Sometimes it's not enough to cheat people out of money, spend the ill-gotten gains, and try to kidnap one's own son. If a fella really wants to be the "best hated" guy in the US, he's gotta bankrupt an American hero. And that's exactly what Ferd Ward did.

Sometimes it's not enough to cheat people out of money, spend the ill-gotten gains, and try to kidnap one's own son. If a fella really wants to be the "best hated" guy in the US, he's gotta bankrupt an American hero. And that's exactly what Ferd Ward did.

True Crime is more than blood, guts, mayhem, and murder. Zaron Burnett and Elizabeth Dutton share outlandish tales of capers, heists, and cons that shine a light on the absurd and outrageous side of criminality. Always 99% murder-free and 100% ridiculous, this is Ridiculous Crime, a podcast by iHeartRadio.

Ridiculous Crime

The Best Hated Man in the United States: Ferdinand Ward

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/519d5ca9-acce-4c71-bdb9-b0d700ef6205/transcript

London in the late 1600s was a little chaotic. So it only makes sense that an agent of chaos like Mary Carleton would become famous for her crimes. Crimes like repeated bigamy and stealing pants in the night. An audacious woman determined to chart her own path, she wrote her own pamphlets like some olden times Riot Grrrl and made herself a witness to history along the way. 

London in the late 1600s was a little chaotic. So it only makes sense that an agent of chaos like Mary Carleton would become famous for her crimes. Crimes like repeated bigamy and stealing pants in the night. An audacious woman determined to chart her own path, she wrote her own pamphlets like some olden times Riot Grrrl and made herself a witness to history along the way.&nbsp;

Early Riot Grrrl: Mary Carleton

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a0298383-a072-4ec4-a196-b426013c8375/transcript

Whether we're talking the hand of Mary Magdalene, the Skull of St. Foy, the Bones of St. Mark, in the Dark Ages holy relics were ripe for the taking. Thieving monks, conspiring bishops and rebel princesses all went to outrageous lengths to secure the blessings of the bones and body parts of the saints. Sometimes crime requires a little faith. 

Whether we're talking the hand of Mary Magdalene, the Skull of St. Foy, the Bones of St. Mark, in the Dark Ages holy relics were ripe for the taking. Thieving monks, conspiring bishops and rebel princesses all went to outrageous lengths to secure the blessings of the bones and body parts of the saints. Sometimes crime requires a little faith.&nbsp;

Let's Get Medieval: Holy Relics Theft

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7c7ba813-67d7-4fa4-8d81-b424014021c1/transcript

Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages! Step right up! Witness the amazing circus con, promising a menagerie that will never appear! Be amazed by the daring moves of the corporate scoundrel, stealing from a non-profit show! Stare in awe as a low down fraudster tries to pull a fast one on a small town, only to have the tables magically turned! Behold! The ridiculous and criminal side of the big top!

Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages! Step right up! Witness the amazing circus con, promising a menagerie that will never appear! Be amazed by the daring moves of the corporate scoundrel, stealing from a non-profit show! Stare in awe as a low down fraudster tries to pull a fast one on a small town, only to have the tables magically turned! Behold! The ridiculous and criminal side of the big top!

High Daddies, Hot Tents, and Suckers: Circus Crimes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8615db0e-0dee-4ce9-9db3-b41f01625918/transcript

The Best Hated Man in the United States: Ferdinand Ward

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