A woman accused of traveling across the U.S. while posing as an Irish heiress and scamming multiple victims out of tens of thousands of dollars has been extradited to the United Kingdom, a U.S. official announced on Tuesday.
Marianne Smyth, 54, faces charges of theft and fraud by abuse of position, accused of stealing over $170,000 from victims she met through her work as an independent mortgage adviser in Northern Ireland between 2008 and 2010.
In May, a U.S. magistrate judge in Maine ruled that there was sufficient evidence to extradite Smyth, who has also been described by accusers as portraying herself as a witch, a psychic, and a friend to Hollywood stars.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed the extradition and referred further questions to law enforcement officials in Northern Ireland. Smyth’s attorney did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.
Authorities in Northern Ireland allege that Smyth stole money she had promised to invest and also arranged to sell a victim a home but instead took the money. The Maine judge’s ruling on extradition included several instances where prosecutors claim Smyth pocketed checks of £20,000 (about $25,370) or more. One couple accused her of absconding with £72,570 (over $92,000).
Among Smyth’s U.S. victims was Johnathan Walton, a reality television producer for “American Ninja Warrior” and “Shark Tank.” Walton also started a podcast titled “Queen of the Con” to document his experiences with Smyth and expose her alleged crimes.
A court in Northern Ireland issued arrest warrants for Smyth earlier this decade. She was arrested in Bingham, Maine, in February.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, which obtained statements from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Smyth was scheduled to appear at the Newtownards Magistrates Court on Tuesday.