Authorities continue probe into 'gifting tables'

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Authorities continue to probe gifting table pyramid schemes even after two Guilford women were found guilty of running such a scheme.

Two witnesses said during the recent trial that tables are continuing. A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office says it's continuing its investigation.

The New Haven Register reports (http://bit.ly/XuF6si) that the spokesman, Tom Carson, says authorities will consider tables that operated years ago and were discussed during the trial and any that are continuing.

Donna Bello and Jill Platt were convicted Wednesday on wire fraud, filing false tax returns and other charges.

Prosecutors said the scheme involved women joining the clubs by giving $5,000 "gifts" to other table members.

Platt's lawyer had said everything she did was legal and based on the advice of lawyers. Bello's attorney denied it was a pyramid scheme.

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Information from: New Haven Register, http://www.nhregister.com