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Wis. woman sentenced to prison for travel fraud

By ASSOCIATED PRESS Friday, August 29, 2008 - 10:34 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Marshfield travel agent will spend more than two years in federal prison for ripping off travelers.

U.S. District Judge Barbara C. Crabb sentenced 47-year-old Marcia Meshak on Thursday to two years and nine months behind bars.

Meshak ran Travel Pro travel agency in Marshfield. Federal prosecutors say she collected about $200,000 from customers for hotel, airline and vacation reservations last year but never made the arrangements, instead using the money to run her business.

She pleaded guilty to wire fraud in May.

Crabb also ordered Meshak to pay $208,621 in restitution to her customers, although Meshak is disputing that figure. Crabb has ordered a hearing in November to determine the final amount.

reader COMMENTS

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(8)

janesvillean
Aug 30, 2008 at 1:45 a.m.
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She probably started out paying Paul from Peter's down-payment, and it progressed from there.

NVgrf
Aug 29, 2008 at 5:39 p.m.
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"Two years and nine months"? Heck, airport waits are beginning to border on that length of time.

prevention
Aug 29, 2008 at 5:32 p.m.
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How long has that travel agency been around? So much for going for the agencies you can trust. Oh wait, this is America.

happygolucky
Aug 29, 2008 at 3:17 p.m.
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What a dope!! Can you imagine booking your honeymoon & getting to the airport & not having tickets, etc.!! Ouch.

Badgerlvr
Aug 29, 2008 at 1:20 p.m.
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Looks like this travel agent is getting a free trip....to Taycheta.(sp) Wonder how she'll like the accommodations?

belisamasana
Aug 29, 2008 at 1:16 p.m.
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Did she really think she was going to get away with that? Not too smart.

jvldude
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:12 a.m.
Suggest removal

Good

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