Wednesday, May 6, 2015

[US] "Johnston County Woman Pleads Guilty To Defrauding Hopeful Parents"

Another disturbing "surrogacy" case, this time from the United States, via ABC in the USA.

SMITHFIELD, N.C. (WTVD) -- Jennifer Soronen pleaded guilty Tuesday to 11 counts of conversion by bailee, which is a type of fraud.

We first introduced you Soronen back in May of 2013 during an I-Team Troubleshooter investigation.

It was then a Fort Bragg couple came to Troubleshooter Diane Wilson after they hired Soronen and her company Baby Steps Egg Donation LLC, which had offices in Smithfield and Cary. The couple paid Sorenen more than $5,000 for an egg donor. That never happened and the couple wanted their money back. When we confronted Sorenen, she said it was all a misunderstanding and did refund the couple their $5,000.

However, there were more victims. Investigators say Soronen stole money from 11 couples who attempted to find surrogates through Soronen's company. In all, Soronen took more than $183,387.14 from the couples. We're told Soronen used the money for personal services including breast augmentation along with hair and nail treatments.

After pleading guilty, a judge sentenced Soronen to at least four years behind bars. She was also ordered her to pay $183,387.14 in restitution to her victims.

In court, Soronen did apologize for her actions.

Read More at ABC here.

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