A Weaverville man has entered a plea no contest to grand theft embezzlement after cheating a retailer out of a large amount of jewelry. Brandon Beneventi was arrested in July by Trinity County Sheriff’s Investigators. Beneventi had falsely posed as a jewelry broker when he introduced himself to Jean Lam, the owner of Gold Rush Jewelers on Main Street in Weaverville. Beneventi said he could sell merchandise for her in the Los Angeles jewelry district, where he had connections. After he gained her trust she handed over $55,000 worth of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and watches and he left town. They stayed in contact as he kept saying he would meet up with her to pay her and sent her photos of stacks of cash. Eventually he said someone had broken into his home and stolen the money and remaining jewelry. Investigators learned of the scam from a man who had come from New York to engage in money-making schemes, but apparently also ended up being ripped off. Beneventi has made a plea deal with Trinity County prosecutors that will give him no more than 2 years in county jail. He’ll be sentenced December 31st.
-Steve Gibson