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DELRAY BEACH, FL---A former Delray Beach police officer and a self-proclaimed psychic and fortune teller have pleaded guilty to fraud and corruption charges in U.S. District Court in Miami.
During the plea hearing, Linda Marks, 57, of Delray Beach, a self-proclaimed psychic and fortune teller, agreed that she was responsible for bilking over two million dollars from numerous elderly and otherwise vulnerable victims from 1994 through 2002.
Jack M. Makler, 64, of Boynton Beach, in turn, admitted that he used his official position to improperly keep Marks out of jail and from violating probation. Makler also admitted that he lied to state criminal courts in New Mexico and Key West, Fl., to help Marks and her husband, Jimmy Marks, avoid severe criminal penalties. In addition, Makler admitted to receiving money and other property from Marks and to an improper social relationship with the Marks' during the time when he was officially assigned to investigate many of Marks' alleged frauds. Finally, Makler admitted to lying to his department's Internal Affairs investigators and to federal investigators on numerous separate occasions when he was questioned about his relationship with Marks and his handling of her cases.
At sentencing , Makler faces up to five years of imprisonment and Marks faces up to 15 years of imprisonment. U. S. District Court Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks set sentencing for Makler on May 10 at 4:30 p.m. and for Marks on May 10 at 8:30 a.m., both in West Palm Beach.
"The vast majority of men and women in law enforcement are dedicated public servants that earn our trust and deserve our respect", R. Alexander Acosta, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida said. "With these convictions, federal law enforcement sends a strong message that we will not tolerate the conduct of those law enforcement officers who, through their illegal actions, bring disrespect to their colleagues, sell their position and betray the public trust. The illegal conduct in this case was particularly egregious because the defendant's actions resulted in the continued victimization of elderly and vulnerable people, many of whom lost their life savings through fraud. Their trust in law enforcement was betrayed by these criminals, but by these convictions their faith in the criminal justice system may be restored." 2-17-06
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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