Prosecutors said it is too early to tell if a Dublin woman will face charges related to analleged sports ticket scam involving former Ohio State quarterback Art Schlichter, but people fromOhio and Florida are leveling accusations against her, claiming she conned them out of cash.
Anita Barney, whose late husband was one of the founders of Wendy's, claims that Schlichter tookadvantage of her generosity and stole more than $1 million. Schlichter has been charged withfelony theft in the case.
10 Investigates reported previously that Schlichter and Barney allegedly promised sports fanshundreds of thousands of dollars in sporting tickets but never delivered.
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While Barney has claimed that Schlichter deceived her into lending him money and then threatenedher into giving him more, at least two people are holding Barney accountable for their losses, 10Investigates' Paul Aker reported on Thursday.
A man, who asked not to be identified, told 10 Investigates that Barney promised him that a planinvolving tickets would be so profitable that if he gave her $20,000, she would give him $30,000within a couple of weeks.
The man said that Barney gave him a check for $30,000, but it bounced when he tried to cash it,Aker reported.
The man, who has since filed a police report against Barney, said there was never any mention ofSchlichter.
"What makes me mad is this woman is portraying herself as an innocent victim," he said.
Another man, who also asked not be identified, also claims that he was victimized byBarney.
"She's the one that scammed me," he said. "And she's the one that did wrong by writingthese checks."
Numerous other people in Franklin County have filed lawsuits, and 10 Investigate has learned thetrail also leads to Jupiter, Fla., where Barney has a home. At least four people there havefiled lawsuits against her, Aker reported.
The suits claim that Barney promised money and never delivered. Barney claimed her funds were"tied-up," or that she was having problems with her broker, according to documents obtained by 10Investigates.
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Previous Stories:
February 15, 2011: Ex-Buckeye Schlichter To Remain In Jail
February 14, 2011: Ex-Buckeye QB Schlichter Charged With Theft
February 13, 2011: Alleged Victims: Ex-Buckeye Schlichter Used Book To Pull Scheme
February 4, 2011: Ex-Buckeye Art Schlichter Probed In Alleged Sports Ticket Scheme
February 4, 2011: Woman Accused Of Failing To Deliver Ohio State, Super Bowl Tickets
