Forgery charge dropped against Brooksville businessman

BROOKSVILLE –
Prosecutors have dropped the charges against a local businessman initially accused of conspiring to defraud victims of more than $1 million in a foreign lottery scheme.

They said the charges were filed for crimes that occurred too long ago, a violation of the statute of limitations.

Martin “Dan” Patrick, 77, was charged last month after police first identified him as a victim in the alleged scam.

Doris Siegel remains in the Hernando County Jail on two felony charges connected with the Nigerian lottery scheme. Her next court date is scheduled for June 17.

Siegel is accused of duping her friends and neighbors into giving her money in exchange for a portion of a lottery jackpot.

Patrick himself had lost more than $380,000, police said.

Detectives eventually were convinced Patrick took part in the lottery scam after uncovering proof he and Siegel had exchanged more than $500,000, according to the Brooksville Police Department.

Authorities also discovered Siegel had paid Patrick more than $175,000, according to a media release.

Detectives said they first found out about Siegel’s involvement with the scam in 2004.

Police Chief George Turner said the case remains open.