A travel agency owner and operator who defrauded dozens of clients out of hundreds of thousands of dollars will serve up to five years behind bars after pleading guilty to 38 counts of theft in September.

In addition, Judge Michael Barrasse sentenced Eileen Miner, 70, who ran Thompson Tours for decades, to 35 years of probation following her prison sentence.

As part of her sentence, Miner is prohibited from entering any casino and from online betting.

Barrasse also ordered Miner to pay back $215,849 in restitution to her victims, to complete 380 hours of community service and to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Following her court appearance, Miner was handcuffed and transported to Lackawanna County Prison.

Signs of trouble snowball

One of the first signs of trouble that the Lackawanna County business was in trouble came Oct. 11, 2024, when Joseph Traino reported concerns about a failed trip to Italy to South Abington Twp. police. Traino told police he and his wife had planned the trip through Thompson Tours. He said they paid about $9,000 for the trip, to include Sicily and the Amalfi Coast.

Three other family members had booked the same trip, bringing the amount paid to the travel agency, of which Miner was the sole owner, to over $24,000.

Traino told police that just hours before they were supposed to leave for their trip Oct. 7 they received an email that the trip had been canceled.

Police searched through state records for Miner’s name and found Archbald police had a warrant issured for her.

South Abington Twp. police contacted Archbald police, who said four Archbald residents reported fraud and theft related to Thompson Tours.

Police charged Miner with deceptive business practices, theft, receiving stolen property and related charges.

As the word got out that Miner was facing fraud and theft charges, more and more people came forward saying they also had been defrauded by her business.

Victims of Miner’s crime include people from Edwardsville, Wright Twp., Hanover Twp., West Pittston, Pittston Twp. and Duryea, according to criminal complaints.

Investigation into the crimes showed a pattern of deceptive behavior that included forging travel confirmations, providing fake itineraries and making false promises of refunds.

Ultimately, Miner was charged with theft in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Northumberland and Centre counties.

 

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