Nancy McKenna

Winthrop Harbor, IL. 60096-1738

nanasbbs@aol.com, Nanasbeanys@aol.com, picturefile111@aol.com, nanas-bbs@aol.com

Woman gets jail time in beanie baby case

Nancy McKenna: Bears remain in custody

By Art Peterson
STAFF WRITER

Nancy McKenna was sentenced Friday in Lake County Circuit Court to jail and probation, and ordered to pay partial restitution, but her hundreds of Beanie Babies will remain in custody, at least for another week.

Associate Judge John Phillips, in sentencing the 48-year-old Winthrop Harbor resident, said state law prevents him from requiring restitution for all victims, but expressed hope that McKenna would voluntarily re-pay all of the slighted customers.

Phillips earlier found McKenna guilty of one count of felony theft, but not guilty of many other theft, computer and wire fraud charges.

McKenna had sold Beanie Babies through her former store, Nana's, in Zion, and over e-Bay auctions on the Internet. The electronic shopping place drew many complaints from customers who said they paid for, but never received, their then-trendy plush bears.

McKenna contends she sold more than 12,000 Beanie Babies and failed to ship only 200 to 250. After she had failed, for many months to heed warnings of Winthrop Harbor police and reimburse the victims, police seized several hundred of the little bears.

Prosecutor Patricia Fix suggested Friday that the Sheriff's Department be allowed to hold an auction for the bears being held in custody, with proceeds used to pay back victims. Phillips said that could not be done without the state acquiring the bears through forfeiture, and Fix said that can't be done "at the present time."

Phillips said the bears will be held until both sides agree whether or not an appeal will be filed. He set a hearing for March 12. If there will be no appeal, the bears will be released to McKenna for sale.

Phillips said he is limited to being able to order McKenna to pay restitution to six victims, a total of $1,156. He ordered that payback to be completed within 18 months.

Fix had recommended that McKenna be ordered to pay back 56 victims at a total of more than $4,500. Defense attorney Ralph Strathmann had recommended that McKenna be ordered to pay back only one customer $799.

Phillips also sentenced McKenna to nine months of periodic imprisonment, with all but the first 45 days stayed, pending successful completion of the remainder of the sentence. She can be released only for work and treatment.

She must also serve 24 months of intensive probation and perform 175 hours of public service work.

McKenna must avoid any Internet sales or purchases, as well as alcohol or controlled substances. She must maintain full-time employment.

Phillips cited a concern for drug use in her household, where her three grown children have lived recently. Two daughters were arrested on drug charges during a police search in McKenna's home for Beanie Babies. One is still in jail and McKenna is taking care of her children.

McKenna said "I'm sorry it came down to this. I tried hard to run a business. For a long time I had many happy customers. I didn't mean to defraud anyone."

She blamed the problem on a health problem and a co-worker.

"I don't buy it," Phillips said, adding that McKenna "took in money, placed orders on the data base and did shipping. She kept the money and didn't ship Beanie Babies."

03/06/04

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/city/w06beanies.htm

The hundreds of Beanie Babies held as evidence in Lake County Circuit Court likely will get their freedom Feb. 20, the same day their owner, Nancy A. McKenna, will be sentenced for theft.
McKenna, a 47-year-old Winthrop Harbor resident, was found guilty of felony theft Friday by Associate Judge John Phillips, but not guilty of computer and wire fraud charges.
The conviction on the Class 3 felony carries a maximum sentence of two to five years in prison, but is also probationable.

McKenna had sold Beanie Babies through her former store, Nana's, on Sheridan Road in Zion, and over e-Bay auctions on the Internet. It was the latter that drew many complaints from customers who said they'd paid but never received their bears.

McKenna, through defense attorney Ralph Strathmann, blamed her former business partner, Martin Bachler, who now lives in Springfield, Mo., for mishandling funds. Bachler blamed McKenna. McKenna and Strathmann contend the matter was a failed business; prosecutor Patricia Fix called it an Internet scam.

The bench trial was conducted over six days of court time, spanning several months. Fix, chief of the Cyber Crimes Division in the state's attorney's office, had said McKenna was "200 to 300 orders behind" in bear shipments to high bidders from e-Bay, and "$10,000 to $20,000 behind" in account payments. McKenna contends she had shipped more than 12,000 of the trendy bears and failed to ship only 200 to 250.

Phillips said he reached his finding, based on "observations of the demeanor of witnesses and judging their credibility," and reviewing contents of "boxes and boxes and boxes of exhibits and Beanie Babies."

Prosecutors failed to prove the computer fraud charge beyond a reasonable doubt, Phillips said. They would have had to prove that McKenna not only had access to a computer, but also created an "artifice" (a trick) to defraud customers. The e-Bay portion of the business was handled by Bachler, Phillips said, "although at the direction of Nancy McKenna."

Prosecutors failed to prove that McKenna had devised a scheme to defraud at the time of the wire transactions, Phillips said, although McKenna kept "detailed records and spreadsheets on the filling of orders."

The theft conviction was based on one customer, a woman who had paid $799 for Beanie Babies but never received the bears or a refund, Phillips said.

McKenna had placed the $799 into an account only she controlled, Phillips said. "From that account, she paid herself much more" than what was owed the victim.

Even though McKenna was told by police, beginning in late 2000, to ship bears or pay refunds, the victim is still bear-less and out $799, Phillips indicated. "Three-and-a-half years later, it is still not done. Her (McKenna) excuses are not believable."

After setting the date for sentencing, Phillips ordered McKenna "not to be involved in retail sales or any kind of sales over the Internet." Strathmann said she is employed as an inventory checker for a large company.

Phillips said he will keep the evidence, including boxes of documents and Beanie Babies, in his office until sentencing, when a decision will be made on disposal. The small mountain of paper and plush toys takes up about one-eighth of his office space, Phillips said.

01/10/04

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/top/w10beanies.htm

---------
UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 2003 -  The NEW State's attorney is CHRIS STRIDE 847-377-3000
---------

Update: October 11, 2002"
If you are a victum of Nancy please contact Shannan Castellano
Phone (847) 377-3000.
----------

Update: January 4, 2002
If you are a victim of Nancy McKenna, please contact the State's Attorney General who now has the case.
JASON MERCURE CAN BE REACHED AT 847-377-3100.
------------------------
**Important Update: August 15, 2001
Nancy McKenna has been arrested! If you are a victim of this person, please contact :
Sgt. Vepley - Winthrop Harbor Police Dept. 847-872-2131.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/southwest/chi-0108180168aug18.story?coll=chi%2Dnewslocalsouthwest%2Dhed

If you have questions about the complaint,
please contact the person who filed it.

September 11, 2000

My name is Mary. I won & paid for an Ebay auction on 6/5/00 for Item Title: 2000 MCDONALDS TY TEENIE BEANIE BABIES (Item #347893749) @$49.99 + $6.00 shipping. I paid through paypal.com by credit card on 6/5/00.

Seller's id: nanas-bbs (nanasbbs@aol.com) aka... picturefile111@aol.com

Nancy Mckenna
944 S. Park Ave.
Apt. 1
Winthrop Harbor, IL. 60096-1738
847-746-6230

As of today's date, I have received NOTHING. I have called Nancy Mckenna twice, attempted to email her & now I am currently writing her a letter requesting my money back. PLEASE HELP me!   I have been doing some more research on the internet. (I wish I knew someone in our police dept.!) Anyway, this may or may not help...Nancy Mckenna's middle initial came up as "P"  Nancy P Mckenna dba Nanas.  I found this on www.555-1212.com  Hope we can stop this woman! I have received 2 emails from others that have lost SEVERAL hundreds of $$ to Nancy. Hope this helps in some way,

ps. thanks for everything you do.

Thanks so much.  Mary
ps. I have also filed a complaint with the FTC & am attempting to contact the Office of the Attorney General of the state of Georgia.

Unable to contact as her email is no longer working. Sent payment for a dozen USA bears back in June with no further acknowledgement from her. Promised delivery date is 9/15, but I cannot even contact her to see if they will ship.

On June 25 this seller was running several presell as note earlier in a complaint filed by mking@f-tech.net (8/24). I also won 2 pre-sells on Righty #364662026 & Lefty #364661717. I sent her my money order on 6/27 and she cashed it on 7/7. I have tried to call Mary @ 847-731-2795, but no one answers. My last email on 8/17 has not been read as of yet. I too am out of money like several others. If anyone hears or knowns now to contact Nancy, please email me ....Thanks Chris

Please go to www.nw3c.org & look for the internet fraud form. I also got this information from one of the people she has cheated. All need to contact him.
Sgt. Jim Vepley
Please FAX him ASAP with ANY & ALL info you have.  They are building a case against her. here's the phone to contact him:
Winthrop Police Dept. 847-872-2131.
FAX: 847-872-0190

cONATCT ELIZABETH ALEJO AT -650-251-1127 SHE IS THE MANAGER AND SHE HAS SINCE FROZEN THAT PERSONS ACCOUNT sHE SCAMED ME ALSO ALONG WITH ELEVEN OTHER PEOPLE. i HOPE THIS HELPS YOU.

Anyway that you know of to get money back? I think I have sent her 20 emails and called her on the phone and she does not ever reply. Thanks alot,  Jenny

I was also cheated by this person. I recvd this today, pls forward to everyone.Thanks

To: Nanasbeanys@aol.com
cc: (bcc: Raelene Guido/SkyTel)
Subject: EBAY ORDERS

Hello, You have an ebay order for nanas-bbs on ebay. As you may know, Nana's computer was stolen. The new one was to arrive last week, now it is to be shipped on the 22nd. Please note Nana's new email address. Please try to be patient while she rebuilds the data base. Thank you for your cooperation. Mary  Nana's

I sent two money order from Bid Pay. Buddies Roam, Coral, Batty, Flitter, and Roary and Large Hippie(ty dye rabbit)  Thanks

Subject: News Flash

She has $77.00 from me. I am an attorney and I WILL clean her plow if she tries any funny stuff. I called the city cops and she had a visit this morning about all the complaints they have been getting. Of course they wouldn't tell me everything but they did check her business records. As of today at 10am she was shipping stuff out to people for auctions. Now I don't know what that means. I do have her new phone # it is 847-746-6230. That is a different one than she has listed with Ebay.From what I could gather this other phone # is at her moms house. It rings but no answer. I asked them about the rumor that Nancy had her computer stolen. It was new to them. I am going to just sit back for a day or two and let the law, ebay and PayPal chew on her a bit. I hate the idea of a scammer on something as handy as the internet. I just love auctions.

Nanabbb is under investagation by the FBI as we speak. The police Department in her town is not taking anymore info on her they have enough. My deadline is 10/30

I received a message on my ans. machine today from Sgt. Vepley of the Winthrop Harbor Police Dept. He said that Nancy told him her computer was stolen & that she needed the names & address of everyone to make the attempt to "make things right". I will be calling him tomorrow (Nov. 1st) to inform him that Nancy is a con-artist & full of crud. I sent her a CERTIFIED United States Postal Service Letter (form 3811) on 9/12/00 & she signed it & dated it 9/14/00. This means she HAD MY ADDRESS! Gee, like she didn't already have it from the several phone calls & emails I attempted to send to her. Please pass this info along, as I am also forwarding this on to the others that were ripped off.

I have also just tried calling Nancy again tonight @ 847-746-6230. I spoke with a lady that said Nancy's computer was stolen (ha!) and that there was NEVER a police officer that came by her house. Funny, this "woman" knew so much, yet Nancy wasn't in! PLEASE call her house & let her know you mean business. I told her that I have filed a complaint with her local police dept., the FBI, internet newspostings, etc. The lady quickly yelled @ me & hung up!  Thanks!  Mary

Sgt. Vepley - Winthrop Harbor Police Dept. 847-872-2131.

PLEASE call him with ALL details & your address, as Nancy has claimed that she does NOT have any of our addresses and that her computer was stolen... yet there was not any report of a computer being stolen.

I won an auction on E-Bay for $61.01 from this scammer on 06/26/00. Up until 08/08/00 I tried 5 different times by E-mail to get her to respond. I then sent her a certified letter which apparently was never signed because I did not get the receipt. I asked her for my money back in that letter stating I no longer wanted the beanies since I already had gotten them from somewhere else. I have received 2 E-mails from her. One is dated 07/12/00 telling me where to send the money. The other is dated 09/18/00 telling me Nana's computer was stolen and the new one was supposed to be shipped on 09/22/00 and she gave me her new E-mail address. She asked me to be patient while she rebuilds her data base. What a bunch of crap!!!!!!!!!!! I'd like to take that database and ram it up her ???????? Anyway, I spoke to an FBI agent here in Charleston and he said to get names, phone numbers, addresses, etc from as many people as I can that have been scammed. I have 11 names in all ready for someone to use them. These are all willing and mad participants. I did not give these names to the FBI in Charleston because names started trickling in stating they had received either their money or their beanies so I let it go. I am with you 100%. Use my name, address or whatever you need. Thanks.  Ginny Floyd

I was scammed for $913.00 by Nancy on 06-05-00 for 6 dozen USA bears. Ihave contacted the local authorities in her area along with several others. I had won 2 auctions for dozens and she offered me additional beanies. Thank you,   Mary

I am one of the people that Nancy McKenna scammed. I won auction #364911862 for 2 beanies on 07/12/00. I tried several times to contact her via E-mail with no response. I sent her a certified letter with no response. Then people started pouring E-mail to me about her and I became all involved. I have 11 names, addresses and phone numbers of people that want to be involved and get their money back. I plan to call Sgt. Vepley tomorrow. I waited because I wanted to get all of my stuff together first. She only took me for $61.01. I know that's not a lot but the point is she took me. I want my money back. So you can add me to the complaint list and I will be happy to provide any information you need. I made copies of everything right down to the day I won the auction. Ginny Floyd

Mr. Jim Ryan, Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
100 West Randolph St.
Chicago, IL. 60601
(312)814-3000
I spoke with Donna Warehime at the Att. Gen. Office.

Searching & Pushing for Justice!!!   Mary

P.S. I DID talk with Nancy on Nov. the 1st @ 847-746-6230.
I calmly told her who I was, what I wanted (my refund) and gave her my name & address. She said thanks & that it would take awhile before she could get everything together. I STILL HAVEN'T HEARD A DARN THING from her.

December 20, 2000
Dear Mary,

I sorry, to inform you that my computer was stolen, and with that went all  my files. So as you can guess I'm not sure who bought what and when. It also shut down my Ebay and Pay Pal accounts and my email. And made it impossible for me to purchase all the products that was needed to fill all orders. Now I'm trying to get everything back which means a law suit against a third party, which takes a lot of time and money. Assistant States Attorney Hoffman has informed me that I need to send you your ordered items. I have now been able to match you to your order. You will receive your Set of McDonalds Teenie Beanies with in 30 days. Sorry for the inconvenience,  Nana's

Subject: nanasbbs@aol.com

traders_name: Nancy McKenna Comments: To All you out there that have something going on with Nancy. Please Keep up the good work. I got this in the mail. Hope you can read it!!
944. S. Park Ave
Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096
Phone (847) 731-2795 December 20, 2000

Dear Rory,

I sorry, to inform you that my computer was stolen, and with that went all my files. So as you can guess I'm not sure who bought what and when. It also shut down my Elyay and Pay Pal accounts and my eraail. And made it impossible for me to purchase all the products that was needed to fill all orders. Now I'm trying to get everything back which means a law suit against a third party, which takes a lot of time and money. Assistant States Attorney Hoffman has informed me that I need to send you your ordered items. I have now been able to match you to your order. You will receive your Set of Attic Treasures

Hello to all of you who were screwed by this individual. It looks like she is trying to wrap things up and get peoples orders from a year ago out to them. Amazing isn't it. It's truly a shame that the police department, FBI, Attorney General and Internet Fraud Dept. had to get involved with this situation. She is just one of millions of dishonest scammers out there. But, we stood up to her and got somewhere. I hope everyone who gets this E-mail received their money or their orders. There is just one problem with mine just like Mary. THEY REEK OF CIGARETTE SMOKE. The ziploc bag she sent the beanies in was almost brown and I could smell it before I even opened the box they were in. I hope the rest of you have better luck. I am returning these cigarette infested beanies back To her because I do not want them in my house.

Subject: Nanasbbs@aol.com
traders_name: Nancy McKenna

2 sets of beanies were purchased off an E-Bay auction #385714977 for a sum of $133.00 which a postal money order was sent. I called her home on 4 different occasions and could never get any acceptable response. One time the grand-daughter answered the phone and lied stating I had the wrong number. Boy they train criminals young don't they?? I have reported her to local authorites and have also sent her a certified letter with all copies of everything I have including the money order and the Fraud.com report #. I know she received the letter but no reply was ever made. She is no longer under this name on E-Bay. I sent the payment to: Nana's 944 South Park Winthrop Harbor, Illinois 60096 (847)731-2795. I am tired of being screwed by criminals off E-Bay!

Subject: Nanasbbs@aol.com (and others)
traders_name: McKenna Nancy & Jim

I drove by Nancy McKennas House. She has made expensive improvements. She has not gone to jail. I have started a new page to get the attention of the media and thye FBI. You can see it here: http://ourworld.cs.com/BachlerMartin/NANCY1.html

If you see any problem with the sight or anything I may get in trouble for please email me. I have included Statements from others and police, FBI, and States attorney contacts. Happy New Year and Peace to you all!

Martin Bachler

JASON MERCURE CAN BE REACHED AT 847-377-3100.

Subject: Nanasbbs@aol.com
traders_name: Nancy McKenna

I won a dozen Ariel bears on Ebay onpresale. I paid for them and they never turned up. It was too late to claim on Ebay insurance so i lost the money

Subject: COURT DATE NOVEMBER 25

Dear Friends,
You may remember me, I am one of the many, many, people who was scammed by Nancy McKenna. Most of her scams were Beanie Baby auctions on Ebay. I hadn't heard anything in a long time, so I called the court house to see what had happened to her, and to see if my little sister or I could get any money back from her. I was told that the case was set for trial on November 25th, almost 2 years from when I went to the Winthrop Harbor police. At this point, I made contact to her Son, who had gone to the police with me about 18 months ago and made a statement that his mother and stepfather had been stealing all his life, and that they smoked marijuana daily. He told me that his mother had just returned from VACATION in CALIFORNIA! He also told me that she was totally convinced that she would totally get off of all the charges. When I told Sgt. Detective Vepley this he said. "Thanks for letting me know- You're the 1st to pass it on to me. All that work... oh well. I appreciate your help. I guess everybody gets their's sooner or later." I contacted the States Attorney Jason Mercure. He said that this was no longer his case, and the new State's attorney is
Shannan Castellano
Her Phone number is Phone (847) 377-3000.

I was also told that Nancy was pleading NOT GUILTY!!! I couldn't believe it! How could she plead not guilty?? So, I have decided once again to contact as many people as possible. Many emails have changed, that is why I am hoping the Beanie sights will help out and print the new information. Everyone's who I am emailed I have emailed before. Please remember to visit my web sight that has a list of people she ripped off, signed witnessed statements from her son and nephew, The Original news paper article from the Chicago Tribune and the Waukegan News Sun, and much more. By the way, she didn't even spend one night in jail!   The only email I can find for the Illinois States Attorney is: statesattorney@co.lake.il.us you would have to put Attention to: Shannan Castellano in the subject line, I do not know if she will receive this or not. The web sight I found this on is: http://www.co.lake.il.us/statesattorney/

PLEASE, IF WE GET ENOUGH PEOPLE TOGETHER OUR VOICES WILL BE HEARD! IF ANYONE HAS ANY OTHER IDEAS PLEASE LET ME KNOW! GOD BLESS, Martin Bachler

DISCLAIMER: I SWEAR EVERYTHING HERE IS TRUE TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, NANCY HAS NOT BEEN CONVICTED OR HER HUSBAND YET. SO THESE ARE ALL ALLEGATIONS.

Nancy's Court has been extended to May 5th - Almost 2 1/2 years since I reported her to the police. There is also another States Attorney on the case.   It is unbielveable that she stole $50 - $100 THOUSAND dollars and never spent a night in jail.

Thank you,

Marty Bachler

September 19, 2003
Complaint filed by: Hzzz7@aol.com

helloo,   I am Geraldine Machtin. I am stolen $1400.00 by Nancy McKenna. I am Germany. I telephone United States Illinois Police. They no help me. I you help.

I found another article concerning Nancy Mckenna. It tells that the computers that were taken as evidence from her house are STOLEN. see it here:

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/archives/newssun/2001/20011017_13.htm