COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Idaho prosecutors say a man who’s lived recently in Coeur d’Alene and Spokane used elaborate lies to swindle thousands of dollars from women he met online or in bars, some of whom he’s also accused of raping.
Authorities laid out their case against 25-year-old Michael McNearney Jr., in a probable cause hearing last week.
Prosecutors say the McNearney used lies to gain women’s trust and affection before convincing them to give him hundreds or thousands of dollars.
McNearney’s lawyer says it’s not theft to get money from someone and fail to pay it back.
The Coeur d’Alene Press reported that a magistrate in Kootenai County said McNearney should face rape charges in District Court. He also ruled that prosecutors showed probable cause to proceed with charges of theft by deception and theft of financial transaction cards.
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