Arrest In Supermodel Photo Scam
There's been an arrest in a scam involving alleged photographs of supermodel Niki Taylor in her hospital room.
William Siegelin, 30, was arrested on charges of theft by deception and obstruction of a law enforcement officer Thursday after he allegedly tried to sell the pictures to Taylor's publicist, Lou Taylor.
Siegelin told Taylor, who is not related to the model, that for $5,000 he could get a camera containing pictures of the model in the hospital, said Major John Mathis of the Atlanta Police Department. Taylor gave Siegelin the money.
Siegelin then told the publicist that a tabloid newspaper had gotten hold of the pictures, but for another $3,000 he could keep them from being published.
Taylor again gave him the money and then called the police.
"This guy's basically a major flimflam artist," Mathis said. "It's really a tragedy when anyone takes an opportunity like this to try to gain financially from this."
Lt. James Sellers said he doesn't think Siegelin or anyone else took pictures of Taylor after her accident.
"He basically cons high-level celebrities," said Sellers.
Police recovered $4,490 from Siegelin.
Taylor, 26, was involved in a car accident April 29 in Atlanta and suffered liver and other damages. She is still listed in critical but stable condition at Grady Memorial Hospital.
The mother of 6-year-old twins, Taylor lives in Florida and was visiting friends in Atlanta at the time of the accident.
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