Perhaps I just have a jaded sense of humor as a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles, but this story grabbed my attention and actually made me chuckle a bit.  Being accused of a federal crime such as wire fraud, is one thing, but to be acused of defrauding nuns, well that’s quite another.  Needless to say, Nuns are very unfortunate alleged victims to have for any type of criminal cases.  I

Linda Gagnon, a 57-year-old Tustin resident, is accused of defrauding a group of nuns for over $250,000.00.  She is currently facing three charges of wire fraud in the Federal Court here in the United State District of California, Central District.  Specifically, she is accused of defrauding the U.S. Province of the Religious of Jesus and Mary Inc., a congregation of Roman Catholic Nuns.

The U.S. Attorneys Office alleges that the fraud occurred after Ms. Gagnon visited a convent in Rhode Island where some of the sisters in the congregation live.  Ms. Gagnon offered her services as the leader of a company, Rose Enterprises, which claimed to assist clients with delinquent mortgages and real estate.  Ms. Gagnon offered to help the Congregation purchase a property in San Diego.  Ms. Gagnon then persuaded the nuns to wire $285,000.00 from their retirement account to her to be used for the purchase of the property.  Instead of actually acquiring the property for the nuns, Ms. Gagnon allegedly used the money for personal expenses such as bills and lingerie.

Ms. Gagnon certainly is in for the fight of her life with such sympathetic alleged victims on the case.  Although federal wire fraud does not carry as much potential prison time as some other federal crimes, she still faces substantial time in federal prison and will be required to pay back the entire amount of the alleged loss to the nuns.

If you, or a loved one, has been accused of a federal crime, then call an experienced federal criminal defense attorney at the Law Offices of Karen L. Goldstein for a free, confidential consultation: (888) 445-6313.