4: Friends in High Places

Bonus Ep 2: The Order

Jul 7, 202635 minSummary

In this bonus episode of Kingdom of Fraud, host Michelle McPhee explores the experiences of women within the Order, a secretive polygamous sect. McPhee travels to a Salt Lake City suburb with Amanda Grant and Priscilla Tucker, two women who escaped the group, to revisit the sites of their former lives. The episode sheds light on the restrictive environment they endured, including mandatory recitations of memory gems, the submissive roles women were forced to play, and the system of arranged marriages often masked as heavenly direction. The discussion delves into the Order’s internal economy, where members provide labor for unmarked, sect-owned businesses and utilize an internal credit system rather than traditional wages. The guests describe the psychological toll of being raised in such an insular community, where personal agency is nonexistent and status is determined by a mysterious numbering system. Through their personal accounts, Amanda and Priscilla reveal the immense bravery required to leave everything behind, including their families. Today, both women serve as advocates for those still trapped, working to expose the group’s practices and supporting others in their journey toward freedom and healing.

Bonus Ep 1: The Umbrella of Protection

Jun 30, 202636 minSummary

In this bonus episode of Kingdom of Fraud, the hosts explore the disturbing web of corruption surrounding the half-billion-dollar fraud case involving Jacob Kingston and Levon Termendzhyan. The discussion centers on the so-called umbrella of protection, a network of law enforcement officials who traded their badges and integrity for bribes, luxury gifts, and personal favors. The hosts, joined by producer Jake Otayevich, detail how figures like FBI agent Babak Bromand and Glendale police detective John Ballian became entrenched in Levon’s inner circle. Through the testimony of Edgar Sargesian—Levon’s right-hand man—the episode reveals a gritty reality where public servants were essentially on the payroll of organized crime figures. From FBI database queries used to shield targets to allegations of high-level interference and even a brazen drive-by shooting plot, the episode highlights how easily institutional power was weaponized for private gain. By unraveling these shifting, fragile alliances, the hosts expose how deep-seated greed and a desire for status transformed trusted officers into active participants in a sprawling criminal enterprise, ultimately leaving the public interest compromised.

7: Final Call

Jun 23, 202647 minSummary

In this episode of Kingdom of Fraud, the narrative reaches a breaking point as federal agents execute a high-stakes plan to capture Jacob Kingston and his associate, Levon Termendzhyan. Following intelligence that Jacob planned to flee to Turkey, agents coordinate a tense operation to apprehend him at the Salt Lake City airport just as he attempts to board his flight. Simultaneously, investigators orchestrate a clever ruse to lure the elusive Levon into an IRS building in Los Angeles, where he is successfully taken into custody. The podcast explores the unraveling of the conspiracy, detailing the internal conflict that erupts between the two men while they are held in a shared holding cell. With their web of protection crumbling, the legal team focuses on securing a cooperation deal with Jacob. The episode highlights the psychological weight of this transition as Jacob, once a key architect of the billion-dollar biofuel fraud, prepares to testify against his former ally. By documenting the breakdown of their alliance and the systemic corruption involved, the hosts provide a compelling look at the climax of this massive federal investigation.

6: Strip Search

Jun 16, 202637 minSummary

In this episode of Kingdom of Fraud, titled Strip Search, the investigation into the Kingston family’s vast business empire intensifies as federal agents attempt to unravel a complex web of biodiesel fraud. The narrative centers on a series of frantic raids on the offices and homes associated with Washakie Renewable Energy, where investigators search for incriminating evidence against Jacob Kingston. While the initial scene reveals a frantic attempt by the family to scrub records and hide incriminating documents, federal agents discover a hidden backup server that provides a wealth of data for the investigation. The episode tracks the efforts of a dedicated federal team, led by IRS Special Agent Tyler Hatcher, as they navigate the complexities of organized crime tactics within the organization. A critical turning point occurs when an inside source, Daryl, begins cooperating with the government, providing key insights into how the fraud was orchestrated. Agents soon uncover a shadowy figure, Levon, who appears to be the true puppet master behind the operation. By meticulously tracing massive financial flows through Turkey and back to California, the team begins to build a case that extends far beyond simple fuel fraud, revealing a scheme of staggering proportions.

5: Who Do You Trust?

Jun 9, 202636 minSummary

In the fifth episode of Kingdom of Fraud, titled Who Do You Trust?, the investigation into a massive biofuel tax credit scheme intensifies as federal authorities close in on the perpetrators, Jacob Kingston and his associate Levon. The episode shifts between the perspectives of those operating the fraud and those witnessing its inner workings. The narrative explores the growing paranoia within the Kingston group as the Environmental Protection Agency launches a criminal investigation. As the pressure mounts, the logistical mastermind behind the operation, Darryl Leone, finds his life threatened by Levon, who questions his loyalty. Simultaneously, the podcast introduces Priscilla Tucker, a young woman who escaped the secretive group known as the Order. Recruited by Jacob at seventeen to help manipulate tax documents, Priscilla gains an inside look at the scale of the fraud before eventually fleeing to cooperate with the IRS. Her account provides critical evidence, revealing a pattern of corporate malfeasance and staggering financial theft. Through interviews and investigative reporting, the episode underscores the high-stakes risks of the scheme and the dangerous consequences for those caught in the web of deception.

3: The Boys

May 26, 202631 minSummary

In the third episode of Kingdom of Fraud, titled The Boys, host Michelle McPhee delves into the enigmatic and feared figure of Levon Termenzian, known to many as The Lion. Investigating his background in Glendale, California, McPhee uncovers a complex persona defined by both immense charisma and an undercurrent of intimidation. The episode explores Levon’s rise from an Armenian immigrant to a successful gas station magnate, contrasted against a history of criminal accusations and acquittals. A significant focus of the episode is the deep-seated corruption surrounding Levon, specifically his claim of having an umbrella of protection provided by a network of compromised law enforcement officials. Jacob Kingston, facing intense scrutiny from the IRS and EPA, finds himself pulled into this dangerous world as Levon leverages his connections to allegedly influence federal investigations. Through court testimonies and depositions, the episode reveals how Levon surrounded himself with high-ranking officers and agents, creating a sense of total impunity for his business operations. As the narrative unfolds, the scale of the fraud escalates, transforming from a tax scheme into a far-reaching game of power and global influence.

1: Jacob's Ladder

May 12, 202644 minSummary

In the premiere episode of Kingdom of Fraud, investigative reporter Michele McPhee journeys to Salt Lake City to unravel the complex origins of Jacob Kingston. Raised as one of over a hundred children within an insular polygamist sect known as The Order, Jacob spent his early years driven by a desperate need to prove his worth to his family. This ambition led him to launch a high-stakes business venture that eventually spiraled into a world of illicit activity. Listeners will follow McPhee as she reconstructs Jacob’s formative years, examining the psychological and social factors that paved the way for his fateful encounter with a powerful Armenian oil tycoon known as The Lion. This episode sets the stage for a gripping exploration of how a life rooted in religious seclusion transformed into a massive criminal operation with global consequences.

Introducing: Kingdom Of Fraud

May 5, 20262 minSummary

In this introductory episode of Kingdom of Fraud, investigative reporter Michele McPhee unveils an improbable and high-stakes criminal alliance between a devout polygamist from a secluded Utah sect and a shadowy Armenian tycoon from Los Angeles. This partnership spiraled into a billion-dollar tax fraud conspiracy, triggering the most extensive tax investigation in American history. Listeners will follow the complex trail of this operation, which involved transnational money laundering, corrupt law enforcement, and deep political ties. The narrative is anchored by Jacob Kingston’s desperate pursuit of status within The Order, a powerful polygamist organization based in Salt Lake City. Through expert storytelling and investigative depth, the series explores how these two men constructed a dangerous web of deceit, ultimately exposing the inner workings of a massive financial crime that reached from the heart of Utah to international borders.