One of the Cruelest Cons-An Adoption Scam

Former Wis. woman admits to adoption scam

Kevin Murphy
Correspondent for The Capital Times  —  1/13/2009 3:34 pm

A former Maiden Rock, Wis., woman who falsely told four women that she had a baby to adopt pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to four counts of wire fraud.Melissa Christiansen, 31, now of Red Wing, Minn., was indicted in August 2008 with scheming to obtain an unspecified amount of money from four women by e-mailing, instant messaging or phoning them that she was pregnant and wanted to place her infant up for adoption. Although selling an infant is illegal, the case against Christiansen is about wire fraud, which is making false representations by electronic communication in order obtain to money, Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman said.

According to the indictment: In September 2003, Christiansen contacted a woman in Hot Springs, Ark., and a woman in Fredericksburg, Va. about adopting Christiansen's baby. Christiansen phoned a woman in Thornton, Texas in November and December 2003, about adoption, and in July 2006, Christiansen e-mailed and phoned a Granton, Ohio woman about adoption.Christiansen asked the women for and received money for phone bills, travel, bail and other items.Some of the women sent Christiansen small amounts of money -- $200 to $250 -- for bail, said Altman.The amount of money involved in the case is still being totaled.

The victims may travel to Madison to attend Christiansen's April 1 sentencing, according to a spokesperson in the U.S. Attorney's Office. Altman declined to say how Christiansen was caught, but before she was indicted, her victims appeared on the "Dr. Phil" television show and explained their contacts with Christiansen. The recording of the show was part of the evidence in the case and turned over to the defense.

Altman wouldn't comment on the evidentiary value of the women's comments on the television show but told a reporter, "It's pretty clear. You should watch it." Christiansen moved in summer 2008 from Maiden Rock to Red Wing, where she remains on bail, said her attorney, federal defender Michael Lieberman. Lieberman declined further comment on his client Tuesday.

Christiansen's case was scheduled for trial on Feb. 9. She faces maximum statutory penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, three years on probation and restitution when sentenced before U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb.

http://www.madison.com/tct/news//432444