A Millersville man was in the county jail yesterday after being charged with running a vending machine scam out of his townhouse and defrauding 11 people of $77,000.
Patrick Charles Liggett, 31, of the 500 block of Allen Drive was charged Monday in Anne Arundel Circuit Court with 11 counts of felony theft.
William D. Roessler, Anne Arundel County deputy state’s attorney, said customers for the alleged scam were found through advertising in tabloid shoppers in the Baltimore area. The ads claimed to be looking for people interested in running their own vending machine businesses.
When people called the number listed in the advertisement, they were given a sales pitch promising they would make about $400 a week if they bought two Very Fine soft drink vending machines, Mr. Roessler said.
“The arrangement was that he would place the machines in proper locations and maintain them. The victims were told they would just have to keep them stocked and that they could keep the profits,” Mr. Roessler said.
After paying $7,000, Mr. Roessler said, the person was told that a good location for the vending machines, such as a shopping center, was being sought.
NTC Mr. Liggett never had a license to sell vending machines, did not represent the Very Fine soft drink company and never had the vending machines he promised to deliver, Mr. Roessler said. Prosecutors said Mr. Liggett fled the area in July and that officials found out about him after one of those allegedly defrauded complained to the state attorney general’s office.
Mr. Liggett also faces felony theft charges in Calvert County and is charged with violating probation in Baltimore County, where he was convicted of violating state home improvement codes.
