Convicted Con Man Charged in New Scam
A convicted con man who was jailed for nine months last year for charity swindles was charged Thursday with running a new scam under the guise of raising money for a Jewish organization.
Charles Ray Lonberger, 39, a resident of the Mid-Wilshire district, was charged with a single misdemeanor count of false advertising, which is punishable by up to six months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Deputy City Atty. Ellen Pais said the charge stems from a scheme in which Lonberger promoted a non-existent fund-raising event under the guise of raising funds for the Jewish Federation Council.
Lonberger was convicted in February, 1989, in a scheme in which he solicited contributions for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and a Fairfax District synagogue.
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