The Region - News from April 27, 1986

Two women were sentenced to nine years in state prison for bilking 100 friends and acquaintances out of $300,000 after persuading them to invest in a secret will that apparently never existed. Julianna Onesty, 64, and Sally Ann Scarpinata, 46, who were convicted in March, each received the maximum possible sentence from Pomona Superior Court Judge Thomas Nuss, Deputy Dist. Atty. Jim Green said. Nuss ordered that restitution be made to victims, and told the women he would reconsider their sentences if the money were recovered within six months, Green said. The two women, neither of whom had a criminal background, duped the victims into believing they were heirs to millions in a secret will that was hung up in probate, Green said. They told the victims their money was needed to pay fees or taxes on the estate, and that investors would double their money.