Local News in Brief : Gypsy Swindler Assailed
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A Gypsy leader has denounced a Sherman Oaks fortuneteller who swindled four customers out of more than $40,000 and predicted that the fortuneteller would be blackballed by Gypsies nationwide.
John Merino, leader of the Los Angeles-area Gypsy Council, testified in Van Nuys Superior Court that the clan has raised about $10,000 to repay the victims and he hopes to collect $20,000 more from fellow Gypsies. “We take care of our own,” Merino said of Laura Johns, 28, known in the fortunetelling business as Sheena.
Johns was to be sentenced Wednesday after her no-contest plea on four counts of grand theft. But Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Darlene E. Schempp continued the case until Nov. 19 so that a defense witness could appear on Johns’ behalf and to give her more time to repay the money.
Johns faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison in the four grand theft cases.
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