Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.metro From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Scam artist with 16 names may now be Brits' problem Date: Fri, 13 Nov 92 15:11:15 EST Message-ID: \SE B;METROPOLITAN \HD Scam artist with 16 names may now be Brits' problem \BY Brian Reilly \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES D.C. fraud detectives believe a notorious scam artist who conned his way out of custody last week probably left the area and may be hiding in England. Paul Marion Johnson, 30, a slick, high-living con artist who favors luxury autos and expensively tailored suits, is wanted as a fugitive in Texas, Missouri, Fairfax County and now the District. He is also suspected of impersonating a lawyer in D.C. Superior Court at least twice this year. Johnson, who is known by at least 16 aliases, left a cross-country trail of deception that was temporarily interrupted here last month when he was arrested in an undercover sting operation. But just 10 days after the bust, he was taken to court to be arraigned on a misdemeanor credit-card-fraud charge - "a mere formality," the commander of the fraud branch said. There, he convinced a Superior Court hearing commissioner he had paid his $50,000 bond, then capitalized on a records mix-up and slipped out of the courthouse. Later that night he taunted fraud detectives by calling them. Embarrassed court officials have talked little about the escape, but fraud detectives are frustrated with the added investigative work only days after they boasted of nabbing the fugitive. Now there is scant hope of recapturing Johnson, who seems to have little inclination to stay in an area where he is wanted by authorities. "We don't have any idea where he is and if we did he would be arrested," said Lt. Jeffrey Stowe, commander of the Check and Fraud Branch. "Given everything that has transpired . . . it would be reasonable to assume he has fled the area." Johnson is wanted for violating probation after being convicted in Houston on fraud charges. He is also wanted by St. Louis authorities for failing to return leased property. Locally, Fairfax County Police have charged him with using false credit information to get jewelry from a Tysons Corner store. He is wanted on a felony fugitive charge in the District and more felony fraud charges are pending. While here, Johnson lived and worked in costly complexes, often not paying rent. He owes about $4,000 to a Georgetown company he leased several limousines from, police said. After phone conversations with his parents, police now believe Johnson may have fled to England. Police said Johnson is originally from Illinois but has friends or family ties in both Philadelphia and New York. One detective said that moving on to those two cities would be a natural progression for the itinerant con, who has scammed his way northward through Houston, St. Louis, Chicago and the District. Fraud detectives also believe there are a number of D.C.-area residents who have been victims of Johnson's cons who have yet to come forward. Investigators have interviewed two persons who said he presented himself as a lawyer to them. One of the duped clients was charged with soliciting a prostitute and the second with drug possession. Lt. Stowe asks that anyone who has information on Johnson's possible whereabouts call the fraud office at 202/727-4159. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM