Okay guys I phoned Vicky Bosma this afternoon. She is a super nice lady and we had like a 40 minute phone conversation and she told me a lot about Bonnie Wilder. (Apparently she had emailed me back but it was marked as spam so I never got it). She said they did find out her real name was Dora Mae Peterman. As far as she knows she has never been spent a day in jail for her crimes! Of course identity theft wasn't as common as it is now and the laws were different. I believe there was a warrant out for her for a while but at the time they didn't know her true identity. The store featured in the store was called "Coho's". She said there was a lot of stealing and the sort going on there so it only stayed open a few years. She said that "Bonnie" has stolen at least $1 million total. She stole half a million from Wal-Mart while working for them. She also said to my suprise that Bonnie was good at changing her appearance. She was good at gaining and losing weight and the store she hit before Coho's she was thin and had blond curly hair. Said the one characteristic she always has is a large white mole on her chin. She also told me that when the warrant expired they contacted UM about ceasing to air the show because Coho's had already been reimbursed the money they were out by the insurance company and the insurance company wasn't even interested in pursuing her arrest. One more thing that I didn't realize was that Lisa Penz was fired because of this incident. I told her I would send her a link to this thread and maybe she will post on the board as well. She has a huge file on her case as she worked on it for 6 years and could no doubt answer any questions we might have.

Whoa, that is some update, great work CD

I can understand why Lisa Penz was fired - she apparently didn't do background checks.

Wow, that's amazing! Thanks for sharing that CD! :) But what I don't get, they found out her real identity but still they haven't been able to pin a single crime on her?

I wonder why the segment didn't make it to Lifetime though. The situation with Coho's may have been cleared up, but they still knew at the time she hit several other stores.

Okay guys I phoned Vicky Bosma this afternoon. She is a super nice lady and we had like a 40 minute phone conversation and she told me a lot about Bonnie Wilder. (Apparently she had emailed me back but it was marked as spam so I never got it). She said they did find out her real name was Dora Mae Peterman. As far as she knows she has never been spent a day in jail for her crimes! Of course identity theft wasn't as common as it is now and the laws were different. I believe there was a warrant out for her for a while but at the time they didn't know her true identity. The store featured in the store was called "Coho's". She said there was a lot of stealing and the sort going on there so it only stayed open a few years. She said that "Bonnie" has stolen at least $1 million total. She stole half a million from Wal-Mart while working for them. She also said to my suprise that Bonnie was good at changing her appearance. She was good at gaining and losing weight and the store she hit before Coho's she was thin and had blond curly hair. Said the one characteristic she always has is a large white mole on her chin. She also told me that when the warrant expired they contacted UM about ceasing to air the show because Coho's had already been reimbursed the money they were out by the insurance company and the insurance company wasn't even interested in pursuing her arrest. One more thing that I didn't realize was that Lisa Penz was fired because of this incident. I told her I would send her a link to this thread and maybe she will post on the board as well. She has a huge file on her case as she worked on it for 6 years and could no doubt answer any questions we might have.
Good detective work Crystal Dawn!!! No wonder why Lisa Penz seemed very bitter in the interview. She did come up with some good digs towards Bonnie and also seemed to be trying to justify why she was hired. "It was a good day if we did not have someone who was on drugs apply for a job." LOL.

I wonder why the segment didn't make it to Lifetime though. The situation with Coho's may have been cleared up, but they still knew at the time she hit several other stores.

Well to my suprise she told me that it had aired on Lifetime (maybe many years ago) because people would call in and think they had seen her every time it aired. She said that the police department eventually contacted UM and request they not air it anymore since there was no longer a valid warrant out for her.

Well done, CD! Way to dig up the info and get the whole story. Awesome update... Maybe they could film a segment for the new show staring you under the category "The Investigators."

Nice to finally have info about good ol' Bonnie.

Maybe you should edit your avatar to have "SOLVED" across it! :D

Awesome ... maybe someone, somewhere can solve the mystery, Crystal Dawn, looks like it's YOU!

"And now you know ... the rest of the story!"

Well done, CD! Way to dig up the info and get the whole story. Awesome update... Maybe they could film a segment for the new show staring you under the category "The Investigators."

Nice to finally have info about good ol' Bonnie.

Maybe you should edit your avatar to have "SOLVED" across it! :D
It's not really solved though, yet, is it? Has she been apprehended? I'm very sleepy so I may have read right over something!

Oh yeah, Good job CD! You rock :)

It's not really solved though, yet, is it? Has she been apprehended? I'm very sleepy so I may have read right over something!

Oh yeah, Good job CD! You rock :)

Well its not really an "update" in that she was captured but at least we now know that she was never arrested for anything and do know her true identity.

A few more things that Vicky Bosma told me. She said that Bonnie would flip out every time her picture was taken. She also said that Bonnie had a sick son in Florida and that seems to be where at least part of her money was sent. The UM segment did say she told her co-workers she had a husband and son in Florida. Apparently she spent a lot of time in Florida before moving to Georgia.

I agree with what Wiseguy said about Penz being fired for not checking references. It appears that she didn't check any of them. Vicky Bosma said the address Bonnie listed on her application was a vacant lot! :lol:

I have a small question... apart from "Bonnie" being on UM why is everyone here hung up on this obese woman?!?! :eek:

I have a small question... apart from "Bonnie" being on UM why is everyone here hung up on this obese woman?!?! :eek:

Oh come on SI, you have a thing for Bonnie and you know it. :lol:

This is one of those segments that have a ton of classic lines like: "Have you lost a lot of weight recently?" to "how do you get lost in a crowd when you are ENORMOUS?" to "she was the best out of what we had to work with." to "if there was a day when I didn't have somebody come in that wasn't on drugs, that was a good day." to "it's a wonderful store, we can build it together."

well that and the rarity of the segment.

"it's a wonderful store, we can build it together."

If I stayed up all night, I couldn't think of a line that chessy... That is SO classic! How can you not love this segment?!? :p

Oh come on SI, you have a thing for Bonnie and you know it. :lol:

This is one of those segments that have a ton of classic lines like: "Have you lost a lot of weight recently?" to "how do you get lost in a crowd when you are ENORMOUS?" to "she was the best out of what we had to work with." to "if there was a day when I didn't have somebody come in that wasn't on drugs, that was a good day." to "it's a wonderful store, we can build it together."

well that and the rarity of the segment.

I was watching the segment yesterday and was laughing hysterically at all of those lines! I just loved how everyone on the segment would point out how obese she was, but then they would just keep going on and on and on about it. Oh, and don't forget the backhanded compliments, "You could imagine her as a school bus driver, or a lunch lady...":lol:

Also, knowing that Penz lost her job over this makes the statement about the drug-addict job applicants make much more sense. "Listen people, it's either the crack addict, or the eccentric obese woman. Which would you choose? That's right...don't blame me!"

Oh come on SI, you have a thing for Bonnie and you know it. :lol:

This is one of those segments that have a ton of classic lines like: "Have you lost a lot of weight recently?" to "how do you get lost in a crowd when you are ENORMOUS?" to "she was the best out of what we had to work with." to "if there was a day when I didn't have somebody come in that wasn't on drugs, that was a good day." to "it's a wonderful store, we can build it together."

well that and the rarity of the segment.

You left out another one.

Manager: Well, based on your application and what you've told me, it sounds like you're perfect for the job. Can you start Monday?
Bonnie: Yes.
Manager: Terrific! Then we'll look forward to seeing you then. (She gets up to shake Bonnie's hand.)
Bonnie: (with a cheesy grin) And I look forward to working with your organization. Monday morning? 8AM?
Manager: Yes.
Bonnie: (still grinning her head off) Terrific!

What I love about that scene is the expression on the manager's face after Bonnie leaves, as if she's thinking "Oh crap! Should I really have hired her?" :lol:

You left out another one.

Manager: Well, based on your application and what you've told me, it sounds like you're perfect for the job. Can you start Monday?
Bonnie: Yes.
Manager: Terrific! Then we'll look forward to seeing you then. (She gets up to shake Bonnie's hand.)
Bonnie: (with a cheesy grin) And I look forward to working with your organization. Monday morning? 8AM?
Manager: Yes.
Bonnie: (still grinning her head off) Terrific!

What I love about that scene is the expression on the manager's face after Bonnie leaves, as if she's thinking "Oh crap! Should I really have hired her?" :lol:

Good call. I love that exchange. The actress that played Bonnie was really good.

The actress must've been really good-natured with thick skin to portray a woman who was getting put down at every turn.

I knew something was up when Lisa Penz was identified as a "FORMER Personnel Manager". As stated before, it also completely explains why she sounded so unabashedly bitter in the segment.

Vacant lot... I did wonder what Bonnie had listed as her residential address when she was hired, as it is something that's required out of every employee.

Crystaldawn, I commend you on actually taking the time to phone the detective and finding out more info, not only for yourself but for us. Many times I thought of contacting police officers shown in segments to find out updates but have never acted on it (#1 on my list would be the Framingham, MA detective about the Boston shopping mall rapist).

One more thing that I didn't realize was that Lisa Penz was fired because of this incident.
I thought it might be something like that when the segment listed her as a former employee.

I LOVE the "It's a new store; we can build it together" line. Awesome.

I was shocked that I was contacted on this case after all these years. I hope I have cleared up a few of the questions that everyone had. I really need to pull my file and read it again. I will be happy to try to answer any questions that ya'll still might have about this case.

I was shocked that I was contacted on this case after all these years. I hope I have cleared up a few of the questions that everyone had. I really need to pull my file and read it again. I will be happy to try to answer any questions that ya'll still might have about this case.

Yes, you have provided us with a much sought-after update to this case. It's one of the most popular segments on here out of well over 1,000 that UM profiled. We would certainly be happy with any other info you can remember about the case. I guess my question would be: what was Bonnie like? It sounds like she was a very eccentric person.

I was shocked that I was contacted on this case after all these years. I hope I have cleared up a few of the questions that everyone had. I really need to pull my file and read it again. I will be happy to try to answer any questions that ya'll still might have about this case.

It was mentioned that Bonnie had an ailing son in Florida and that at least some of the money she stole went to him. Did she originally start out stealing money to care for her son's illness and just get in over her head? Or was she already a career con-woman long before she had him?

I was shocked that I was contacted on this case after all these years. I hope I have cleared up a few of the questions that everyone had. I really need to pull my file and read it again. I will be happy to try to answer any questions that ya'll still might have about this case.

Thanks for posting Vicky! Nice screen name. :lol:

You had mentioned on the phone that Bonnie had an accomplice that was a Hispanice male. Was he her accomplice on all of the thefts and if so what was his role? I guess we've given you what 3 questions to answer so far. :)

I don't understand how she was found but not arrested. Even if "identity theft" wasn't a crime back then, stealing $100K from a store was. How could she have gotten no jail time for that (if my understanding is correct)?

thanks!

I never had the pleasure of meeting Bonnie. If I had she would have been put in jail! Most of the employees said that she was a real loner. She was not a clean person. The employees stated that she would not take a bath and so no one wanted to be around her. They told me she always kept peanuts in her drawer and was always eating them! This gave her the opportunity to be able to malipulate the books so no one noticed that she was taking money and setting it aside for the big night, because no one wanted to socialize with her. I have to give her credit, she was a real pro. I think I have the name of the hispanic male that was her accomplice, but I will have to find it in the file. I have been rather busy today and have not had time to look at it. None of the stores she took money from prosecuted her. Most of them just sued her. She has numerous judgments in the state of Florida, around the Lanta area. Remember this case actually happened in 1986, it aired on UM in October of 1989, and after that I still worked on it for 3 years. So the judgments were befroe she hit Atlanta. I really tried to get her arrested, but I could never locate her again. Of course, I could not predict what identity she was going to steal, so that made it a little tougher. Had she done this crime today, I feel certain she would have been caught. The thing that amazed me the most about the entire case, was the lack of respect for the southerners. Lisa Penz acted like everyone in the South was either to dumb to commit a crime or it was not necessary because she had screened them. I don' think she liked me very much because I ended up exposing their sloppy hiring practices. There was a group of about 30 Nigerians that applied for credit cards with a $5000.00+ credit limit. Of course they immediately charged the cards up to the limit and never paid for any of the purchases. I would love to have a conversation with Bonnie aka Dora Mae Peterman and ask her just how many businesses did she actually rip off. I am sure there are some that I never knew about.

thanks for that, MadamePI, that is very interesting. Yes, Lisa Penz had a history of making some discriminatory comments, and she definitely didn't come across very well in the segment. I had stated earlier that I wasn't surprised she was fired as she obviously failed to do simple background checks, which don't take all that long I wouldn't imagine. I'm shocked no one prosecuted her.

All this talk about Bonnie, I'm going to have to re-watch this segment I do believe!

It's SO COOL to talk to people directly involved in, or investigating, actual UM segments.

Awesome work, crystaldawn! And thanks to MadamePI for your contributions! This is great stuff...

Oh, Bonnie... Why can't I get you out of my head? :crazy: :lol:

Sorry about all the typos. I will take a look at my file and see if there are any other interesting tidbits for ya'll. Here is something that didn't get on the air-There was an IRS connection. Bonnie had someone working at the IRS here in Atlanta that was able to get social security numbers and employment information, because not all of her information that she put on her employment applications came from the temp agency files in Ohio. The Internal Affairs Investigators for IRS jumped all over this, but I do not know the outcome because they could not share their findings with me. What ya'll saw on UM was just the tip of the iceberg!

Wow, miss a few days on the board and come back to... such drama! I don't even know where to begin, really.

My first thought is whether or not we could get Bonnie (Dora Mae - what a name!) to post on this thread. She is kind of like a living breathing DB Cooper. Not that criminality should be idolized but still.... I do take my hat off to her just for the sheer brazen nature of her crimes.

Also, I have to take my hat off to her for having the good conscience to steal $500,000 from Wal-Mart. But that is beside the point.

Perhaps somebody with more internet savvy than I could track her down, she could easily still be alive.

Also, assuming that what was described on the episode was only "the tip of the iceberg", it makes me wonder what other stunts she pulled that we still don't even know about.

Vicki, what do you mean about her Hispanic male accomplice, he is not mentioned in the UM profile. If you have a chance, please clarify this, it only piqued my interest.

Also, Vicki, how did they track her down in the end? Did she slip up or they tracked her older crimes or did somebody come forward? How did you discover her real name?

Thanks so much for posting, you can probably tell that this has been a much-discussed segment, in fact one I remember watching as a young teen growing up. So pleased to get some addl. info.

Hi, Just found a DoraMae Peterman, formerly of Florida (addresses in Latana, West Palm Beach, and Okeechobee) via intelius, age 62, also with some former addresses in Ohio. One of these may actually be current but it is difficult for me to tell. Hmmm. Probably is her, I'm going to think about paying their fee (it isn't that much) to get all the info in depth...

Also, a bunch of variations on her name come up, all aged 62, some DoraMae some Dora M, etc. which make me wonder if they are all her...

Outrageous!

Hi, Just found a DoraMae Peterman, formerly of Florida (addresses in Latana, West Palm Beach, and Okeechobee) via intelius, age 62, also with some former addresses in Ohio. One of these may actually be current but it is difficult for me to tell. Hmmm. Probably is her, I'm going to think about paying their fee (it isn't that much) to get all the info in depth...

Also, a bunch of variations on her name come up, all aged 62, some DoraMae some Dora M, etc. which make me wonder if they are all her...

Outrageous!

Maybe I'll pay her a visit next time I'm down in the Cape. :lol:

That would be her. Be careful with this. She knows she can get away with just about anything.

I don't know if anyone would seriously try and track her down but I would advise against it. Since she was never prosecuted for the theft that UM profiled she could always try and sue, you never know. Bear in mind she is someone who apparently has little regard for the law and you never really know what someone like that could be capable of.

This post has gotten out control like whoa!

Please tell me if you think I'm being a Nervous Nellie but I would like motion that this post be deleted and stricken from the board.

My reasoning is this:

Lately it is becoming very apparent to me that this message board, for various reasons, returns as the most prominent "hit site" for web surfers Googling the names of people profiled on UM. Sometimes they're obscure, sometimes not. Oftentimes its a family member, or a friend (**wink, wink**), punching in their loved one's name and getting any where up to a dozen mentions from this site alone.

Remember what came back as the top hit upon entering "Miserable Failure" in Google's search tab? :lol:

If I understand Google correctly, they have an algorithm working off repetitions of a person's name producing the most prominent "hits". If that's not how it works (and its probably not)...its something like that, I'm pretty sure. Well in this post alone an alleged con artist's name, and simple variations of it, has been repeated and then quoted and quoted and then repeated. I may be alone on this but I don't want an alleged anything coming here after checking to see what kind of information about them and their alleged crimes is being bandied about on the internet. ESPECIALLY a person who is extremely adept at identity theft. Allegedly. :rolleyes:

Anyone wanna second the motion?

This post has gotten out control like whoa!

Please tell me if you think I'm being a Nervous Nellie but I would like motion that this post be deleted and stricken from the board.

My reasoning is this:

Lately it is becoming very apparent to me that this message board, for various reasons, returns as the most prominent "hit site" for web surfers Googling the names of people profiled on UM. Sometimes they're obscure, sometimes not. Oftentimes its a family member, or a friend (**wink, wink**), punching in their loved one's name and getting any where up to a dozen mentions from this site alone.

Remember what came back as the top hit upon entering "Miserable Failure" in Google's search tab? :lol:

If I understand Google correctly, they have an algorithm working off repetitions of a person's name producing the most prominent "hits". If that's not how it works (and its probably not)...its something like that, I'm pretty sure. Well in this post alone an alleged con artist's name, and simple variations of it, has been repeated and then quoted and quoted and then repeated. I may be alone on this but I don't want an alleged anything coming here after checking to see what kind of information about them and their alleged crimes is being bandied about on the internet. ESPECIALLY a person who is extremely adept at identity theft. Allegedly. :rolleyes:

Anyone wanna second the motion?


Yikes! :eek:

This post has gotten out control like whoa!

Please tell me if you think I'm being a Nervous Nellie but I would like motion that this post be deleted and stricken from the board.

My reasoning is this:

Lately it is becoming very apparent to me that this message board, for various reasons, returns as the most prominent "hit site" for web surfers Googling the names of people profiled on UM. Sometimes they're obscure, sometimes not. Oftentimes its a family member, or a friend (**wink, wink**), punching in their loved one's name and getting any where up to a dozen mentions from this site alone.

Remember what came back as the top hit upon entering "Miserable Failure" in Google's search tab? :lol:

If I understand Google correctly, they have an algorithm working off repetitions of a person's name producing the most prominent "hits". If that's not how it works (and its probably not)...its something like that, I'm pretty sure. Well in this post alone an alleged con artist's name, and simple variations of it, has been repeated and then quoted and quoted and then repeated. I may be alone on this but I don't want an alleged anything coming here after checking to see what kind of information about them and their alleged crimes is being bandied about on the internet. ESPECIALLY a person who is extremely adept at identity theft. Allegedly. :rolleyes:

Anyone wanna second the motion?

Hello Nellie! :lol: No I do respect what you're saying Corky but lets put this into perspective. A lot of conmen and women have been discussed on here, not just Bonnie Wilder, and the fact is the majority of these cases happened so long ago meaning they've either been caught and served time or the statute of limitations is up on them. We basically only discuss what was portrayed on UM which of course was on national television where millions of people have no doubt seen these same cases. Its our freedom of speech right to discuss theories and opinions on these cases and we're not doing anything wrong by doing so. A good example would be Paul Pollis. We've actually been extremely harsh in our speaking to and about him on this board and he himself posted on here and basically said what he had to say and that was the end of it. I can't imagine that Dora Mae Peterman would think to google one of her probably numerous aliases but if she did all she would see is a bunch of UM buffs discussing her case among many others so I'm not really concerned. Just my opinion.

Paul Pollis posted here? I'm going to have to search for his post...

Paul Pollis posted here? I'm going to have to search for his post...

Look under joshmoe. He says its a friend of Paul's but on a few occasions at least Paul posted under that username.

Hello Nellie! :lol: No I do respect what you're saying Corky but lets put this into perspective. A lot of conmen and women have been discussed on here, not just Bonnie Wilder, and the fact is the majority of these cases happened so long ago meaning they've either been caught and served time or the statute of limitations is up on them. We basically only discuss what was portrayed on UM which of course was on national television where millions of people have no doubt seen these same cases. Its our freedom of speech right to discuss theories and opinions on these cases and we're not doing anything wrong by doing so. A good example would be Paul Pollis. We've actually been extremely harsh in our speaking to and about him on this board and he himself posted on here and basically said what he had to say and that was the end of it. I can't imagine that Dora Mae Peterman would think to google one of her probably numerous aliases but if she did all she would see is a bunch of UM buffs discussing her case among many others so I'm not really concerned. Just my opinion.


Suuuuuurrrree....whatever you say...Bonnie.


DUN DUN DUNNNNN

Suuuuuurrrree....whatever you say...Bonnie.


DUN DUN DUNNNNN

:lol: Hey thats right!! I am Bonnie so of course I wouldn't give my peeps a hard time about discussing my case. :D

Bonnie,

Since you've had my address, government name, and measurements for about 8 months now...I'm guessing I'm in the clear with the ID theivery. Until I get detectives coming around my door asking if, in the last 3 months, I've lost a lot of weight, worked at a department store in the South, grown a beard, and testicles, and hightailed here to Sacramento.

Actually I've been thinking a lot about how many people come around here saying "I am XXX's sister" or "I lived down the street from XXX". I think its obvious that its people Gooooooogling names and we pop up. I'm thinking we could make for some interesting hits for people.

For example, if anyone Googles either "Paul Pollis" or "Dolphinsex.org", the two will forever be linked because of this very post mentioning how much Paul Pollis loves visiting Dolphinsex.org. Paul Pollis loves Dolphinsex.org so much, I heard, that he was going to legally change his name from simply Paul Pollis to Paul Pollis Dolphinsex.org Paul Pollis Dolphinsex.org. I think its sounds a little repetitive, but hey...what do I know? I'm not as smart as wife murderer Paul Pollis Dolphinsex.org Paul Pollis Dolphinsex.org. Convict Paul "Dolphinsex.org" Pollis, serial drug offender and suspected dolphin molester, deserves to have a fun time when joshmoe Googles his name next time.

Bonnie,

Since you've had my address, government name, and measurements for about 8 months now...I'm guessing I'm in the clear with the ID theivery. Until I get detectives coming around my door asking if, in the last 3 months, I've lost a lot of weight, worked at a department store in the South, grown a beard, and testicles, and hightailed here to Sacramento.

Actually I've been thinking a lot about how many people come around here saying "I am XXX's sister" or "I lived down the street from XXX". I think its obvious that its people Gooooooogling names and we pop up. I'm thinking we could make for some interesting hits for people.

For example, if anyone Googles either "Paul Pollis" or "Dolphinsex.org", the two will forever be linked because of this very post mentioning how much Paul Pollis loves visiting Dolphinsex.org. Paul Pollis loves Dolphinsex.org so much, I heard, that he was going to legally change his name from simply Paul Pollis to Paul Pollis Dolphinsex.org Paul Pollis Dolphinsex.org. I think its sounds a little repetitive, but hey...what do I know? I'm not as smart as wife murderer Paul Pollis Dolphinsex.org Paul Pollis Dolphinsex.org. Convict Paul "Dolphinsex.org" Pollis, serial drug offender and suspected dolphin molester, deserves to have a fun time when joshmoe Googles his name next time.


Paul Pollis molest dolphins...? Haha, great Corky!

Bonnie,

Since you've had my address, government name, and measurements for about 8 months now...I'm guessing I'm in the clear with the ID theivery. Until I get detectives coming around my door asking if, in the last 3 months, I've lost a lot of weight, worked at a department store in the South, grown a beard, and testicles, and hightailed here to Sacramento.

Actually I've been thinking a lot about how many people come around here saying "I am XXX's sister" or "I lived down the street from XXX". I think its obvious that its people Gooooooogling names and we pop up. I'm thinking we could make for some interesting hits for people.

For example, if anyone Googles either "Paul Pollis" or "Dolphinsex.org", the two will forever be linked because of this very post mentioning how much Paul Pollis loves visiting Dolphinsex.org. Paul Pollis loves Dolphinsex.org so much, I heard, that he was going to legally change his name from simply Paul Pollis to Paul Pollis Dolphinsex.org Paul Pollis Dolphinsex.org. I think its sounds a little repetitive, but hey...what do I know? I'm not as smart as wife murderer Paul Pollis Dolphinsex.org Paul Pollis Dolphinsex.org. Convict Paul "Dolphinsex.org" Pollis, serial drug offender and suspected dolphin molester, deserves to have a fun time when joshmoe Googles his name next time.


Paul Pollis molests dolphins...? Haha, great Corky!

I just found this thread while searching "Bonnie Wilder".I was wondering what happened to her.just rewatched the case last night

I just seen this case for the first time, thanks to CD, and I must say I love it!
The lines are great, Lisa Penz cracks me up, and Bonnie is a hoot!

Love love this case!!!!

I just seen this case for the first time, thanks to CD, and I must say I love it!
The lines are great, Lisa Penz cracks me up, and Bonnie is a hoot!

Love love this case!!!!

Absolutely! I think that's something we can all agree on! :lol:

Absolutely! I think that's something we can all agree on! :lol:

Yep I definitely agree (as you can tell by my choice of avatars lately). :lol:

Well, I agree that Lisa should have been fired. It seemed she knew she had, as my mother would say, "done **** in her nest", and was trying to justify her actions. If she had checked out anyone at hire, I would have been impressed. Lisa Penz had to be the crappiest personel manager I've ever seen.

Space Invaderz, you have to laugh at this segment. Lisa Penz's bitter lines, Bonnie's "We can build it together spiel", every having to discuss Bonnie's weight. It's a trip. I watched it yesterday and I still laugh my butt off.

That would be her. Be careful with this. She knows she can get away with just about anything.

Did some googling on some of the intelius results:

http://www.reunion.com/dora561

Did some googling on some of the intelius results:

http://www.reunion.com/dora561

Wow! Now that's interesting! Wonder if that's really her or if some um'er out there put it there as a prank :lol:

Has anyone joined? I could only read the fist part...

Wow! Now that's interesting! Wonder if that's really her or if some um'er out there put it there as a prank :lol:

Has anyone joined? I could only read the fist part...

Oh, I think it's definitely her, because it's what popped up on one of the cities (Whitewright, TX). I couldn't find a MySpace page though.

Scroll to the Petermans. Looks like warrant issued 7/29/03 . http://www.co.grayson.tx.us/Attorney/HCList.pdf

Birthdate 8/29/1945

That is her. She was also in prison in Ohio for identity theft.

That is her. She was also in prison in Ohio for identity theft.

Don't know why Walmart wouldn't be concerned about her stealing from them, or any other company. Just because your insurance repays it back doesn't make the fact that you stole any less of a crime. I'm sure the statutes of limitation or whatever are up, but....

Well, at least she served some time in prison...

Well, it is dated 2002 so I don't think it is a prank... hmmm. Glad somebody did something with the intel results I dredged up!

Oh come on SI, you have a thing for Bonnie and you know it. :lol:

This is one of those segments that have a ton of classic lines like: "Have you lost a lot of weight recently?" to "how do you get lost in a crowd when you are ENORMOUS?" to "she was the best out of what we had to work with." to "if there was a day when I didn't have somebody come in that wasn't on drugs, that was a good day." to "it's a wonderful store, we can build it together."

well that and the rarity of the segment.


It is SOOOO very comforting to know that I am not the only person on the earth to fall out of bed when I saw and heard this clip. It is one of my favorite quotes EVER on UM. The woman was so intense it was mind blowing, it was as if her life was on the line.
"How can you get lost in a crown when you are ENORMOUS?" :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
As an "ENORMOUS" person I love that line. My fat butt would never get lost in a crowd! Thank you very much!

Great detective work Crystaldawn

This is one of the segments that is more memorable for its campiness than for the events it portrays. Everything from the cheesy scripted lines in the reenactment ("It's a new store--let's build it together!"), to the remarks of her coworkers regarding her weight, make you wonder if the segment was meant to be taken seriously in the first place!

Hmm, I will say, I am not surprised Wal-Mart did not want to prosecute her. I used to work for Wal-Mart, worked for them for three years. I was just a grocery stocker but MANY people that worked for them, at least at that location that I worked at in southern Minnesota ripped them off. Now when I say many, no a majority of the employees did not steal but more stole from them than what you would think.

Like I remember one dude, he was gosh, 18 years old or so, 17, 18 years old, he was a senior in high school. He worked there as a cashier and had been stealing from them for months. I did not know it until after the news broke, but I remember one day I went up to the Service desk to get merchandise returns and this guy had just turned off his light at his register, he was going to break. Well as soon as he shut the light off and as soon as the customer that had been in his lane walked away, the cops swarmed in and arrested him for grand theft. I guess in the prior months he had stolen thousands of dollars and I guess his drawer was always coming up short but instead of confronting him with the evidence, the folks in the money office went to management and they put him under watch and they watched him for over two months after they were on to him. Anyway, I believe he later pled out to theft and got probation but basically as long as he reimbursed the company, Wal-Mart did not care.

The big thing is Wal-Mart makes SO MUCH money. People sue that company all the time and the chances are, 9 times out of 10, Wal-Mart will settle with you just to avoid the negative publicity. I mean I remember working in the grocery section of a super Wal-Mart, there would be signs clearly posted that said, that the area had just been mopped, wet floor so caution and here would come people strolling in or even fast walking and I always felt they were doing it on purpose. Sure enough they would slip and fall and what a shock file a civil suit claiming injury and negligence and every time Wal-Mart would settle. You could file a lawsuit against them you KNEW and they KNEW was bogus and they would still settle because they did not want bad publicity. I mean I have read about people who basically made their entire living off of law suits against Wal-Mart, I mean people who sued Wal-Mart countless times and always got settlements.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DAYjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aM0FAAAAIBAJ&dq=dora%20peterman&pg=4949%2C3509090

A story about her in the Palm Beach Post from 1984 about her "cookin the books" at a Karate school in Lantana, FL. I live near Lantana, in West Palm Beach, FL. I looked her up in Palm Beach County Records system. She was affiliated with a gentleman by the name of David Peterman. They both lived at an address in Lantana featured on their court documents, but they never owned land in Palm Beach County under those names (not that i could find). All three county records the exist on Dora Mae Peterman are financial related, 2 of them are judgements made against here with the Su Mac Investment Inc, of Florida and the other is a lien from the IRS on her.

Perhaps I should do more research because the address on all their county stuff does not exist. 7802 Boanza Circle, Lantana, FL. There is no street called Boanza Circle... At least not today. And as for the town of Lantana, I dont think any of their street names have changed....ever. So I dont know how the county verified that or if there was in fact a road by that name at one time.

Article is a gem, great find. I love how she was already on probation for another 10 years at the time of this rather low-scale embezzlement for fraud.

What a piece of work. For the life of me, I cannot understand how no judge ever got wise to her ways and threw the book at her - or, at least, revoked her probation.

I mean, so far as we know she has stolen literally hundreds of thousands of dollars and this was in the 80s - probably with inflation and all, today it could conceivably be the equivalent of a million dollars - and not spent one day in the slammer.

They should put her before Judge Judy.

Hmm I wonder if Dora Mae Peterman or Lisa Penz are on Facebook...:lol:

There is a Lisa Penz on there but it is very much obviously not her.

You left out another one.

Manager: Well, based on your application and what you've told me, it sounds like you're perfect for the job. Can you start Monday?
Bonnie: Yes.
Manager: Terrific! Then we'll look forward to seeing you then. (She gets up to shake Bonnie's hand.)
Bonnie: (with a cheesy grin) And I look forward to working with your organization. Monday morning? 8AM?
Manager: Yes.
Bonnie: (still grinning her head off) Terrific!

What I love about that scene is the expression on the manager's face after Bonnie leaves, as if she's thinking "Oh crap! Should I really have hired her?" :lol:


Haha I noticed that look too. She had a sort of smirk on her face. She was probably hoping she wouldn't knock anything over in the store on her way out.

There is a thread on little miss panasofskee on websleuths.

There is a thread on little miss panasofskee on websleuths.

That quote seems kinda random. :confused:

That quote seems kinda random. :confused:

There is another thread about LMP on the first page, I think it was a mistake. :)

What an awesome thread, I need to rewatch this segment soon to catch all the funny details mentioned. I haven't seen it in years.

We need Lisa Penz to post!

Hmm I wonder if Dora Mae Peterman or Lisa Penz are on Facebook...:lol:

I think I just found Lisa Penz.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001431605549

I think I just found Lisa Penz.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001431605549
WoW! Thats her!

Wow, great find. Hehehe :D

A great find, indeed! Well done!

This thread is really fascinating, I love all the opinions about this segment, the funny moments, and the comments for Vicky Bosma.

Bonnie is definitely one of my fave UM characters of all time. It's funny that people in the segment we commenting about her weight and that she looked like a "lunch lady" when in fact Bonnie's appearance was probably her biggest weapon. When I think of a vixen, I picture someone like a Rolex Robber chick, someone thin and sexy and self-assured (like Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct). Bonnie was sooo unasuming, it was perfect. I can't help it, I really like Bonnie!

A great find, indeed! Well done!

This thread is really fascinating, I love all the opinions about this segment, the funny moments, and the comments for Vicky Bosma.

Bonnie is definitely one of my fave UM characters of all time. It's funny that people in the segment we commenting about her weight and that she looked like a "lunch lady" when in fact Bonnie's appearance was probably her biggest weapon. When I think of a vixen, I picture someone like a Rolex Robber chick, someone thin and sexy and self-assured (like Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct). Bonnie was sooo unasuming, it was perfect. I can't help it, I really like Bonnie!

So did I. It's probably my favorite case to watch.

Could it be?

facebook.com/people/Doramae-Grant-Peterman/100000075635795

Could it be?

facebook.com/people/Doramae-Grant-Peterman/100000075635795


I wonder what would happen if she friended Lisa Penz!!!!!!

Could it be?

facebook.com/people/Doramae-Grant-Peterman/100000075635795


NOOOOO that cant be her! That woman is like 300 pounds! You dont just make a facebook page when you are 300 pounds!

This is her. This woman's current city in public records match up with this woman having been associated with Atlanta and west palm beach. It's the only Doramae peterman. It's does look like she could be an older version of the woman in the um picture. So looks like we've found our woman.

Maybe a side by side comparison would help?

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad64/andy80_bucket/Bonnie.jpg

OMG!!! I'm not on facebook, but will someone who is PLEASE try to add Bonnie as a friend? That is sooo her! I know it's wrong to steal, but I love her...the UM fat Robin Hood!

I know it's wrong to steal, but I love her...the UM fat Robin Hood!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: YOU just made my day!!!!

Maybe it's just another fraud? Maybe she is robbing a store as we speak and is pretending to be DoraMae Peterman?

Also, why she is on Facebook when she is enormous?

lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: YOU just made my day!!!

*Flytrapp takes a bow* LOL.

Sage, LOVE the avatar pic! Hello Miz Boylan LOL.

I just watched Bonnie's segment again...I love it so much, I never really need an excuse. I wonder why no one contacted cab companies and found out who picked her up and where she was taken? (Maybe someone did, and it turned out to be a dead end?) To me, that would have been the easiest way to at least find out where she might be headed. I'm also assuming that she gave a fake address and phone number, etc, so the company would have no real information as to her whereabouts on file?

NOOOOO that cant be her! That woman is like 300 pounds! You dont just make a facebook page when you are 300 pounds!

:rotflmao: I love it!!

lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: YOU just made my day!!!

*Flytrapp takes a bow* LOL.

Sage, LOVE the avatar pic! Hello Miz Boylan LOL.

I just watched Bonnie's segment again...I love it so much, I never really need an excuse. I wonder why no one contacted cab companies and found out who picked her up and where she was taken? (Maybe someone did, and it turned out to be a dead end?) To me, that would have been the easiest way to at least find out where she might be headed. I'm also assuming that she gave a fake address and phone number, etc, so the company would have no real information as to her whereabouts on file?

The case is by far my favorite to watch - it's so odd that the company would not at least try to find some kind of way to convict Bonnie of something, maybe at least shoplifting? I don't know. But, their mistake, not Bonnie/DoraMae I guess.

And thank you for the compliment :wave:

thanks for that, MadamePI, that is very interesting. Yes, Lisa Penz had a history of making some discriminatory comments, and she definitely didn't come across very well in the segment. I had stated earlier that I wasn't surprised she was fired as she obviously failed to do simple background checks, which don't take all that long I wouldn't imagine. I'm shocked no one prosecuted her.

There was also a man interviewed in the segment who was noted as the former sales manager. I'll bet there were several people fired as a result of all this happening on their watch.

I couldn't remember who Bonnie Wilder was. So I ran a search for her and got this thread.

I wish I had an "EPIC" gif. That's what I would label this thread. EPIC.

So... did anyone friend her on Facebook? Ask her if everything was okay in "Lunch Lady Land?"

*singing* Sloppy joes, sloppy sloppy joes....

Ask her if everything was okay in "Lunch Lady Land?"

*singing* Sloppy joes, sloppy sloppy joes....

I have an account on a site like Intelius. The first criminal charge listed in Ms. Peterman's record goes all the way back to 1980 in Florida: supply or aid in supplying unauthorized license.

1992, FL: NOT SPECIFIED SECOND DEGREE MISDEMEANOR (Offense date 27 APR 1989)

2003, TX: THEFT >$20<$500 BY CHECK (Offense date unavailable)

2003, OH: TAKING IDENTITY OF ANOTHER (Offense date unavailable, prison start date 27 JUN 2003)

But surprisingly (or maybe not so much), end of list.


She has also lived all over the place. There are addresses listed in Florida, Ohio, Texas, and Michigan in multiple cities in all of those states.

I couldn't remember who Bonnie Wilder was. So I ran a search for her and got this thread.

I don't think I'll ever forget Bonnie Wilder. :lol:

I have an account on a site like Intelius. The first criminal charge listed in Ms. Peterman's record goes all the way back to 1980 in Florida: supply or aid in supplying unauthorized license.

1992, FL: NOT SPECIFIED SECOND DEGREE MISDEMEANOR (Offense date 27 APR 1989)

2003, TX: THEFT >$20<$500 BY CHECK (Offense date unavailable)

2003, OH: TAKING IDENTITY OF ANOTHER (Offense date unavailable, prison start date 27 JUN 2003)

But surprisingly (or maybe not so much), end of list.


She has also lived all over the place. There are addresses listed in Florida, Ohio, Texas, and Michigan in multiple cities in all of those states.


This is fascinating stuff ! :) How old is she now ?

This is fascinating stuff ! :) How old is she now ?

Sixty-eight.

Sixty-eight.

Well, I just sent her a message via facebook, telling her that I love her and she is my FAVE UM segment. I'd be surprised if she responds. But honestly, I do want to hear from her, even if it's just a "hello, thanks for messaging me" response. Bonnie Wilder is the best ever. I seriously love that woman!!!!! As a kid I thought she was innovative and cool, but as and adult I loved her even more because cross-eyed Lisa Penz and all those other people sort of dissed her....seriously, you douches are dissing Bonnie? She just ran off with a TON of cash, and you all got fired because of it, so now you want to take "fat" cracks or make lunch lady jokes? GO Bonnie! Wanna talk about "fat"? Bonnie got a "fat" purse full of money, and now Lisa Penz is probably a lunch lady. Booyah, MF!

Well, I just sent her a message via facebook, telling her that I love her and she is my FAVE UM segment. I'd be surprised if she responds. But honestly, I do want to hear from her, even if it's just a "hello, thanks for messaging me" response. Bonnie Wilder is the best ever. I seriously love that woman!!!!! As a kid I thought she was innovative and cool, but as and adult I loved her even more because cross-eyed Lisa Penz and all those other people sort of dissed her....seriously, you douches are dissing Bonnie? She just ran off with a TON of cash, and you all got fired because of it, so now you want to take "fat" cracks or make lunch lady jokes? GO Bonnie! Wanna talk about "fat"? Bonnie got a "fat" purse full of money, and now Lisa Penz is probably a lunch lady. Booyah, MF!

Give me a break. Bonnie Wilder engaged in a lifetime of crime, stole money, stole people's identities, was a pathological liar, and you're trying to make her out to be worthy of hero worship. Certainly takes a lot of chutzpah to contact her on facebook.

Certainly takes a lot of chutzpah to contact her on facebook.

flytrapp, please be careful. This lady has a long history as someone who takes advantage of others. That could all be well past and behind her, but it might be a good idea to exercise caution in your correspondence with her.

Be careful, but let us know if she responds.... :)

I wonder if she ever used Lisa Penz's identity and if she watched her UM segment.

Well, I just sent her a message via facebook, telling her that I love her and she is my FAVE UM segment. I'd be surprised if she responds. But honestly, I do want to hear from her, even if it's just a "hello, thanks for messaging me" response. Bonnie Wilder is the best ever. I seriously love that woman!!!!! As a kid I thought she was innovative and cool, but as and adult I loved her even more because cross-eyed Lisa Penz and all those other people sort of dissed her....seriously, you douches are dissing Bonnie? She just ran off with a TON of cash, and you all got fired because of it, so now you want to take "fat" cracks or make lunch lady jokes? GO Bonnie! Wanna talk about "fat"? Bonnie got a "fat" purse full of money, and now Lisa Penz is probably a lunch lady. Booyah, MF!

Ummmmmm...I think your envy is a little displaced. Why is her being creative when it comes to her endless criminal activities worthy of your admiration? She's still a criminal. How would you feel if she swindled $40,000 out of you like all the other people and companies she's robbed?

We've all kind of laughed off Bonnie's co-workers comments in the segment. But the only thing they were really guilty of was being catty. They never broke the law. And if I were in their shoes, I would be pretty ticked off too if some woman came in to my work and did what she did.

She is not worth any praise in my book.

http://youtu.be/niFI-sxSdOw

Ummmmmm...I think your envy is a little displaced. Why is her being creative when it comes to her endless criminal activities worthy of your admiration? She's still a criminal. How would you feel if she swindled $40,000 out of you like all the other people and companies she's robbed?

We've all kind of laughed off Bonnie's co-workers comments in the segment. But the only thing they were really guilty of was being catty. They never broke the law. And if I were in their shoes, I would be pretty ticked off too if some woman came in to my work and did what she did.

She is not worth any praise in my book.

I get where you are coming from, for sure. Obviously, Bonnie's morals were wrong, and she was also a criminal, I totally agree. I think what has always made me cheer for her is because of the comments made about her. Far too often people will make comments about what people "are" rather than commenting on what they "did". Sometimes it's a person appearance, a person's age, gender, sexuality, race....when those things are not the issue. The comments made should have been about Bonnie stealing the money, not about being enormous or looking like a lunch lady. So, in that sense, I do admit I was rooting for Bonnie, because I don't like bullies. But this segment is one of my favourites and always will be. I guess, to me, Bonnie is one of the few "villains" who is somewhat funny, rather than (for example) a sick creep like EAR. Would I like it if Bonnie stole money from me or my company? Probably not, but I only hire after extensive research including a credit check, and I have insurance :) LOL. Did the store that Bonnie stole from get what they deserved? No, they didn't. They had no idea because Liza Penz didn't do her research correctly, or maybe Lisa got snowed by Bonnie and felt at ease enough to trust her. It's just an all-around shame, really, but it made for a good segment :)

/niFI-sxSdOw

Ha! Made me :lol: :rotflmao: :rofl: :lol: :rotflmao: :rofl: :rotflmao: :lol:

This makes me want to contact Lisa Penz. But knowing that she got fired and that its why she was so bitter in the segment makes me...idk fearful?

Good lord did she respond? I can't take the suspense anymore.

I get where you are coming from, for sure. Obviously, Bonnie's morals were wrong, and she was also a criminal, I totally agree. I think what has always made me cheer for her is because of the comments made about her. Far too often people will make comments about what people "are" rather than commenting on what they "did". Sometimes it's a person appearance, a person's age, gender, sexuality, race....when those things are not the issue. The comments made should have been about Bonnie stealing the money, not about being enormous or looking like a lunch lady. So, in that sense, I do admit I was rooting for Bonnie, because I don't like bullies. But this segment is one of my favourites and always will be. I guess, to me, Bonnie is one of the few "villains" who is somewhat funny, rather than (for example) a sick creep like EAR. Would I like it if Bonnie stole money from me or my company? Probably not, but I only hire after extensive research including a credit check, and I have insurance :) LOL. Did the store that Bonnie stole from get what they deserved? No, they didn't. They had no idea because Liza Penz didn't do her research correctly, or maybe Lisa got snowed by Bonnie and felt at ease enough to trust her. It's just an all-around shame, really, but it made for a good segment :)i don't feel bad for her at all. She is a low life career criminal and theif. If she stole from me like that I'd say something worse about Her than calling her 300lbs...I'd say something so bad you'd cheer for me instead.

Nah, she never responded, and I didn't expect her too. She's probably too busy managing a Target under the name Lisa Penz :lol:

I sent Lisa Penz a link to this thread hoping she'd offer some input and got no reply.

I sent Lisa Penz a link to this thread hoping she'd offer some input and got no reply.

lmao the woman's probably in denial

I sent Lisa Penz a link to this thread hoping she'd offer some input and got no reply.

You do realize this was nearly 30 years ago and she might not have the interest or even the knowledge anymore to be helpful. The woman acted like she was holding a very big grudge during her interview 25+ years ago, I doubt she is going to show up in 2015 digging up info on B. Wilder.

All this talk about Bonnie, I'm going to have to re-watch this segment I do believe!



I had to go to a...site and watch the video. LMAO, never have I heard of this case:lol:

I'm sure Lisa probably forgot she was on this program. It doesn't mean that much to most people as it does to us.

"Bonnie Wilder" must be the luckiest perp ever profiled on Unsolved Mysteries. Yes there have been plenty of obvious killers who have never been caught but in Bonnie's case, they know who she is and what she did and per the PI who was profiled on this case and posted on this message board, she never spent one day in jail for any crimes she committed pertaining to this segment.

This segment is one of the best! I remember it very well.

Lisa Penz comes across as bitter and she only makes herself look even worse by trying to deflect blame with her comments on the supposed lack of decent prospective employees as well as Bonnie's obesity. It was her sloppy hiring and background-check practices that essentially let Bonnie in the door---and into the store's safe, quite literally.

It's my understanding that "Bonnie" (Mae Patterson is her real name) was never prosecuted for any of the thefts/fraud at the various stores she 'worked' for, even before the Atlanta one, which this UM segment focuses in on. She certainly knew what she was doing. However, the way things are now regarding safeguards against ID theft, fraud, etc., it is much harder to get by doing those things than it was back in the 1980s.

"Bonnie Wilder" must be the luckiest perp ever profiled on Unsolved Mysteries. Yes there have been plenty of obvious killers who have never been caught but in Bonnie's case, they know who she is and what she did and per the PI who was profiled on this case and posted on this message board, she never spent one day in jail for any crimes she committed pertaining to this segment.

The evil bitch who robbed the blind judge was also found and identified but let go without prosecution because the prime witness died before a case could come to trial. What she did was much worse as she made miserable the life of a good person, not just robbed a store.

The evil bitch who robbed the blind judge was also found and identified but let go without prosecution because the prime witness died before a case could come to trial. What she did was much worse as she made miserable the life of a good person, not just robbed a store.

Except the judge was a pervert if I remember correctly. Molested/groped men and women in court.

Except the judge was a pervert if I remember correctly. Molested/groped men and women in court.

That was not mentioned in the segment...if we are talking about the same judge...but it would not be the only time UM left out unfavorable details to cast a subject in a more sympathetic light. Same deal with the victim in the Jesse James Hollywood murder. The show portrayed the kidnapped boy as being squeaky clean when he had been in trouble before.

That was not mentioned in the segment...if we are talking about the same judge...but it would not be the only time UM left out unfavorable details to cast a subject in a more sympathetic light. Same deal with the victim in the Jesse James Hollywood murder. The show portrayed the kidnapped boy as being squeaky clean when he had been in trouble before.

Nick Markowitz's predicament was quite different than sexually assaulting someone....

The panel removed Municipal Judge Leland W. Geiler from the bench for using profane language, for arbitrarily removing public defenders from cases, for opening his judicial robe and revealing his naked body to a court reporter and for prodding a male deputy defender with a sex toy in chambers.

"We found the charges were true," Alarcon said.

The evil bitch who robbed the blind judge was also found and identified but let go without prosecution because the prime witness died before a case could come to trial. What she did was much worse as she made miserable the life of a good person, not just robbed a store.

Wait, I thought the lady that robbed the judge was Andolina Gonzalez?

Oops, I misread that post...I thought it read that Bonnie robbed the judge, but it read that Andolina was lucky (like Bonnie) for getting away with what she did. I understand now :)

Nick Markowitz's predicament was quite different than sexually assaulting someone....

The panel removed Municipal Judge Leland W. Geiler from the bench for using profane language, for arbitrarily removing public defenders from cases, for opening his judicial robe and revealing his naked body to a court reporter and for prodding a male deputy defender with a sex toy in chambers.

"We found the charges were true," Alarcon said.

Okay, that's creepy and certainly not the sort of mischief in which Nick was involved.

Nick Markowitz's predicament was quite different than sexually assaulting someone....

The panel removed Municipal Judge Leland W. Geiler from the bench for using profane language, for arbitrarily removing public defenders from cases, for opening his judicial robe and revealing his naked body to a court reporter and for prodding a male deputy defender with a sex toy in chambers.

"We found the charges were true," Alarcon said.

Perhaps a logical next question ... did Andolina Gonzalez have any connection to anyone Geiler wronged? Honestly, I still feel sorry for the judge however in the context of being literally robbed out of house and home.

This is most certainly her, yes?

https://www.facebook.com/doramae.peterman

It was an enormous disappointment to find out that this segment was omitted from the season 2 set on Amazon Instant Video. :cool:

It was an enormous disappointment to find out that this segment was omitted from the season 2 set on Amazon Instant Video. :cool:

That it was. We'll always have our enormous memories though, right?

I was a little startled to see that she resides in the same city as I do. :eek:

It was an enormous disappointment to find out that this segment was omitted from the season 2 set on Amazon Instant Video. :cool:

I see what you did there.

I always thought Bonnie could find work as a Bruce Vilanch impersonator.

It was an enormous disappointment to find out that this segment was omitted from the season 2 set on Amazon Instant Video. :cool:

She allegedly threatened to sit on Cosgrove and Meurer, so they pulled it from Season 2. That's what some people are saying.

This segment is one of the best! I remember it very well.

Lisa Penz comes across as bitter and she only makes herself look even worse by trying to deflect blame with her comments on the supposed lack of decent prospective employees as well as Bonnie's obesity. It was her sloppy hiring and background-check practices that essentially let Bonnie in the door---and into the store's safe, quite literally.
.

I liked Lisa Penz, she's a straight shooter and I sympathized with her when she expressed her frustrations

You left out another one.

Manager: Well, based on your application and what you've told me, it sounds like you're perfect for the job. Can you start Monday?
Bonnie: Yes.
Manager: Terrific! Then we'll look forward to seeing you then. (She gets up to shake Bonnie's hand.)
Bonnie: (with a cheesy grin) And I look forward to working with your organization. Monday morning? 8AM?
Manager: Yes.
Bonnie: (still grinning her head off) Terrific!

What I love about that scene is the expression on the manager's face after Bonnie leaves, as if she's thinking "Oh crap! Should I really have hired her?" :lol:
I am laughing so hard right now. I don't know why, but I love this part too. I'm so sorry they didn't include it in the Amazon episodes. I understand - what else can they do if L.E. asks them to take it down, but as far as UM goes, it was a classic and a work of art. Doesn't seem far that it just gets taken down like that.

I get where you are coming from, for sure. Obviously, Bonnie's morals were wrong, and she was also a criminal, I totally agree. I think what has always made me cheer for her is because of the comments made about her. Far too often people will make comments about what people "are" rather than commenting on what they "did". Sometimes it's a person appearance, a person's age, gender, sexuality, race....when those things are not the issue. The comments made should have been about Bonnie stealing the money, not about being enormous or looking like a lunch lady. So, in that sense, I do admit I was rooting for Bonnie, because I don't like bullies. But this segment is one of my favourites and always will be. I guess, to me, Bonnie is one of the few "villains" who is somewhat funny, rather than (for example) a sick creep like EAR. Would I like it if Bonnie stole money from me or my company? Probably not, but I only hire after extensive research including a credit check, and I have insurance :) LOL. Did the store that Bonnie stole from get what they deserved? No, they didn't. They had no idea because Liza Penz didn't do her research correctly, or maybe Lisa got snowed by Bonnie and felt at ease enough to trust her. It's just an all-around shame, really, but it made for a good segment :)
thank you for this. Well said. I don't know if I'd reach out to her, but you made some good points here.

the weird thing is, when I looked at her facebook page, I thought - wow, she's changed, realizing, of course, I expected her to look like the actress. Maybe we are just fans of the actress - she deserves some credit!

It did bring up a point for me which I've thought of before - how many UM actors have had the police at the door because someone "saw" Bonnie Wilder or someone else, and it was just the actor who portrayed them in the segment?

Anyone ever see this story? I didn't see it posted in this thread. It was published on Dec 14, 2014. DoraMae apparently lives in Columbus and was featured in a story about home-care.

Home-care crisis: Fraud costs taxpayers, vulnerable Ohioans (http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/12/14/home-care-crisis.html)

http://www.dispatch.com/storyimage/OH/20141214/NEWS/312149885/AR/0/AR-312149885.jpg?Q=75&maxW=960&maxH=960

Doramae Peterman, a former Diversity client, said she’s not surprised that the agency ran afoul of the state. “Hardly anyone there knew what was going on,” she said.

Peterman’s aide was a relative of hers who started working for Diversity more than a year ago. But she stopped showing up as assigned, so Peterman, 69, informed the agency. “I thought they would send someone else,” the North Side resident said. “They didn’t.”

Great find! So she's Ohio now? Wow this girl moves around. Maybe the Circleville writer should come out of retirement and send Bonnie a letter!

Oh the irony!

I guess they couldn't build Diversity together?

Bahahaha!!! @ Freakbook. Hilarious!

I love how she is quoted as saying "no one there knew what was going on"....hmmm, kind of like the time no one knew what was going on when you stole the money from the store? :lol:

Bahahaha!!! @ Freakbook. Hilarious!

I love how she is quoted as saying "no one there knew what was going on"....hmmm, kind of like the time no one knew what was going on when you stole the money from the store? :lol:

Exxxaaacccctly! I guess she's too "enormous" to see the irony?

LMAO!!! I guess Lisa Penz's personnel file won't help the situation, either.

Amazing find! :eek:

She looks older than 67, to be honest. The glamorous peanut-eating embezzling days are long gone, I'm afraid.

Amazing find! :eek:

She looks older than 67, to be honest. The glamorous peanut-eating embezzling days are long gone, I'm afraid.

OMG. Your screen name. Epic. :)

And welcome! :wave:

Exxxaaacccctly! I guess she's too "enormous" to see the irony?


Well I mean she's not that hard to spot in a crowd. Sticks out like a wilde woman.

https://www.vernonfh.com/obituary/doramae-peterman/

Looks like she passed away last November.

Except the judge was a pervert if I remember correctly. Molested/groped men and women in court.

More than that. The state of California impeached him from the bench. Only 3 I think ever had that happen.

Hmm I wonder if Dora Mae Peterman or Lisa Penz are on Facebook...:lol:

Lisa is, I friend requested her years ago and she hasn't accepted me but I can still see her profile. She looks the same lol

So, this is really random - this is my all time fav segment and I haven't seen it in years. Does anyone have a copy? I'd love to see it again!

So, this is really random - this is my all time fav segment and I haven't seen it in years. Does anyone have a copy? I'd love to see it again!

YouTube has Lisa Penz's final quote, which of course, has gone on to become legendary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niFI-sxSdOw

YouTube has Lisa Penz's final quote, which of course, has gone on to become legendary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niFI-sxSdOw

I really, REALLY needed this today. Thanks dynoguy!

YouTube has Lisa Penz's final quote, which of course, has gone on to become legendary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niFI-sxSdOw

Classic! I wish there were more.

Someone posted this above last year, but it seems like the board's favorite criminal, Bonnie Wilder, passed away in 2019.

https://www.vernonfh.com/obituary/doramae-peterman/

I had no idea her hometown was an hour from mine.
Like so many others, I wish I could see the entire segment again. Probably been a decade or more anyway.

https://youtu.be/nJnRqPGJE94?si=cNxyafVxmAnWMbZx


Found it!

Hello all! It's great that a thread I started back in 2007 is still getting bumped up! Anyway I received an email through my blog email back in 2020 that really surprised me. I thought I'd tell you guys about it. It said:

"I am interested in any information on Bonnie Wilder. I realize this is an old case but I just stumbled upon it when my mother, Doramae Peterman, passed. I did contact Vicki Bosma, but she never answered me. I am just trying to put it all in perspective as we knew nothing about any of this."

I'm not really surprised that she wouldn't talk to her daughter about this and if she was never caught it makes sense she wouldn't know about it. I'm guessing she saw this thread and contacted me because of it. It just goes to show you never know who's checking out the board....:eek::D

Hello all! It's great that a thread I started back in 2007 is still getting bumped up! Anyway I received an email through my blog email back in 2020 that really surprised me. I thought I'd tell you guys about it. It said:

"I am interested in any information on Bonnie Wilder. I realize this is an old case but I just stumbled upon it when my mother, Doramae Peterman, passed. I did contact Vicki Bosma, but she never answered me. I am just trying to put it all in perspective as we knew nothing about any of this."

I'm not really surprised that she wouldn't talk to her daughter about this and if she was never caught it makes sense she wouldn't know about it. I'm guessing she saw this thread and contacted me because of it. It just goes to show you never know who's checking out the board....:eek::D

Wow. I would’ve thought her whole family knew about it.

https://youtu.be/nJnRqPGJE94?si=cNxyafVxmAnWMbZx


Found it!

Thank you so much. :eyes: The entire segment is one great quote after another. It's such a meme.

"To look at the woman, I would think she would drive a school bus or work in a lunch room." Dying. :rotflmao:

And the actress who played Bonnie/Doramae deserved an Emmy or something. Give this woman her flowers! Iconic.

Hello all! It's great that a thread I started back in 2007 is still getting bumped up! Anyway I received an email through my blog email back in 2020 that really surprised me. I thought I'd tell you guys about it. It said:

"I am interested in any information on Bonnie Wilder. I realize this is an old case but I just stumbled upon it when my mother, Doramae Peterman, passed. I did contact Vicki Bosma, but she never answered me. I am just trying to put it all in perspective as we knew nothing about any of this."

I'm not really surprised that she wouldn't talk to her daughter about this and if she was never caught it makes sense she wouldn't know about it. I'm guessing she saw this thread and contacted me because of it. It just goes to show you never know who's checking out the board....:eek::D

Dang, that's crazy.

At least I'm certain it's quite the consolation to her daughter that Bonnie/Doramae has rockstar status on the Sitcoms Online Unsolved Mysteries message board. :lol:

Hi everyone! I’m a newbie here to this site and just wanted to say thanks for all of the posts regarding the Bonnie Wilder episode. Of all Unsolved Mysteries episodes for some odd reason that one sticks out in my mind given the cleverness of how that lady committed that crime.

On a sidenote, in April 1989 several months before the Bonnie Wilder episode aired, I started working at a department store in my hometown. I remember seeing that woman’s photo on a bulletin board in the employee breakroom under the caption “have you seen this woman?” It did not go into details of what she did but was a sort of BOLO alert, put out by the store to contact the police if she happens to show up there. Seeing that then seeing that Unsolved Mysteries episode months later I guess kind of galvanized it in my mind so much. I recall also shortly after seeing her picture all the female employees that worked at our store were required to carry all of their items in a clear company issued purse as a deterrent to keep that from happening. Any kind of other purse or handbag was not allowed unless you had special permission from store management.

Is she still enormous to spot in big city crowds?

I would a$$ume so Jiimmy yes!!


Welcome to the site Jetmech :)

Thanks! ��
Thanks!

Hi everyone! I’m a newbie here to this site and just wanted to say thanks for all of the posts regarding the Bonnie Wilder episode. Of all Unsolved Mysteries episodes for some odd reason that episode sticks out in my mind given the cleverness of how that lady committed that crime.
On a sidenote, in April 1989 several months before the Bonnie Wilder episode aired I started working at a department store in my hometown. I remember seeing that woman’s photo on a bulletin board in the employee breakroom under the caption “have you seen this womam?” It did not go into details of what she did but was a sort of BOLO alert, put out by the store to contact the police if she happen to show up there. Seeing that then seeing that Unsolved Mysteries episode months later I guess kind of galvanized it in my mind so much. I recall also shortly after seeing her picture all the female employees that worked at our store were required to carry all of their items in a clear company issued purse as a deterrent to keep that from happening. Any kind of other purse or handbag was not allowed unless you had special permission from store management.

welcome Jetmech!!! thank you for posting that inside info. that's really cool. it's also awesome to get new members here. do you work on jets? I'm in that field also. finally about to retire.

welcome Jetmech!!! thank you for posting that inside info. that's really cool. it's also awesome to get new members here. do you work on jets? I'm in that field also. finally about to retire.
Hi Dallas! I do. Been an aircraft tech over 30 years now and have worked a variety of fixed and rotor winged aircraft, both civilian and military.

Hi Dallas! I do. Been an aircraft tech over 30 years now and have worked a variety of fixed and rotor winged aircraft, both civilian and military.

that's great. I was originally avionics and still work with fighters, at least for a few more months. I hope you continue to post here.

Is she still enormous to spot in big city crowds?
She passed away November 2019.

https://www.vernonfh.com/obituaries/Doramae-Peterman?obId=24886498

I kind of felt sorry for Lisa Penz. Given how she had so many issues trying hire people who weren't strung out on dope she probably was frustrated and just hired Bonnie on the spot to keep things going. I once took part in opening up a business several years ago and I know how frustrating it can be finding the right people for the job, especially when the deadline to open is ticking away.

However, one thing still puzzles me: I understand Lisa being fired but why were the other two associates in this episode (Arthur Aaron and Thelma Nolan) let go as well? Lisa was the one that hired Bonnie...were the other two in on hiring her? Sounds like Cohoes upper brass came in and in one fell swoop made heads roll regardless of who was/wasn't at fault. No wonder Cohoes lasted in Atalanta only a few years. That's certainly no company I would want to have worked for! Firing Lisa and the others might have been a veiled blessing.

that's great. I was originally avionics and still work with fighters, at least for a few more months. I hope you continue to post here.
Cool! I've got about another decade (give or take) before I retire but I'm certainly looking forward to it.

I kind of felt sorry for Lisa Penz. Given how she had so many issues trying hire people who weren't strung out on dope she probably was frustrated and just hired Bonnie on the spot to keep things going. I once took part in opening up a business several years ago and I know how frustrating it can be finding the right people for the job, especially when the deadline to open is ticking away.

However, one thing still puzzles me: I understand Lisa being fired but why were the other two associates in this episode (Arthur Aaron and Thelma Nolan) let go as well? Lisa was the one that hired Bonnie...were the other two in on hiring her? Sounds like Cohoes upper brass came in and in one fell swoop made heads roll regardless of who was/wasn't at fault. No wonder Cohoes lasted in Atalanta only a few years. That's certainly no company I would want to have worked for! Firing Lisa and the others might have been a veiled blessing.


I think Penz statement about everyone being on drugs has to be taken with a massive grain of salt. I don't personally believe any of it.

I think Penz statement about everyone being on drugs has to be taken with a massive grain of salt. I don't personally believe any of it.
Actually, that is a possibility.
Of course, most people when they go for a job interview put their best foot forward, prepare themselves mentally and dress appropriately to make a good impression. However, I have sat in on a few job interviews before where some people came in either reeking of alcohol or were not quite acting right, almost like they were on something. Here in recent years, it’s become almost a common occurrence.

She has a massive chip on her shoulder from bearing the brunt of her bad hiring decision, which she's rationalizing as "oh she was the only sober one" as an excuse for why it shouldn't have been her fault and shouldn't have been fired for it. Instead of you know ... checking some references.

An accountant/bookkeeper isn't some entry level position that they just hire any random "drug addict" off the street for. There's zero chance everyone applying for that position was a substance abuser, for starters. Secondly, what qualifies her in a 30 minute interview to diagnose that? Were they shooting up in between the behavioural questions?

She has a massive chip on her shoulder from bearing the brunt of her bad hiring decision, which she's rationalizing as "oh she was the only sober one" as an excuse for why it shouldn't have been her fault and shouldn't have been fired for it. Instead of you know ... checking some references.

An accountant/bookkeeper isn't some entry level position that they just hire any random "drug addict" off the street for. There's zero chance everyone applying for that position was a substance abuser, for starters. Secondly, what qualifies her in a 30 minute interview to diagnose that? Were they shooting up in between the behavioural questions?

^THIS. Girl was trippin' harder than her eyeball.

Ultimately, the Wilder hiring was a fireable offense IMO. I get that there was probably significant pressure to staff the store in a short time, and that the applicant pickings may have been slim (though I don’t really buy the “everyone was on drugs” excuse, as the national unemployment rate in 1986 was seven percent). But that being said, failing to make even a cursory inquiry into a résumé that was full of red flags—for a position that involved handling significant amounts of money!—is pretty damn negligent.

The segment also serves as a reminder of how cruelly society treated overweight people in the ‘80s (and well beyond). Bonnie/Doramae was hardly a sympathetic character, but why did her weight need to be insulted so gratuitously?

Ultimately, the Wilder hiring was a fireable offense IMO. I get that there was probably significant pressure to staff the store in a short time, and that the applicant pickings may have been slim (though I don’t really buy the “everyone was on drugs” excuse, as the national unemployment rate in 1986 was seven percent). But that being said, failing to make even a cursory inquiry into a résumé that was full of red flags—for a position that involved handling significant amounts of money!—is pretty damn negligent.

The segment also serves as a reminder of how cruelly society treated overweight people in the ‘80s (and well beyond). Bonnie/Doramae was hardly a sympathetic character, but why did her weight need to be insulted so gratuitously?

The show in the intro having Robert Stack say "She is known as The Fat Woman" with his full chest was so out of pocket.

The segment also serves as a reminder of how cruelly society treated overweight people in the ‘80s (and well beyond). Bonnie/Doramae was hardly a sympathetic character, but why did her weight need to be insulted so gratuitously?

Very little has changed. Overweight people are pretty much considered fair game in terms of jokes and ridicule. I’ve lost 140 pounds this year and the difference in the way strangers treat me is noticeable. It’s like you finally start to matter when you’re in a thinner body.

With that said…I can’t help but still smirk a little over the “you don’t get lost in a crowd when you are enormous,” line. Maybe it’s the delivery.

Very little has changed. Overweight people are pretty much considered fair game in terms of jokes and ridicule. I’ve lost 140 pounds this year and the difference in the way strangers treat me is noticeable. It’s like you finally start to matter when you’re in a thinner body.

With that said…I can’t help but still smirk a little over the “you don’t get lost in a crowd when you are enormous,” line. Maybe it’s the delivery.

Good for you!. We should all be judged by the content of our character and how we treat others, not by our appearances. I admit I have been working on that. I wish I could take back jokes that I’ve made about superficial things. It’s immature on my part.

Finally watched this one. It does live up to the reputation, easily one of the best segments UM ever did.

I definitely don't understand the admiration for this woman, she was a criminal who stole from stores, nothing admirable about that. And the fact that she got away with it is also disgusting, more proof that it shouldn't be up to the insurance company to press charges or not.

Also extremely disappointed in this being left out of the FilmRise/Amazon release, many unsuspecting viewers will never know what they are missing.

I don't really blame Penz for being irritated either. As she said, they had terrible response trying to staff the store, drug addicts, etc. I have no reason to doubt her account of that. She was likely pushed hard by upper management to hire anyone or else, and when she did as she was told and it went bad they made her the fall woman. Then to add insult to injury someone she was willing to offer a job to costs her her own job and then rips off her identity. I'd say she was restrained in her interview. Had it been me, the entire thing would have been a 1kHz tone.

Of course, the lines are kinda funny, particularly the exasperation at how someone so fat can disappear, the illogical nature of it is why its so amusing. The implication that Atlanta is too small for a 300lb woman to hide out in unintentional comedy gold. I imagine the producers left that in for the comedy value knowing what they were doing.

And one more observation. While in the late 80's being 250-300 lbs made Bonnie "enormous" its kinda funny that today I can't go to Walmart without seeing dozens of people at least that large. She would fit right in today, and I doubt anyone would use "enormous" to describe someone less than about 500 lbs. How times change.

Nah, a 300 lb. woman will always be enormous. Some 300 lb. men wear it better due to gender and height.

Has anyone noticed this segment going slightly viral on social media recently?

Obviously, my algorithm is predisposed to feed me UM content, but I usually don't see much on TikTok/IG. However, in the past month I've seen this segment a couple times on TikTok and IG...usually Miss Penz's iconic "this is a big city, you still don't get lost in a crowd when you're enormous" quote.

Finally watched this one. It does live up to the reputation, easily one of the best segments UM ever did.

I definitely don't understand the admiration for this woman, she was a criminal who stole from stores, nothing admirable about that. And the fact that she got away with it is also disgusting, more proof that it shouldn't be up to the insurance company to press charges or not.

Also extremely disappointed in this being left out of the FilmRise/Amazon release, many unsuspecting viewers will never know what they are missing.

I don't really blame Penz for being irritated either. As she said, they had terrible response trying to staff the store, drug addicts, etc. I have no reason to doubt her account of that. She was likely pushed hard by upper management to hire anyone or else, and when she did as she was told and it went bad they made her the fall woman. Then to add insult to injury someone she was willing to offer a job to costs her her own job and then rips off her identity. I'd say she was restrained in her interview. Had it been me, the entire thing would have been a 1kHz tone.

Of course, the lines are kinda funny, particularly the exasperation at how someone so fat can disappear, the illogical nature of it is why its so amusing. The implication that Atlanta is too small for a 300lb woman to hide out in unintentional comedy gold. I imagine the producers left that in for the comedy value knowing what they were doing.

And one more observation. While in the late 80's being 250-300 lbs made Bonnie "enormous" its kinda funny that today I can't go to Walmart without seeing dozens of people at least that large. She would fit right in today, and I doubt anyone would use "enormous" to describe someone less than about 500 lbs. How times change.


The admiration for her comes from how revolting Lisa Penz comes across, with a side of how the actress played Bonnie.

As to the hiring problem, you mean to seriously tell me you couldn't find an accountant in the capital city of Georgia? All of them were on drugs? And you don't check references for someone in the management team, that's handling the money?

I also think there's something just a little bit racist, conscious or unconscious, about Penz declaration that everyone in Atlanta was on drugs.

As to the hiring problem, you mean to seriously tell me you couldn't find an accountant in the capital city of Georgia? All of them were on drugs? And you don't check references for someone in the management team, that's handling the money?

My thoughts exactly. I know 20+ years ago when I was a fresh faced business school graduate and was having trouble landing a job I applied at this absolute hole in the wall business that paid barely minimum wage for an accounting clerk position. I though because of the low pay I was a shoe in until I saw the stockpile of resumes: I peeked at the top one and they a master's degree as well as a CGA and a CMA professional designations. I find it REALLY hard to believe in a big city like Atlanta they didn't have at least 10 suitable candidates for such a job. Having said that, I have no doubt that Lisa Penz was the fall person for a systematic dropping of the ball by a number of people.

As to the hiring problem, you mean to seriously tell me you couldn't find an accountant in the capital city of Georgia? All of them were on drugs? And you don't check references for someone in the management team, that's handling the money?

^ This.

I have a hard time mustering sympathy for Lisa Penz. As mentioned previously, she probably took the fall for a systemic failure and that's not particularly fair, but she flat-out didn't do her job and didn't take a shred of responsibility for what ultimately happened.

People are making valid points about Lisa Penz...but it's still such a classic line, about it being a good day if she interviewed someone who wasn't on drugs. It immediately comes out of nowhere and the delivery is so quick and flawless. :lol::lol::lol:

This segment is such a breath of fresh air with how comical it can get.

People are making valid points about Lisa Penz...but it's still such a classic line, about it being a good day if she interviewed someone who wasn't on drugs. It immediately comes out of nowhere and the delivery is so quick and flawless. :lol::lol::lol:

This segment is such a breath of fresh air with how comical it can get.

Yep, it's a fan favorite for a reason! I also love the early '90s vibes--all those huge lamps throughout the department store and Lisa Penz's blue-and-white polka dot suit.

^ This.

I have a hard time mustering sympathy for Lisa Penz. As mentioned previously, she probably took the fall for a systemic failure and that's not particularly fair, but she flat-out didn't do her job and didn't take a shred of responsibility for what ultimately happened.

I don't even agree that it's a systemic failure. Had she done her reference checks this wouldn't have happened, and obviously her employer realized this as it was caught immediately during the investigation.

People are making valid points about Lisa Penz...but it's still such a classic line, about it being a good day if she interviewed someone who wasn't on drugs. It immediately comes out of nowhere and the delivery is so quick and flawless. :lol::lol::lol:

This segment is such a breath of fresh air with how comical it can get.

I still love that line. This one's a fan fav that won't die even with censorship for a reason hehe

As to the hiring problem, you mean to seriously tell me you couldn't find an accountant in the capital city of Georgia? All of them were on drugs? And you don't check references for someone in the management team, that's handling the money?


My thoughts exactly. I know 20+ years ago when I was a fresh faced business school graduate and was having trouble landing a job I applied at this absolute hole in the wall business that paid barely minimum wage for an accounting clerk position. I though because of the low pay I was a shoe in until I saw the stockpile of resumes: I peeked at the top one and they a master's degree as well as a CGA and a CMA professional designations. I find it REALLY hard to believe in a big city like Atlanta they didn't have at least 10 suitable candidates for such a job. Having said that, I have no doubt that Lisa Penz was the fall person for a systematic dropping of the ball by a number of people.

This was not 20 years ago. This was 40 years ago. Before globalization and free trade kicked in, this was a time when the service-producing sector (finance, insurance, real estate, and wholesale trade) experienced strong job gains. There were more jobs in that sector than people able to fill them. Remember the 1987 film Wall Street. Greed is good? Capitalism was in vogue, and employers couldn't find enough people to work in finance.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DAYjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aM0FAAAAIBAJ&dq=dora%20peterman&pg=4949%2C3509090

A story about her in the Palm Beach Post from 1984 about her "cookin the books" at a Karate school in Lantana, FL. I live near Lantana, in West Palm Beach, FL. I looked her up in Palm Beach County Records system. She was affiliated with a gentleman by the name of David Peterman. They both lived at an address in Lantana featured on their court documents, but they never owned land in Palm Beach County under those names (not that i could find). All three county records the exist on Dora Mae Peterman are financial related, 2 of them are judgements made against here with the Su Mac Investment Inc, of Florida and the other is a lien from the IRS on her.

Perhaps I should do more research because the address on all their county stuff does not exist. 7802 Boanza Circle, Lantana, FL. There is no street called Boanza Circle... At least not today. And as for the town of Lantana, I dont think any of their street names have changed....ever. So I dont know how the county verified that or if there was in fact a road by that name at one time.

I was watching this segment for the very first time, as I don't remember seeing it. My major impression was that the actress playing Bonnie/Dora Mae somehow channeled Elaine Parent. She had that smirk that you see in a couple of Elaine Parent's photos. She also did ID theft and had ties to Florida. I guess we should count ourselves lucky that no one ended up dead.

We think of Atlanta as a boomtown today, but it (at least the city; not sure about the suburbs) was struggling at the time of this segment. Between 1970 and 1990, it lost 100,000 residents—20% of its population.

Even though Lisa Penz clearly didn't do her job, I suppose it's plausible that the pickings were genuinely slim. That said, unemployment was also pretty high at the time.

We think of Atlanta as a boomtown today, but it (at least the city; not sure about the suburbs) was struggling at the time of this segment. Between 1970 and 1990, it lost 100,000 residents—20% of its population.

Even though Lisa Penz clearly didn't do her job, I suppose it's plausible that the pickings were genuinely slim. That said, unemployment was also pretty high at the time.

If the population was dropping, wouldn't that have meant a large surplus of candidates? I think of all the local HR people I know who whine about struggling to find anyone suitable while I was sitting a couple of years ago with 4 different Degrees & Certificates in a similar field along with 20 years experience yet not even getting any interviews.

Having said that, I know that when I visited Edmonton around 2010 I know I could have literally walked into some places, taken the help wanted sign off the wall and tell them when I was starting and they would have hired me on the spot. Some places genuinely could not find anyone for MONTHS and that's with paying almost double what they were elsewhere.

Still kicking myself not taking advantage of that opportunity!