Attorney General's News Release

May 9, 2000

Florida telemarketer receives five-year prison sentence for scamming brother of legendary MU football coach

Columbia, Mo. — A south Florida man was sentenced to five years in prison today after pleading guilty in Boone County Circuit Court to a criminal charge that he defrauded an elderly Columbia man in a telemarketing scam. Circuit Judge Gene Hamilton sentenced Daryl E. Tellechea (DOB - 2/10/62) on the count of unlawful merchandising practices, which was brought by Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon.

Tellechea and another man, Thomas Francis Crossin (DOB - 12/31/40), were arrested last year by local police in Florida working in cooperation with Nixon's office. Crossin pleaded guilty to two criminal charges last September and is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

The two men convinced Fred Faurot to send them $1,887 after they told him he had to pay "entrance fees" to claim a cash prize of $43,000. After sending the money, Faurot — who is the brother of the late legendary Missouri football coach Don Faurot — notified staff from the Attorney General's Office, who tape-recorded subsequent calls.

Crossin then told Faurot to send $1,800 to claim additional large cash prizes. Crossin and Tellechea were arrested at a Western Union office where they were attempting to pick up a cash wire.

The two men also told the Columbia man that they were attorneys representing a Miami entity when they are not, in fact, licensed attorneys. Tellechea also told Faurot that a warrant would be issued for his arrest if he did not wire the money.

"We will continue to arrest and prosecute those who prey on our seniors through telemarketing scams, no matter where they are calling from," Nixon said. "Abusive threats and calls designed to confuse and frighten seniors are serious offenses and will treated that way by law enforcement in Missouri.

"I commend Mr. Faurot for coming forward to work with our investigators to catch these criminals," Nixon said. "His actions may very well have prevented other Missouri seniors from being conned."

Learn how to protect yourself from phone fraud.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818