Montco Woman Pleads Guilty in Travel Agency Scam

by KYW's Brad Segall

A former Montgomery County, Pa. travel agent has admitted in court that she ripped off more than three dozen out-of-towners who booked an African safari with her company three years ago.

Fidgeting on the stand and appearing nervous, Frances Balshan pleaded guilty to felony charges of deceptive business practices and the theft of nearly $170,000.

Prosecutors say the St. Louis Zoo  contracted with the 67-year-old Abington woman to book a 12-day Kenyan vacation, but they say she instead used the money to pay personal expenses and cover other trips.

Montgomery County assistant DA Tracey Potere says the guidelines call for nine to 16 months behind bars:

"We're going to be looking for jail time in this case.  It was a substantial amount of monies, and we're hoping that the next trip that the defendant books is to prison."

The Missouri residents still took their trip when a friend of the zoo stepped up and picked up the cost.

Balshan's attorney indicated they plan to also apply to the county's mental health court to assist her with managing her mental illness.