teen Illinois
Candace Clark falsely claimed to be Miss Teen Illinois. This is another example of her tendency to fabricate her identity and accomplishments.
Darlene
Darlene is a character mentioned in the episode who is a victim of Candace Clark's scam. She expresses her hatred for Candace and believes that God will handle her.
Q&A
What was Candace Clark's scam?
Candace Clark created a fake government job as the Director of Special Investigations in Illinois. She used this position to gain trust and exploit vulnerable individuals, including single mothers and community organizers. She orchestrated elaborate events with hired actors to maintain the illusion of her authority.
How was Candace Clark's scam exposed?
A concerned neighbor contacted the Comptroller's office, leading to an investigation that uncovered Candace's deception. The Comptroller's office confirmed that the position Candace claimed to hold did not exist in the Illinois government.
What was the impact of Candace Clark's scam on her victims?
Candace's victims experienced financial hardship and emotional distress due to her betrayal. They lost money, time, and trust in a person they believed was helping them.
What happened to Candace Clark after she was arrested?
Candace Clark was charged with multiple felonies and served six months in prison before being released on parole.
What lessons can be learned from Candace Clark's story?
The episode highlights the importance of being cautious when dealing with individuals claiming to have authority, especially in government settings. It also emphasizes the need to verify information and be aware of potential scams.
What role did the Comptroller's office play in exposing Candace Clark's scam?
The Comptroller's office played a crucial role in exposing Candace Clark's scam. A concerned neighbor contacted the Comptroller's office, leading to an investigation that uncovered her deception. The Comptroller's office confirmed that the position Candace claimed to hold did not exist in the Illinois government.
What was the motivation behind Candace Clark's scam?
The episode suggests that Candace Clark's motivation was to gain financial and social capital. She used her fake position to exploit vulnerable individuals and create the illusion of success and influence.
What was the outcome of Candace Clark's legal proceedings?
Candace Clark was charged with multiple felonies and served six months in prison before being released on parole.
What is the significance of the government shutdown in this story?
The government shutdown played a role in delaying payments to individuals who worked on Candace's events, contributing to the suspicion surrounding her activities. The shutdown also created an environment where it was easier for Candace to exploit people's trust and vulnerability.
What is the message of this episode?
The episode serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of deception and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions. It also highlights the complexities of navigating government systems and the challenges of protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
Show Notes
FAM!! COME TO A MEETUP IN YOUR CITY!! Patrick is coming to town to get the TCO Fam together and you should come hang out!! RSVP HERE AND LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED
LOOKING FOR MORE TCO? On our Patreon feed, you'll find over 400 FULL AD-FREE BONUS episodes to BINGE RIGHT NOW, including our episode-by-episode coverage of popular documentary series like Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God, LulaRich, and The Curious Case of Natalia Grace; classics like The Jinx, Making A Murderer, and The Staircase; and well-known cases like The Menendez Murders, The Murder of Laci Peterson, Casey Anthony: American Murder Mystery, and The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann, and so many more!
Table of contents
United States
Wild!