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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Monday, February 25, 2013

DA: Philanthropist "Linnie" Fowler Scammed of $1.1 MM

A Grand Jury presentment unsealed on Friday accuses a couple of defrauding philanthropist Marlene "Linny" Fowler of $1.1 million over a four-year period, beginning in 2008. Shawnta and Hassan Carmon have been charged with theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception and conspiracy. They've been remanded to Northampton County jail in lieu of $250,000 bail set by District Judge Roy Manwaring.

Because of Fowler's death on February 4, the presentment was sealed to give her family an opportunity to make funeral arrangements.

Unsealed, the presentment alleges a scam that begin in 2008, when Fowler first gave Shawnta Carmon $218,598 for dental expenses. Over the next four years, both Shawnta and Hassan were given large sums of money for dental work, tuition and medical treatments for the Carmon family, totaling $1.1 million. But there never was any dental work, tuition or medical treatment. Instead, the Grand Jury charges that the Carmons spent the money on expensive clothing, jewelry, limousines, travel and casino gambling.

DA John Morganelli called Fowler a "very generous woman." He stated that people would even appear on her porch, looking for a handout, and Fowler never really had a system to protect her against fraud. Instead, she trusted people, said Morganelli.

Morganelli credits the Grand Jury and its subpoena powers for this prosecution, and noted that 20 other unrelated investigations are under way. It is operating under the supervision of Judge Edward Smith.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bernie
How could this have happened in the first place? Didn't Linny have
assistants to write checks and review where funds went? If not, how ever did the IRS know if any of the funds ended up where she wanted.
She was the kindest and most generous lady. Remarkable and loving.

Anonymous said...

Overly trusting.overly generous,was hood winked by two thieves. May she rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

The woman led with her heart, not necessarily her mind and always found some sort of good in anybody.

The story here is not that she was naive, but two scumbags took advantage of her and took those funds away from others who had real needs.

Mrs. Folwer's generosity will be felt for generations through the many, many, many lives she changed for the better

Anonymous said...

In other circles she would have been labeled
" mentally ill " but because of her generosity to local communities I guess it is eckcentric¿ This parasitism is only labeled differently because these people were not acting under the guise of a local atourity or charity¿

Unknown said...

"Under our Home Rule Charter, a Controller is "responsible for the internal control of the fiscal transactions of the County." Morganelli credits the Grand Jury and its subpoena powers as they were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of...."

Anonymous said...

@Clinton Oxford, I don't get your point. While I have no knowledge of how these charges came to the Grand Jury none of this money fell under the controller's review. While it is clear from the media accounts the current controller helps John Morganelli from time to time that seems to be good government cooperation.

The Grand Jury Mr. Morganelli has pulled together has done some amazing things. Let's not let that get lost in your nonsensical comment.

Anonymous said...

Damn! To think I went without dentures when all I had to do was ask. $200K coulda got me a solid gold grill for my face slit.

Bernie O'Hare said...

". While it is clear from the media accounts the current controller helps John Morganelli from time to time that seems to be good government cooperation."

The DA no longer uses Barron.

Anonymous said...

I hope there is a special space in hell for these thieves.

RIP Linny... I could only hope to ever be as good as you....

Seamus

Anonymous said...

I thought the guy from Valley Youth House helped her sort through this stuff.

Bernie O'Hare said...

According to the DA, she really had no system in place to guard against those who would prey on her good nature.

Anonymous said...

The women inherited this said monies and probably lead a very sheltered life until her fathers passing¿ Now they are procecuting indeviduals that are not under the nonprofit laws¿ Tommorow the lawyers will be misappropreating said monies under cover of law¿

What is the difference between all these preditory acts¿

Anonymous said...

There will be some real shockers when the public learns which legit 501c3's took Linny for a ride.
Some Sacred Cows are about to get slaughtered here.
Some big names may escape indictment but are going to come up with shit on their shoes.
This is the tip of an iceberg .

Anonymous said...

Lakshmi Cow Sanctuary Inc.
1515 Ridge Road
Bangor, PA 18013
Across the road from Cappazollo & Zito property, above effluent runoff into East Bangor,Pa

Unknown said...

How can they be Inc. ....with an Agricultural Designation? You have to kill what you raise,....To be an Agriculturist!

Otherwise it should be a PRESERVE designation. Different Tax Bracket Racket

Anonymous said...

To whom it may concern....For a 501 (c)3: if you want a plain copy of the Creation Filing, the fee is $36.00 if you want certified copies of the creation filing the fee is 76.00 check made payable to the Pa. Dept. of State, our address is Pa. Dept. of State, Corporation Bureau, PO Box 8722, Harrisburg, Pa. 17105-8722.

If you need any further assistance, please call 717 787-1057 Option #5, have a great day.

Anonymous said...

This is going to get ugly.

Anonymous said...


To whom it may concern....For a 501 (c)3: if you want a plain copy of the Creation Filing, the fee is $36.00 if you want certified copies of the creation filing the fee is 76.00 check made payable to the Pa. Dept. of State, our address is Pa. Dept. of State, Corporation Bureau, PO Box 8722, Harrisburg, Pa. 17105-8722.

If you need any further assistance, please call 717 787-1057 Option #5, have a great day.

Anonymous said...

This person...my grandmother. May you always be remembered. I want you to know, that while it seems like we cannot forgive those in life of awful things, you could always find something about them to find compassion in. I love you forever. And I will always remember that, "All you need is love."

Bernie O'Hare said...

I did not travel in your grandmother's circles, but heard nothing but good things about her. I am sorry for your loss. It is our loss.