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Allegedly ripped off 89-year-old West Orange man

A woman captured in Florida after being sought by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice for three years, was arraigned in court in Newark Wednesday on charges that she and another woman conned an 89-year-old West Orange man out of approximately $164,900 by feigning romantic attachment to him and pretending they needed loans for fictitious business ventures.

Brenda "Girl Z'' Miguel, 48, who formerly lived in Newark, was arraigned by state Superior Court Judge Michael A. Petrolle on charges of conspiracy, theft by deception and money laundering, state Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor said. Miguel was charged in a June 20, 2007 state grand jury indictment.

The indictment also charged Susan "Chicken'' Frank, 46, formerly of Elizabeth, who remains a fugitive and whose last known location was Texas. Frank allegedly belongs to a group of transient con artists who prey on the elderly.

Petrolle increased bail for Miguel from $500,000 to $1 million, cash only, at the request of Deputy Attorney General Francine Ehrenberg, who is prosecuting the case. Miguel is being held in the Essex County Jail.

Miguel was arrested on May 6 in Orlando by Agent John F. McMahon of the Orange County Sheriff's Office. The New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice had enlisted the aid of experts and law enforcement authorities in bunco squads across the U.S. in a nationwide search for Miguel. Retired Det. Sgt. Jon Grow of the Baltimore Police Department, who is director of the National Association of Bunco Investigators, provided extensive assistance in those efforts.

Miguel was returned to New Jersey on June 28 by the U.S. Marshals Service and turned over to Lt. James MacInnes and Detective Cheryl Smith of the Division of Criminal Justice.

The indictment alleges that between Aug. 20, 2003 and Oct. 19, 2004, Miguel and Frank stole money from the man, who is now 89, by tricking him into believing he was making business loans that would be repaid. They allegedly engaged in what is known as a "sweetheart scam" by showing false affection for the elderly man to encourage him to make the loans. The women allegedly used the funds for personal expenses and have not repaid any money.

Miguel introduced herself to the victim, a retired financial adviser, at a diner in Linden in July 2003. Miguel, who used the alias Theresa Pachino, allegedly told the victim she was a hotel designer and remodeler who needed financing to complete a project. She allegedly gave him a business card with a false address in the Bronx. Miguel saw the victim on a number of occasions, and he allegedly provided her with cash and checks totaling about $104,900 for her purported business.

In 2004, Miguel introduced the victim to Frank, who used the alias Paulina Johns. Frank allegedly claimed to need funding for a national cleaning business she inherited. In October 2004, the victim allegedly provided Frank with three checks totaling $60,000.

Under state law, second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of $150,000. The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The investigation was conducted and coordinated by Lt. James MacInnes and Deputy Attorney General Ehrenberg. Deputy Attorney General Ehrenberg presented the case to the grand jury.

New Jerseyans who have information about the activities of Miguel and Frank or the whereabouts of Frank can contact the Division of Criminal Justice Tipline at 1-866-TIPS-4CJ. or log on to the Division of Criminal Justice Web page at www.njdcj.org. Any information will remain confidential.

— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM