The Unknown Podcast - Episode 19

The Unknown Podcast, Episode 19: Media Manipulation, Political Pardons, and the Corrupt System of Family Courts
In the latest installment of The Unknown Podcast, investigative journalist Michael Volpe and commentator Richard Luthmann dive deep into media bias, political corruption, high-profile pardons, and the systemic failures of the U.S. family court system. This episode is packed with hard-hitting analysis, sharp critiques, and in-depth discussions on current events.

Fake News and the Media’s Smear Tactics
Michael Volpe opens the show by introducing a new segment aimed at exposing media bias, particularly the mainstream media’s attacks on Trump appointees. The first target is The New York Times, which recently ran a piece questioning the credentials of Kash Patel, a former counterterrorism prosecutor who has positioned himself as a key figure in the Benghazi investigation.

The Times piece, citing anonymous sources, alleges that Patel exaggerated his role and was, at best, a glorified assistant. Volpe and Luthmann dissect the credibility of the claims, with Luthmann calling out The New York Times as the “biggest purveyor of fake news.” He questions the legitimacy of unnamed sources and suggests that the article serves as an example of a calculated smear campaign against Trump allies.

Luthmann argues that the FBI and DOJ under the Obama administration deliberately stepped aside, leaving Patel to handle the investigation to serve as a scapegoat in case Hillary Clinton became president. The hosts disagree on whether Patel is exaggerating his role, but they both agree that the Times article is misleading, reinforcing a broader theme of media manipulation.

Diddy’s Dark Past: New Allegations of Sexual Assault
The episode then pivots to an explosive topic: the ongoing allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs. Volpe revisits previous allegations and scrutinizes a new lawsuit in which a male accuser claims Diddy drugged and assaulted him. The allegations eerily resemble other accusations against Combs, where victims report being drugged and sodomized.

Luthmann compares Diddy’s alleged actions to those of Bill Cosby, calling it a textbook case of date rape tactics. The discussion highlights multiple lawsuits with similar claims, adding credibility to the accusations against Diddy. However, Luthmann remains skeptical of certain claims, pointing out that some allegations could be fabricated or exaggerated.

Volpe, while acknowledging potential inconsistencies, notes that the sheer volume of allegations with similar patterns suggests there is some truth to the accusations. They conclude that while Jay-Z was likely unfairly smeared in a separate case, Diddy’s long history of accusations paints a disturbing picture of serial abuse.

Biden’s Controversial Pardons: Freeing Criminals with Political Ties
Next, Volpe and Luthmann discuss President Joe Biden’s recent pardons and commutations, including a particularly egregious case—the commutation of former Judge Michael Conahan, one of the key figures in the notorious “Kids for Cash” scandal. Conahan, along with another judge, was convicted of taking millions in bribes to send children to for-profit juvenile detention centers. Some of these kids committed suicide, and countless others had their lives ruined by the scheme.

Luthmann calls the commutation “far worse than Gerald Ford’s pardon of Nixon,” arguing that Conahan’s actions were among the most despicable in modern judicial history. Volpe agrees, emphasizing that Biden’s decision to commute his sentence is indefensible and should be a major scandal.

In addition, they discuss Biden’s pardon of a corrupt former mayor from Illinois who embezzled funds from a small town. The hosts speculate that Biden’s actions are politically motivated, potentially designed to protect Democratic operatives and contributors.

The Syrian Shake-Up: Hope or More of the Same?
Shifting gears to international affairs, Volpe provides an update on the situation in Syria following the recent power transition. He reads from an article praising the new Syrian leader’s approach, noting that he has taken a surprisingly diplomatic stance, particularly regarding Israel. Unlike Bashar al-Assad, the new leader appears to favor diplomacy over war.

Luthmann is skeptical, arguing that the new leader is simply adopting a strategic approach akin to Yasser Arafat’s deceptive peace gestures. He asserts that Israel should take a hardline stance, suggesting that if necessary, military action would be justified. The discussion reflects the hosts’ differing perspectives on foreign policy, with Volpe urging a wait-and-see approach while Luthmann remains deeply cynical.

Tucker Carlson’s Syria Narrative: Distorting History?
The conversation then turns to Tucker Carlson’s recent interview with a guest who claims that the U.S. instigated the war in Syria and that Assad’s regime was unfairly targeted. Volpe refutes this narrative, citing the case of Fadwa Suleiman, an Alawite actress who risked her life opposing Assad and was forced to flee Syria.

Volpe criticizes Carlson for platforming pseudo-historians who push revisionist narratives. He argues that while the U.S. has made mistakes in the Middle East, Assad’s brutal dictatorship was not a product of American intervention. Luthmann agrees that Carlson should challenge his guests more aggressively but stops short of fully condemning his approach.

Lawyers Behaving Badly: The Scumbag Lawyer of the Week
In a lighter yet equally shocking segment, Volpe introduces the “Scumbag Lawyer of the Week.” This week’s winner is an anonymous attorney who not only had a sexual relationship with his client but also got her pregnant, secretly married her, and continued to represent her in legal matters. The absurdity of the situation prompts laughter from the hosts, with Luthmann jokingly asking, “Is that frowned upon?” in reference to the infamous Seinfeld episode.

Paul Bueing Got Screwed: Selective Prosecution in Free Speech Cases
Volpe revisits the case of Paul Bueing, a Connecticut man imprisoned for social media posts criticizing judges. He contrasts Bueing’s case with two recent examples of left-wing activists making similar or worse statements without facing legal consequences.

One case involves a socialist activist selling T-shirts featuring the faces of CEOs with bullseyes on them. The second case concerns a Connecticut conservative who was convicted of felony threatening for saying there would be “hell to pay” if a teacher displayed LGBT pride colors at a school event. Volpe and Luthmann argue that these cases highlight the selective enforcement of free speech laws, with conservatives facing harsher consequences.

TikTok Doxxer Exposed: The Danesh Noshirvan Controversy
The episode’s most contentious discussion revolves around Danesh Noshirvan, a TikTok activist accused of doxxing Supreme Court justices and harassing private citizens. Luthmann, who has been investigating Noshirvan, reveals that law enforcement is looking into him, with over 100 complaints filed.

Volpe presses Luthmann on the credibility of his sources, pointing out that he previously criticized The New York Times for using anonymous sources. Luthmann defends his reporting, arguing that his sources have firsthand knowledge and that mainstream outlets protect their sources selectively.

The Family Court Racket: How Title IV-D Incentivizes Custody Battles
The episode concludes with an explosive discussion on family court corruption. Guest David Weigel joins the show to discuss how Title IV-D of the Social Security Act financially incentivizes courts to create child support obligations. He argues that the system is designed to maximize revenue rather than serve justice, leading to unjust rulings, wrongful arrests, and financial devastation for non-custodial parents.

Volpe recounts cases of men jailed for unpaid child support, emphasizing how the system monetizes custody disputes. Luthmann introduces the term “designer child trafficking,” describing how courts exploit children for profit. The segment ends with a discussion on how AI and data analytics could expose the system’s corruption.

Final Thoughts
The Unknown Podcast continues to push boundaries with hard-hitting discussions on corruption, media manipulation, and judicial overreach. Episode 19 covers a broad spectrum of issues, from political pardons to the weaponization of family courts, offering a compelling critique of the institutions shaping American life.