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Wheat Ridge Woman Accused Of Milking Money Out Of Customers

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (CBS4)- A Wheat Ridge woman who entertained customers by playing the piano has been accused of milking them out of thousands of dollars.

A Jefferson County grand jury returned an 10-count indictment against Chiffon de Schausten. She is accused of defrauding six people out of $165,000 between April 2008 and Sept. 2012.

Prosecutors said de Schausten, 79, convinced her customers at her two restaurants to loan her money to invest in her business practices or so she could fly to New York City and perform at Carnegie Hall. She also asked for money to help produce and market her CDs on which she played classical piano.

In 2008, de Schausten was the co-owner of the Entertainers restaurant in Lakewood where she played classical piano for customers. In 2011, de Schausten owned La Vie En Rose, another restaurant in Lakewood.

Investigators said she used the money for personal expenses and never paid back the customers.

In anyone has information about this case that they believe may be of assistance to investigators, please contact DA Investigator Troy Cooper, 303-271-6800.

De Schausten was arrested on Oct. 10 and is being held at the Jefferson County Detention Center on $100,000 cash bond. She is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 4.

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