On Background with Susan Crabtree

Government Accountability Institute
  • 4.3 (6)
  • POLITICS

On Background with Susan Crabtree, a Government Accountability Institute podcast, aims to expose corruption and government mismanagement through hard-hitting investigative journalism. Hosted by veteran reporter Susan Crabtree, alongside GAI’s Vice President Eric Eggers, the podcast leverages confidential “on background” insights to uncover truths behind political headlines. 

  1. 2D AGO

    Ep. 23 | Swalwell's Fall, the Corruption Machine & the Law to Silence Journalists

    Eric Swalwell's exit from the California governor's race was abrupt. But according to Susan Crabtree, it was not unexpected.   In this episode of On Background, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers trace the years of rumored misconduct that preceded Swalwell's fall, the political calculation behind his implosion, and what it reveals about access journalism in both California and Washington, D.C. They examine the congressional ethics system, including the slush fund used to quietly settle harassment claims, and why it is structurally incapable of accountability.   They also turn to the race to replace him. Billionaire Tom Steyer has emerged as the Democratic frontrunner, despite admitting he has not been following Gavin Newsom's record and having rolled out a plan that would effectively end immigration detention in California.   Then Crabtree details the story she is currently reporting: the network of immigration nonprofits absorbing billions in taxpayer funds, including money used to shield convicted felons from deportation. In response to that kind of journalism, California legislators have introduced a bill that would fine reporters $10,000 and subject them to jail time for investigating those organizations.   Crabtree also previews a coming investigation into how sexual harassment cases within the California congressional delegation were handled over the years, and who knew what, when.   Follow on X! @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.   Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/@Govt_Acct_Inst

    25 min

  2. APR 9

    Ep. 22 | California's Empire of Fraud

    California's fraud problem is no longer a local story. Federal investigators are now pursuing thousands of cases tied to state-run programs, and Susan Crabtree has been on this story for months.   In this episode of On Background, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers detail the scope of what they call California's empire of fraud. They cover the DOJ's Never Say Die hospice fraud arrests, the collapse of the state's COVID-era unemployment insurance system, and the explosive growth of the In-Home Support Services program, a Medi-Cal sub-program now linked to widespread abuse. They also examine the political infrastructure that allowed the fraud to grow, including officials who were promoted rather than held accountable.   Crabtree previews her next area of investigation: the nonprofit networks she calls the immigration industrial complex, which channels more than a billion dollars toward shielding illegal immigrants, including convicted felons, from deportation.   This episode offers a detailed, sourced look at how California's governing failures have reached a national scale.   Follow on X!   @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.   Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/@Govt_Acct_Inst

    26 min
  3. Ep. 21 | California Debate COLLAPSES Amid Race Fight

    MAR 26

    Ep. 21 | California Debate COLLAPSES Amid Race Fight

    The California governor’s race takes a chaotic turn as a major televised debate collapses under political pressure. In this episode of On Background, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers examine what led to the cancellation and what it reveals about the state of California politics.   They break down the criteria used to select candidates, the backlash from excluded campaigns, and how internal party divisions and race-based disputes shut down a key opportunity for voters to hear directly from those seeking to lead the state.   The episode also dives into Susan’s latest reporting on government spending, including a $114 million wildlife bridge project that has gone over budget and remains unfinished. They compare it to similar projects in other states and examine how taxpayer dollars are being used. In addition, they discuss the crowded Democratic field, the rising momentum of Republican candidates focused on accountability, and the broader issue of fraud and spending tied to state-funded programs.   This episode offers a clear look at leadership, accountability, and the political dynamics shaping California’s future.   Follow on X!    @susancrabtree  @Eric_Eggers  @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.  👉 WATCH HERE👈

    29 min

  4. MAR 5

    Ep. 20 | Iran's Plot to Kill President Trump Gets Exposed

    Iran tried to kill President Trump in 2024 and the threats remained active. In this episode of On Background, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers reveal the assassination plots that came within one day of the Butler shooting.   They explore how the FBI arrested Asif Merchant on July 12th at an Iranian safe house where he discussed Trump rally security details. National security officials warned the Secret Service about Iranian threats two weeks before the July 13th rally. The agency knew about the acute danger weeks in advance.   The discussion covers the funding crisis at the Secret Service. DHS remains unfunded while agents protect over 30 individuals from active Iranian assassination campaigns. The manpower problems that existed before Butler continue. Thousands of Iranian nationals entered through the Biden border. Western hostages remain trapped in Evin prison in Tehran.   Follow on X!  @susancrabtree  @Eric_Eggers  @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.  👉 WATCH HERE👈

    28 min
  5. Ep. 19 | Gavin Newsom's Dyslexia Claim Gets Exposed

    FEB 26

    Ep. 19 | Gavin Newsom's Dyslexia Claim Gets Exposed

    Gavin Newsom stepped on his own book launch this week with contradictory claims about dyslexia that unraveled under basic scrutiny. In this episode of On Background, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers break down the disastrous week that exposed a pattern of lies defining Newsom's political career. They explore how Newsom told voters he cannot read while video shows him bragging about reading quickly. His press team responded to questions with hostility instead of providing documentation. The episode reveals how four powerful San Francisco families handed Newsom his career on a silver platter, from Gordon Getty funding his wine business to Jerry Brown writing college recommendations. The discussion also covers Newsom's fabricated college baseball career at Santa Clara University. Actual players contacted reporters to expose how he spent at most three months on the JV team before any official games. His claims of a career ended by injury mask the reality of stolen athletic valor and privilege. Follow on X! @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.  👉 WATCH HERE👈 On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers is an official podcast production of the Government Accountability Institute.

    29 min
  6. Ep. 18 | The Whistleblowers Who Took Down Hunter Biden

    FEB 20

    Ep. 18 | The Whistleblowers Who Took Down Hunter Biden

    The Hunter Biden investigation became one of the most suppressed stories in American history, but the IRS whistleblowers who exposed the truth are finally telling their side. In this episode of On Background, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers sit down with Tristan Leavitt, President of Empower Oversight, to reveal the two-year saga of bringing Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler's testimony to Congress.   They explore how the Department of Justice systematically obstructed the investigation, why 50% of Biden voters had no idea the laptop story existed before the 2020 election, and how 51 intelligence officials lied about Russian disinformation while the IRS already had the evidence.   The episode also discusses the new documentary "Shielded by Power," which brings together firsthand accounts from the whistleblowers, investigative reporting from Miranda Devine, and the disturbing coordination between Big Tech, mainstream media, and federal agencies to protect the Biden family from accountability.   Follow on X! @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.  👉 WATCH HERE👈   On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers is an official podcast production of the Government Accountability Institute.

    28 min
  7. Ep. 17 | Law Enforcement Under Fire in Nancy Guthrie Investigation

    FEB 19

    Ep. 17 | Law Enforcement Under Fire in Nancy Guthrie Investigation

    The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has gripped the nation, but now serious questions are being raised about how the investigation is being handled. In this episode of On Background, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers take a closer look at the FBI’s role in the case and whether all available resources are truly being deployed. They explore tensions between federal and local law enforcement, the growing controversy surrounding the use of administrative subpoenas, and the powerful influence of media attention in high-profile investigations. The episode also features Susan’s exclusive reporting on Secret Service accountability in the aftermath of Butler, adding another layer to the broader conversation about transparency and leadership in federal law enforcement. Follow on X! @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.    👉 WATCH HERE👈   On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers is an official podcast production of the Government Accountability Institute.

    23 min
  8. Ep. 16 | The Homeless Fraud That Could Sink Gavin Newsom

    FEB 9

    Ep. 16 | The Homeless Fraud That Could Sink Gavin Newsom

    California's homelessness scandal explodes in this episode of On Background, as hosts Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers expose how billions in taxpayer dollars vanished into luxury mansions and campaign coffers. The Shangri-La Industries fraud reveals a system where oversight does not exist and political donations buy silence. The company's 28-year-old CFO embezzled millions for a $46,000 monthly rent on a Beverly Hills mansion, a Bentley, a Ferrari, and diamond necklaces for his girlfriend. The firm claimed $60 million in Bank of America accounts to win state contracts. The money never existed. Nobody checked. Governor Gavin Newsom received $18,000 from the fraudulent operation. He refuses to return the donations or answer questions about a mysterious additional $30,000 that funded his homelessness ballot initiative. LA Mayor Karen Bass now faces her own crisis after the LA Times exposed how she watered down the Palisades fire after-action report to hide city failures. Resources were not prepositioned. Fire trucks were not deployed. Bass was in Ghana when the fires started. The scandal has damaged her so severely that former rival Rick Caruso is reconsidering a mayoral run. JD Vance launches a new task force to investigate California fraud. This sets up a direct confrontation with Newsom ahead of 2028. The vice president's portfolio covers multiple states, but California's corruption provides the richest target. If Vance exposes the scale of waste and fraud, Newsom's presidential ambitions collapse. Crabtree reveals how utility companies responsible for deadly wildfires continue donating to Newsom's causes. PG&E and SoCal Edison funded the same $6 billion homelessness initiative that received money from Shangri-La. The Paradise fire killed 84 people in 2017. The reforms never happened. The Palisades fire burned years later. The donations never stopped. This is investigative reporting the mainstream media avoids. Follow the money from Hollywood billionaires to political elites to taxpayer-funded fraud schemes.   Follow on X! @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.    👉 WATCH HERE👈   On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers is an official podcast production of the Government Accountability Institute.

    25 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

On Background with Susan Crabtree, a Government Accountability Institute podcast, aims to expose corruption and government mismanagement through hard-hitting investigative journalism. Hosted by veteran reporter Susan Crabtree, alongside GAI’s Vice President Eric Eggers, the podcast leverages confidential “on background” insights to uncover truths behind political headlines. 

Information

  • Creator
    Government Accountability Institute
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    On Background with Susan Crabtree

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