A woman accused of traveling through the U.S. posing as an Irish heiress has been extradited to the United Kingdom. She posed as an Irish heiress and defrauded several victims out of tens of thousands of dollars. The woman was extradited to the United Kingdom on Tuesday.
Marianne Smyth, 54, is accused of theft and fraud by abuse of position after allegedly stealing more than $170,000 from victims she met through her work as an independent mortgage adviser in Northern Ireland from 2008 to 2010.
A U.S. police judge in Maine ruled in May that there was sufficient evidence to extradite Smyth, who prosecutors say is also known as a witch, psychic and girlfriend of Hollywood stars.
A U.S. Justice Department spokesman confirmed the extradition and referred questions to law enforcement officials in Northern Ireland. A lawyer for Smyth did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Johnaathan Walton / AP
Government agencies abroad have said Smyth stole money she had promised to invest and also arranged to sell a victim a house, but took the money instead. The Maine judge’s extradition ruling included several cases in which prosecutors allege Smyth pocketed checks for £20,000 (about $25,370) or more. One couple accused her of making off with £72,570 (more than $92,000).
Smyth’s victims in the US included Johnathan Walton, who worked as a reality TV producer for “American Ninja Warrior” and “Shark Tank.” Walton also started a podcast called “Queen of the Con” in an attempt to document his personal experiences with Smyth and expose her misdeeds.
A court in Northern Ireland issued warrants for her arrest earlier this decade. She was arrested in February in Bingham, Maine.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, which obtained statements from the US Department of Justice and the Northern Ireland Police, Smyth was scheduled to appear in court in Newtownards on Tuesday.
