New charges filed against travel agent

NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WPRI) - A North Smithfield travel agent was arrested and charged with taking customers' money, but never booking their trips.

Now, the attorney general's office says she's facing even more charges. Thirteen more complaints have been filed. Travel agent Barbara Lavergne faced a judge on Tuesday, charged with 13 new counts of taking money under false pretenses.

After a quick arraignment, Lavergne was handcuffed and taken away. Bail was posted at $10,000 dollars with surety.

Several people contacted Eyewitness News saying they were promised trips, paid for them in full, and then at the very last minute got a phone call from their travel agent that their trips were canceled with no explanation.

According to the attorney general's office Lavergne had been taking money from customers but never actually booked their trips, leaving them high and dry.

"I'm in North Smithfield and I should be in Florida with my daughter," said Holly Orlando.

Scott and Amy Hingley of Pascoag had a similar complaint. Customer after customer, 15 in all have now filed complaints with the attorney generals office which is now investigating Travelin' Time and it's owner, Barbara Lavergne.

Lavergne's attorney was not reachable for comment. If convicted she faces up to $50,000 dollars in fines and 10 years behind bars.