The Seattle PI reports that a Magnolia woman accused of taking deposits from a dozen would-be renters in a rental scam has been charged with felony theft. King County prosecutors say Diana J. Delaney, 63, repeatedly advertised her home for rent, took deposits and backed out of the deals. According to court documents Delaney took $35,874 from people looking to rent the home. All but one of the renters has since been repaid but detectives say that it did not appear Delaney was done trying to rent the home, and was offering other services as well.
“There is still an active ad for the house rental on Cazoodle.com and she had also placed several ads for other services such as childcare, counseling, antiques dealer, ghost writer, and an ad for a furnished corporate house with a live-in errand concierge service included in the rental,” the detective told the PI.
Police began investigating Delaney in February 2009 after a woman reported that she’d put down a deposit on a home in the 3800 block of 34th Avenue West but was unable to recover it after Delaney backed out of the deal. Delaney is charged with one count of first-degree theft and three counts of third-degree theft. More details from the PI here.
