Digest

This podcast episode features an interview with Joel McHale and then delves into a "Dateline" investigation concerning a murder-for-hire plot. The case initially involves a car salesman approached by Kelly Gribble to kill her lover's wife. Detectives Fitzgerald and Luzan investigate, uncovering a second murder-for-hire plot by Gribble. A sting operation using undercover informant Mark Kenzie is initiated. The motive is revealed to be an affair between Gribble and Dr. Ira Bernstein, who wants his wife, Susan, dead. The investigation escalates with a staged assault on insurance investigators to implicate Ira further. Both Gribble and Bernstein are arrested. Gribble accepts a plea deal and testifies against Bernstein. Bernstein also accepts a plea deal, pleading guilty to conspiracy and grand larceny. Post-prison, their relationship sours when Kelly learns Bernstein blamed her. Bernstein faces further legal troubles, including a new solicitation charge for attempting to have Susan killed again, leading to a plea deal and a restraining order. The divorce between Ira and Susan remains unresolved, with ongoing legal battles and financial disputes.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Celebrity Interview

The podcast begins with an introduction to "The Drink with Kate Snow," featuring candid conversations with notable figures. This is followed by an interview with actor-comedian Joel McHale, discussing his career, new show "Animal Control," and the potential for a "Community" movie.

00:01:18

Dateline: The Initial Murder-for-Hire Plot

"Dateline" introduces a shocking case involving a kidnapping and murder with an unexpected twist. The investigation begins when a car salesman is approached by Kelly Gribble with a plan to murder her lover's wife.

00:07:09

Unraveling the Conspiracy: Kelly Gribble and Ira Bernstein

Detectives Fitzgerald and Luzan investigate Kelly Gribble for a murder plot. They uncover a second, more complex murder-for-hire scheme orchestrated by Gribble, revealing her lover, Dr. Ira Bernstein, as the intended beneficiary.

00:09:19

The Sting Operation: Gathering Evidence

A sting operation is launched using undercover informant Mark Kenzie to gather evidence against Gribble and Bernstein. Kenzie records incriminating conversations and facilitates meetings to expose their plot.

00:29:17

Escalation: Targeting Insurance Investigators

The plot expands as Gribble and Bernstein target insurance investigators looking into Bernstein's activities. A ruse involving a staged beating of the investigators is orchestrated to further implicate Bernstein.

00:35:53

Arrests and Plea Deals

Ira Bernstein is arrested after a meeting with Kenzie where he sees staged photos. Kelly Gribble is later arrested. Both eventually accept plea deals, with Gribble testifying against Bernstein.

00:48:00

Bernstein's Account and Defense

Ira Bernstein provides his version of events, claiming coercion and misrepresentation, while describing his tumultuous marriage with Susan and financial disputes. Kelly Gribble also shares her perspective, claiming she initiated the plot.

01:03:24

Trial Strategies and Resolution

Bernstein's defense attempts to blame Gribble, while the prosecution argues he was in control. The divorce proceedings are lengthy. Bernstein eventually accepts a plea deal for tampering with evidence, resolving charges.

01:06:58

Aftermath and Ongoing Legal Battles

Susan Bernstein expresses her views on Ira's character. Post-prison, their relationship is uncertain. Bernstein faces new charges for attempting to solicit Susan's murder again, leading to further legal proceedings and a restraining order.

01:09:56

Final Legal Entanglements and Business Ventures

The divorce between Ira and Susan remains unresolved. Bernstein enters the landscaping business but faces licensing issues and is accused of theft by a partner, leading to another solicitation plot against Susan.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is "The Drink with Kate Snow" podcast about?

  "The Drink with Kate Snow" is a podcast hosted by NBC News anchor Kate Snow, where she sits down with celebrities, musicians, and athletes over their chosen drinks for candid conversations about their careers and how they achieved success.

• What was the central crime investigated in the Dateline episode?

  The Dateline episode investigated a complex murder-for-hire plot involving Kelly Gribble and her lover, Dr. Ira Bernstein, who conspired to murder Ira's wife, Susan Bernstein.

• How did law enforcement gather evidence against Kelly Gribble and Ira Bernstein?

  Law enforcement used a sting operation involving an undercover informant, Mark Kenzie, who recorded conversations and gathered evidence of their plot to commit murder and assault.

• What role did Dr. Ira Bernstein's affair with Kelly Gribble play in the case?

  Ira Bernstein's affair with Kelly Gribble provided the motive for the murder plot, as they conspired to kill his wife, Susan, to be together and potentially gain financially.

• What was the outcome of the legal proceedings for Kelly Gribble and Ira Bernstein?

  Kelly Gribble accepted a plea deal and testified against Ira. Ira Bernstein pleaded guilty to conspiracy and grand larceny, receiving a prison sentence. Both served time and were later released.

• Did Susan Bernstein know about the plot against her?

  While Susan Bernstein was the target, the extent of her knowledge about the specific plot against her is not detailed, but she was aware of Ira's affair and the marital issues.

• What was the significance of the staged beating of the insurance investigators?

  The staged beating of the insurance investigators was a crucial part of the sting operation to implicate Ira Bernstein further and provide him with "proof" that the plan was in motion, solidifying his involvement.

• Why did Kelly Gribble and Ira Bernstein ultimately not go through with the murder?

  Both Kelly and Ira claimed they had a change of heart and decided not to proceed with the murder, though the prosecution argued their actions and lack of reporting the plot indicated otherwise.

• What happened to Kelly and Ira's relationship after their prison sentences?

  After their release, Kelly learned Ira had tried to blame her during his appeal, which broke her heart. She moved on with her life, while Ira and Susan's divorce remained unresolved.

• What was the primary dispute in Ira and Susan's ongoing divorce?

  The primary dispute in Ira and Susan's divorce revolved around money and assets, fueling their contentious feud for years.

• How did the landscaper become involved in Ira's plot to harm Susan?

  The landscaper, working with Ira, overheard Ira complaining about Susan and was then asked by Ira to find someone to kill her, which the landscaper secretly recorded.

• What role did Ira's sister, Jacqueline, play in the events?

  Jacqueline, an attorney, became involved when the landscaper attempted to play recordings of Ira's solicitation. She was later charged with tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution.

• What was the outcome of Ira's sentencing?

  Ira was sentenced to one and a half to three years in state prison and received an order of protection for Susan and her children, prohibiting any contact until 2037.

• How did Susan and her children's lives continue to be affected after Ira's sentencing?

  Susan and her children live in a state of crisis, and Susan is suing Ira and Jacqueline for emotional distress. She will likely always need to be cautious of Ira.

Show Notes