John Meehan was an American criminal, con artist, and manipulator, born in the 1950s in San Jose, California. His father managed the Diamond Wheel Casino, and according to his sisters, this environment may have influenced some of his later behavior. Meehan attended Prospect High School in Saratoga, California. He reportedly began exhibiting troubling behavior following his parents' divorce. One former classmate described him as "rotten top to bottom."
Even as a young man, Meehan was known for his charm, particularly with women, which later earned him the nickname "Dirty John." The nickname would become widely recognized following a popular podcast that chronicled his criminal exploits.
In 1990, Meehan married Tonia Sells, a nurse anesthetist. He pursued work in the same medical field but eventually lost his license due to professional misconduct. His employer accused him of stealing anesthetic drugs that were intended for patients. Meehan and Sells were married for ten years and had two children before divorcing.
Following his divorce, Meehan was convicted for drug theft and faced various legal issues throughout his life. His criminal activities extended beyond theft; he reportedly faked injuries by jumping in front of cars and tampering with food in restaurants—all in an effort to secure financial settlements. His history includes multiple scams and instances of fraud, reinforcing his notoriety as a manipulator.
| Description: | Investigative journalism podcast |
| Net Worth 2021: | 4 million |
