What the Los Angeles Times’ Dirty John Podcast Is
Produced by the Los Angeles Times and hosted by former L.A. Times staffer Christopher Goffard, Dirty John is a true-crime podcast that dramatizes the career of manipulative con man Jeremy Glenn. It centers on how Goffard uncovered Jeremy’s pattern of fraud, domestic abuse, and psychological control, most visibly in his relationship with Debra Newell. The series explains who Jeremy was, how he operated, and why his case became a benchmark for public understanding of long-con scams and intimate partner abuse.
Origins and the Reporting Behind the Podcast
Dirty John began as an in-depth investigation for the Los Angeles Times, where Goffard reported on con artists and psychological manipulation. The podcast launched in 2018, combining archival audio, interviews, and on-the-ground reporting to reconstruct Jeremy’s life and methods. The LA Times backing provided editorial resources and reach, helping the series achieve mainstream attention and establish a new model for newspaper-backed podcasts.
A Methodical, Document-Driven Approach
The series relies on court records, victim interviews, personal correspondence, and law-enforcement materials. By layering these sources, Goffard reconstructs timelines of deception, showing how Jeremy targeted vulnerable individuals and evaded accountability. This evidentiary foundation distinguishes Dirty John from rumor-driven true-crime coverage and supports its long-term credibility.
- Court and police records verify key events and dates
- Victim accounts add emotional detail and corroborative patterns
- Public records and digital footprints anchor claims in verifiable data
Impact on True-Crime and Podcast Culture
Dirty John played a notable role in popularizing narrative true-crime podcasts, demonstrating how deeply reported journalism could attract large, engaged audiences. Its success encouraged news organizations, including the Los Angeles Times, to invest in audio storytelling and branded podcasts. The case also prompted broader conversations about domestic abuse tactics, financial fraud, and the ethics of representing victims in serialized formats.
Key Figures and Context in the Story
The central figures include con man Jeremy Glenn, writer-producer Christopher Goffard, and Debra Newell, whose harrowing experience became the narrative anchor. Supporting characters such as family members, law-enforcement contacts, and legal professionals round out the story, showing how a con can persist across multiple relationships and jurisdictions before being exposed.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Con Man’s Name | Jeremy Glenn | Court records, interviews |
| Podcast Host | Christopher Goffard | LA Times staff |
| Primary Victim | Debra Newell | Interviewees, public filings |
| Major Allegations | Fraud, domestic abuse, psychological control | Victim accounts, legal documents |
| Release Year | 2018 | Publication history |
Enduring Relevance and Legacy
Years after its debut, Dirty John remains a reference point in discussions of long cons and coercive relationships. Streaming availability, retrospective articles, and academic discussions continue to draw new listeners. Its blend of careful sourcing and narrative drive set a standard for accountability journalism in podcast form, and its influence can be seen in later series produced by legacy newsrooms.
FAQ
Reader questions
Who produced the Dirty John podcast for the Los Angeles Times?
Christopher Goffard, a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times, produced and hosted the podcast as an extension of the newspaper’s investigative work.
What real-life case does the podcast examine?
The podcast focuses on con artist Jeremy Glenn and his pattern of fraud and domestic abuse, particularly his relationship with Debra Newell, while also linking him to other victims.
Why does Dirty John remain relevant to true-crime audiences?
Its meticulous sourcing, journalistic rigor, and narrative clarity have made it a benchmark for long-form true-crime storytelling, shaping expectations for similar podcasts.