Conn. man accuses RI woman of $95,000 scam

NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) — A Rhode Island woman has been arrested on charges she scammed a Connecticut man out of $95,000 for a business venture she never launched.

Instead, police in Connecticut say Melissa Cullen of Cranston, R.I., spent more than $500 a day for liquor, clothing, groceries, limousines and elective surgery.

The Day of New London reports that Chester Lickwola of Waterford filed a criminal complaint against Cullen, accusing her of persuading him to give her $95,000 between December 2010 and January 2011 under false pretenses. Police say the two met on Craigslist.

The 45-year-old Cullen was charged with larceny and is being held on $200,000 bond. It wasn't known Wednesday if she is represented by a lawyer.

Police say Cullen characterized her relationship with Lickwola as an exchange of sex for money.

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Information from: The Day