Woman convicted of scamming residents files appeal

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A notice of appeal was filed last week in the case of a woman who scammed county residents and her family into believing she had cancer.

The notice was filed on behalf of Heather D. Gaus, 34, sentenced to one year in prison on July 14. The notice was filed by attorney Ryan S. Reed, who represented Gaus during the trial.

A criminal docket statement from the Court of Appeals of Ohio Second Appellate District states probable issues for review include the maximum sentence Gaus received and findings by the court as to whether community control was mandatory.

Gaus was indicted in May for theft and receiving stolen property for conduct that occurred between Jan. 1, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2013, when she deprived the Fraternal Order of Eagles and additional donors of money donated or paid for her benefit due to her representations that she had cancer.

As part of her sentence, Gaus was ordered to pay $3,266.96 in restitution to more than 25 victims from whom she received money.

Woman pleads guilty to abduction, assault

A woman charged with attacking and kidnapping a relative’s girlfriend pleaded guilty to two felony charges Monday.

Edith A. Corfman, 51, pleaded guilty to a second degree felony felonious assault charge and a third degree felony abduction charge. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14. Corfman faces up to 11 years in prison and a child-victim offender classification.

On May 14, Urbana police responded to a Concord Street residence after a woman reported she was attacked inside her home, tied up and forcibly taken away with her infant daughter and a 4-year-old stepson in a vehicle by Corfman and her daughter, Lindsey A. Corfman.

Edith Corfman is the mother of the victim’s boyfriend and grandmother of both children.

The Corfmans unexpectedly arrived at the victim’s residence on that date and allegedly attacked her before tying her up and forcing her and the two children into a vehicle. After traveling throughout Urbana, the group stopped near the city pond at Melvin Miller Park, where Edith Corfman allegedly threatened to throw the infant into the pond unless the victim agreed to help convince her son to give up custody of the child to her.

When police responded to the victim’s residence, several cuts, scrapes and contusions were observed on the victim’s head and face. Both children were found uninjured.

As part of the plea resolution, additional charges of aggravated burglary, kidnapping and abduction were dismissed against Edith Corfman.

Edith Corfman was previously charged with interference with custody and disorderly conduct in a 2011 Champaign County Municipal Court case.

A court statement filed in the case states she took a 2-month-old infant without permission from the parent on March 30, 2011. After law enforcement arrived to ensure the child was returned, they struggled with her to get the child.

Champaign County Assistant Prosecutor Benjamin Hoskinson said during a June 8 arraignment hearing that the child involved in the municipal court case is a victim in the current case.

Lindsey Corfman was indicted on three counts of abduction and one count each of aggravated burglary, felonious assault and kidnapping. She was set to undergo an evaluation to determine her competency to stand trial last week.

Gaus
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2015/08/web1_Gaus2.jpgGaus

Corfman
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2015/08/web1_Corfman.jpgCorfman

By Nick Walton

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Nick Walton can be reached at 937-652-1331 Ext. 1777 or on Twitter @UDCWalton.

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