In the world of investigative podcasts, credibility is everything.
That’s why questions are swirling around Javier Leiva, host of the Pretend Podcast, and his choice to partner with Anthony Christopher, a disgraced business owner with a questionable past.
Christopher, owner of Eureka Live, has been the subject of serious allegations, including accusations that he drugged and raped a patron at his bar.
More questions have come to light concerning activities at Eureka Live following arecent information dump by the Eureka Springs Police Department after a FOI request by Today in Fort Smith. Instances of over-served patrons, physical altercations, sexual activities, thefts, drink spiking, and other illegal activities have either been ignored--or condoned --by Levia in his one-sided search for the "truth".
For a podcast claiming to delve into the truth behind the façade, aligning with someone under such scrutiny raises serious ethical concerns.
Leiva’s tactics also demand closer examination. His podcast frequently targets individuals, casting them in an unflattering--and often unsupported--light. Take, for instance, his treatment of Frank Abagnale, Rick and Tanya Fernandez, and others who claim to have been harassed and slandered by Leiva’s productions.
Critics accuse Leiva of weaving narratives riddled with misleading statements, outright fabrications, and allegations unsupported by concrete evidence.
Such an approach seems to deviate from basic journalistic principles, which call for fairness, accuracy, and corroboration. Yet Leiva appears undeterred, prioritizing sensationalism over substance. His alleged bias against his subjects raises the question: does Pretend Podcast serve the pursuit of truth, or is it merely a platform for vendettas?
Adding to the controversy is Leiva’s own history.
The podcast host has a conviction for drinking and driving, a troubling fact that might make some question his judgment. How can someone with such a personal lapse be trusted to deliver balanced, ethical journalism?
Since his partner-in-slime Anthony Christopher also has a previous arrest for the same offense, is this merely a case of sensationalism making for strange bedfellows? You can see the details of that arrest by clicking this link:
Not to be ignored area text messages purported to be from a reporter television news reporter to the management of Today in Fort Smith seeking to elicit comments that could potentially be used to inflict even more slander and defamation onto the victim of the podcasts vitriol, a tactic that has been documented time and time again as coming from Christopher's eclectic world of cast and characters.
Equally concerning is Leiva’s penchant for targeting victims. His critics say that instead of empowering those wronged, he exploits their stories for entertainment value. This troubling pattern not only undermines the credibility of his work but also inflicts unnecessary harm on those already suffering.
As public figures like Leiva continue to influence public opinion through platforms like podcasts, accountability must remain at the forefront.
Why is Javier Leiva, a self-styled investigator, partnering with someone like Anthony Christopher? And why does he persist in employing tactics that seem to lack journalistic integrity?
These are questions that demand answers--not just from Leiva but from the larger community that consumes and supports his work. Without accountability and transparency, Pretend Podcast risks becoming just another outlet for reckless speculation and baseless accusations.
Stay tuned as Today in Fort Smith continues to investigate this developing story, featuring interviews with multiple individuals who claim to have been targeted by Javier Leiva.
One such individual has suggested that Leiva may exhibit signs of "Napoleon Syndrome," a term often used to describe individuals who overcompensate for perceived physical or personal shortcomings with aggressive or domineering behavior.
Could this explain his confrontational approach and controversial tactics? Tune in as we delve into this perspective and uncover more about the man behind Pretend Podcast.
