Hookergate: Criminals and Libertines in the South
Hookergate: Criminals and Libertines in the South

Hookergate: Criminals and Libertines in the South

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Truck-stop brothels run by a web of ex-cons… a commonwealth attorney wasted on whiskey and power… protection exchanged for cash and flesh… a brash local reporter exposing it all… This is HOOKERGATE: Criminals and Libertines in the South. I am your host, Dr. Lindsay Byron, author, historian, and lifelong wayward woman—and this forgotten scandal happened in my hometown. Join me as I use crumbling news clippings, interviews, and dramatic re-enactments to bring to life for the first time in nearly 50 years this wild ride of hedonistic corruption. 

Recent Episodes

The Storm
MAY 14, 2024
The Storm

Tragedy strikes as the feds move in and the working girls rush out. Joe Whitehead is desperate for help, but doesn’t anticipate Robin’s next move. Rodney reflects on his journalistic triumph until everything suddenly changes.

 

Written and hosted by Lindsay Byron - goodtimesbadgirls.com

 

Music and sound design by Guy Kelly - guykelly.com

 

CAST:

Newscaster - Lauren Vogelbaum

Defense Attorney Rosenberger - Sean Rhodes

Janet Barker - Anney Reese

Prosecutor - Ben Bowlin

Robin Dowdy - Sam McVey 

 

SOURCES:

All courtroom scenes come from The United States VS Joseph Whitehead, Landon Wayne Holley, and Aubrey Henderson trial. These transcripts are located in the National Archives in Philadelphia.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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35 MIN
Threats
MAY 7, 2024
Threats

Joe Whitehead is enraged by recent events and makes brazen threats to Moss and Rodney. Rodney has an incredible opportunity to learn everything about the case, but he won’t be able to print a word. 

 

Written and hosted by Lindsay Byron - goodtimesbadgirls.com

 

Music and sound design by Guy Kelly - guykelly.com

 

CAST:

Newscaster - Lauren Vogelbaum

Prosecutor - Ben Bowlin

Deputy Moss - Ramsey Yount

 

SOURCES:

The first-hand accounts from Frankie Jones come from an interview I conducted with him in June 2022.

The newscast detailing Whitehead’s ill-fated visit to the Sheriff’s office comes from the 1977 Grand Jury report indicting Whitehead, Holley, Henderson, Boyd, Dowdy, and Barker (“The Big Six”) on Federal RICO charges. 

The first-hand accounts from Rodney Smith come from an interview I conducted with him on January 26th, 2022. 

The courtroom exchange in which Moss details harassment from Whitehead comes from US Prosecuting Attorney Robert Amidon’s direct examination of Deputy Sheriff B.H. Moss on December 5, 1977.  

The newscast describing Whitehead’s harassment of Rodney Smith comes from the 1977 Grand Jury report.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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33 MIN
Swarm of Bees
APR 30, 2024
Swarm of Bees

The out of town builders return to the truck stop to finish what they started. Janet and Tommy are filled with regret as the truck stop operations get flipped upside down.

 

Written and hosted by Lindsay Byron - goodtimesbadgirls.com

 

Music and sound design by Guy Kelly - guykelly.com

 

CAST:

Prosecutor - Ben Bowlin

Officer Turner - Ramsey Yount

 

SOURCES:

The opening courtroom exchange is from the December 6 1977 direct examination of US State Trooper Raymond Paul Turner Jr by US Prosecuting Attorney Robert Amidon.

This and all courtroom scenes come from The United States VS Joseph Whitehead, Landon Wayne Holley, and Aubrey Henderson trial trial trial. These transcripts are located in the National Archives in Philadelphia.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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31 MIN