Warrant out for scam artist Bartron
From ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2000:
The Florida Parole Commission on March 3 issued a warrant for the arrest of Ron Bartron, 55, founder of the Priscilla Project, described by Ron Matus of The Gainesville Sun as “a head-spinning plan to save thousands of stray and unwanted cats.”
On January 3, Gilcrist County passed an emergency ordinance to keep Bartron from bringing 3,000-4,000 cats to a 20-acre site he leased along with a mobile home from supporter Diane Boswell, 57, of Alachua. The land and the mobile home were reportedly each valued at $50,000.
On January 13 Bartron sold the mobile home for $20,000, and on February 1 sold the land for $25,000, after shifting title to Molly & Friends, a cat-furniture-making firm begun by his wife Trayce––who said she had not seen or heard from Bartron since he sold Molly & Friends and absconded with the down payment, but left six cats behind who were taken by Alachua County Animal Control.
Boswell showed Matus “documents that show Bartron acquired a Bahamian corporation in December 1999, or at least the name of one,” Matus wrote, adding, “Boswell wouldn’t disclose the name or nature of the business––having cut the names out of the actual paperwork––and wouldn’t say why.”
On February 19 Matus disclosed Bartron’s history of insolvent partnerships and prison terms totalling 15 years for robbery and forgery. Matus said Bartron boasted to him of having impersonated more than 200 people to use their credit cards and bank accounts.
