Ex-porn star gets 3 years in prison
Saturday, March 29, 2008
BY KIBRET MARKOS
STAFF WRITER
A former porn star was sentenced Friday to three years in prison for scamming more than $48,000 from five Bergen County banks.
"I just want to apologize for my actions," said Joy Marquart, who was once known as "Farrah" in adult films, at her sentencing in state Superior Court in Hackensack. "I have learned a lot in the last two-and-a-half years."
Marquart was arrested in May 2005 on charges that she impersonated real bank customers and withdrew up to $7,500 from their accounts on numerous occasions.
Wearing a striped business suit and high heels, Marquart walked into banks and presented fake ID cards that had real names of customers and her photo, authorities said.
After asking to cash a check or make a withdrawal, she talked on her cellphone during the transactions, discouraging tellers from asking questions, they said.
Her scheme worked at banks in Fair Lawn, Hackensack, Oradell, Ridgewood and Westwood, but failed when a teller at an Emerson bank noticed Marquart's fake ID, they said.
Oradell police officials said at the time that Marquart, far from being the mastermind of this well-organized scheme, was only part of a New York City crime ring that targets bank accounts. But no other arrests have been made in connection with Marquart's case.
Marquart, 32, pleaded guilty in Superior Court in Hackensack to theft charges in November 2005 and agreed to receive up to three years in prison. But she skipped her sentencing a few months later, prompting Superior Court Judge Patrick J. Roma to issue a fugitive warrant for her.
Marquart was picked up in California on an unrelated charge and served a 16-month sentence before she was brought back to the Bergen County Jail in October 2007.
At her sentencing Friday, defense attorney Vincent Basile told Roma that his client has learned from her troubles. Marquart – who made some 100 movies in the late 1990s – was accustomed to money and it took her a long time to adjust to life behind bars, he said.
"She learned how to cope and how to deal with people," Basile said. "She has no intention of ever getting involved in any such activity."
Roma also acknowledged Marquart's change.
"You look more focused," the judge said. "The last time I saw you, you seemed to be out of it."
The plea agreement also requires Marquart to make $48,800 restitution.
_________________________
“My money is on the way.” -- Jim B
“I'll be sending my check out first thing tomorrow.”-- Safado
“How much money has come in till now from the fanbase?”-- Freestylah
“$12.41”--Smokey
END OF STORY 
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