The Biggest Littlest Grifter in Los Angeles

Grifting: To obtain money illicitly.

"You should write about the Grifter.” Olivia stuffs the shiny end of a hard-boiled egg in her mouth, then mumbles, “She’s like Alex Forrest meets Heidi Fleiss. Legends of leaving men in the dust. Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, she will drag you down with her, because she’d rather you both be buried alive.”

Ten years ago, I befriended the Grifter. I never questioned how she made her money. In entertainment, she doesn’t stick out as odd at all. She is the most charming, kind, and loyal blackmailer in the city.

"Do I really want to write about the Grifter?” I say, staring at Olivia, who is already nodding, "Yes." “She’s an anomaly because most crazy women don’t retain power, and somehow she did.

For the last year or so, the LA Times has been putting together a piece about her. Part of me just wants to wait for that to come out and have Ryan Murphy option it.

Olivia reads in my mind, “I know about the LA Times story; everyone in this city just wants her to go away.”

It’s very safe to say that The Grifter has been a not-so-secret Hollywood secret for years.

”Everyone but Raya already knows she’s an extortionist.”

But how does The Grifter do it? Just fake accounts, burner phones, and side personas?

”Stalking and blackmailing are just the beginning.”