Fla. man accused of swindling women out of $400K

[August 14, 2009]  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- A 55-year-old South Florida man allegedly swindled some $400,000 from two New York women he was engaged to at the same time. Authorities said Paul R. Francois coaxed one to move to Florida after she met him on vacation, and the other into taking out a $100,000 home equity loan on her Elmont, N.Y., place.

Francois was arrested Wednesday on two counts of first-degree theft and one of organized scheme to defraud. His attorney didn't immediately return a telephone message Thursday morning.

Investigators said both women thought they'd spend the rest of their lives with Francois. He allegedly hit one and threatened to kill the other when they became suspicious.

The woman who moved to Florida said she's penniless and facing foreclosure on the Miramar home she and Francois bought.

[Associated Press]

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