Accused Serial Scammer Candace Clark's Court Case Hits Another Snag
This story has been corrected to reflect that Clark was hospitalized with COVID symptoms, but we have not confirmed if she has tested positive for COVID.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Another delay for accused serial scammer Candace Clark, who did not show up for her latest court date on Monday, after she was hospitalized with COVID symptoms.
CBS 2 Investigator Dorothy Tucker reports Clark was scheduled to be in court on Monday, but instead called in from the hospital, as prosecutors and defense attorneys spoke to the judge in her case about a possible plea deal. Meantime, she said she was told to quarantine, and is waiting for COVID test results.
The judge said show me proof or I'll issue a warrant for her arrest. A few minutes later, the case was called again and suddenly Candace appeared on Zoom on her phone.
David Drwencke is Candace Clark's fourth attorney. He spent 20 minutes in the judge's chambers, listening to a plea deal prosecutors are offering the accused serial scammer. He wouldn't say what they're looking at.
"I'm not at liberty to get into that right now," Drwencke said. "I need to discuss with my client first and foremost. Does he think it's a fair deal?
"Do I think it's a reasonable offer, given the circumstances? Sure. I think it's a reasonable offer," Drwencke said.
Clark faces six felony charges: One for impersonating a state employee and five for theft by deception. The charges are related to complaints that took place in the last few years but the CBS 2 investigators uncovered victims and scams that started more than 20 years ago.
"I remember seeing her in the hallway."
Percy Julian High, Clark told classmates she had been crowned Miss Teen Illinois,1987. The CBS 2 investigators exposed that lie and revealed the truth.
In the early 2000s, Clark posed as a community counselor, accused of ripping off young mothers. When Clark pretended to be a real estate agent, she gained the trust of retiree Darlene Simmons, and ended up conning her out of thousands.
"She's the devil," Simmons said.
Clark's most elaborate impersonation was when she posed as state employee. She produced six fake ceremonies, hired 50 actors, musicians, singers and racked up $20,000 in expenses and stiffed everybody.
Then there were the housing scams. Our investigation revealed Clark was a serial squatter. eventually cheating landlords out of more than $200,000.
Does the prosecution's deal include any jail time?
"I just don't feel comfortable answering that question because it's a pending offer," Drwencke said. "We're presenting another side of Ms. Clark of course, like her community involvement, volunteerism, support from friends and family things like that.
Clark is scheduled to be back in court next week. She has to decide whether to accept the plea deal or go to trial. Based on the charges, Clark could get anything from probation to several years in prison. The judge will decide.
If you're wondering if Clark has COVID, her attorney said she's waiting on results.
CBS 2 Investigator Dorothy Tucker has been following Clark's case for years. We uncovered the schemes that led to several felony charges against Clark. They include pretending to be a high-ranking state official, and renting luxury homes without paying her landlords.
Clark was arrested as a result of our reporting.
It's been nearly two years since we last saw Clark in court and got the chance to ask her about the felonies she faces.
Tucker: "Don't you want to say something to all those people who are accusing you of ripping them off?"
Clark: "No. You have evidence that say that you're wrong."
We have the whole Candace Clark saga detailed in our CBS 2 special "Catching Candace Clark," streaming today on CBS News Chicago at 2:40 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 9:00 p.m.
