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September 17, 2007

State claims man conned 8 more victims

PROVIDENCE -- The list of people allegedly conned by John P. Kluth Jr. continues to grow.

Kluth, a former lobsterman from Newport, was arraigned today on eight more counts of obtaining money under false pretenses in Superior Court, Providence.

The charges name eight new victims, bringing to 40 the total number of people he's alleged to have connned in Rhode Island. Charges are also pending in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Investigators say Kluth would typically approach people with a story about a broken-down lobster truck. He allegedly would tell them he needed money for repairs or his catch would spoil and promise to pay them back.

Kluth, 47, pleaded not guilty to the five felonies and three misdemeanors through his lawyer, assistant public defender Joseph Dwyer.

Kluth continues to be held at the Adult Correctional Institutions.

Philanthropist Alan Shawn Feinstein is among the eight alleged new victims. Kluth allegedly cheated Feinstein out of $450. The charge is a felony because Feinstein is over 65.

Another of the alleged new victims is a Providence certified public accountant who says he was cheated out of $3,620 via several requests for money.

Kluth has been arrested several times in the state and he's been convicted at least three times of obtaining money under false pretenses.

Extra: Listen to Kluth talk about what he did with the money in an interview with Journal staff writer Gregory Smith

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Gregory Smith

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 12:46 PM | Permalink

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