UPDATE:: Mentor psychic who stole $1.4 million loses appealA Mentor woman working as a psychic has been accused of convincing several clients that harm would come their way unless they provided her with cash, jewelry -- even leased cars.
Assistant Lake County Prosecutor Charles Cichocki argued that Miller was not prosecuted because of her ethnic origin or career, but because she was a con artist who preyed on the vulnerable.
On appeal, Miller accused Culotta of failing to consider that she was raised in an environment that devalued education for women in favor of developing their fortune-telling skills.
However, a three-judge appellate panel affirmed the Lake County judge’s sentence this week.
“The trial court considered (Miller’s) unusual background, especially how she was raised, and reasonably concluded it did not justify leniency,” 11th District Court of Appeals Judge Cynthia Westcott Rice stated in a 3-0 opinion.
The appellate court — including judges Diane V. Grendell and Colleen Mary O’Toole — also rejected Miller’s other arguments.
Gina B. Miller, 40, of Mentor, faces theft charges in the case.
According to police, Miller operated a business called Psychic Reader, 7496 Mentor Ave., in Mentor.
Police found during an investigation that over a period of 20 years, Miller allegedly perpetuated a scam where she told several victims that various types of harm would come to them or their families if they didn't give her certain forms of payment.
The victims gave Miller cash, jewelry, gift cards and open lines of credit, police say. Several also leased expensive vehicles for her.
Psychic scam: Police say woman scared clients into giving her cash, cars over 20 years | fox8.com
No comments:
Post a Comment