Jodie Foster\'s father could face more than 20 years prison for a property scam in which he touted his relation to his famous daughter to lure customers to part with money, according to prosecutors.
Lucius Fisher Foster III, 89, was charged with 17 counts of grand theft and seven of contracting without a license after allegedly cheating investors out of more than $100,000, said Deputy City Attorney Don Cocek.
Foster, who is estranged from his daughter, offered to build homes for 20 alleged victims in the San Fernando Valley north of Los Angeles, after contacting them through his own property website or referrals from realtors.
He "told at least half the victims that he is Jodie\'s father as part of the scam to build up trust," said Cocek.
Each alleged victim gave Foster a deposit of $5,000 and received a contract for their home to be build, "but no house was ever built," said the prosecutor. A pretrial hearing is set for Nov. 17 in the case.
His daughter, star of "The Silence of the Lambs," "Panic Room" and "Contact," was not immediately available for comment.
© Copyright AFP Agence France-Presse GmbH - All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed. All reproduction or redistribution is expressly forbidden without the prior written agreement of AFP.
KATALOG FIRM W INTERNECIE
