Show Notes
David Bloom is a silver-haired father figure type. He quickly develops a close bond with Caroline after moving into her storied Hollywood apartment complex. He presents himself as a real titan of industry and very, very wealthy. Caroline is strapped for cash so David offers her an investment opportunity she can't pass up. He also offers to help get Caroline's organic Pizza Girl sauce onto the shelves of Whole Foods supermarkets across the country. After all, he says he's good friends with the CEO. So Caroline and her business partners fly out to Texas with plans to meet the CEO and secure a life-changing deal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from Once Upon A Con
Two years after her own experience, Caroline meets another one of David Bloom's victims. Sean Kushner was a sleep-deprived, new father who was promised a house in a trust, luxury trips, and even a meeting with the President. The impact from the experience is significant, and ultimately leads Sean to refocus on what truly matters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Caroline speaks at a press conference with CA District Attorney George Gascon after David Bloom is charged with 18 felonies. Caroline and L.A. Times writer James Queally discuss everything about the case, from how slow the process is to what a possible plea bargain could be. Caroline and James hope their publicization of Bloom’s crimes puts an end to his trail of deception. But will this con artist ever change? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
David Bloom, forcefully accompanied by a group of his victims, goes to the bank to retrieve a fraction of what he owes. Despite bilking hundreds of thousands of dollars from his friends and neighbors, David only manages to come up with $20,000 to partially pay them all back. Police are called, and David gets arrested. But he quickly makes bail and is released from custody. And to everyone's surprise: David is not charged with any crime. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Caroline and a group of David Bloom’s most recent victims knock on his apartment door. He greets them, with an egregiously calm demeanor. There's yelling, there's crying. Caroline unloads all the pain and fury she's been harboring against the man she once considered a mentor and friend. David is soft-spoken and apologetic, and claims the accusations have all been a misunderstanding. He promises to return everyone's money. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Caroline is shocked to learn that not only was she scammed by David Bloom, but many of her neighbors in their apartment building were also ripped off by the con man. Nearly out of funds and desperate to find answers, Caroline organizes for a group of David's victims to come together and confront the "Wall Street Whiz Kid." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.