This Woman Was Different

As the sex and money starts to flow at the truck stops, pimps and working girls unexpectedly find the type of love that can only end in heartbreak. Meanwhile, Rodney settles in to his new home and searches for a big story. Frankie Jones gives insight into the character of Danville.   Written and hosted by Lindsay Byron - goodtimesbadgirls.com   Music and sound design by Guy Kelly - guykelly.com   CAST: Defense Attorney Rosenberg - Sean Rhodes Prosecutor - Ben Bowlin Thomas Barker - Chandler Mays Harold Wayne Dowdy - Joe McCormick Janet Barker - Anney Reese Newscaster - Lauren Vogelbaum   SOURCES: All courtroom scenes come from The United States VS Joseph Whitehead, Landon Wayne Holley, and Aubrey Henderson trial. These transcripts are located in the National Archives in Philadelphia. The cold open statement that it “takes two people to make a prostitute” comes from William Rosenberger’s opening statements of the 1977 Federal RICO trial of the Big Six. The first-hand accounts from Rodney Smith come from an interview I conducted with him on January 26th, 2022.  The first-hand accounts from Frankie Jones come from an interview I conducted with him in June 2022. The courtroom exchange detailing the nature of Tommy and Janet’s relationship comes from the direct examination of Thomas Barker by US Prosecuting Attorney Robert Stubbs on Dec 12th, 1977. The courtroom exchange preceding the scene of Harold Wayne and Robin’s first meeting comes from the cross examination of Harold Wayne Dowdy by William Rosenberger on Dec 14th, 1977. The courtroom statement about interstate prostitution was said by US Prosecuting Atty Robert Stubbs in his opening statement of the 1977 Federal RICO trial of the Big Six. The courtroom exchange discussing whether or not Janet gave massages comes from the direct examination of  Janet Barker by US Prosecuting Attorney Stubbs on December 9th, 1977. The above court transcripts are located in the National Archives in Philadelphia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Truck-stop brothels run by a web of ex-cons… a commonwealth attorney wasted on whiskey and power… protection exchanged for cash and flesh… a brash local reporter exposing it all… This is HOOKERGATE: Criminals and Libertines in the South. I am your host, Dr. Lindsay Byron, author, historian, and lifelong wayward woman—and this forgotten scandal happened in my hometown. Join me as I use crumbling news clippings, interviews, and dramatic re-enactments to bring to life for the first time in nearly 50 years this wild ride of hedonistic corruption.