
Serious Trouble
An irreverent podcast about the law from Josh Barro and Ken White. www.serioustrouble.show
Latest episodes

Sep 30, 2024 • 38min
To Be On Safe Side, Please Delete All Messages You Send Me
In this engaging discussion, New York Mayor Eric Adams, who faces allegations of accepting illicit benefits, dives into the scandal surrounding his office. The conversation unveils eyebrow-raising claims about receiving lavish upgrades from Turkish Airlines and potential foreign interference in American politics. The hosts cleverly contrast these serious legal issues with lighter anecdotes, while also examining the broader implications of such controversies on democracy and political corruption.

Sep 26, 2024 • 24min
Superseding Indictment
Ryan Wesley Routh, facing charges for an assassination attempt on a presidential candidate, shares his gripping story. The discussion dives into the complexities of proving intent, even with a revealing note. Legal frameworks surrounding threats against candidates are dissected, revealing the high stakes of such cases. The episode also highlights Caroline Ellison's lenient sentencing amid FTX fallout, alongside updates on Donald Trump's legal woes and the controversies surrounding immigrant comments in Ohio. It's a whirlwind of current events and legal challenges!

Sep 20, 2024 • 34min
RICO Freak-Off (feat. Sean 'Puffy' Combs)
Sean 'Puffy' Combs, a high-profile music mogul, faces serious allegations as the alleged leader of 'Combs Enterprise' involved in illicit activities. He discusses the shocking charges of racketeering and the implications of the RICO Act in the music industry, particularly surrounding coercion and exploitation. The podcast also covers the intriguing case of a man threatening a presidential candidate, and delves into the complexities of defamation laws involving political figures and the fallout from controversial statements.

Sep 13, 2024 • 24min
Reversible Error
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.serioustrouble.showJosh and Ken discuss developments in the Data Colada-Francesca Gino-Harvard case, Sarah Palin's defamation case against the New York Times (for free subscribers), and (for paying subscribers) the different philosophies the judges have about how the presidential election should affect the scheduling of the Trump criminal cases they preside over.Plus: Hunter Biden's Alford plea, the Tenet Media FARA case and whether it’s okay to be an unregistered foreign agent if you’re the agent of a Belgian, and a pre-indictment preview of the serious trouble that awaits New York Mayor Eric Adams and many of his aides.Visit serioustrouble.show to become a paying subscriber and to find a transcript of this episode.

Sep 6, 2024 • 42min
One Weird Trick
You probably saw the moronic TikTok trend in which check fraud became trendy and was rebranded as a “glitch” that allowed you to get large amounts of money out of any Chase ATM, even if you had little cash in your account. It’s federally illegal, it’s illegal in every state, and “I saw it on TikTok” isn’t a defense. Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean every one of these cases will be interesting to prosecutors.Speaking of stupid criminals: Jacob Wohl and his sidekick Jack Burkman are back in the news; Russians are indicted over a scheme to pay right-wing influencers; Trump tries (again) to get his hush money prosecution removed to federal court, but is still unlikely to succeed.Visit serioustrouble.show to find a transcript of this episode and to sign up for our newsletter. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.serioustrouble.show/subscribe

Aug 30, 2024 • 25min
Take Two
Jack Smith, known for his high-profile federal prosecutions involving political figures, dives into the complexities of his cases against Donald Trump. He discusses a significant new indictment that alters charges related to presidential acts during the 2020 election. The conversation also tackles Arizona's anti-SLAPP laws surrounding fake electors and highlights Tom Girardi's recent conviction for client theft. Additionally, Smith breaks down the legal ramifications of censorship and potential challenges against a controversial judge's ruling.

Aug 22, 2024 • 41min
Oh, You!
George Santos's legal saga takes center stage as he pleads guilty and braces for prison time, igniting a fierce discussion about his bold marketing tactics amidst the allegations. The podcast dives into a contentious wrongful death lawsuit against Disney, highlighting the murky waters of arbitration clauses. It also unpacks chilling news about Matthew Perry's associates facing indictment linked to his tragic death. Lastly, a D.C. Council member's bribery case unveils alarming parallels to past political scandals, underscoring community distrust.

Aug 15, 2024 • 47min
Hacks
Elon Musk, the visionary CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, tackles antitrust issues as he sues advertisers for boycotting Twitter. Alongside him, Donald Trump, the 45th President, discusses his potential legal actions against the FBI over the Mar-a-Lago raid. The conversation dives into the intersection of media ethics and political satire, questioning the lines of defamation. The chaos of the Young Thug trial is also unpacked, showcasing the ongoing turmoil in the judicial system. It's a wild ride through contemporary legal controversies!

Aug 8, 2024 • 47min
Hot Hot Scheduling Action
The Supreme Court's recent ruling on presidential immunity creates a labyrinth of legal challenges for Trump, complicating cases across the country. Discussions also dive into Senator Bob Menendez's bribery conviction and the implications for his future. Intriguingly, the QAnon Shaman successfully battles for his headdress post-January 6th. Plus, controversial allegations of bribery linked to Egypt raise eyebrows, showcasing the blurred lines in foreign policy narratives. It's a wild ride through legal intricacies and political drama!

7 snips
Jul 29, 2024 • 36min
Defamation Claims
Hunter Biden, embroiled in defamation lawsuits, shares insights on his legal battles and Aileen Cannon's favorable rulings that he hopes to leverage. Aileen Cannon, a judge known for her influential decisions, is discussed alongside the implications of high-profile defamation claims. Former FBI employees Lisa Page and Peter Strzok dive into their unsettled issues with privacy violations. The episode also sheds light on Judge Arthur Engoron, facing scrutiny in the Trump case, underlining the complex intersection of law and media.