A Central Florida woman said a man she met on a popular online dating service not only stole her life savings but he was also married, according to a Local 6 News investigation.
The report featured Ronald Hathaway, a self-described "free spirit," who is accused stealing from Marge Scull.
Scull said she had an eight-month relationship with Hathaway after meeting him on the dating service Web site eHarmony . Scull said Hathaway claimed to be a commercial photographer from Ohio.
His personality profile said, "I must feel deeply in love with and attracted to my partner," the report said.
She said Hathaway slowly became part of her life, attending her daughter's college graduation, meeting her friends and eventually asking her to marry him, the report said.
"I wanted to have someone in my life," Scull said. "It is as simple as that."
"You think he was playing on that?" Holfeld said.
"Absolutely," Scull said.
When they met, according to Scull, he claimed he worked for Disney and some Wall Street companies.
"Yet his own family admits it isn't true," Holfeld said.
"I don't think this was the first time," Scull said. "It couldn't have been the first time you know. It's just not possible. He is just so good at it. I'll give him that."
The report said Scull signed over her late husband's Mercedes after Hathaway claimed the engine block cracked.
She also wrote loans of more than $200,000 after Hathaway asked her to marry him, according to Holfeld.
Scull said Hathaway even took her to Cincinnati to meet his daughter and her family.
"This is his family but they are all participants in the scam," Scull said. "Therefore, there was no reason to keep me away from them. They were all playing the part very well."
Scull showed a note apparently from Hathaway's daughter that said, "I am so very happy that you met my Dad. I know you will be very good for him."
"And yet, it turns out Ron Hathaway was and is still married," Holfeld said.
Elizabeth Hathaway, his third wife, lives in a house in Sanford, Fla.
"When the truth came out, Hathaway claimed they were actually separated and he needed $82,000 for a divorce settlement," Holfeld said.
Scull agreed to give him the money but she still got him to sign a promissory note, the report said.
"He never paid up," Holfeld said. "In fact, he hasn't talked to Scull in a year."
"This was a match made in Heaven," Scull said. "I thought this was so great. He had the same interests and loved to travel. It was great. As it turned out it was a nightmare."
Holfeld said he spoke to Hathaway's daughter by phone and she confirmed that her father is married.
Officials with eHarmony said it will make all Hathaway's dating records available to law enforcement when asked.
"But as it stands now, there are not criminal issues," Holfeld said. "We have contacted Hathaway via e-mails and he says he wants to tell us his side of the story."
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