Crime & Safety
Mystic Psychic Convicted of Grand Larceny
A Manhattan jury found the psychic guilty of bamboozling and scheming clients.
Main Street psychic Sylvia Mitchell was convicted in Manhattan Friday of bamboozling clients out of tens of thousands of dollars.
According to a report by the Associated Press, the Manhattan Assistant District Attorney said Mitchell “finds people’s weaknesses and she exploits them to her advantage.”
Mitchell was arrested in her Mystic parlor in 2011 for charges stemming from when she was a psychic reader in Greenwich Village.
Find out what's happening in Grotonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A jury found Mitchell guilty of grand larceny and scheming to defraud. Although Mitchell said she was trying to help her customers.
For example, Lee Choong eventually paid more than $120,000 for Mitchell’s assistance with her “negative energy” and for help in gaining the affection of a co-worker. Choong’s problems worsened and she was eventually fired.
Find out what's happening in Grotonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Debra Saalfeld, surrendered $27,000 after Mitchell told her she had to prove she could part with money. Mitchell paid back $10,000 when Saalfeld asked for the money back.
According to her lawyer, Mitchell’s sentencing is Oct. 29 and the top charge carries a 15 year prison sentence. She plans to appeal the conviction.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.