In this episode of the
podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Jerri Williams, a former FBI special agent turned bestselling author and podcaster. With 26 years in the Bureau, Jerri specialized in major economic fraud investigations, uncovering schemes where “with a gun, they can steal hundreds, but with a lie, they can steal millions.” Now retired, she’s using her real-world experiences to tell compelling crime stories and debunk common FBI myths.
Jerri is the host of the popular podcast
FBI Retired Case File Review, which has over 10 million downloads. On the show, she interviews retired agents about high-profile cases, offering listeners an authentic look at the FBI. Her expertise also extends to her book,
FBI Myths and Misconceptions: A Manual for Armchair Detectives, where she breaks down 20 common clichés about the Bureau found in books, TV, and movies.
In addition to her nonfiction work, Jerri writes crime fiction, including the novels
Pay to Play and
Greedy Givers. Her stories feature FBI agent Kari Wheeler, a flawed but relatable investigator balancing family life and dangerous cases. Her books are must-reads for fans of authentic crime fiction.
During this episode, we discuss Jerri’s fascinating career, her transition to writing and podcasting, and her advice for aspiring authors.
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Show Notes & Resources
Summary:
* Episode 213 features Jerri Williams, a former FBI agent with 26 years of experience in economic fraud investigations.
* Jerri Williams transitioned into writing crime fiction, podcasting, and consulting for TV networks after retiring.
* Her podcast, “
FBI Retired Case File Review,” features interviews with retired FBI agents and has over 10 million downloads.
* Jerri authored “FBI Myths and Misconceptions,” a guide debunking common clichés about the FBI, and two crime novels.
* Her career faced challenges as she was among the first Black female agents in the FBI during a male-dominated era.
* Williams discusses the difficulty and fascination of fraud cases, particularly a $350 million Ponzi scheme she investigated.
* Her writing process involves outlining and using Scrivener, and she is currently working on new crime fiction.
* She consults for TV networks to ensure accurate FBI portrayals, working on shows like “
Class of ’09” and “
Duster.”
* Jerri Williams encourages aspiring writers to trust their work but seek...