Judge keeps woman jailed in sweetheart swindling case

Friday, Oct. 16, 1998 | 12:35 p.m.

Douglas District Judge Michael Gibbons says there's a significant risk that Margaret Venus Loeo, 23, of Sacramento, wouldn't return next Tuesday for sentencing. She faces up to 10 years in prison.

Loeo pleaded guilty Aug. 25 to obtaining money under false pretenses from Anthony Brusca, 82, of Stateline, who lost almost $250,000.

Loeo has paid $10,000 in restitution to Brusca, and parole officers have recommended she return another $97,000 to him.

Diane and Steve Yonko, also involved in the case, paid Brusca $110,000 and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obtaining money under false pretenses from a victim over 65. They also agreed to pay $25,000 more to Brusca within two years. If the money isn't repaid, they could each spend a year in jail.

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