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Woman Found Guilty Of Bilking Nuns Out Of $285,000

SANTA ANA (AP) — A former Orange County woman has been convicted in a scheme that bilked nuns out of $285,000.

Authorities say 59-year-old Linda Rose Gagnon was convicted Tuesday of wire fraud and could face up to 60 years in federal prison.

Prosecutors say the former Orange woman defrauded an order called the Religious of Jesus and Mary out of funds that were intended to care for elderly and infirm nuns.

Authorities say Gagnon pretended to be a financial expert and offered to help the order buy a San Diego home for use by retired sisters. Instead, she used the money on her real estate company and for personal expenses — including lingerie, manicures and valet pet-sitting services for her dog.

An after-hours call to her defense lawyer was not immediately returned.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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