Sandra Marks, 41, who was known locally for her Readings by Catherine business on U.S. 29 North until she disappeared following a big raid a year ago, made it back to town August 28 for a bond hearing in U.S. District Court.
Marks was arrested in New York, and a 34-count indictment accuses her of bilking clients out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. She told clients she could get rid of a “dark cloud” or curse on them or their families if they made a “sacrifice” of large amounts of cash and valuables that Marks promised to “cleanse” through prayer, meditation and ritual, and then return, according to the indictment.
In court, the judge said he was concerned that she might be a flight risk because a good portion of the money she claimed to have made over the years is still unaccounted for by authorities, says U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesperson Brian McGinn. Her next court appearance is October 20.