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March 10, 2008

Jury trial set to begin for alleged con man's trial

Jury selection is set to begin in Superior Court today in the trial of an alleged con man who prosecutors say swindled more than 30 people each out of sums up to $5,200.

Thirty-eight people have alleged that John P. Kluth tricked them out of money by asking for money for what police say was a fictional broken-down lobster truck.

One accuser died, on is sick, one retracted his allegation and two will not return to the state for trial according to the prosecutor. In all, 32 people are accusing the 48-year-old former-Newport lobsterman of scamming them.

For each of the 32 complaints, he faces 20 felony counts of obtaining money under false pretenses from a person over the age of 65 involving a sum of $500 or less; 4 felony counts of obtaining money under false pretenses from a person over the age of 65 involving a sum of more than $500; 7 misdemeanor counts of obtaining money from a person 65 or younger of $500 or less; and one felony count of obtaining money from a person 65 or younger, more than $500.

Extra: Hear Kluth talk to Journal staff writer Gregory Smith

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 6:58 AM | Permalink

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