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Hollow Hype: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Elizabeth Nelson
Ann Arbor, Michigan is one of the most educated communities in the country, but its local government was taken in by a twice convicted felon. In California, Heidi went to prison for fraud. In West Virginia, she was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering and narrowly avoided prison. Beginning in 2020, elected leaders and City staff in Ann Arbor promoted Heidi's businesses and embraced her as a community partner. Former Ann Arbor City Council Member Elizabeth Nelson shares what happened in Michigan. She digs through local archives and government records to understand how other communities fell victim to HOLLOW HYPE.
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- 3 days ago21 min
“Yes, that makes sense”
A review of the timeline the day Marge died, how police approached the scene, and reaction at City Hall. What Heidi told Ann Arbor police does not match the record of what happened that day.If you know something about Heidi’s activities in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or California, please email:HollowHypePodcast@gmail.comWDIV News Report (November 16, 2018)https://youtu.be/zWhAUwx8MlcStartup Grind Conference (March 2020)https://www.startupgrind.tech/https://youtu.be/CxTwoUIbeJEAffordable Housing & “Other Initiatives” (A2ELNEL)https://youtu.be/hIw3Ze-g5PQBruce Laidlaw, former Attorney for City of Ann Arborhttps://a2links.net/“Ex-city attorney accuses Ann Arbor of misusing affordable housing funds” MLive (11/16/23)https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/11/ex-city-attorney-accuses-ann-arbor-of-misusing-affordable-housing-funds.htmlBruce LaidlawSubstack (2026)https://brucelaidlaw1.substack.com/p/corruption-in-city-government-7f5“Developer behind Ann Arbor mass timber project dies at age 67” Crain’s Detroit (11/13/25)https://www.crainsdetroit.com/obituaries/margaret-poscher-ann-arbor-developer-dies-67“Police Investigating Death of Ann Arbor Developer” MLive (11/14/25)https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/11/police-investigating-death-of-ann-arbor-developer-known-as-caretaker-at-heart.html
- 1 weeks ago31 min
“The Opportunity to Control Things”
A timeline and summary of Heidi’s history and activities in Ann Arbor leading up to Marge’s death.If you know something about Heidi’s activities in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or California, please email:HollowHypePodcast@gmail.comNextGEN MKE Sustainability panel (June 15, 2024)https://youtu.be/Vm--VUSrx7cAnn Arbor City Planning Commission (December 18, 2018)https://youtu.be/x136Va7TBXY?t=15496sAnn Arbor City Council (May 3, 2021)https://youtu.be/MYwyZAJsZO4Ann Arbor City Council (December 5, 2022)https://youtu.be/EgXoaFI4x50Ann Arbor City Planning Commission (May 16, 2023)https://youtu.be/gHTOnsiAY0IAnn Arbor City Council (September 5, 2023)https://youtu.be/Tq3ej-caliMAnn Arbor City Council (June 3, 2024)https://youtu.be/guFi0K3e7CY
- 2 weeks ago24 min
“Someone that does it once will do it again”
A deeper dive into the connections that Heidi made in Ohio and West Virginia that led to her felony conviction for money laundering.If you know something about Heidi’s activities in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or California, please email:HollowHypePodcast@gmail.comGeoff Schenkel, former Marietta City Council member, current Development Directorhttps://www.wtap.com/2023/11/17/marietta-city-councilman-geoff-schenkel-resigns/https://www.mariettaoh.net/services/community_development/index.phpHarley Noland, Marietta City Councilhttps://www.mariettaoh.net/government/city_council/index.phphttps://gypsyroadtrip.com/tag/harley-noland/Keith Burdette, former WV state legislator, staffer of Governor Bob Wisehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Burdettehttps://pazwv.org/about-us/
- 3 weeks ago27 min
“Didn’t quite mesh with the surroundings”
When Heidi and Marge bought every home on the Ann Arbor block at State/Stimson/White/Henry, they raised the rent and virtually everyone moved out. It’s now an empty lot. If you know something about Heidi’s activities in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or California, please email:HollowHypePodcast@gmail.comAnn Arbor City Planning Commission (May 16, 2023)https://youtu.be/gHTOnsiAY0ISouthtown block, prior to demolitionhttps://www.mlive.com/galleries/5BTXU3L5JBABNOXLAYC4KYUEMU/Demolition of Southtownhttps://youtube.com/shorts/OwLxzC4LuPYReddit thread about demolition of Southtownhttps://www.reddit.com/r/AnnArbor/comments/1pjzlm4/challenges_surround_southtown_development_in_ann/
- Oct 13, 202627 min
“All of the framework to do something illegal”
A more detailed explanation of the crimes Heidi committed in California, Ohio, and West Virginia. Heidi’s previous convictions illustrate what she is capable of and the tactics she’s used in the past to get what she wants. If you know something about Heidi’s activities in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or California, please email:HollowHypePodcast@gmail.comKD Merritt, former Wood County Commissionerhttps://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/local-news/2017/03/former-wood-county-sheriff-ken-merritt-dies-at-81/Rick Modesitt, former Wood County Commissionerhttps://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/local-news/2026/07/modesitt-elected-gop-chairman/Bob Tebay, former Wood County Commissionerhttps://www.mariettatimes.com/news/local-news/2026/02/wood-county-commissioner-bob-tebay-sets-retirement-after-23-years-of-service/Archived minutes, Wood County Commission (WV)https://woodcountywv.com/county-offices/commission/archived-minutes-and-agenda/#655-910-october-2002-archived-minutes-and-agendas-2Sheriff Larry Mincks retirement (2024)https://www.wtap.com/2023/11/12/washington-county-sheriff-not-seeking-reelection-2024/WV Special Investigations (2009 update)http://www.legis.state.wv.us/legisdocs/reports/agency/C10_FY_2009_623.pdfWV Special Investigations (2010 update)https://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/reports/agency/C10_FY_2010_1018.pdfRetirement, Herbert R Cogarhttps://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/reports/agency/C10_FY_2015_13176.pdfPhyllis Fong Interview (2013)https://youtu.be/d8e_kXzyGKM
- Oct 6, 202623 min
“Bespoke Financial Advisory”
In a matter of weeks, the bankruptcy of Southtown will be resolved, dismissed, or carry on. Potential investors come from Las Vegas and Dubai. If they come through as promised, Heidi stands to gain up to $17 million.If you know something about Heidi’s activities in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or California, please email:HollowHypePodcast@gmail.comFree webinar - Debt Solutions Service.com - Philip Ahmadzai (Oct 9, 2013)https://youtu.be/KvBVrwldhAsDebt Solutions - Philip Ahmadzai - Las Vegas (Oct 9, 2013)https://youtu.be/wauAPejhVKYProvizia Capitalhttps://www.proviziacapital.com/“Pearls of Union” Provizia Capital ( Mr.Ritesh Bhartiya - Co-Founder & Managing Partner (Middle East)https://youtu.be/5oDLIKdqFysSEC Form Dhttps://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2144467/000214446726000001/xslFormDX01/primary_doc.xml
- Sep 29, 202625 min
“Is the money going to be there?”
Heidi and Marge had a lavish lifestyle, even as the finances of Southtown were collapsing. Heidi has maintained that lifestyle even through bankruptcy. Details about Marge’s death are still not known.If you know something about Heidi’s activities in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or California, please email:HollowHypePodcast@gmail.comHotel Le Meuricehttps://www.lartisien.com/hotel/le-meuriceBarton Hills, Michiganhttps://www.zillow.com/home-values/37293/barton-hills-ann-arbor-mi/
- Sep 22, 202623 min
“The wave of the future”
Heidi is persistent in pushing people to give her what she wants. Filing mistakes delay a plan for the Southtown bankruptcy. People from the past are reluctant to come forward and Marge’s friends have questions.If you know something about Heidi’s activities in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or California, please email:HollowHypePodcast@gmail.comU.S. Senate Session, March 30, 2000https://www.c-span.org/program/senate-proceeding/senate-session/100856U.S. House Session, May 25, 2000https://www.c-span.org/program/house-proceeding/house-session/175283U.S. Senate Session, March 1, 2001https://www.c-span.org/program/senate-proceeding/senate-session/170488West Virginia State of the State address, February 14, 2001https://www.c-span.org/program/state-legislature/west-virginia-state-of-the-state-address/110037
About Hollow Hype
Ann Arbor, Michigan is one of the most educated communities in the country, but its local government was taken in by a twice convicted felon. In California, Heidi went to prison for fraud. In West Virginia, she was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering and narrowly avoided prison. Beginning in 2020, elected leaders and City staff in Ann Arbor promoted Heidi's businesses and embraced her as a community partner. Former Ann Arbor City Council Member Elizabeth Nelson shares what happened in Michigan. She digs through local archives and government records to understand how other communities fell victim to HOLLOW HYPE.
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