Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 4, 1994 TAG: 9411040108
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK AND LISA APPLEGATE STAFF WRITER NOTE: below
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
After raiding the Miss Stella Palm Reading business on Williamson Road this week, Roanoke police charged its owner, Lola Miller, with obtaining money by false pretenses.
"Apparently, she didn't forecast her own future very accurately," Chief Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Betty Jo Anthony said Thursday.
Miller, 44, is accused of defrauding her customers - including an undercover police officer - by charging more than $200 to remove curses and evil spirits.
In a phone interview from jail Thursday, where she was being held in lieu of $5,000 bond, Miller said she did nothing wrong when she gave a reading to the police officer.
The woman "said she wanted to keep her husband, so I gave advice. I said she should change her perfume, change her hairdo ..." Miller said. "This lady set me up for no reason."
A police search warrant alleges Miller "demanded money [from the officer] to influence life events." Miller said she charged the woman $180 and thought the extra $50 the woman threw down on the table was a tip.
"I read and advise. ... I'm not there to fraud people, not there to bring witchcraft," she said.
The warrant also alleges that she held elaborate ceremonies, complete with small demon-like figurines illuminated by candlelight, to "remove curses and evil spirits." Miller denied using figurines and candles, saying her belief in God was all she needed to read palms.
Lt. R.E. Carlisle, head of the vice division, said authorities are concerned that other people may have been defrauded by psychics. Police are encouraging anyone with a complaint to call them at 981-2711.
"This is a gypsy-type scam that dates back many years, and it preys on people who are having difficulties in their lives," Carlisle said.
Until it was confiscated this week by police, Miller had a city license to read palms.
Miller, who said she would sue the person who initially complained, said the community is against her.
"I am Catholic. There are a lot of reborn Christians here. We don't seem to get along eye to eye," Miller said.
by CNB