Las Vegas telemarketer gets probation in scam

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Friday, Feb. 11, 2000 | 10:06 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- A 47-year-old Las Vegas man Thursday was placed on three years probation and ordered to make $17,000 in restitution to three elderly people who were victims of a telemarketing scam.

District Judge John McGroarty sentenced Walter E. Peterson, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy of obtaining money under false pretenses against a victim 65 years old or older.

Peterson paid $5,880 immediately of the total restitution. He also must perform 16 hours of community service for each month of his probation.

Peterson telephoned elderly people out of state, telling them they had won a large cash prize in a sweepstakes promotion.

Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said one 80-year-old woman was told she had won $300,000 but needed to send Peterson $10,000 before the prize could be distributed. There was no prize.