Thread by @Michael_Rubino

In the tradition of swindlers coming to the Midwest to slick-talk the "hicks" out of their money, I present this #longreads story from me, @SpaldingJulia, and @derek_j_rob: indianapolismonthly.com/longform/half-…

Huge thanks to those who helped us tell this story. Many of our sources signed confidentiality agreements but talked to us anyway because they felt it was important for people to know who Rebecca Raffle is. I hope readers get an idea, but you can never be sure.

Yesterday, someone basically said to me, 'What's the big deal?' Well, a lot of people got waylaid. Rebecca, our slick-talker, promised to be a champion for the very people she ended up hurting. Members of the LGBTQ+ family. Working moms. People in her religious circle. Etc.

These people trusted her. Made themselves vulnerable to her. BELIEVED in her. And she allegedly stole from them. It wasn't just money, either. Several former employees sought mental counseling after working for her, while others admitted they probably needed as much.

Stacy Franco was a baker who went into business w/ Rebecca for a short period. Stacy told us that she and her wife poured their savings into opening a bakery. After the deal went sour (details in the story), they lost everything. For Stacy, that included the desire to bake.

She told me she couldn't even bring herself to make her daughter a birthday cake last year. That really got me. And there wasn't just one story like this—there were many. Rebecca robbed people of their peace of mind, their confidence, their dreams.

Per our sources, she also sold products with THC out of her bakery. Which is cool if you like that. (Legalize!) But, what if you don't or aren't expecting that? What if you were sober and just wanted some CBD? What if you were operating a car or just, you know, operating?

Today I received a DM from someone who got more than they bargained for when they ate some "CBD" gummies from Rebecca's bakery. Their reaction to the drug was so violent that they considered seeking medical attention.

"About two hours after consuming I got really high, and not a good high. Then I got violently sick. I vomited about 10-15 times. I could barely walk or stand up. [REDACTED] had to help me from the bathroom to the bed. I wondered if I should go to a hospital."

"I wondered if I was dying. I stayed in bed the entire next day, my stomach and system completely wrecked."

What kind of person does that to someone else? Knowingly puts them in that position?

Obviously, it's up to others to determine if any crimes were committed during this whole affair. Sources have told us that at least one investigation is underway. My guess is that others will follow.

Our journey through this story was most unpredictable—except at the end when Rebecca came in to answer our questions. I'll keep it overly legalistic here and say I don't think she was being quite honest with us. But nor was she with anyone else.