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Fortune Teller Scams Victims of $1.2 Million
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA – Sandra Stevenson Marks, a.k.a. “Catherine Marks,” 42, of Charlottesville, Va., has pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of money laundering in a federal court in Charlottesville.
According to the evidence presented, Marks, the former owner of a fortune teller business on Seminole Trail in Charlottesville, ‘Readings by Catherine,’ operated a scheme where she would tell clients she was clairvoyant and able to see into the past and the future. She claimed to have a “gift from God” and was able to communicate with spirits and guides from God, including the “Prince of Illusion,” who relayed information to her about clients.
Marks would then tell her clients that they were suffering from a “curse” and a “dark cloud” that occurred in the past. She would claim that the clients needed to make a sacrifice of large amounts of money and valuables, which she would bury in a box to be “cleansed.” However, Marks kept and used the money and other valuables provided by her clients for her own personal use and enjoyment and that of her husband, Donnie Marks.
The investigation of the case was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Albemarle County Police Department, and other federal partners. U.S. Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. stated, “Ms. Marks took advantage of people who trusted her during some of the lowest points of their lives. Greed drove this defendant to break federal law and steal over $1 million from her victims. We are grateful to those who investigated this case and helped begin the process of making these victims whole again.”
Marks faces a maximum possible penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison on both the mail fraud count and money laundering count. The plea agreement calls for Marks to repay at least $1.2 million in restitution to the victims of the defendant’s scheme.
Clark E. Settles, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C., added, “A fortune teller cons clients out of more than one million dollars, then launders the proceeds and commits mail fraud. This sounds like the plotline for a Hollywood movie. Unfortunately, for Ms. Marks’ victims, this was reality.”
Marks is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date, and the court will determine the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors that will influence the sentence.
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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