Stephensons could face more charges in theft case

DANBURY TOWNSHIP – Additional police reports — potentially resulting in additional charges for Iris, 63, and Hugh Stephenson, 61 — have been sent to the Ohio Attorney General's Office for investigation.

The Stephensons, indicted on multiple charges of theft of the elderly and bankruptcy fraud, could face additional charges after Danbury Township police Chief Mike Meisler said another person reported she had never received stones removed from melted gold while Iris was the owner of Golden I Jewelery in Lakeside-Marblehead.

"There are still possible charges on a smaller scale," Meisler said about the report, filed at the end of February.

The new information is being investigated by Micah Ault of the Ohio Attorney General's Office.

Office spokesman, Dan Tierney said the reports are new to Ault's investigation and further charges would only be added if direct evidence is found.

Iris faces eight charges, including theft from the elderly, a first-degree felony. Additional felony counts include tampering with records, defrauding creditors and the misuse of credit cards.

She is accused of deceiving elderly widow Eleanor Jean Shaeffer, 83, out of $167,000 dating back to November 2010.

Shaeffer filed a complaint in December 2012 with Danbury Township Police Department alleging she had lent money to the couple to help with their jewelry store and a home mortgage. She told police they had an agreement to repay the money, but it was not repaid.

Shaeffer told police she had known Stephenson for about a decade. Shaeffer's husband, who died in 2009, used to purchase items from the jeweler. After his death, Shaeffer befriended Iris, according to a police report.

The investigation began as a result of that complaint, but expanded into a bankruptcy fraud investigation, Tierney said.

Hugh Stephenson faces two charges — theft from the elderly and defrauding creditors.

Both Iris and Hugh are due in court for a final pretrial March 20.

Biotcshoup@gannett.com

419-734-7504

Twitter: @CraigShoupNH