Maryland Fortuneteller Gets 18 Months for Bilking Clients

[ilikefrogs]

By Ernesto Londoño
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 19, 2007; B01

The fortuneteller saw it coming.

Before stepping up to the defense table yesterday morning to take responsibility for bilking clients out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, Grace Uwanawich hugged her husband and two daughters, knowing she would leave the courtroom in handcuffs.

"I promise in Jesus' name I'm not going to do this again," she said shortly before being sentenced to 18 months in jail. "I know it sounds like I'm using Jesus. I am ashamed."

The plea deal, which includes nearly $257,000 in restitution to four former clients, appeared to end the Montgomery County incarnation of "Mrs. Grace," who had said she was a Native American psychic. Authorities say Uwanawich, 63, defrauded vulnerable middle-aged women by persuading them to hand over tens of thousands of dollars to crush devastating curses.

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/18/AR2007061801768.html

[my_wan]

Good start. How do we put the rest of them behind bars?

[-Fran-]

Good start. How do we put the rest of them behind bars?

I doubt any governments would go for that... simply for there not being enough room in any states' prisons for so many people :rolleyes:

[Jalbietz]

That's it. Moving to Maryland.

[my_wan]

I doubt any governments would go for that... simply for there not being enough room in any states' prisons for so many people :rolleyes:

If their comrades started being shipped of the jail they would quickly shut up. Of course there are civil liberties that trump even woo. We can't exactly say that the fortune teller who sticks a sign in the yard and waits on customers is automatically breaking the law. I would say that a medium who goes to a victim saying they have information that will cost is obstructing justice. They can't claim "for entertainments purposes only" in such a case. Likewise for mediums wasting public resources sending police on wild goose chases. Medical claims would be treated similarly especially if it could be shown someone was harmed by following their advice.

At the very least make them targets of lawsuits. If I leave a bar drunk and injure myself or others I can sue the bartender. Doctors pay huge insurance premiums for lawsuits. What makes psychics so special? If they were scared enough of lawsuits from clients and their families most would go into hiding.

That gives me some ideas... New thread.

[LibraryLady]

By Ernesto Londoño
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 19, 2007; B01

The fortuneteller saw it coming.

*snip*
"I promise in Jesus' name I'm not going to do this again," she said shortly before being sentenced to 18 months in jail. "I know it sounds like I'm using Jesus. I am ashamed."

*snip*

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/18/AR2007061801768.html

Yes. It does sound like you're using Jesus. What else is new?

That's it. Moving to Maryland.

And welcome you'd be!

[jmercer]

Some days, the dragon doesn't win. :)

Evidence? See here (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070619/ap_on_fe_st/odd_fortuneteller_jail;_ylt=AvhCPVgjtqa9mXG6ifEfhc ksQE4F)!

[-Fran-]

Some days, the dragon doesn't win. :)

Evidence? See here (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070619/ap_on_fe_st/odd_fortuneteller_jail;_ylt=AvhCPVgjtqa9mXG6ifEfhc ksQE4F)!

Someone beat you to it :)
http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=85268

[Flo]

By Ernesto Londoño
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 19, 2007; B01

......

"I promise in Jesus' name I'm not going to do this again," she said shortly before being sentenced to 18 months in jail. "I know it sounds like I'm using Jesus. I am ashamed."

.....

Another criminal scumbag suddenly discovering religion ... and hoping suckers will give her a freepass over it so she can resume business on getting out of jail !