Models Claim Body Paint Artist Scammed Them Out Of Money

DENVER (CBS4)- More than two years after a CBS4 Investigation resulted in a man going to jail, there are signs he's participating in the same behavior that got him in trouble initially.

The man, Don Tuttle, allegedly offered women money to have their bodies painted as art to benefit charity. Those women claim they were never paid.

Tuttle has an arrest record in the Denver metro area that includes felony theft for bouncing $146,000 worth of checks, probation violation and escape.

"Some of us didn't feel comfortable taking off our clothes. I did it because I wanted a better understanding of my body weight," said Crystal Powers.

Powers and others agreed to be body painted for $75 an hour for four hours. They were told the photos would be used in a calendar to benefit Parkinson's Disease awareness and research.

When asked if she thought Tuttle touched her inappropriately, Powers responded, "He lifted my breast to paint under it."

Tuttle was arrested for probation violation in Las Vegas in 2008. There, he was seeking women to pose nude for a cancer benefit.

"Too good to be true. $75 an hour with these tough times. We all had bills to be paid," said Pamela Schulze.

The women told CBS4 Investigator Rick Sallinger that Tuttle claimed he had worked with well-known body painting artist Shay Armstrong. By Skype from Wisconsin, Armstrong said she had no connection with Tuttle.

"This was extremely upsetting. My professional reputation means everything to me," said Armstrong.

Tuttle told Sallinger the women were lying about the details, but admitted he owed them money.

Eight women have come forward with their story that Tuttle hasn't paid them. They also said they gave him their Social Security Numbers and other personal information. Now they fear their identity is in jeopardy.

At least one police agency has been notified about Tuttle's recent activities.