The Leonard Files

NBC Los Angeles
  • 5.0 (2)
  • DAILY NEWS
  • UPDATED DAILY

When the dust settles, the real story begins. In The Leonard Files, veteran NBC4 Los Angeles investigative reporter Eric Leonard takes you beyond the headlines of Los Angeles' most compelling stories. With exclusive interviews and deep-dive reporting, this podcast uncovers the untold stories of survival, loss, and resilience in the face of crisis and change. From community leaders and impacted residents to the decision-makers shaping the future, The Leonard Files exposes the challenges, the failures, and the hard-fought battles happening behind the scenes. The Leonard Files. 🎧 Subscribe now and stay ahead of the story.

  1. MAY 1

    Chainsaws, Court Delays & Trial Memos: Inside 3 Major L.A. Criminal Cases

    In this episode of The Leonard Files we break down a busy week in court with new filings, delays, and revelations in three major Southern California criminal cases. Celeste Rivas Hernandez: defense lawyers for the singer knowns as D4vd (David A. Burke) asked to delay proceedings, as they review 'terabytes' of potential evidence in advance of a preliminary hearing. Jonathan Rinderknecht: federal prosecutors lay out what they plan to present to jurors in the upcoming trial of the man accused of igniting the Palisades wildfires in 2025, including -- how the Feds plan to invoke another notable prosecution as a motive in this case. Rob and Michele Reiner: a major delay in the murder case against their son Nick Reiner, who faces charges for allegedly killing his parents inside their home. We discuss why high-profile cases often face long delays, and what pre-trial memos can reveal about prosecution strategies. ⚠️ Content warning: This episode includes discussion of alleged crimes involving violence and the death of a minor.   Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    49 min

  2. APR 24

    Inside the Arrest of Singer David Burke: New Charges, Autopsy Details, and What Police Didn’t Say

    Everything we know about the arrest of singer D4vd, also known as David A. Burke, now charged in the killing of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, after her remains were found inside Burke’s Tesla. Burke has pleaded not guilty, and his defense lawyers are pushing for a speedy preliminary hearing, where the public might get its first look at the evidence in the case.   Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    36 min

  3. APR 3

    A Close Call in the Skies, a Missing Grenade, and Millions in Medicare Fraud

    Federal aviation officials imposed new helicopter restrictions after last year’s disastrous collision between an airliner and a military helicopter in Washington, D.C. The announcement mentioned a recent ‘conflict’ between a plane and helicopter near Hollywood Burbank Airport — an incident that turns out to involve NewsChopper4. Plus, new developments in the deadly LA County Sheriff’s bomb squad explosion, including the mystery of a missing grenade, and why federal prosecutors say millions were stolen in while massive hospice care fraud schemes went undetected for years.   Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    34 min

  4. MAR 3

    Celeste Rivas death revelations from Texas, LA planned to manipulate news coverage of Palisades fire report

    The latest information on the investigation into the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who’s body was found inside a Tesla registered to the pop singer D4vd, appeared in Texas, where D4vd’s family tried to block an LA court order. Plus, documents released by the LA Fire Department show their intricate plans to try to control news coverage of the Palisades fire after action report, and the former fire chief, dismissed after the fire, has sued the Mayor alleging retaliation.   Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    36 min

  5. FEB 23

    Full circle: the mysterious death of an LAPD officer, new consequences for the DWP over billing scandal, and a major legal victory for Palisades Fire victims

    New developments in stories from years past: a jury has reached a decision about the death of LAPD Officer Houston Tipping, who suffered a catastrophic spinal injury during training, and the State Bar of California moves to punish a former top LA City Attorney’s Office official for his role in the lawsuits that followed the DWP’s over billing mess. Plus, the arson trial for the man accused of causing the Palisades Fire may be delayed again, while Palisades fire victims have won a major legal victory in their effort to hold the City of LA and State of California responsible for the damage.   Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    32 min

  6. JAN 27

    How did the Feds finally nab the ex-Olympian accused of running an international cocaine ring?

    How did federal agents catch Ryan Wedding, the former Canadian snowboarder facing indictment in Los Angeles for allegedly trafficking tons of cocaine through the U.S. to Canada? The FBI says he was caught after a decade-long manhunt; authorities in Mexico say Wedding walked into a US embassy and surrendered. Plus - the LAPD is handed a court order that’s changed the ‘less-lethal’ weapons officers are allowed to use at protests, and whether a man detained in Montana is connected to the secretive LAPD investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas, whose body was found in a Tesla registered to the singer “D4VD.”   Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    30 min

  7. JAN 16

    Are the Palisades firefighters' text messages real?

    Finally we have some insight into whether firefighters communicated their concerns -- that the smaller brush fire blamed for causing the Palisades fire -- had been fully extinguished. New court documents provide our clearest window into what evidence may exist. Plus - the City of LA has recorded its fewest murders since 1966. How is this possible when the LAPD has shrunk to its smallest size in more than a decade, and it appears more officers will retire than will be hired in 2026.   Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    35 min

  8. JAN 9

    What you didn't see at the Nick Reiner hearing

    Nick Reiner -- charged with murdering his parents Rob and Michele Reiner -- lost his private legal defense team at a hearing this week. But the judge also discussed an ongoing defense investigation that may suggest where the criminal case is headed. Plus -- moment by moment of what happened in court, and what the lawyers said outside.   Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    27 min
See All (71)

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

When the dust settles, the real story begins. In The Leonard Files, veteran NBC4 Los Angeles investigative reporter Eric Leonard takes you beyond the headlines of Los Angeles' most compelling stories. With exclusive interviews and deep-dive reporting, this podcast uncovers the untold stories of survival, loss, and resilience in the face of crisis and change. From community leaders and impacted residents to the decision-makers shaping the future, The Leonard Files exposes the challenges, the failures, and the hard-fought battles happening behind the scenes. The Leonard Files. 🎧 Subscribe now and stay ahead of the story.

Information

  • Creator
    NBC Los Angeles
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 KNBC, Los Angeles
  • Show Website
    The Leonard Files

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